Omnia possum in eo, qui me comfortat
LATEST NEWS
Strangers in a strange land
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by Anthony Murphy
The recent events in my local parish, St. Michael’s Athy, again underscore the reality that we now live in a time where aggressively anti-catholic sentiment rules the day and woe betide anyone who has the nerve to challenge the prevailing culture. A culture which claims “equality” and “tolerance” as its buzz words but in truth a culture which is dragging us back to the darkest days of intolerance and persecution.
Anyone who has followed the thuggish nature of this story will see which side uses a message of hate. The intimidation which my family has experienced over the past week, including a campaign to force us to move out of our home, has been fuelled by local Sinn Fein and LGBT supporters and can only be described as incitement to hatred. Thankfully the Gardai have begun an investigation but we remain ostracised by a highly active and vocal presence in the town, we are made to feel like strangers living in a strange and unwelcoming land.
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by Deacon Nick Donnelly
The bestial murder of 86 year old Fr Jacques Hamel by Islamic State terrorists is an evil beyond the comprehension of all decent and moral people. The fact that Adel Kermiche and Abdelmalik Petitjean chose to attack a priest celebrating Mass and cut his throat as he knelt at the foot of the altar takes this act into the realm of demonic evil.
CRISIS IN THE CHURCH: URGENT ACTION NEEDED
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byAnthony Murphy
The time has come for the laity to demand a thorough reform of St. Patrick’s Seminary
“If a man has the power to do good, it is sinful in him to leave it undone”. This short line from the Epistle of Saint James is a stark reminder of the duty of every Christian believer to do what is right. Why then, we may ask, are our bishops not taking an active role in bringing about a sorely-needed reform of our national seminary, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth?
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by Anthony Murphy
Are we going to let another academic year begin without concrete action being taken to reform St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth? If our bishops will not take the necessary steps to reform the seminary, and if they continue to send men there for priestly formation while it remains in its current state of decay, we must send out a clear message to the Irish hierarchy: “Not in our name!”
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by Anthony Murphy
Last week I spoke to an Irish bishop about the latest scandal to hit St. Patrick's seminary in Maynooth, while he himself did not want to go on the record he did acknowledge that the Irish bishops were aware of some of the concerns about the seminary but were unable to act because the complaints made by seminarians were always anonymous. Is he serious? Does he really expect anything other than an anonymous complaint? To understand the fear of speaking out openly and why seminarians chose to suffer in silence we first need to visit the Gulag.........
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In this must read column Deacon Nick Donnelly argues the double standards being applied by bishops to dissenting Catholics and faithful Catholics is not only undermining the obedience of faith that should bind us all together, but is also harming the relationship between faithful clergy and laity with their bishops. What is at stake is the sacred communion of the Church and the obligation of the obedience of faith.
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by Deacon Nick Donnelly
A couple of weeks ago a priest prominent in the Church for his work in the media strongly criticised Catholic bloggers. He accused us of creating a ‘cess pool of hatred’through character assassination and personal attacks. I myself have cautioned fellow Catholics against personal attacks, especially against the Holy Father, but based on my experience over the past six years I dispute Fr Rosica’s completely negative portrayal of Catholics’use of the social media. For the most part I have found Catholics using social media intelligent, good-humoured, passionate about the faith, and, during times of personal grief and suffering, very loving and caring.