Mary KennyTheft is a moral crime that threatens the ‘common good’, writes Mary Kenny
We are told that rural Ireland is in the grip of such a crime epidemic that farmers are beginning to think the only way to protect their property is with shotguns: their guard dogs are being poisoned by gangs of criminals.
A reduction in the number of gardai is being blamed for this crime wave, and the Government is being called upon do something to protect the countryside – which is also afflicted by the unemployment, emigration and the closure of post offices.
Perhaps the Church should do something, as well. And maybe one of the things that the Church could do is to preach against crime. “Thou shalt not steal” is one of the Ten Commandments and purloining the property of others is against God’s law.
But property theft has been downplayed in recent times, possibly because it’s sometimes thought to be in the category of ‘white-collar crime’ – that is, well-off people robbing each other. Crimes against the person – assault, rape, violation, abuse of any kind – are considered much graver offences.
Yet crimes against property have widespread repercussions throughout any community. It is wrong to deprive another person of his or her lawfully acquired goods; it is especially wrong to steal the equipment which enables a person to earn their living, or provide for their family (valuable agricultural equipment often being the object of theft).
But theft also robs people of trust, sows fear and intimidation and reduces the sense of solidarity which is vital to something the Church cares about – ‘the common good’. Rural crime also especially terrifies older people.
It’s not enough to say we need more gardai or post offices or a political ‘charter’ for the countryside. We also need thoughtful priests to speak from the pulpit and say “this is wrong”. Maybe they feel that the malefactors won’t be attending the church in the first place, but the message of a strong sermon gets around.
I know that the clergy take a homily theme from a gospel lesson, but it isn’t difficult to link a scriptural passage with a wider moral point. And deterring crime in the Irish countryside is surely a moral cause worthy of attention.
Met Ėireann along with the British Met Office are inviting the public to give specific names to weather storms, so that we’ll be more aware of them.
Terrific idea. We’ll focus on storms even better if we give them saints’ names, like St Jude’s Storm on October 28, 2013, for his feast day. Suggestions to Met Ėireann will go on a candidate’s list – for when the saints come stormin’ in.
Dilemma over taking in refugees
Should each household take a Syrian refugee in the current crisis? I’ve asked myself whether I should start with my own obligation, rather than simply discuss the subject. At a level of conscience, I feel I ought to make the offer. And yet, would I be able to cope with a lost stranger in a strange land?
I suppose this is where a back-up organisation might help – to guide and provide support to hosts who are willing but nervous. So which Catholic organisations are stepping forward to undertake this task?
Yet it must be honestly admitted that despite the Pope’s compassionate suggestions, opinions differ about welcoming the hundreds of thousands of people seeking shelter in EU countries. My Catholic Hungarian brother-in-law emails me to say: “Thank God South-East Hungary [his native part] has been SPARED from this invasion.” The Visegrad countries – Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia – barely on their feet after the Communist 45 years – feel they just cannot integrate the numbers at their door.