Brendan O’ReganMusical programming dominated this week
One of society’s toughest dilemmas must be figuring out when it is appropriate for the State to intervene in families. A stand-off approach might leave children open to abuse, interfering might lead to families being split up unjustly.
Éagóir, TG 4 last Thursday took up this issue relating to a mother from Derry, Louise Mason, who took her ailing child to hospital only to have it diagnosed with a dangerous tumour, a rare case of neuroblastoma. The child was saved, but in a second hospital in Belfast, medical staff put the internal bleeding down to non-accidental injury, leading social services to remove her two children, ultimately into foster care. This was facilitated by the fact that in family law cases decisions are made on grounds of probability. When a criminal case was pursued, with proof beyond reasonable doubt needed, Mason was found not guilty. Later her original doctor heard about the case and came forward with the neuroblastoma diagnosis, which led to two of the children being returned. A third, a new child she had taken from her after the controversy started had bonded with the foster parents and was still not home with her mother.
It was simple though worrying story well told, but I would have like more investigation of the procedures and systems involved. Was it just a case of everyone acting in good faith and making understandable errors, or were state agencies too fussy or ideologically driven? Why did the original diagnosis not get more weight, if it got an airing at all, at the family and criminal courts? Are there changes that need to be introduced to prevent injustices in the future?
Away from head wrecking social controversy, the arts figured prominently in the media last week. I saw most of Celiúradh (RTÉ 1, last Thursday), the Albert Hall concert for the President’s gracious and ground breaking visit to Britain. I found it all a bit too pompous and self-congratulatory and was underwhelmed by the musical offerings though I normally like some of the performers, like Glen Hansard and Imelda May. Much was made of our cultural history but our Christian heritage was largely airbrushed out of it. The only reference I heard was host Dermot O’Leary’s reference to being dragged around churches when he was young.
Another musical programme, Guth na nGael (RTÉ 1, Friday night) saw engaging presenter Mariéad Ní Mhaonaigh exploring the connection between spirituality and music in Ireland. Her first stop was in Bray to meet with Sinéad O’Connor, which is not where I would have started. With what looked like Hindu pictures in the background, O’Connor sang a shouty but interesting version of Psalm 91, said she enjoyed challenging ‘the theocracy’ but thought there was a lot that’s great about Catholicism. Next up was Nóirín Ní Riain chanting with the monks of Glenstal Abbey. Abbot Mark Patrick Hederman reckoned that God was singing in the world and that we, like instruments, echoed that in our performances. The music of Seán Ó Riada figured large and later Liam Ó Maonlaoi (of Hothouse Flowers fame) gave a soulful though rather dirge-like rendition of the Ó Riada’s familiar Ár nAthair’. Julie Feeney, interviewed in Ballintubber, said she had been surprised when people found spiritual resonance in her songs, and she didn’t shy away from that association.
Towards the end Ó Riain suggested that people were coming back to the power of religious songs outside the Church as they found a way to speak directly to God. I would suggest that might also mean leaving the community behind as well. While a worthy programme it was too superficial in its exploration of the topic, and notable by the absence of many of our most prominent religious composers and performers like Fr Liam Lawton, Ian Callanan, Ronan McDonagh, Sr Marie Dunne, James Kilbane and the umpteen gospel choirs we have.
On another artistic front, last Friday’s God Slot (RTÉ Radio 1) had Barry McMillan’s perceptive review of the new film Noah. He seemed to like it, especially its message of mercy and respect, but called it “relentlessly odd”, “quite mad” and a “spectacular grand folly”. He thought the film adhered to the spirit of the original text in Genesis, even if some odd unusual elements were added. My own review, for what it’s worth is on the blog section of faitharts.ie
Pick of the Week
SCHOOL OF LOVE
RTÉ 1 Easter Sun 20 Apr 10.35 pm
Would You Believe? goes behind the scenes into Ireland's only women's Cistercian Monastery, Glencairn Abbey.
JOY OF MUSIC
EWTN Easter Sun 20 Apr 3 pm
Easter Alleluias: Easter music from locations around the world.
COMHRÁ
TG4 Thurs 24 April 7.30 pm
Fr Donnchadh Mac Eiteagáin spent 12 years as a chaplain on board a cruise ship and is currently a parish priest in Raphoe in Co. Donegal.