Responding to the Abuse Summit – 1

Posted on 28. Mar, 2019 in Conflict, Crime

Sr Veronica Openibo who challenged ‘culture of denial’ at Abuse Summit The recent extraordinary summit on clerical sexual abuse convened by Pope Francis in Rome, and attended by Cardinals and Bishops from all over the world met with mixed reactions. While most noted that Pope Francis inherited a monumental mess and has done far more than […]

Responding to the Abuse Summit – 2

Posted on 28. Mar, 2019 in Christian Values, Conflict, Crime

Theologian – Gerry O’Hanlon In this second part on responding to the Abuse Summit, theologian Gerry O’Hanlon looks at whether there will be any concrete changes coming out from the summit. He holds that openness and a willingness to listen is, ”part of a necessary process that the Church is going through, so much better than […]

The Passing of a Hero

Posted on 07. Mar, 2019 in Christian Values, Community, Conflict, Places of Conflict

The funeral of Gordan Banks OBE, England’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, who died Feb 13th, at the age of 81, was attended by his greatest fan, Irishman, author and humanitarian Don Mullan. Don was invited along with Sir Geoff Hurst to give a eulogy at the funeral. Derry-born Mullan is probably best known for his book ‘Eyewitness […]

Freedom of Angels

Posted on 08. Jan, 2019 in Conflict, Crime, Grief, Stress

Bernadette Fahy, counsellor, writer and survivor of institutional abuse talks with Pat Coyle about how her faith was broken by the Church. She says that the faith of survivors was broken, not just once but three times. She grew up in Goldenbridge, and in her book, Freedom of Angels  she tells the inside story of […]

Justice for Ballymurphy Massacre

Posted on 27. Dec, 2018 in Community, Conflict, Death, Faith and Justice, Grief

Fr Paddy McCafferty is the PP in Springhill Parish in West Belfast a parish that was shook in 1972 by the shooting and killing of civilians. One year before another massacre had taken place in Ballymurphy where more civilians were shot. The families of all the victims have been looking for justice for years. Now […]

Brexit concerns in Northern Ireland

Posted on 06. Dec, 2018 in Christian Values, Community, Conflict, Economy

Brexit has been a particular concern for people in Northern Ireland who are worried that it will see a return to the troubles. Fr Paddy McCafferty, PP of a West Belfast Parish – Springhill which is just off the Falls Road, talks to Conor Deane of his concerns around Brexit for the wider nationalist community and […]

Oscar Romero and Trócaire

Posted on 15. Nov, 2018 in Achievement, Charity, Christian Values, Church Teachings, Conflict, Death, Faith and Justice, Humanitarian Aid, Saints

    ‘Each one of you must be a microphone of God, each one of you must be a messenger, a prophet’ St Oscar Romero 1917-1980 St Oscar Romero was recently canonised for his work in El Salvador. He worked closely with Trócaire in the 1970s to speak out about corruption in El Salvador. At the […]

Syria Doc wins Radharc Award

Posted on 01. Nov, 2018 in Achievement, Christian Values, Community, Conflict, Death, Faith and Justice, Humanitarian Aid, Refugees

    Photographed from left to right is Emily O’Reilly EU Ombusman; Ronan Tynan and Anne Daly of Esperanza Productions; Eileen Good chairperson of the jury and Peter Dunn director of the Radharc Trust       The Radharc Awards recently took place in the Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan. The Awards honour television documentaries addressing national […]

The Pope’s Biggest Challenge

Posted on 23. Aug, 2018 in Christian Values, Community, Conflict, Crime

This week we have a special edition dedicated to the Pope’s visit. One of the most challenging things that many believed Pope Francis would have to face on his visit was the issue of addressing abuse within the church and listening to survivors. Kevin O’Rourke SJ, assistant director of Jesuit novices, speaks to Pat Coyle […]

Working in Cambodia Part 2

Posted on 26. Jul, 2018 in Achievement, Christian Values, Community, Conflict, Faith and Justice, Young people

Ashley Evans SJ has spent over 30 years working in Cambodia, teaching and trying to advocate for reform. When he went out there, Cambodia was still devastated from the effects of the Khmer Rouge regime 1975-79 and the Vietnamese occupation (1979-89).  Now the economy is growing at a rate of about 7% per year causing new […]