A common line of thought these days among critics of religion, and Christianity in particular, is that God must be a major narcissist, creating a world full of people, animals and more, to sing his praises from now through to eternity. Commandments from throughout the Bible to love and worship God, a ‘jealous’ God, have…
Author of the acclaimed novels, The Road, No Country for Old Men, Blood Meridian and more, Cormac McCarthy died on June 13, aged 89. Up to that point, he had been considered by many the greatest living American author, and so he must surely now be considered a part of that country’s rich literary heritage.…
Judith Sudilovsky A local Israeli reporter went undercover as a priest and was spat at several times while walking the streets of Jerusalem, Haaretz, the Israeli daily, reported. Haaretz underlined that at a time when attacks on Christians in Jerusalem are rapidly increasing, police are reluctant to track down the perpetrators. Channel 13’s Yossi Eli…
Audrey Bryce When Fr Pat Neeson joined the priesthood, he had his heart set from the very start on ending up somewhere like Malawi, Africa, to begin his ministry. Fr Neeson was passionate about his calling, saying, “All through my training I wanted to go there. I thought I would go to Africa, and I…
A Quest for Meaning: A Journey Through Philosophy, Science and Spirituality, by Gearóid Ó Donnchadha (Orpen Press, €14.99/ £12.99) This is a stimulating book by an author who in his lifetime as a teacher invited and delighted in argument and debate. Gearóid Ó Donnchadha was a very committed priest and a very committed academic. Born on…
Scripture tells us that in this life we have no lasting city. True enough. But, it seems, we also don’t have a lasting house, school, neighbourhood, town, zip code address or most anything else. Eventually nothing lasts. Perhaps my case isn’t typical, but a lot of things in my life haven’t lasted. My grandparents were…
US Franciscan friar sent to prison for abortion protest Catholic priest and pro-life activist Fr Fidelis Moscinski, CFR, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for blocking access to a Planned Parenthood abortion facility by placing locks and chains on the gated entrance. Judge Steven Tiscione laid down the six-month sentence, which is…
The Sunday Gospel Deacon Greg Kandra 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Zec 9:9-10Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14Rom 8:9, 11-13Mt 11:25-301 Jesus makes us an invitation that is irresistible: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I…
I know media outlets have to report the bad news, but sometimes I question the priorities and the prominence. So, it’s welcome to hear a good news story, with people at their inspiring best. The story of Sr Helen Culhane on Drivetime (RTÉ Radio One, Wednesday) fit the bill. A Sister of Mercy in every…
Books Editor This year’s Gerard Manley Hopkins International Festival will take place in Newbridge College, Co. Kildare from July 21 to 27 inclusive. It should not be missed. The festival has been held every last week in July since 1987, an unmatched record in Ireland. It celebrates, of course, one of the greatest of Victorian…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Brendan O’Regan