If old forms of Christianity in Ireland are passing away, there are new expressions of this ancient faith emerging throughout the island. One of these expressions, ‘new monasticism,’ will be explored in a one-day conference in Dublin on 16 January 2010 with Prof. Douglas Burton Christie of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
‘New monasticism’ is a broad international movement. Primarily, it has been advanced by laypeople who commit to spiritual disciplines and community life. The aim is to revive ancient interior practices that deepen individuals’ connection with God and humankind, while at the same time sustaining them to work for social justice in the world. Community life may consist of actually living together in a specific location, or ‘virtual’ communities linked by technology and/or prayer.
Continue reading ‘New Monasticism Comes to Ireland: Dublin Event with Douglas Burton Christie, 16 January 2010′
The story of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and his plot to bring terror to the American skies has been playing out over this Christmas period. Almost daily revelations of failures to communicate intelligence information, not to mention the apparent ease with which he passed through airport security, have revealed uncomfortable flaws in our systems.
So much for ‘homeland security.’ A man who was denied entry to the UK because of security concerns, and whose father tried to alert Western governments about his son’s intentions, almost single-handedly brought down an American passenger jet.
Continue reading ‘Terror in the Skies & Richard English Book Review: Terrorism – How to Respond’
There is a stunning lack of accountability in Ireland. It doesn’t have to be that way. Writing in today’s Irish Times, columnist Elaine Byrne recounts how an indignant and industrious Icelandic citizenry has peacefully and effectively achieved meaningful political change in the wake of the country’s financial crisis.
Demonstrations and mass protests, many organised by young people using social networking websites, have basically brought down a government and contributed to the establishment of a National Assembly, consisting of:
Continue reading ‘Contemplating Ireland’s Apathy: Do Irish Citizens Want a Say in their Future?’
The DUP’s first lady, Iris Robinson, unexpectedly announced her retirement today. Mrs Robinson, a councillor, MLA and MP as well as the wife of DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, cited depression as the reason for her decision.
Depression is doubtless rife in Northern Ireland. Societies transitioning from violence typically have high incidences of mental illnesses, including depression, an illness that is often self-medicated with excessive alcohol. While I am not suggesting that Mrs Robinson’s depression is Troubles-related, at the least it may start some public debate about mental illness in a society that desperately needs to have those discussions.
Continue reading ‘Iris Robinson Retirement: Depression, Family Dynasties, Gay Rights and the Battle for Northern Ireland’s Moral Soul’
At the centre of many Christians’ conceptions of Christmas is a story about how Jesus’ birth came to pass. The gospel writers supply different stories about Jesus’ birth and its significance – for instance, Luke emphasises Jesus’ humble origins and how his birth was announced first to the outcasts of society (shepherds), while John writes a stirring poem about Christ’s cosmic significance as the Word that became flesh.
Part of the magic, or one might even say mystery, of the Christmas stories is that people can meditate on them, discuss them, and draw out different meanings from them.
Continue reading ‘Peter Rollins Book Review, The Orthodox Heretic: Reading ‘Impossible Tales’ at Christmas’
In all of Ireland’s current sex abuse scandals, it seems the perspectives of the victims keep getting lost as we focus on the bishops of the Irish Catholic Church, or on abusers like Liam Adams.
Today an anonymous victim of clerical sexual abuse had a letter published in the Irish Times. It is heartbreaking to read. The victim poignantly describes how difficult it is to participate in the normal cultural practices of Irish life, such as attending weddings, communions, and other ceremonies in Catholic churches.
Continue reading ‘A Victim of Clerical Sex Abuse Speaks Out’
Shoplifting is a Christian option. So says Fr Tim Jones of St Lawrence and St Hilda Parish in York, who advised the poor members of his congregation to steal from large national businesses if they were desperate in the run-up to Christmas.
Fr Jones’ comments have been roundly denounced by the police and by the Archdeacon of York, who said:
Continue reading ‘Priest Tells Congregation to Shoplift’
Terror and wonder. Religious education has the power to instil such emotions in the young. Recent revelations have exposed the physical and sexual abuse that was rampant in many of the state-run, church-controlled churches on this island. On the other hand, in my own research in Northern Ireland I have spoken with people who cherish the religious education they received as a child, seeing it as a portal to creative self-exploration.
In today’s Irish Times, Dr John Murray argues that ‘separating religions and schools is not democratic.’ He is responding to an earlier commentary by Dr Ronan McCrea. The crux of Murray’s argument is that secular state schools are not really neutral. Therefore, if the state does not allow people to send their children to state-funded religious schools, it is undermining their democratic and human rights. Murray writes: Continue reading ‘The Religious Education Debate: Does Religion Need the State?’
I don’t consider myself a fan of the GAA, having grown up in a part of the United States where awareness of Gaelic Games is non-existent. But I’m deeply intrigued by the relationship between spirituality and sporting excellence, so the new book by Tyrone Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte was a compelling read.
The title of the book, Presence is the Only Thing, is the first signal that it won’t simply be about training, matches and winning. In the book, ‘presence’ operates on a number of levels, from Harte being present for his players, to Harte’s memory of the presence of Paul McGirr and Cormac McAnallen – Tyrone footballers who perished in tragic circumstances, to Harte’s awareness of the presence of God.
Continue reading ‘Tyrone Football Manager Mickey Harte Book Review: Presence is the Only Thing’
Last night’s UTV Insight special painted in disturbing detail the ordeal of Aine Tyrell, niece of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. Tyrell was sexually abused for eight years by her father (Gerry Adams’ brother), Liam, during the height of Northern Ireland’s Troubles. Tyrell’s testimony on the programme was poignant because of her desire for justice – through Northern Ireland’s reformed police and the judicial system – and because of the eloquent way in which she expressed her desire for acknowledgement of her suffering.
Tyrell had reported Liam Adams’ abuse to the police when she was a teenager, but ultimately decided not to pursue a case at that time. She and her family were anxious that any hint of scandal could impinge negatively on the republican cause in which her famous uncle was so prominent.
Continue reading ‘Gerry Adams’ Niece Abuse Case: Acknowledgement for Victims’
If old forms of Christianity in Ireland are passing away, there are new expressions of this ancient faith emerging throughout the island. One of these expressions, ‘new monasticism,’ will be explored in a one-day conference in Dublin on 16 January 2010 with Prof. Douglas Burton Christie of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. 
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