Courtney McGrail
Dear Editor, In The Irish Catholic (31/12/2015) George Hook was like a firework going off for New Year’s Eve. Few people expected his happy call back to faith. Welcome to the fold, George.
George is the type who would take up with gusto the challenge of moderns who claim, as he suggests, that “it is sort of politically incorrect to go to church now”. Yes, indeed, it is unfashionable to even mention God. George won’t simply kick to touch on that.
He waxes eloquent on the subject of the teaching of religion: “The modern kid isn’t going to believe the star and the Three Wise Men and the talking snake… today’s 10-year-olds are not going to buy it…” He’d like to teach them!
The allegorical language of the Bible cuts no ice with the veteran broadcaster.
But he had a point: The method of teaching religion urgently requires to be reviewed. The teacher needs to have fire in his belly but without compromising truth. George has the fire.
Yours etc.,
Angela MacNamara,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Jesus and the ‘just war’ debate
Dear Editor, The morality of the 1916 Rising is well summarised by Fr Séamus Murphy, SJ (IC 17/12/2015): “The Easter Rising passes none of the ‘just war’ criteria, it had a pagan love of war and blood-sacrifice, and it attacked important political common goods.”
When we evaluate the morality of war, why do we never refer to Jesus’ teachings? After all our primary belief is in Jesus’ divine authority as Lord; in Jesus as The Way, as the Word of God and the supreme revealer of God and his truth.
The Sermon on the Mount is the core of Jesus’ teaching. He speaks clearly against violent opposition to an opponent/aggressor: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matt 5:38, 39). He goes on to say: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy’. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in Heaven… If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” (v43-46).
Jesus practiced what he preached, even unto death. Before Pilate he said: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders” (Jn 18:36). On the cross he said: “Father forgive them, they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).
A leading biblical scholar of the last century Fr John L. McKenzie, SJ said: “If we cannot know from the New Testament that Jesus rejects violence, we can know nothing of his person or message. It is the clearest of teachings.”
Yours etc.,
Fr Morty O’Shea,
Kenmare,
Co Kerry.
Many unaware of JPII’s Theology of the Body
Dear Editor, In relation to Fr Rolheiser’s article (IC 17/12/2015) ‘Healthily integrating sexuality and spirituality,’ I couldn’t agree more with him on every point but one. In relation to the penultimate paragraph where he states that our churches have “never produced a fully healthy, robust theology and spirituality of sex”. Might I suggest the wonderful and beautiful teachings of St John Paul II in Theology of the Body. Pope John Paul II delivered 129 talks on this between September 1979 and November 1984.
The Down and Connor diocese have just hosted an eight-week course with another planned for the New Year. Christopher West designed the study ‘An Introduction to the Theology of the Body: Discovering the Master Plan for Your Life’ and it is presented by Christopher through DVD. This is an eight-week introductory course, as suggested by the title, and is suitable for single, married and celibate.
In my opinion, our Church is blessed to have the great St John Paul’s teachings available that do integrate sexuality and spirituality in a healthy manner. It is disappointing that many people are not aware of their existence.
Yours etc.,
Geraldine Kearney,
Downpatrick,
Co. Down.
It’s time to confront issue of climate change
Dear Editor, One can feel only sympathy and compassion for those dealing with the terrible damage of flooding to homes, businesses and farms. It is wonderful to see community spirit in action with neighbours helping each other protect their property and farmers giving stranded people lifts in their tractors and trailers.
Politicians can only hope that the floods have subsided before they begin canvassing for the expected general election, as many people are angry at the lack of proper planning that could have prevented a lot of the current damage.
But as Pope Francis says in Laudato Si’ we also have to face up to the challenge of climate change. This is no longer something that just affects the developing world, but has now arrived on our doorstep.
Yours etc.,
Donal Sherlock,
Tallaght,
Dublin 24.
Pray for good weather
Dear Editor, Isn’t it time we showed our faith in him “whom the wind and the sea obey” and asked him to give us relief from the incessant flooding?
The leaders of our faith should give us a lead on this and include prayers for good weather in the Sunday and weekday Masses.
Yours etc.,
Sean Creaney,
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin.
Seeking relatives of 1916 rebels
Dear Editor, I’m currently writing a book about the Easter Rising covering the Four Courts, Cabra Bridge (including North Circular Road and Phibsborough activities), the Magazine Fort and the Mendicity Institution Garrisons. I’m seeking assistance from the relatives of those who fought in these areas to ensure I have a complete record for this book. I have recently had a similar book published for the GPO Garrison: The GPO Garrison Easter Week 1916: A Biographical Dictionary.
Information that would assist me includes which of the above garrisons they fought with in the Rising, their commanding officer, if they were imprisoned, as well a short synopsis of their life and if possible two photos of your relative.
If you can assist with this project please email any information you have to 1916book@gmail.com or the address below no later than January 10. Any relative who wishes to register with the Four Courts Garrison relatives group can at www.1916fourcourts.com
Yours etc.,
Jimmy Wren,
163 Malahide Road,
Dublin.
Archbishop best placed to ensure Church role in 1916 rising commemorations
Dear Editor, Your paper is to be congratulated on its comprehensive and informative articles on the Church and the Rising (IC 17/12/2015). It certainly revealed an unknown and unheard of side of the uprising. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin makes a very good point when he says that practically no mention is made of the involvement of Dublin’s pro-cathedral and its priests, nor of the Capuchin order in Church St, who were very active in attending to the spiritual needs of the volunteers and members of the British Army. He hopes that the “programme of the official centenary celebrations will see that their contributions will not be ignored”. He hopes that some historian would take up research into the spiritual and religious roots of the commitment of the leaders.
As a leader of the Church, I would have thought that Archbishop Martin is best placed to ensure that such research is taken up and included in the commemorations by making representations on that behalf to the Advisory Group on Centenary Celebrations.
Yours etc.,
Pat Mullin,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
Cannot accept State demands which conflict with God
Dear Editor, Christ said in the Gospel; render to Caesar the things that are his. But every Sunday at Mass, belief is expressed that God is the maker of all things, those we can touch and those we cannot feel.
In Pilate’s case, his power came from Caesar; but where did Caesar’s power come from?
While Augustus and his successors claimed (probably tongue in cheek) to be divine, today’s Caesar, the State, as like as not does not believe in God.
But as we do not believe that we should render to the State everything that it demands, it follows that in particular we cannot accept the State’s demands where they conflict with God’s
Yours etc.,
Gerald Murphy,
Marley Grange,
Dublin 16.