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Ukraine Invasion By Putin (Russia) (1)
Each time I saw the ambush of the Russian tanks I found myself rejoicing and then ashamed. How could I want to see anyone blown up, suffering, dying? Those Russian soldiers are boys, deceived by men in suits and medalled uniforms to fight and die for what is hateful – conquest of a free country.…
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Ash Wednesday
Two men went to pray on Ash Wednesday. The one was holy with goodness to spare, so that he could pray in reparation for those who were sinners. “I thank you, Lord, for my virtuous life. I pray twice in the week, pay my mite, have sympathy for all your suffering people. I wish I…
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Church Abuse & Guilt (1)
‘Best Catholics in the World’ is a powerful book which looks perceptively and honestly at the Church in Ireland. The author wanted to understand how the horrors of child abuse, Magdalene laundries, Mother and Baby homes, had so long gone unquestioned. One of the searching chapters is about the families who disowned their daughters, afraid…
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A Week Of Moments
It has been a week of moments. The first was Vincent Doyle (hidden son of a priest) whose ‘Open Letter to Pope Francis’ was printed in The Tablet. The final paragraph reads: “Holy Father, until it faces these questions, your Church is failing the hidden children of your cardinals, bishops, priests and nuns and all…
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Mind And Heart
I attended a conference, heard a brilliant presentation, even breathtaking. At the break I was talking with his wife and said how good the talk had been. She agreed and she added “It comes at a price. He is so caught up in his wonderful work that the family is relatively unimportant. None of the…
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Blessed Rutilio Grande, Nelson Lemus, Manuel Solorzano & Cosme Spessotto
Last Saturday, 22nd January, in the main square of the capital city San Salvador and in front of the cathedral, four men were beatified – all murdered by orders of the military government of El Salvador. The ceremony represented a new spirit in the countries of Central and South America where right-wing military governments have…
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Synod: 2021/23
At the beginning of the week the World Health Organisation told us that half the population of the world has been vaccinated but that only 7% of the peoples of Africa have been. The following day India announced it would be producing one billion vaccines for Africa. That was wonderful to hear. No mention of…
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Moral Compass (3)
What has occupied your mind most this past week – the economy, the Church’s synod, climate change? What do you think has pre-occupied our Prime Minister most – living his Catholic Faith, carefully considering his cabinet so that none of them becomes a threat, wondering how long he can stay in power . . .…
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Original Sin And The Immaculate Conception (3)
Feast Of Immaculate Conception – 8th DECEMBER Were you born with original sin or in original sin? The difference is immense. Born with original sin means you are guilty; born in original sin you are innocent but surrounded by sin, becoming guilty only when you do wrong for the first time and then you share…
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God’s Infinite Love
‘Hope for the Flowers’ is an adult fable, telling the story of a young buck caterpillar who finds himself in a heaving column of other caterpillars. He enjoys the struggle, pushing others out of the way, climbing over weaker ones smaller than he is. He hears a voice “Please, help me.” A young lady caterpillar…
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Your Moral Compass (2)
What has occupied your mind most this past week – the Budget, the Church’s Synod, Climate Change? What do you think has pre-occupied our Prime Minister most – living his Catholic Faith, carefully considering his cabinet so that none of them become a threat, wondering how far he can go in breaking agreements made about…
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Family And Divorce
You hid the truth. You lied. You are selfish. You didn’t care who was hurt as long as you had your own way. You did that out of jealousy and spite . . . Have you ever said those words or had them spoken to you? They are harsh – but the intention is clear:…
Daily Prayers
Prayer is Love, I want to Love