Posted on 19. Jul, 2018 in Christian Values, Community, Death, Sexuality, Vocation
In this final piece with Fr Bernard Lynch, he talks about being at the side of gay men and administering to their spiritual needs as they were dying with AIDS. He said many of them died in despair, in particular any priest who was gay. The Vatican’s only response, he says, was to blame gay […]
Posted on 19. Jul, 2018 in Baptism, Christian Values, Church Teachings, Young people
Irish theologian Gerry O’Hanlon SJ examines the work and statements of Pope Francis saying that he wants to bring about a quiet revolution within the Catholic Church. He says that he wants to go back over 1000 years to a church which was more inclusive and and driven by the laity, essentially a ‘synodal’ church. […]
Posted on 12. Jul, 2018 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Sexuality, Vocation
In this second part of our series with Fr Bernárd Lynch, a Catholic priest who is gay and married, he talks about his life journey – coming out as gay as well as meeting his husband Billy Desmond. He speaks of the oft quoted phrase, “The Truth will set you Free” in relation to how it […]
Posted on 12. Jul, 2018 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Conflict, Faith and Justice, Gospel Values, Humane Vitae, War / Civil Unrest
In this second interview with Stanley Hauerwas, named “America’s Best Theologian” by Time magazine in 2001, he gives his reaction to the recent Irish referendum and questions whether the debates we were having were really getting to the heart of the matter. He also looks at the idea of peace and believing in a peaceful future, setting aside […]
Posted on 05. Jul, 2018 in Achievement, Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Faith and Justice, Liturgy
Pope Francis’ attendance at the The two World Meeting of Families 2018 in Ireland has been met with great enthusiasm. Tickets for the two events for which Pope Francis has confirmed attendance, Knock Shrine and the Phoenix Park were very quickly taken up. Knock Shrine is now fully booked out at 45,000 people and the […]
Posted on 28. Jun, 2018 in Christian Values, Community, Ecology, Faith and Justice, Gospel Values, Young people
As we approach the world meeting of Families, Dympna Mallon SMA Laity Coordinator talks about their Family Tree project. Going beyond the tradition interpretation of family, her project aims to connect us all as family, including our environment. She says the Society of African Missions have long been aware of the devastating impacts of climate change […]
Posted on 28. Jun, 2018 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Feminism/Women in the Church, Gospel Values
Minister Josepha Madigan stepped up to assist a church service in Mount Merrion last Saturday, 23rd of June, when a priest failed to show up. Afterwards she said the Church should ordain women and allow priests to marry. Her actions caused a great stir amongst some including Archbishop Diarmuid Martin who said it was “deeply disrespectful” […]
Posted on 21. Jun, 2018 in Christian Values, Community
The Dromantine Retreat and Conference Centre, pictured above, will host this year’s Summer School of the Society of African Missions. Running from 29 June – 1 July 2018, the theme of the event will be “Radical Discipleship – Healing for a World in Pain”. The gathering will open with a panel discussion on the main […]
Posted on 21. Jun, 2018 in Christian Values, Faith and Justice, Gospel Values, Humanitarian Aid, Places of Conflict, Refugees
Peter Girasek SJ said he felt like he was going to a sure death when he was asked to go to refugee camps in Iraq, a country that was assaulted by the Islamic extremist group ISIS for three years displacing over three million people. He made the decision to go when he asked himself, ‘If […]
Posted on 14. Jun, 2018 in Christian Values, Community, Conflict, Ecology, Faith and Justice, Humanitarian Aid
Trócaire’s garden of resistance recently won gold in the Bloom Garden Festival. Designed by Barry Kavanagh, it represented the plight of human rights defenders who are risking their lives and safety to protect their homes and communities from exploitation and eviction. The garden was broken up into three areas of geographical representation; Palestine, Guatemala and Zimbabwe. […]