Brendan O’Regan
I was having a relaxing Tuesday morning last week when news of the killing of a priest near Rouen came through as breaking news early on The Pat Kenny Show (Newstalk), with an up to date report soon after from journalist Lara Marlowe.
It had been a terrible few weeks for atrocities and this one was particularly cruel and barbaric. In the last while it felt like something evil had been unleashed with chaotic and devastating results.
Admittedly some of the horror level was augmented by media reporting – some were just the random murders that take place all too frequently and rarely get such global coverage. Unfortunately, ISIS-inspired attacks are nothing new either.
The topic was discussed on last weekend’s Sunday Morning Live on BBC One, when Archbishop Kevin McDonald, formerly of the Catholic Diocese of Southwark, described ISIS as essentially a modern phenomenon – “utterly of our time”, suggesting that most Muslims wouldn’t even associate ISIS with ‘Islamic’ extremism as their actions went so far beyond any Islamic principles.
He was glad there wasn’t an aggressive reaction and talked about getting to the roots of the problem (not so easy!) while former hostage Terry Waite suggested that it was a problem with many roots, religious factors included.
Later in the week it was time to celebrate as young Catholics gathered for an exuberant World Youth Day in Poland, though even that had its sombre moments – I was quite moved by the sight of Pope Francis praying in a cell in Auschwitz, an event I caught up with initially on Channel 4 News.
Later RTÉ News had a slightly fuller version when I learned the cell was that of St Maximilian Kolbe, whose story of love and martyrdom was outlined more fully on EWTN’s highlights coverage later on the Friday night. As Pope Francis walked slowly through the prison yard it was if he were carrying the weight of the awful suffering of this place. The mood brightened somewhat in his personal exchanges with some of the survivors of the camp.
I love to watch the Saturday night vigil at World Youth Day and wasn’t disappointed this time around. I was inspired by the young people’s testimonies, including the emotional words of a young woman from Syria who spoke of the ongoing suffering in Aleppo.
Presentation
I was impressed also by a dramatic presentation on the life of St Faustina – young people from outside Poland will certainly be curious about this saint who may not have come across their radar before
To keep track I relied mostly on EWTN and Salt and Light TV, US and Canadian stations respectively that provided live coverage of the major events. The Knights of Columbus Channel on YouTube was also excellent – it was there I caught up on a musical worship experience with Matt Maher and Audrey Assad, two of the most prominent Catholics on the contemporary Christian music scene.
Considering the huge amount of young people gathered, over two and a half million, and all so respectful, I thought the secular stations should have paid more attention – I think they missed even the cultural significance, and no doubt would have paid more attention if the gathering was held for a secular purpose or if there had been public order trouble.
RTÉ deserves credit for broadcasting the closing Mass last Sunday morning, with this newspaper’s editor Michael Kelly ably taking care of commentary duties in a most gentle and unobtrusive way. Pope Francis wove a challenging homily around the Zaccheus story, while the choir and youth orchestra were amazing, both musically and visually. Towards the end of the Mass a small singing group gracefully sang an infectious WYD anthem as they sang: ‘Jesus Christ, you are my life’.
Finally, a footnote – last Friday evening saw George Hook’s final and emotional Right Hook (Newstalk) after a 14-year run. I didn’t always agree with George, but at least on that show what might be called a conservative viewpoint got a decent hearing, especially on the socially divisive issues.
I’d prefer if presenters’ views on hot issues weren’t apparent at all, either on the left or right, but giving ‘opinion’ was always a strong feature with George.
But he’ll be back – with a new lunchtime show in the Autumn.
Pick of the week
WHERE GOD WEEPS
EWTN Saturday (night) August 6, 2am
Prof. Shahid Mobeen discusses the impact blasphemy laws are having on religious minorities in Pakistan, and their devastating consequences.
SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN
TG 4 Sunday August 7, 3.40pm
(1968) Starring Anthony Quinn, Laurence Olivier. A new Pope wants to make revolutionary changes, based on the Morris West novel.
LAST ORDERS WITH GAY BYRNE
RTÉ 1 Tuesday, August 9, 9.35pm
Gay Byrne explores the role the Catholic Church has played in Irish lives for more than 200 years.