Church and Society

Posted on 21. Apr, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Faith and Justice, Feminism/Women in the Church

The role of Church in society is often a contentious one, with some protesting at the sign of any public symbol of religion and others feeling the loss of a communal sense of celebration. Miriam Gormally spoke with Michael O’Sullivan SJ, author and academic, about the question of how there can be room for public prayer […]

Solidarity and the Common Good

Posted on 21. Apr, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Economy

Social Justice Ireland recently produced a socio-economic review for 2016, “Choices for Equity and Sustainability – Securing Solidarity and the Common Good.” In it they found that there is a urban-rural divide with urban people earning more and being more likely to be in employment than people living in the country. The Border, Midlands and Western […]

Protecting Homeless Women

Posted on 21. Apr, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Humane Vitae

The Pro Life Campaign says that homelessness involving pregnant women has reached crisis point. There are over 20 pregnant women sleeping rough in Dublin every night. The Pro Life Campaign has  said that addressing the homeless crisis involving pregnant women must be a top priority for the new government. They also criticised the National Women’s Council […]

Towards Peace

Posted on 14. Apr, 2016 in Christian Values, Faith and Justice

Towards Peace was set up by the Church as an organisation to provide a safe supportive space, where people who have been affected by abuse in a Church context can be accompanied as they seek their own experience of spiritual peace, one step at a time. People who have experienced abuse, in particular by Church […]

Finding Consolation in Tragedy

Posted on 07. Apr, 2016 in Christian Values, Family, Grief, Young people

The terrible tragedy that occurred in Buncranna where Louise Daniels lost her spouse, her children, her sister and her mother is hard for anyone to comprehend. For many it might cause questions wondering where is God in the midst of such darkness or even whether God exists at all when such terrible things can happen. […]

The Resurrection and the Rising

Posted on 31. Mar, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Easter, Retreats

The Resurrection is the central tenet of Christianity says Eugene McCaffrey OCD. It represents the beginning of something new and miraculous. Fr Eugene believes that the people who took part in the 1916 Rising chose Easter time because they had in mind the resurrection of Ireland and the creating of a new country. He cites […]

Church in a Pluralist Society

Posted on 31. Mar, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Faith Groups

The Loyola Institute in Trinity college is organising a conference titled, The Role of Church in a Pluralist Society – Good Riddance or Good Influence? It will take place in Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Con Casey, who has an interest in inter-religious dialogue, believes it to be a “question of great relevance” and that the […]

Chaplain In Wheatfield Prison

Posted on 24. Mar, 2016 in Chaplaincy, Christian Values, Community, Crime, Education, Holy Week, Places of Conflict, Poverty, Prison, Rehabilitation, Seasons of the Church Year

A recent article in the Irish Times featured an interview with Stephen Plunkett, chief executive of U-Casadh, a programme aimed at rehabilitating prisoners. In it he says that the vast majority of prisoners are not violent and shouldn’t be locked up but rather rehabilitated. The Easter Christian message in particular reminds us of the respect […]

New Look for Trocáire box

Posted on 24. Mar, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Easter, Fundraising, Schools, Seasons of the Church Year

This year’s Trocáire box comes with a difference. Instead of focusing on the people who will be receiving the money it will be focusing on those who are giving money. They also talked about why in particular they have been focusing on climate justice and why it is the most important issue of the day. […]

Celebrating St. Patrick

Posted on 10. Mar, 2016 in Achievement, Christian Values, Community, Festivals, Gospel Values, Saints, St Patrick

St. Patrick is celebrated all around the world, with more and more cities organising parades. However, according to Dr. Brian Lacey, writer and historian, we don’t know very much about who St. Patrick really was. We do know that Christianity was very important to him, but, says Brian, the idea that he converted Ireland to […]