Brendan O’Regan
A documentary on seminary life leaves Brendan O’Regan reflecting on the state of religious faith
The ironic title certainly grabbed attention. The Judas Iscariot Lunch (RTÉ 1 Monday night of last week) was a leisurely documentary on Columban priests who have left active ministry. There was respect, reflection, rationalising, self-congratulation, love, camaraderie, disillusion and a hint of arrogance.
These former missionaries had devoted years of service to the missions, especially in the Philippines, but now most seemed glad to be out and many had no religious faith at all.
Valuable points were made about the inadequacies of seminary life and the far too young ages at which they entered. It seemed that celibacy was the rock that many of these vocations perished on, and it would make you reflect on the issue of obligatory celibacy in the priesthood.
A small few seemed to value or used to value celibacy as a choice or gift, others told of sexual experiences – some while still in ministry, some afterwards and with some the timing was unclear. Considering that vows freely entered into were in question, the tone was overly flippant at times.
Some admitted they were immature when they entered, and many found the sexual morality they were taught unsatisfactory – one called it ‘appalling’, but it wasn’t clear whether it was the core content or the style of presentation or emphasis that was the problem.
Also unclear was how much faith was left, which was a pity. The issue got only a few cursory comments at the end – some had little or no religious faith left, some struggled, while one believed in some sort of spiritual reality but it was vague and tad New Age.
The serious issue of how they managed to cope upon leaving was aired, with opinions varying. Some found it hard to mix with acquaintances that had previously fund-raised to support their vocation, while another was challenged to continue the work of justice as part of the team after leaving and getting married.
Some had fond memories of life in the Dalgan Park seminary, others weren’t so happy.
I couldn’t help wondering how those who stayed in the order would react to this – at times it seemed that the participants saw themselves as the brave ‘pioneers’. And I’d like to have heard from some who left ministry but still had an orthodox Catholic faith.
Social issues
Still on RTÉ, I’ve criticised the Ray Darcy Show several times for bias on certain social issues, and the Broadcasting Authority has found the same on two occasions recently. This has been particularly true on the abortion issue.
Recently we got more of it in an interview with John Halligan TD. So it was welcome to see, finally, some small redress last Thursday, when D’Arcy interviewed Sinead McBreen of the One Day More group.
She had got the ‘incompatible with life’ diagnosis and felt pressurised into having a termination (a doctor suggested she think of this as ‘managing’ the pregnancy!) but decided to give her child a chance. Fortunately Grace defied the diagnosis and was now a lively baby of 20 months old. It was a moving story of courage and resilience and I’d say quite a few listeners shed a tear.
McBreen, while obviously pro-life, was understandably reluctant to pass any judgement on women that had opted for termination in similar situations, even going so far as to say it was right decision for them at the time, but when D’Arcy, with some justification, tried to make out that she was effectively pro-choice she said an emphatic ‘nah’.
I’d like to have seen that developed more, but fair enough she was strong on giving children the chance to survive, didn’t see abortion as a good option, and found politicians going on about ‘fatal foetal abnormalities’ to be insulting to the children involved.
Finally, with so much bad stuff in the news these days it was good to hear some positive news on Today With Sean O’Rourke (RTÉ Radio 1) last Friday.
The item was about the Homeless World Cup finals in Glasgow, a soccer competition for those dealing with homelessness and sometimes drug addiction as well. Hope was the dominant theme, as we heard from young men whose lives had been turned around by their involvement in the sport. Some of the lads had been good at football before they went down what one called ‘a bad road’, and were now rediscovering their talents, putting a priority on fitness and finding new meaning in family.
Pick of the week
WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016 – KRAKOW, POLAND
EWTN Sat 30 July 6 pm
PRAYER VIGIL – From Campus Misericordiae
WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016 – KRAKOW, POLAND
RTÉ 1 Sun 31 July 9 am, (also on EWTN from 8.15 am, repeat 10 pm)
FROM CAMPUS MISERICORDIAE – Final Mass to mark the end of World Youth Day 2016, commentary Michael Kelly.
SUNDAY MORNING LIVE
BBC 1 Sun 31 July 10.00 am
Naga Munchetty and a panel of guests discuss the moral and ethical issues of the day.