I write this column in a state of shock – at the dramatic news of the death of Pope Francis. I saw the sad news breaking on Sky News last Monday morning. The general reaction was one of shock but not surprise, given the Pontif’s ill-health. Last Sunday, watching the coverage of the Easter ceremonies…
In our largely Christian country, you might think that an act of forgiveness wouldn’t be that noteworthy, but maybe our residual faith has left the concept lagging behind. And so it was that on Drivetime (RTÉ Radio 1, Thursday) I first heard the story of the court case in which stabbing victim and army chaplain…
I’ve often wondered if ‘Cultural Catholicism’ is better than no Catholicism. It may be more a matter of routine and cultural identity than deep faith, but at least people are arguably, however superficially, on the right track, which may eventually lead them to something deeper. As Doris Day sang: ‘Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps’. This becomes especially…
In today’s diverse and scattered media landscape it’s rare to find a programme that everybody is talking about. Adolescence (Netflix) has bucked the trend, with its grim tale of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a female classmate. It’s dark stuff for sure, but relevant considering news stories of children murdering children. We surely have…
There is so much aggravational division in the world. Some of it due to identity politics, but a related problem is labelling – instead of seeing people as complex individuals, made in the image of God, we prefer to label people. This is particularly problematic when it comes to children – sometimes doing it for…
Understandably the North of Ireland gets in the limelight when programme makers turn their attention to St Patrick’s Day. Catherine Fulvio’s St Patrick’s Way (RTÉ One, Thursday and Friday) saw the well-known TV chef take the St Patrick’s pilgrimage route from Navan Fort in Armagh to Downpatrick in Co. Down. She was a cheerful and…
Last week saw the beginning of Lent, and the onset of the season usually sparks some interesting religious content in the media. On Songs of Praise (BBC One, Sunday) for the first Sunday in Lent Sean Fletcher presented a special edition on the Lord’s Prayer, from an Anglican theological college – Ripon College, Cuddesdon. This…
It’s a tale of beginnings and endings this week! I enjoyed the first episode of the new biblical series House of David, launched on Amazon Prime last Thursday. I’m not a great fan of biblical epics – they often opt for spectacle rather than spirit, so the Bible, I’d suggest, is better read than seen!…
The worlds of religion and politics are often dominated by major figures, characters and leaders with big personalities – some of them will feature here. And so it was that Pope Francis was one of those giants that figured large in the media last week. Watching ITV News last Wednesday I was conscious, during Ellie…
Last Friday being St Valentine’s Day it wasn’t surprising that love, romance, sex and marriage figured in media discussions. Our Divine Sparks (RTÉ Radio 1, Friday) featured some historical background about the saint. Apparently, 3rd-century Roman Emperor Claudius II banned marriage because married men don’t make for good soldiers! So, Valentine performed secret marriages and…
Brendan O’Regan