Mental health blogger Gavin T. Murphy Bursting Out in Praise: Spirituality & Mental Health
by Gavin Thomas Murphy (Messenger Publications, €4.95 / £4.50)
The author has bipolar disorder, but he has put his own experience of this, and his own solutions to it in his own life, at the heart of this brochure, which many families may value for its non-technical language and its appreciation of the totality of the human person.
He is promoting to others his triangle of relations: dependence on God, service to God (which in effect means for him service to others), and a balanced mood of mind. In describing his six steps to mental health he draws from the past, from the writings of St Ignatius, St Francis and Hildegard of Bingen. But he also incorporates insights from medical science as it is now. He helps his readers, quite literally, to make the best of both worlds.
But the author’s enthusiasm for sharing his positive experiences with his readers will be appreciated by those who have been troubled by mental health issues, and that positivity, that “bursting out in song”, that gives this booklet its special tone. This is an excellent and insightful little work easily approached by those whom it might help.
Second Marriage in the Catholic Church: Annulment and other Solutions
by Paul Robbins (Independently published; Amazon paperback price £10.50; ISBN 978 17911753153)
This, sadly enough, is a book which many people will find of great value to them in their personal and familial situation. The author is a canon lawyer, fully qualified in philosophy, theology and canon law, with over 30 years experience in dealing with those who have sought recognition of a second marriage.
The whole question of marriage in modern society generates a lot of heated debate. But the indissolubility of a true marriage which the Church calls for is posited on the necessary factor that the marriage was a real marriage in the first place.
What may look like “a marriage” in the eyes of the world, may in fact not be one, in the eyes of the Church. When examined it may not have been valid in the first place for various psychological, psychiatric , social, or religious reasons.
“The Catholic Church,” the author notes, “teaches that marriage is for life. Yet, the Church also offers a number of solutions that mean that remarriage is often possible.” However, couples cannot act on their own: advice from an experienced counsellor and the opinion of a seasoned canon lawyer may well be needed.
It may seem strange that this book has had to be independently published, but this should not dissuade potentials readers, for it is filled with sound information and well-grounded guidance. The difficulties of modern publishing practice make it difficult for many serious books to get into print otherwise. This book provides both advice and guidance, strictly from an authentic Catholic point of view. Troubled couples should never feel that they are all on their own: help can always be found.