Much to read in this week's Irish Catholic about the Irish Dominicans. Page three carries two stories about the Dominicans.
One item is about the Dominicans' plan to leave Drogheda and the campaign that has begun in attempt to keep them in the town.
The other news item is comment from a former UCC chaplain and Dominican priest, David Barrins.
Fr Barrins is quoted as saying:
"If you dissent from the prevailing liberal orthodoxy, then there is no place for you to be represented on campus. Indeed, you are met with derision and intolerance."
It is unfortunate that The Irish Catholic did not look for comment from priests, who are current working chaplains at Irish univsersities.
Irish universities are non-denominational, nevertheless, the salaries of chaplains are paid by the colleges.
'Derision' and 'intolerance' manifest themsleves in various ways right across society. And they are no strangers within the institutional church.
My working life has included working as a teacher, a journalist and in PR. I also worked as a chaplain and teacher of German at an RTC, now an IT. I am also an alumnus of UCC.
In all my years in the workforce I have never expereinced anything but kindness and respect from the authorities where I have worked. I have also been greatly impressed with how my work colleagues have interacted with me, who happens to be a Dominican priest.
While teaching at second and third level and as a chaplain at third level I have always been made feel most welcome, with staff and students being most helpful.
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1 comment:
Is it not ironic that a Dominican resigns from a university chaplaincy ? Dominicans have, since their foundation, been amongst the most innovative and eclectic thinkers in the Catholic Church . Albert the Great initiated a multi-disciplinary approach to learning. He saw engagement and dialogue with all disciplines as an invitation to engage in , rather than resign from the academic environment . "Hostility" can also be an invitation to dialogue!
UCC has an admirable tradition in dialogue and
innovative thinking. Limiting one's presence in a chaplaincy to a narrow focus may leave one becoming a "victim" , real or imaginary . Being a "victim" gives one permission to withdraw from real dialup and engagement and curl up in a corner sucking one's thumb... waiting for others to see my real or self~imposed victim hood . The end result is that one has potentially mis read an opportunity and imprudently interpreted it as a threat . I doubt if St. Albert the Great and his student , St Thomas Aquinas would look approvingly on the " victim" who walked away.
In the final analysis one has to respect the decision of others. One cannot sense , however, the loss of what could have been for the former Assistant Chaplain , for his Order's contribution and for the students. Some of us still remember a vibrant Dominican presence in college .
Fortunately the former Assistant Chaplain is only one member of an excellent ecumenical lay and clerical Chaplaincy Team. I take this opportunity of thanking them and wishing them continued success in their daily fidelity to the community we know as UCC .
Le mór means
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