A happy and holy Christmas to all readers of this blog.
That's what we said at home so it's good enough for me. It surely has to be better than 'have a good one'.
Has any one noticed, at least in Ireland, there has been a move away from 'merry' and back to 'happy' Christmas.
This blog is now being read in 50 countries around the world.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The art or madness in following leaders
The news on the Irish hierarchical church is relentless. It has become somewhat like dashing down a hill with people on both side hurling stones at you. They never stop, they keep coming, in all forms and shapes.
What must it have been like west of Stalingrad on December 24 1943? The German troops, starving, dying, wounded, still managed to decorate their trenches with Christmas things - the few things they had left. They, at least the sensible ones, knew it was all over. They were surrounded. In 21/22 days time they would be prisoners of war.
Some days earlier, Paulus, or at least some high ranking officer at command HQ on the steppes, wrote a note to Hitler assuring him of the loyalty of the Sixth Army and the bravery of the troops. The soldiers were experiencing minus 38 degrees Celsius. They were filthy, covered in lice, few clothes and little or no ammunition.
But for Zhukov, Hitler may well have had his way. The discipline, intelligence, dedication and ruthlessness of Zhukov in everything he did between the Don and the Volga paid off. And he had to deal with Stalin. The Soviet Army was cruel, cruel to its soldiers. No mercy was ever shown. It was brutal and violet.
Hitler brought them to this place, on the banks of the Volga. Millions followed his madness. What is it about people who hand over their minds and hearts to absurd and ridiculous systems?
Why do we give such authority to people?
This is the season of bishop bashing and it is probably unwise to join in the melee. But anyone who looks back in Ireland since the foundation of the State has to ask why did the Irish people give these men such power. It was absurd, probably sinful.
Why did I not stand up in public and demand an apology from Archbishop McQuaid the day he 'savaged' my hair?
Yes, I laughed at some of them behind their backs and spoke out about them in a quasi public manner but I too was afraid. It's so easy to say we are children of our generation.
What must it have been like west of Stalingrad on December 24 1943? The German troops, starving, dying, wounded, still managed to decorate their trenches with Christmas things - the few things they had left. They, at least the sensible ones, knew it was all over. They were surrounded. In 21/22 days time they would be prisoners of war.
Some days earlier, Paulus, or at least some high ranking officer at command HQ on the steppes, wrote a note to Hitler assuring him of the loyalty of the Sixth Army and the bravery of the troops. The soldiers were experiencing minus 38 degrees Celsius. They were filthy, covered in lice, few clothes and little or no ammunition.
But for Zhukov, Hitler may well have had his way. The discipline, intelligence, dedication and ruthlessness of Zhukov in everything he did between the Don and the Volga paid off. And he had to deal with Stalin. The Soviet Army was cruel, cruel to its soldiers. No mercy was ever shown. It was brutal and violet.
Hitler brought them to this place, on the banks of the Volga. Millions followed his madness. What is it about people who hand over their minds and hearts to absurd and ridiculous systems?
Why do we give such authority to people?
This is the season of bishop bashing and it is probably unwise to join in the melee. But anyone who looks back in Ireland since the foundation of the State has to ask why did the Irish people give these men such power. It was absurd, probably sinful.
Why did I not stand up in public and demand an apology from Archbishop McQuaid the day he 'savaged' my hair?
Yes, I laughed at some of them behind their backs and spoke out about them in a quasi public manner but I too was afraid. It's so easy to say we are children of our generation.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
At last people begin to speak their minds
What's happening in the Irish hierarchical church when Jim Cantwell in a letter in today's Irish Times refers to the 'megaphone' behaviour of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin? Elsewhere in the letter he refers to the behaviour of the archbishop as being 'graceless'.
Bishops Drennan and Walsh have also called into question the behaviour of Diarmuid Martin.
Did it take this disaster to help rid the church of clone bishops.
Hopefully, Irish bishops will in the future think for themselves and speak their own minds.
It was a horrible phoney clerical world. Hopefully the church has the power and will to change. But what are all the silent men thinking, the ones who never speak their minds, the men who work in darkness?
Bishops Drennan and Walsh have also called into question the behaviour of Diarmuid Martin.
Did it take this disaster to help rid the church of clone bishops.
Hopefully, Irish bishops will in the future think for themselves and speak their own minds.
It was a horrible phoney clerical world. Hopefully the church has the power and will to change. But what are all the silent men thinking, the ones who never speak their minds, the men who work in darkness?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Another example of lazy journalism
Probably part of the human make-up but there seems to be an abundance of 'laziness' when it comes to the Irish media.
The recent events in Listowel, the statement of the Bishop of Kerry and the subsequent resignation of the acting parish priest of Castlegregory, deserved a far closer analysis than they received.
It seems so often that few journalists give too much time or attention to the underlying events that cause things to happen. Listowel is a case in point.
The recent events in Listowel, the statement of the Bishop of Kerry and the subsequent resignation of the acting parish priest of Castlegregory, deserved a far closer analysis than they received.
It seems so often that few journalists give too much time or attention to the underlying events that cause things to happen. Listowel is a case in point.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Acting Castlegregory pp in the news
Today the acting pp of Castlegregory has hit the national headlines.
It appears Fr Seán Sheehy gave a character witness to a man who was convicted in court of a sexual assault.
It is reported that Fr Sheehy referred to the 'alleged' assault subsequent to the man being found guilty of the crime.
What communication exists between priests and bishops and or provincials?
It appears Fr Seán Sheehy gave a character witness to a man who was convicted in court of a sexual assault.
It is reported that Fr Sheehy referred to the 'alleged' assault subsequent to the man being found guilty of the crime.
What communication exists between priests and bishops and or provincials?
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Burkas and religious habits
In Europe, especially in France, there has been much discussion on the wearing of the burka. In Poland and Germany there has been controversy over displaying the cross in certain public places.
We in the western world 'pride' ourselves in the tolerance we have for freedom of expression.
Not so long ago there was the uproar over images in a Danish newspaper.
Freedom of expression is a key aspect to open and honest democracy. People are entitled to say what they wish and also wear the clothes they wish. Or are they?
There are libel and slander laws to protect the good name of people. There are codes of dress, which are applicable and appropriate and conform with the custom and practice of society.
There are those who see the wearing of the burka as some sort of statement. Some see it as a type of 'fundamentalist' statement, which might well be seen as not in keeping with the society in which they are living.
What about young men expressing a wish to wear a religious habit in a public place?
Will it be worn in select occasions and in select places? And why? Will it be worn for instance in expensive restaurants and chippers? Will it be worn in pubs and homeless hostels?
Who are the woman who insist on wearing the burka and the men who insist on wearing their religious habit in public places?
In both cases they are people who subscribe to a religious belief.
In the context of wearing the religious habit, it would seem that giving witness to the message of the Gospel, it is far more important to be concerned with empathising and being with the 'little people'.
In the Ireland of now surely habits and burkas place us at a distance from the majority of the children of God.
We in the western world 'pride' ourselves in the tolerance we have for freedom of expression.
Not so long ago there was the uproar over images in a Danish newspaper.
Freedom of expression is a key aspect to open and honest democracy. People are entitled to say what they wish and also wear the clothes they wish. Or are they?
There are libel and slander laws to protect the good name of people. There are codes of dress, which are applicable and appropriate and conform with the custom and practice of society.
There are those who see the wearing of the burka as some sort of statement. Some see it as a type of 'fundamentalist' statement, which might well be seen as not in keeping with the society in which they are living.
What about young men expressing a wish to wear a religious habit in a public place?
Will it be worn in select occasions and in select places? And why? Will it be worn for instance in expensive restaurants and chippers? Will it be worn in pubs and homeless hostels?
Who are the woman who insist on wearing the burka and the men who insist on wearing their religious habit in public places?
In both cases they are people who subscribe to a religious belief.
In the context of wearing the religious habit, it would seem that giving witness to the message of the Gospel, it is far more important to be concerned with empathising and being with the 'little people'.
In the Ireland of now surely habits and burkas place us at a distance from the majority of the children of God.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Meeting with Pope Benedict
Had Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin been accompanied by Marie Collins on their visit to Pope Benedict, then one might have every reason to beleive that something could happen.
Again, Irish journalists seem too lazy or maybe simply incompetent to ask the queswtions that need asking.
Again, Irish journalists seem too lazy or maybe simply incompetent to ask the queswtions that need asking.
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