Pope Francis made headlines around the world last month after drawing a reported six million people to the closing Mass of his visit to the Philippines. It was hailed as the largest ever turnout for a papal event and, possibly, the largest gathering in human history. While it’s a little crude to focus on crowd…
Month: February 2015
Appeal for Gladys Aylward information
Courtney McGrailDear Editor, I am currently researching the story of the late missionary to China, Miss Gladys Aylward. She became a household name in the 1960’s with the Hollywood film The Inn of the Sixth Happiness based on her life and which starred Ingrid Bergman as Gladys bringing 100 orphans over the Shanxi mountains to safety…
Primary school children too young for Confirmation
Dear Editor, Well done, Bishop Brendan Leahy. Yes! Indeed, why not postpone Confirmation for young people until they are at least 16 years old! (IC 29/01/2015) Unfortunately, few of the parents or students who have given feedback on the issue are keen on this new idea: and the clergy, I’m sure, are shivering in their…
Obama’s unpopularity with Catholics no surprise
Dear Editor, Your correspondent from America, Michael W. Higgins, makes some extraordinary statements (IC 19/02/2015) from the point of view of anyone who sees President Obama first and foremost as a champion of abortion right up to birth, who not only defends his position when and where called for, but forces others not so minded…
Biblical teaching on marriage is quite clear
Dear Editor, I cannot see how any Christian believer can accept same sex marriage without neglecting or rejecting what God has revealed about marriage: “Have you not read that the creator from the beginning made them male and female, and that he said: ‘This is why a man must leave father and mother, and cling…
Ten Commandments address global problems
Dear Editor, The violent deaths of so many people in Paris recently would not have happened if the ten commandments from the Bible were followed. In the Koran, there are concepts of God, Heaven and Hell akin to Judaeo-Christian beliefs, within recognition of Old Testament prophets. Moses, an Old Testament prophet, received the ten commandments…
True definition of marriage
Dear Editor, God created male and female to come together in love and marriage to assist him in human creation. That is the true definition of marriage. Yours etc., Christina Doran, Raheen, Limerick.
Ready to bear witness
Paul KeenanThe arrival of Islamic State increases the pressure on Libya’s Christians, writes Paul Keenan
The Francis narrative is déjà vu in reverse
John L. Allen Jr.The narrative of Pope Francis as a progressive reformer is becoming so set in stone as to be beyond rethinking or nuance, writes John L. Allen Jr.
The mystery of suffering
We bring much suffering and evil into the world by the abuse of our freedom, writes Prof. Eamonn Conway