Ed Condon Next month, the 2018 Vatican-China deal expires. Those close to the negotiations, both in Rome and in Beijing, now confidently predict a one-year extension to the two-year deal to be agreed. But while the last two years have failed to deliver any measurable progress on the Vatican’s priorities, the status quo of all-dialogue-and-no-delivery…
A group of Catholics in southern India has accused Bangalore Archdiocese of being party to a multi-million dollar financial scam linked to overseas donations. Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore denied the allegations and said he was ready to face any probe. All Karnataka Catholic Christian Association (AKCCA) accused the archdiocese-owned Asha Charitable Trust of misappropriating some three billion…
Conversations with René Girard. Prophet of Envy edited by Cynthia L. Haven (Bloomsbury Academic, £65.00 hb/£21.99 pb and Kindle) Frank Litton René Girard (1923-2015), the French literary historian and philosopher long resident in the United States, has been described as one of the 20th Century’s most original and important thinkers. It is hard to disagree, for his…
A Parent’s Perspective I watched a short, gripping video recently presented by the priest and author, Fr Mike Schmitz. Well known for his internet presence, especially his YouTube videos, this one really grabbed my attention, with the title: ‘Why Are Some People So Annoying?’ His basic premise is that being annoyed is a choice we…
Personal Profile Fr Kevin McNamara is a man familiar with making the best of bad situations. “I have a philosophy that you have to grow where you’re planted. Every place that I have worked in, including my current place, is bringing great challenges,” he tells The Irish Catholic. Parish priest of Moyvane, Co. Kerry, Fr…
The Ideal Diplomat: Women and Irish foreign affairs, 1946-90 by Ann Marie O’Brien (Four Courts Press, €45.00/£40.00) Joe Carroll Josephine McNeill was the first woman to head an Irish diplomatic mission abroad when appointed Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to the newly-opened legation in the Hague in 1949. Three years later in a letter to Seán Nunan,…
What kinds of things help induce mysticism in our lives? I was asked that question recently and this was my immediate, non-reflected, answer: whatever brings tears to your eyes in either genuine sorrow or genuine joy; but that response was predicated on a lot of things. What is mysticism? What makes for mystical experience? In…
Pope Francis calls for solidarity at first audience with pilgrims after lockdown In his first Wednesday audience with pilgrims since Italy’s lockdown, Pope Francis has called for solidarity to reawaken unity and bring God’s love to a suffering world. “In the midst of crises and storms, the Lord challenges us and invites us to reawaken…
In an almost unprecedented move, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop-elect Michel Mulloy, who was appointed to lead the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota less than three months ago. It comes after an allegation that he abused a minor in the 1980s was brought forward in early August. His current diocese said that it…
Notebook You may well consider this an example of too much information but when visitors to my home use the guest bathroom they rarely ever comment on the very high quality hand soap on offer or even the interesting selection of reading material strategically placed for those whose stay may be a little longer. However,…
Maria Byrne
Fr Ronald Rolheiser