Radio Maria

The Vatican has condemned the Radio Maria castigation.

Dublin City Council's two-sided clean-parks policy

This bin in Dartry Park has not been emptied since last Friday.

Within less than 10 metres is the sign.

But it must be noted that the bin is regularly emptied on a daily basis before 07.00. Unfortunately it is never emptied on Bank Holiday Mondays.

Radio Maria's 'explanation' for Italian earthquakes

It has been reported to this blog that Radio Maria in Italy is saying the earthquakes in the country are a direct result of civil partnerships.

Two Dominicans

Today is the feast of St Martin de Porres, who died in Lima in 1639.

The Dominican was canonised in July 1962.

Today is also the anniversary of the death of Irish Dominican John O'Gorman, who died in Limerick in 2002.

John was a kind and clever man.

Susan Sarandon on Tuesday's US election

Susan Sarandon explained her views on why she is neither voting for Clinton or Trump in next week's US election. She was interviewed last night by Evan Davis on BBC 2's Newsnight.

She stressed how she is aghast at the building of the Dakota Access Pipe Line. And points out how neither Clinton nor Trump is opposed to it.

When Evans asked her why she would not vote for a woman she replied: "I don't vote with my vagina".

Below is a piece on the Dakota Pipe Line by a young woman studying in Dublin.

For anyone not too familiar with what  is going on; this is the general gist: Fossil fuel corporations are building a huge oil pipeline (Dakota Access PipeLine) through the lands of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. So they are being bulldozed out. 

They are obviously very upset- these lands are sacred to them- and they, being the earth caring people that they are- are also very concerned about the pipeline's effects on water, the earth and climate change. So they have been peacefully demonstrating in huge numbers - many, many different tribes have all come together to help out;  they are locking their bodies onto the pipeline building machinery, holding peaceful processions and marches and prayer ceremonies etc.  

All so peaceful. But the police have descended on them with frightening aggression - armed to the teeth -  it has been reported that armoured cars have even arrived on site. Hundreds of native Americans have been arrested at this stage and others have been really hurt by the police, some have been shot at point blank with concussion grenades, others have had  arms and wrists broken. 

It is literally modern day colonialism - complete with violence. And it's just being allowed to happen.

Ryanair opens new base at Frankfurt-am-Main

It was announced today at Frankfurt-am-Main Airport that Ryanair will base two aircraft at the airport and begin operating services to and from the airport from March.

A Ryanair delegation arrived at Germany's biggest and busiest airport today in a Ryanair aircraft to announce the opening of the new base.

What ESB did

Interesting piece in The Irish Times on Saturday on rural electrification.

The first pole in the first phase of rural electrification went up on November 5, 1946 in Kilsallaghan in north County Dublin.

One million poles were erected.

The scheme cost £36 million, equivalent to about €1.5bn today. Sounds cheap.

In 1965, 81 per cent of homes were connected.

Check it all out at www.esbarchives.ie

A wily Pope Francis takes on a conservative rearguard

This week's INM Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael commane

On Tuesday October 18 Italian journalist and Vatican watcher Marco Politi gave a talk at the Loyola Institute, Trinity College, Dublin. 

Politi is Vatican correspondent for the prestigious Italian newspaper 'La Republica'. He is also the author of 'Pope Francis Among The Wolves: the Inside Story of a Revolution'

In an interview on RTE Radio I he said the 'wolves' in his book referred to the conservatives who don't want to see any change happening in the church.

Politi has been observing Vatican politics for many decades. He is greatly impressed with Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

He pointed out how John Paul II was the first 'global pope' in that he travelled the world. He was succeeded by Pope Benedict, "who was able to hold the rudder". He feels that it is significant that Francis comes from a large metropolis, which  has a strong anti-clerical tradition. 

The Italian journalist acknowledges that Pope Francis wants to end all semblances of an imperial papacy and that he places great stress on collegiality. For Politi, Pope Francis believes that the Catholic Church can learn from the Orthodox Church when it comes to making the church a less imperial organisation.

He listed a number of areas where Pope Francis is clearly attempting to open a new page in the church. He spoke about his efforts in reforming the curia, his desire to give women roles that will place them in positions where they can make decisions. And to back up this point he noted how Francis is allowing free discussion  on the issue of women deacons.

Pope Francis is setting about examining all 18,000 accounts at the Vatican Bank and the Vatican has now signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

Politi gave a number of examples how Francis has shown his mettle when it comes to dealing with clerical child sex abuse and he believes Francis also wants to rid the church of sexual obsession.

He sees it as something of a revolution that Pope Francis is going to Sweden to celebrate the Reformation against the advice of Cardinal Gerhard Müller, who is the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Politi concentrated much of his talk on some of the interesting appointments that Pope Francis has made and how in the latest list of new cardinals, archdioceses which would normally expect to have cardinals at the help, did not receive red hats.

During the question and answer session he was asked if he was aware of what life is like in the Irish church. It was pointed out to him that there are those who will say that Pope Francis is all talk and no action.

And the reason given was that the newly appointed bishops in Ireland don't seem to bear any signs of the progressive thinking of Pope Francis. The comment made was that there is no significant inspirational figure among any of the recent episcopal appointments.

Politi acknowledged that the pope is involved in an uphill battle and gave an example of how a senior Opus Dei cleric recorded secret talks at the Vatican. "Could you ever imagine that happening in a Barack Obama or Angela Merkel cabinet? It would be unthinkable. But it happened in the church," he said.

Politics is often a nasty game and listening to Marco Politi in Trinity College, one got the impression that politics is alive and well in the church and the former archbishop of Buenos Aires is a wily old Jesuit, who is willing to fight his corner and take on a conservative brigade, who is scared of change. 

How autumn leaves can play havoc with rail timetables

People often laugh when they hear of rail delays because of leaves on the track.

This short BBC video explains why leaves can be such a nuisance on rail tracks in autumn.

If you have difficulties opening the link below, then log on to www.irishrail.ie, where you can watch the video.

https://shar.es/1Ib1mx

New insight as to why Van Gogh cut off his ear

The Guardian carries an interesting story today on why van Gogh might have cut off his ear.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/oct/31/van-gogh-cut-off-his-ear-learning-brother-theo-to-marry-new-study?CMP=share_btn_link

Marginalising people

Today's Gospel is another reminder that it's not a good idea to marginalise people, anyone.

It's a trick we all do with such facility.

We don't like someone and then we dismiss them.

And all the things we say and do against those who don't fit in with our ways and ideas.

What a finer world it would be if we listened to one another, respected one another, were kind to one another.

Will it be GMT, DST, UCT when the clocks go back?

Clocks go back at 02.00 tomorrow across the European Union, which means we in Ireland and the UK will be on GMT.

Daylight Saving Time or Summer Time, which is GMT plus one in Ireland and the UK, was introduced on April 30 in 1916 in Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Over the years there have been many attempts to extend DST (GMT plus one in Ireland and the UK, GMT plus two in mainland Europe) throughout the entire year.

Moscow does not observe Daylight Saving Time. It made the change some years ago.

That Ireland and the UK are always an hour behind the rest of Europe means that a number of hours are lost during the day to do business with counterparts on mainland Europe. They are at work an hour earler than we are, more time is lost during lunchtime and then at the finish of business they have gone home an hour before Irish offices close.

The term GMT has now been replaced by UCT,  Coordinated Universal Time.

What a bishop carries in boot

A story in today's Irish Times about goods stolen from the car of the bishop of Cloyne.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/district-court/woman-jailed-for-stealing-from-bishop-s-unlocked-car-1.2845581#.WBOgAnbvzkg.mailto 

Dominicans in Derry

In an interview on Radio Maria on Wednesday, October 26 Fr John Harris OP talks about the mission movement in Ireland. It was on the occasion of a group of Dominicans giving a retreat in Derry.

Fr Harris asks Fr Ciaran Dougherty OP how he would explain what he expects of a mission. He tells the listeners that Fr Ciaran "has lots of experience".

Fr Dougherty replies: "I suppose the idea of a mission is something new for a parish. Things can become a little stale, it's a time that's different.

"People get used to doing the same things every week."  Fr Dougherty goes on to explain how at a mission people have an opportunity to hear things "they have not heard in a while".

Elsewhere in the interview Fr Harris says that people attempt to "whitewash Christianity out of the public spehre" and "it is only Jesus who can truly truly heal the wounds of Northern Ireland."

On a remark made by Fr Dougherty, Fr Harris says: "It's an excellent observation because I agree with you ......."

University of St Thomas Aquinas opens its doors

On this day, October 28, 1538, the first university in the New World, in the present-day Dominican Republic, was established. It was called the University of St Thomas Aquinas.

This year the Dominican Order is marking 800 years since its foundation.

ASTI strike

While not making any comment on today's ASTI strike it is worth noting that the Germans pay their teachers different rates for similar work.

Teachers, along with all public servants, earn more money in the west than in the east, the former German Democratic Republic.

When it comes to discrimination, the ASTI should remember that it has discriminated as to who can join join its union.

And never a word of apology.

When I began teaching the ASTI refused me membership. As a priest, they considered me management.

Then and now I have never been part of management, something to wear as a badge of honour.

Vatican ashes

The story of the Vatican document on what to do with human ashes is unfortunate.

Or is it all part of a political power game in an attempt to stall the work of Pope Francis?

Serious or just funny?

UK's Ukip inquiry makes public its brawling affair

Ukip announced this evening the results of an internal inquiry into a brawl between two of its members. Since the brawl one of the antagonists/participants has left the party.

It's interesting to observe organisations/institutions which have their members brawling with each other.

Also, it says a lot about the management of such organisations.

It's worrying that organisations, which have a public dimension, allow brawling members to remain within the fold.

At least Ukip has to be commended for holding an inquiry.

Far too much aggression on Dublin's dangerous roads

There has been a significant increase in traffic in the Dublin area in recent months.

With that increase there has been an ever-growing aggression on the roads.

The streets and roads have become a far more dangerous place. And the offenders are both drivers of cars and cyclists.

Cyclists, and cars too, crashing traffic lights.

Policing seems negligible.

Many cyclists are travelling far too fast, too close and too aggressively as are so many drivers of cars.

And this is being noted by someone who has been cycling in the city for 62 years.

Lagerfeld wants to make the earth a more pleasant place

This week's INM Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael Commane

Do you like your surroundings? Or are you even unaware of them?

It is spectacularly uplifting to walk into a home, an office or a public place and see it tastefully decorated, where form follows function.

Some weeks ago I spent a few days away from home. I arrived in my  accommodation and went straight to my room. I was instantly struck by the ugly furniture in the room. Bland, boring, a white table, wardrobe, bed post, all in a depressing plastic! And then the pictures and paintings on the walls were horrible beyond words. It was an uninviting atmosphere. Doubtful if there had been any thought or planning gone into putting the room together.

It set me thinking about how the environment around us can influence our mood and peace of mind. It also prompted me to wonder about style and fashion.

Of course people like different things. Also, fashion changes from season to season: one year green can be the colour, the following year it's blue. Trends change continuously and they are influenced by many things, including films, exhibitions, events. The Olympic Games, big football occasions, all play a part in influencing styles and fashions.

Anyone who watches RTE TV's 'Reeling in the Years' will notice how styles change over time. We look at it and are tempted to say how 'silly' people looked 'back then'. But on the other hand it's what people felt at ease in, they felt 'great' looking like that. 

Personal style never goes out of fashion.

There are those who follow trends, but surely the underlying principle should and must be that style or fashion cheers us, helps make us feel good and look good too.

Paris-based German fashion designer, artist and photographer Karl Lagerfeld says it well: “I’m a very down-to-earth person, but it is my job to make  that earth more pleasant."

I was at a meeting in a hall some weeks ago. Looking around the room I noticed the prints/pictures that were on the walls. I can't believe anyone would look at any of them and I can't imagine how they could ever possibly lift one's spirits. Why at all are they there?

Do you like your surroundings? Are they uplifting, joyous, relaxing?  Do you regularly look at the paintings on your wall? Do they help make you a happier person? Do they challenge you and inspire you?

I probably know nothing about art or design but I do know what I like and don't like.

A friend of mine, who is an artist, has been making hand cut paper collages for the past few years. The images that she creates pop with colour and energy. And immediately lift your spirits and give you great pleasure as soon as you see them. 

Last year she and a fellow artist friend of hers exhibited their work in Wexford during the Opera Festival. It was my friend's artistic debut and to her delight it proved such a success they are back exhibiting again this year during the Opera Festival. The exhibition, Phase .: 3, which opens this Wednesday, October 26 is taking place at 44 South Main Street, Wexford, opposite Penneys.

I bought three works at the exhibition last year and yes, they do enhance my home.... adding colour and elegance, and  I regularly look at them and it does me good.

There is an emotional power in shapes, forms and colour. And you don't have to 'know' about art to enjoy or appreciate objects of art that you like and admire.

Do you like your surroundings, those paintings on the wall?

A day in history

On this day in 1942 the very first hints of a defeat for Nazi Germany on the Volga began to appear. A Soviet victory on the great river was no longer seen as completely impossible.

Operations of Paulus' Sixth Army in Stalingrad slowed down considerably due to exhaustion after two weeks of intense fighting as well as the weather growing appreciably colder.

UN anniversary

The United Nations was founded on this day in 1945.

It came into being after World War ll in order to prevent such an event ever happening again.

On October 24, 1945 there were 51 member states, today there are 193.

Ireland joined on December 14, 1955.

Award for Carolin Emcke

Carolin Emcke was awarded the German Book Publishers Peace Prize (Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels) in the famous Paulskirche in Frankfurt-am-Main today.

'Stupid' Tories are going to do Brexit the hard way

Excellent piece in yesterday's The Irish Times by Stephen Collins on Brexit.

Probably 'excellent' because the writer of this blog agrees with it. But also, because it is so clear to follow, no going back and having to re-read a sentence.

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/stephen-collins-we-need-to-realise-tories-will-do-brexit-the-hard-way-1.2838783#.WAyj80q7UNE.mailto

The PR of the powerful versus the powerless

Today's Gospel reading (Luke 18: 9 - 14), the parable of the Pharisee telling us how great he is and then the little man down the back of the temple, who asks for mercy, is a great story.

The last line runs: For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be raised up.

Does anything ever change in state or church? Simple answer: no.

Run on Irish passports

After the Brexit vote 14,228 applications for Irish passports were received at the Irish Embassy inLondon  during the months of August and September.

Maybe it's good to hide the meaning of an acronym

Like everything in life, most things, ideas, whatever, always have some purpose.

And so it is with the acronym. It's much easier to say Nato than North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, ESB Networks, than Electricity Supply Board Networks. People work in IT.

But so often the same acronym can become a method of obfuscation. And many reasons for that.

Sometimes just as well one does not know what they mean.

There is one in St James's Hospital: it's MISA or Misa. The Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing.

Caught red-handed

On one day last week 900,000 cigarettes were seized at Dublin Port.

The cigarettes had been illegally imported into the country.

Vatican watcher Politi talks in Trinity on Francis papacy

German Italian journalist and Vatican watcher Marco Politi spoke in glowing terms in Trinity College last evening on the papacy of Pope Francis. He was a guest of the Loyola Institute.

Clearly he is a fan of the pope from Argentina.

But there seems to be some sort of disjoint between what Francis is saying and what's happening in the church in Ireland.

Politi spoke at length on the type of people who are being appointed to senior positions under Francis.

What does the pope know about what's happening in Ireland and the style and type of men who are being appointed to the Irish episcopacy?

How genuine is Trump's apology after he's found out?

This week's INM Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael Commane

While the most sophisticated jets ever made drop their bombs over Syrian cities, particularly Aleppo, the United States of America prepares for its November elections.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton slug it out. It's not a pretty show. While they fight it out Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, does not know where Aleppo is.

The now infamous tape of the Donald telling his buddies, using foul language, what he can do with and to women, has orbited the world many times over.

What a nasty piece of work he is. But it fits. It complements a lot of the other nasty things he has been saying: Mexican thieves and rapists and Muslim undesirables.

If it weren't so sad it would be hilariously funny. To think that millions of people will vote next month to put this man in the White House is scary. At the Republican convention that elected him to be the party's presidential candidate a middle-aged woman said that she was voting for him because he was a man with great family values.

What was particularly noteworthy was how the Donald apologised for his 'locker room language'. It's an interesting term. What at all goes on in locker rooms?

The apology reminds me of an episode fadó fadó in the US soap 'Dallas'. JR Ewing was up to trickery but was caught by his wife. He apologises and she quips that the only reason he apologised was because he was caught. Of course the only reason he says he's sorry is because he was found out.

I can't imagine the Donald voluntarily apologising for a wrong-doing if we didn't already know about it.

This is the same man who wants to build a wall between the US and Mexico in order to keep out undesirables. Maybe he needs to build a high wall around himself.

It's the same story with the whole sad affair of clerical child sex abuse. If it had never become public knowledge the churches would never have uttered a word of apology. Even worse, church authorities did their damnedest to keep it all quiet. Heavens only knows how much they paid in hush-hush money and how many deals of confidentiality were drawn up between perpetrators and victims. Is all the profuse apologising a result of having been found out?

Last week in Germany there was another example of hypocrisy. The Rosenburg Report was published, which gives a tiny glimpse into how in postwar Germany so many former Nazi officials walked into top State jobs. 

The former Nazis managed to protect one another and they were in a position to keep everything under the carpet. Most were never uncovered. On the other hand, the German State has been exemplary in trying to make amends for the barbarous evil of National Socialism.

There was a line in the Gospel reading at Mass on Wednesday of last week:  "A curse is on you Pharisees, for you love the best seats in the synagogues and to be greeted in the market place."

It reminded me of the Trumps of this world. People thinking they deserve a special spot in the limelight. And then when they're caught the apology is the cure-all.

But in a way, isn't it something we all try. We do wrong, no-one hears about it so we stay stum. If we are found out we might own-up and say we are sorry. 

How genuine is our sorrow? But it is different from the carry on of the Pharisees, postwar Nazis church apparatchicks and the Trumps of this world. Or is it?

'Swaggering Trump offends even in his defence'

Powerful piece by Maureen Dowd in today's The Irish Times.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/maureen-dowd-swaggering-trump-offends-even-in-his-defence-1.2831785#.WAS534OK3bM.mailto