Surfing the clouds heading to the west

On this day, September 16, 1979 two families from the German Democratic Republic escaped to West Germany in a homemade hot air balloon.

The link below tells the story, which makes for a great read. Films have been made on the escape.

escape from East Germany 

Money makes the world go round

According to The Irish Times yesterday, religious congregations have cash, land and property assets valued at well over €1 billion.

The Irish State pockets €13 billion as a result of European Commission’s ruling Apple underpaid tax due to Ireland.

Elon Musk is about to become the world’s first trillionaire. 

Former taoiseach has sold the rights to his memories for a substantial six-figure sum after a bidding war involving nine publishers.

The minimum hourly wage in Ireland is €12.70.

Fr Terence McGuckin RIP (1950 - 2024) - an obit

Terence McGuckin spent a number of years with the Irish Dominicans in St Mary’s Pope’s Pope’s Quay and in St Mary’s Priory, Tallaght.

The following obituary was sent to this blog by a fellow Dominican, who did not write it.

We announce the sad death of Fr Terence Anthony McGuckin. Fr Terry died peacefully on Wednesday, August 14,  2024, in hospital.

Fr Terry was born in Cork, Ireland on  May 18, 1950 and ordained to the priesthood in Dublin on  June 8, 1980. He had been living in retirement in Coventry.

Condolences are extended to Fr Terry's family and to friends and colleagues and all who knew him in the parishes where he served in the Diocese and in the seminaries where he taught in London and Rome.

Fr Terry's mortal remains were received at the church of Christ the King, 14 Westhill Road, Coventry CV6 2AA on Wednesday, September 4, at 6pm with a Requiem Mass.

The Funeral Mass was at Christ the King on Thursday September 5 at midday with Bishop Paul McAleenan presiding. 

We pray for the repose of Fr Terry's soul with words from the Responsorial Psalm at Mass this evening, the Vigil of The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary:

Your priests shall be clothed with holiness,
your faithful shall ring out their joy.
For the sake of David your servant
do not reject your anointed.
For the Lord has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling:
‘This is my resting-place for ever,
here have I chosen to live.

May the soul of Fr Terence, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Academic qualifications are a testament to Fr Terence McGuckin’s intellectual giftedness: BA, BD, STL, MA, MLitt, DD. He shared his knowledge and his love of theology generously with seminarians in formation for priesthood, both in London and Rome. It was study and teaching that motivated Fr Terry’s life as a priest. When periods of uncertainty about his vocation surfaced he immersed himself in reading and research to grow in his appreciation of the reality of God and God’s purposes. Because he had his own struggles he was able to reach out to other people who were struggling, either with their faith or their studies or their search for the purpose for which they were created. Countless seminarians, priests and others will have gratitude for the part Fr Terry played in their lives and his enduring influence.

Born on  May 18, 1950 and brought up in Cork city, Terence McGuckin was one of five children born to Cornelius and Ellen McGuckin. He was educated locally at the North Presentation Convent and then, for secondary schooling, at the North Monastery Christian Brothers School. He went on to study at University College, Cork and then with the Dominicans in Tallaght, Dublin before studies at Trinity College, Dublin. He intended to be a Dominican. From 1971-77 he was a member of the Irish Province and took temporary vows. In Dublin his focus became research on medieval biblical exegesis and patristics. He was praised by his tutors for the originality of his research. Between philosophical and theological studies Terry went to Tanzania, from June 1974-June 1975, as an envoy for the Legion of Mary. In 1977 he took time out from formal formation and took employment with the Department of Social Welfare in Dublin. After a year he left this work and went to All Hallows Seminary in Dublin in September 1978. Having left the Dominicans, amicably, Terry was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of New Orleans, having gone there to experience parish life over the summer. While at All Hallows Terry taught French to seminarians who wanted to learn from him. Terry was fluent. However, visits to London prompted Terry to seek acceptance by the Diocese of Westminster and this was granted. But Terry was still uncertain and he considered both Dublin and New York as possible places for him to request acceptance for future ministry. He settled on Westminster and came to the Diocese early in 1980, to St Margaret’s church, East Twickenham. The Parish Priest there reported that Terry was an excellent communicator with people of all ages. He took a keen interest in the parish youth club, and in the programme of preparation of young people for Confirmation. The Parish Priest wrote, ‘I have no hesitation in recommending him for work with young people’. Terry’s sense of humour ‘…will always prove an asset in the rough and tumble of parish life’ and his commitment to regular prayer was also praised. Terry returned to All Hallows for ordination to the diaconate in June 1980. His studies continued and he was ordained to the priesthood in the college chapel on 8th June 1980 by Bishop David Cremin, an Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, originally from Limerick, and who had studied at All Hallows.

Fr Terry’s first appointment was to St Joseph’s, Bedwell, one of four parishes in Stevenage. As well as ministry in the parish, Fr Terry was appointed to serve as Chaplain to the two Catholic secondary schools in the town and to have oversight of youth ministry in the four parishes of Stevenage and more widely in the deanery. His ministry would be ‘cross-parish’, and ‘experimental’, with the support of neighbouring Parish Priests. He was to take up his appointment in January 1981 but the requirements of study for his MLitt on medieval penitential psalms meant his appointment was put back to Easter. It was agreed that further studies remained a possibility. By the summer of 1981 Fr Terry again had doubts about the nature of his vocation. He went to the Benedictine monastery, Glenstal in Ireland, and spent time there discerning his future before returning to Bedwell. He made known to Cardinal Hume OSB, Archbishop of Westminster, his preference to be in London rather than Hertfordshire for his next appointment, without dismissing a possible Benedictine vocation. Cardinal Hume wrote to Fr Terry: ‘I think that you are wise to go rather slowly on the OSB thing’. Fr Terry was appointed Assistant Priest at St Paul’s, Wood Green where he served from 1981-82. He then returned to Glenstal but soon became unwell and had to leave the monastery. He gave thought to returning to the Dominicans. He was advised by Cardinal Hume to have a period of rest before returning to the Diocese. But Fr Terry remained unsettled and contemplated the possibility of ministry in the Diocese of Brooklyn. This did not happen and his next appointment was to Our Lady of the Rosary, Marylebone to give temporary assistance. Conversations about his future ministry continued and it was agreed that Fr Terry should pursue further studies, a Licentiate course in theology in Rome, from September 1983, while residing at the English College. Fr Terry flourished in Rome as a priest of the Diocese studying for a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology at the Gregorian University with the possibility of continuing to study for a Doctorate. Fr Terry was a valued member of the seminary community. The Rector wrote, ‘He relates well to the students, is friendly with the staff and fits in well…he is an outstandingly good preacher… pursues his studies conscientiously and enthusiastically….a natural academic. He counsels some of the students with great common sense.’ He was asked to do some teaching at the College, and also at the Gregorian University and the Beda College in Rome. He went on to study for a Doctorate. His fine thesis, published in 1989, was ‘The Eschatological Effect of the Cross of Christ in the New Testament Commentaries of St Thomas Aquinas.’ 

Fr Terry continued to have bouts of ill health and he returned to the Diocese for ministry in Marylebone, serving as the Assistant Priest from 1999-2001. His next appointment was to serve as Parish Priest at St James, Twickenham. However, his time in Twickenham was cut short due to health issues and, in 2002, he resigned on health grounds and went to live in the presbytery at Brook Green. In 2004 he was well enough to be appointed Parish Priest at Queensway where he remained until 2009 when he returned to Marylebone as Parish Priest. Once again various health issues necessitated stepping down from his appointment, in 2012, to enable Fr Terry to receive the treatment and support that was needed. In 2015 he re-located to Coventry to benefit from residence with the charitable community of Open Hands. There he found support and stability. He showed his ability to communicate with the diverse community of the charity and showed empathy and compassion in his dealings with others. As his health deteriorated he had several admissions to hospital, the last was on 14th August, the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr Terry died peacefully in his sleep.

Essentially shy and sensitive, Fr Terry’s ministry was sustained by his academic interests and his desire to share knowledge. Pastoral endeavours were often hampered by ill health. Also sustaining was his devotion to Our Lady, as expressed through his work with the Legion of Mary before and since ordination. As well as his service as an envoy of the Legion in Tanzania he was involved in Cork and in Dublin and, in the summers of 1970 and 1972, with Westminster Cathedral’s praesidium. He was key in the foundation of a seminary praesidium in Rome, in 1987, and he served as Chaplain. His hobbies included music, sports, reading and travel. On his application form, when seeking acceptance by Westminster, he wrote, ‘I enjoy music and sports but am not personally musical or very good at sports’. His passion was theology, professionally and as a leisure pursuit, and he also enjoyed socializing with friends at home and overseas.

May the soul of Fr Terry rest in peace and rise in glory. 

The Khrushchevs strong opponents of Russian leaders

On this day, September 13, 1953 Nikita Khrushchev was appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. 

Stalin  ruled from 1924 to 1953. Georgy Malenkov succeeded Stalin for a brief period before Khrushchev took the top job. He was removed as Soviet leader in 1964 when Leonid Brezhnev replaced him.

Khrushchev introduced a number of reforms and undid the cult of Stalin.

He was the Soviet commissar at the battle of Stalingrad.

His granddaughter Nina Khrushcheva is a strong opponent of Vladimir Putin.

A plus for public transport but D- for TFI app

Public transport is improving by the day across the country. Frequencies have improved and there are new bus routes making villages and towns accessible to larger towns and cities.

In Dublin there has been a large increase in the number of buses, including hybrid and all electric vehicles. The buses, trains and trams are kept in good condition and always clean.

Unfortunately, the TFI app leaves much to be desired. In the last few days the app has been extremely inaccurate.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the TFI app was totally unreliable and sent passengers on the most circuitous routes imaginable when far more direct journeys were available.

Surely there must be a mechanism available to inform intending passengers that there are more direct ways to get from A to B.

Toxic silence, anonymity, obsessive secrecy

Below is an excerpt from Fintan O’Toole’s column in The Irish Times yesterday.

Two words stand out large: TOXIC SILENCE.

That toxic silence reigns supreme right across the clerical Catholic Church, and add to that: ANONYMITY and OBSESSIVE SECRECY. 

The words historical and shocking should never be used when talking/writing about clerical child sex abuse.

Toxic silence, obsessive secrecy and anonymity are deeply embedded in clericalism. These terms have nothing at all to do with confidentiality.

Many of those who were experiencing abuse report entering a state of mental dislocation, forcing their minds to sunder themselves from their tormented bodies. But even those of us fortunate enough not to have been abused were also forced into distorted states of consciousness – suppressing what we were seeing, colluding with abusers by being glad they were picking on someone other than ourselves, learning early the required habits of toxic silence.

Too many flip-flops at Bank of Ireland

This week’s Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column

Michael Commane

On Tuesday, August 27 I received an email purporting to be from Bank of Ireland, offering a luxury getaway for two to Powerscourt Estate. It had the correct BoI logo. It asked for my card number. 

And just at that moment I thought it might be a scam. I closed the email. The following day I called the bank to ask was it a scam. Before the agent could answer that question he asked me for some personal details. 

Why should I have to give any details about myself in order learn if this email was genuine? When I explained I considered such information was irrelevant he eventually agreed and was happy if I gave him my phone number. He told me he did not know and suggested I take a screenshot of the email and forward it to the bank with a covering note. 

The agent with whom I spoke was friendly and did all he could to help. I emailed the screen shot with a covering note. 

Within minutes I received a standard automated verbose reply, not answering my question. I immediately phoned the bank, went through all the usual rigmarole before I got speaking to a real time human voice. 

The agent at first told me she did not know whether or not it was a scam but would check and call me back. Some minutes later the agent called to tell me it was phishing, in other words a scam. 

Between the two phone calls I spent 30 minutes looking for a yes or no to a very simple question. 

Later that day I received an email from the bank: ‘Hi Michael, thanks for checking with us. You’re right to be careful but that is a genuine email.'  Just a first name, no surname. Not a word of apology. Within a five-hour period Bank of Ireland told me: one, they did not know; two, it was a scam and three, it was not a scam. 

Was this latest email a scam? 

On Thursday I called again for clarification. The agent was not pleased with my attitude and terminated the call.

On Friday I received conflicting answers to my question. Eventually I was told the advert was a genuine Bank of Ireland promotion.

So much for telling us the Bank will never ask for card numbers. The agent with whom I spoke on Friday was perplexed by it all and apologised. 

Fortunately for me, they had a recording of my calls and I was informed that it was incorrect of Thursday’s agent to terminate the call.

Customers are being treated like slaves. We have to give our life-story before we can say a word to these banks and companies. Is this what technology does? 

What happens when AI arrives? It took three days to discover the advert was genuine. And all of it is Bank of Ireland’s fault.

I’d like to be known by the name my mother and father gave me rather than a 16 digit number.

Paula Poundstone’s comment that she doesn’t have a bank account because she doesn’t know her mother’s maiden name is apposite. She’s an American comedian, author and commentator. 

The Scoping Inquiry Report

Why is the State and church when referring to the Scoping Inquiry Report calling it ‘historical abuse’?

What does that mean?

A changing demographic

Last year more children were born in Nigeria than in the whole of the continent of Europe.

Timothy Radcliffe stresses the importance of listening

Timothy Radcliffe on BBC Radio 4 this morning.

"We need to listen to those with whom we disagree."

"Religious life should be filled with the joy of God and others.”

He linked obedience to listening and how the world right now needs to listen rather than shout at each other.

Bad behaviour at Lansdowne Road at England Ireland game

While the English anthem was being played at Lansdowne Road yesterday before the England Ireland game the crowd booed.

It was rude, unfriendly and certainly a most unwelcoming gesture towards the visiting team and their supporters.

And that the RTÉ commentary never mentioned a word in condemnation of the behaviour of the crowd was shocking. 

Thoughts on the Scoping Inquiry Report

The Scoping Inquiry Report is available online.

US vice-presidential candidate Tim Waltz has made the word weird popular.

Is there not something weird about close to 2,400 allegations made of sexual abuse of children in in over 300 schools run by religious congregations?

The clerical church pronounced on every aspect of sexuality. There were and are far more sexual don’ts than dos in the catechism. People of a certain age will remember the reign of terror. That is over because the people have spoken with their feet.

Does it make sense to allow or ask a young person to make a lifelong solemn vow of celibacy?

Thirty, 40, 50 years ago a job was for life. That is no longer so. People move around and it’s good to change jobs if one can afford it. Our lifestyles have changed beyond belief.

Modern medicine, modern psychiatry, modern psychology is constantly throwing new light on everything to do with the human body, including our sexuality.

Is a person who takes a vow of celibacy better, holier than the person who doesn’t?  Young men studying for priesthood were told that the vow had an eschatological value and allowed the priest not to be distracted in his work, in other words they would have more time and space to work harder than their married sisters and brothers. In practice, is the opposite not the case?

As for the eschatology reason, it seems a strange understanding of grace and human nature.

The Scoping Inquiring Report mentioned nothing of the secrecy that exists within religious congregations and the clerical world in general.

 

Obsessive secrecy, anonymity are the oxygen that helped feed the sexual violence and evil that occurred in religious-run schools.

Why has there been no report on non-Catholic-run schools and diocesan-run-schools? Who made that decision?

The comings and goings in Ireland on September 6, 2024

1/ The relics of St Bernadette have been brought to Ireland from Lourdes. They will be venerated in churches across the country over the next weeks.

2/ The day after the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Garda Commissioner Drew Harris announced Garda will investigate whether there was “an organised” element to any of the abuse in schools, such as abusers working together to identify victims, the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said.

3/ Senator Rónán Mullen will not pay his television licence until there is more respect for diversity of opinion in Irish society.

4/ The link below is former Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin talking on the Claire Byrne Show on RTÉ Radio 1 yesterday.

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22429585/

Ireland on Friday, September 6, 2024

Religious congregations’ statement on Scoping Inquiry

This is the statement issued yesterday by the Association of Leaders of Missionaries & Religious  of Ireland  in response to the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report.

It’s more or less a standard PR piece of writing, maybe somewhat bland. Nothing new or creative about it. And not a word about the systemic obsessive secrecy that flourishes in all clerical church life.

A small point, but why upper case religious orders and congregations? Or is it a small point. Does it say something about the mindset of AMRI?

The response is a lost opportunity to say something real and prophetic.

AMRI, the representative body of the Leadership of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland, welcomes today's publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report into historical sexual abuse in Religious-run Catholic schools from 1927 – April 2023. The Report reviewed allegations of historical child sexual abuse, made against religious, lay staff, visiting clergy and pupils.

We acknowledge the courage and bravery of the victims and survivors. We are deeply sorry that they experienced abuse in religious-run schools. We are acutely aware that sharing personal, sensitive, and traumatic experiences can cause additional pain and suffering. We recognise that we can never know the depth of the pain and suffering survivors have endured and continue to endure.

AMRI actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest cooperation in this Inquiry. We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly.

Religious Orders and Congregations continue to provide access to safeguarding personnel to support victims and survivors. A broad range of support is available, including access to funded counselling and therapeutic services (Towards Healing and Towards Peace), pastoral and restorative justice processes.

We encourage anyone needing support to contact the individual Religious Orders and Congregations to get the help they need.

It is critical to restate that rigorous child protection structures are in place in all Catholic schools to maximise the safety of every student.

• The Department of Education’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) are implemented in all religious-run schools.

• Schools and Religious Orders and Congregations report all allegations of sexual abuse to  An Garda Síochána and when the alleged perpetrator is living, to Tusla.

• Religious Orders and Congregations have safeguarding procedures in place, which are monitored and reviewed by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church www.safeguarding.ie

• Child Protection procedures in schools and religious settings are compliant with the relevant laws and guidance of the State https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-

first-guidance-and-legislation/

Towards Healing: https://towardshealing.ie

Towards Peace: https://towardspeace.ie

Media Contact: Gerard Gallagher, communications@amri.iewww.amri.ie

Volkswagen signals difficulties ahead

Volkswagen management is predicting the closure of two of its plants and the loss of thousands of jobs.

This, the company says, is due to a downturn in sales of cars across Europe since the Covid pandemic.

VW is also struggling with its EV rollout.

Should it close a production line it will be the first time in 87 years.

The company employs 650,00 worldwide and 300,000 across Germany.

Dublin Bus hybrid fleet are not the smoothest of rides.

It is simply not possible to comment at present on the Governemnt’s Scoping Report. It is hoped to publish on the topic in the near future.

In one sense from the sublime to the ridiculous. Has anyone noticed issues with Dublin Buses hybrid fleet?

On the upper deck there is a constant loud noise, sounds like a fan rotating at high speed. And it is especially annoying sitting at the back of the bus. Staying on the upper deck, there is also a constant rattle. Such a rattle for a brand new bus sounds odd.

Why did the NTA move away from Volvo Bus for engines and why did CIÉ agree to NTA’s decision to buy these buses?

The Diesel GT and SG fleet appear to be a far more comfortable ride as indeed do the older buses, all manufactured by Volvo.

The hybrid fleet, registered as PA and the new all-electric fleet, registered as EW are not Volvo engines.

How inspiring words can lift our spirits

This week’s Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column.

Michael Commane

It was this time four years ago, Joe Biden had won the nomination at the Democratic National Convention to be their candidate for the US presidential election in November 2020. 

He had picked Kamala Harris as his running mate. Some days later I heard her giving a speech. I thought she was a great speaker. I found myself listening to every word she said. 

Over the next four years it seemed she had disappeared. And then just some short few weeks ago she’s back on the stage, and with a vengeance. I listened to her DNC speech on YouTube. It was inspiring. I can still remember that brilliant quote she gave from her mother: ‘Never let anyone tell you who you are, tell them who you are.’ 

The previous day Bill Clinton spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Again, his was a class act. It seemed he was not reading from the teleprompter, rather using notes in front of him on the podium. I had the good fortune to hear him in the flesh when he spoke in Dublin Castle in 2011. I got the impression he was directly speaking to me. 

It’s a rear gift and of course not many people can speak like Bill Clinton, Michelle and Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, or the Irish politicians O’Donovan Rossa or Michael Collins.

Listening to Michelle and Barack Obama, Kamala Harris and Bill Clinton at the DNC in Chicago I was thinking how on message they were. Not a wasted word and all the time they were engaging with their audiences.

It certainly is an art form to hold the attention of your listener. It’s a great gift. Is it something learned or is it a natural talent?

It’s a mix of both and like all skills and talents, we have to work hard to bring out the innate potential we have.

The football coach has to use the right words to push the team on. Those words said at half time are always vital words and it’s not just the words but how they are said. 

And the same goes for the teacher. So often a student takes a liking to a particular subject on the strength of the teacher’s enthusiasm and interest in her or his subject. Again, so much hangs or depends on how the teacher expresses their ideas and interest in the words they use.

I think it’s fair to say the Catholic Church is guilty of not delivering its message in a way that inspires and connects with people. 

Not everyone has the talents and abilities of a Bill Clinton or Michelle Obama, but surely for someone talking about good news they have a significant advantage over politicians, teachers or football coaches.

Think about it, the Gospel is the story of Good News. Imagine having the privilege to talk to people about a good story. It is so powerful and inspiring, simple too, it should be a joy to talk about it. I’m forever confused why it is so often mangled and lost in delivery.

William Hazlitt is worth quoting: ‘An orator can hardly get beyond commonplaces: if he does he gets beyond his hearers’.

JD Vance’s dark vision of women and immigration

The link below is from the Guardian. 

JD Vance converted to Catholicism in his 30s, receiving spiritual assistance from the US Dominicans of the Eastern Province.

Is the upcoming US election going to turn into a battle on abortion? How can anyone believe that Donald Trump is opposed to abortion? It’s a subject he has over the years flip-flopped on many occasions.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/31/jd-vance-podcast-feminism-immigration?CMP=share_btn_url

Far right march on in eastern Germany elections

Exit polls from the elections in the two eastern German states of Thuringia and Saxony give the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) a 30 per cent share of the vote in both states. The three government parties, The Social Democrats, The Greens and The Free Democrats have polled very poorly. The Free Democrats not reaching the five per cent barrier, will have no seats in both parliaments.

The Christian Democrats are relieved with the results and most likely will be the leading party in the coalitions in both states.

A big winner in the elections is the Sahra  Wagenknecht Alliance. The party is a breakaway from The Left Party and carries the name of the party leader, Sahra Wagenknecht. 

She is an interesting  woman. Born in Jena in the former GDR, her mother German, her father Iranian, who later disappeared in Iran.

She studied philosophy, German literature and economics. It is rumoured that she knows some of the works of Goethe off-by-heart.

She is married to Oscar Lafontane, 24 years his junior, who was for a short time finance minister in Gerhard Schröder’s coalition government.

None of the elected parties in today’s election is willing to coalesce with the AfD.

The Catholic and Protestant Churches and the Jewish community, along with a large number of organisations advised the electorate not to vote for the AfD. It is considered a dangerous political party with echoes of Hitler’s Nazi party.

It so happens today is the anniversary of the first day of World War II, the day Germany invaded Poland.

Erfurt is the capital of Thuringia and Dresden the seat of parliament for Saxony.

Weimar, the home of Goethe, is in Thuringia.

 

How much nonsense is stored on data centres?

David McWilliams in The Irish Times today argues that Ireland needs more data centres.

It would be interesting to know how much nonsense is being stored in these data centres. How many of us have absurd amounts of nonsense stored on our phones, laptops and computers?