Dear Editor, During the 2,000-plus years, since Christ came on Earth and the apostles set out on foot to spread the Word of God – “Go forth ye and teach ye all nations” – communication was difficult and progress slow. Possibly they were even unaware they were marketing the greatest and most sustainable product on…
Category: Opinion
Ireland’s ranking in maternal care
Dear Editor, The recent HIQA report surrounding the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, as covered by the media, seems to lack coverage of circumstantial evidence surrounding medical management and supply and the corresponding success/failure rate in providing maternity care in other countries. What seems negligent, in a case which has ravaged the hearts of the…
Protecting the rights of children
Dear Editor, How frustrating that when disgraceful shortcomings are pointed out in the State’s failure to protect and vindicate the rights of children that vested interests always blame a ‘lack of resources’. What resources were lacking when social workers, backed by the full authority of the Garda Síochana, removed two Roma children from their family…
Michael McDowell and the reform of the Church
Renewal will not come by ditching core beliefs, writes David Quinn
The Church: Christ’s compassionate face to the world
Nuala O’LoanRome was bathed in glorious sunshine last week as I spent three days visiting the Vatican with fellow legislators from the British Houses of Parliament. It was a wonderful trip and we had illuminating conversations with Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Archbishop Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation…
Remembering Fr Martin Clarke
He made much of the time he was given Brenda Drumm I met Fr Martin Clarke for the first time at my interview for the job of Communications Officer with the Catholic Communications Office (CCO) back in the summer of 2000. I was nervous about the interview panel but he immediately put me at ease.…
The academy and the pew – a strained relationship
There has always been an innate and healthy tension between theology and catechesis, between what’s happening in theology departments in universities and the church pew. Theologians and bishops are often not each other’s favourite people. And that’s understandable. Why? Theology and catechesis have different purposes, even as both are valid and both are needed. Catechesis,…
Attack on Pope Francis was disappointing
Dear Editor, I was shocked and disappointed on reading Dr John Murray’s letter (IC 3/10/13); shocked at the denigratory tone he adopted towards Pope Francis, and disappointed that a person in his position in the Mater Dei Institute of Education is forming opinions of Pope Francis through such a narrow lens of “his now-famous” interview,…
Fr Flannery is not a victim
Dear Editor, I am writing to respond to the letter from Jarlath Vaughan (‘It is wrong to silence Fr Flannery’ IC 10/10/13). Firstly, I’ll say that I have followed the story of Fr Flannery quite closely since it began to unfold. At this stage, talk of Fr Flannery as a victim of the “evil Vatican”…
Misleading on mental health
Dear Editor, Mary Kenny’s article entitled ‘What liberal’s don’t report about mental health’ (IC 7/10/13) is not only inaccurate but unacceptably stigmatising and serves only to propagate the myths and mistruths that link violence to people with experience of mental health problems. It is hugely concerning how Mary Kenny bases her entire piece around two…