‘They are neither in the Church, nor out of it. Neither fish nor flesh. These are the modern curse of the Church, these a la carte Catholics. They tick the box. They pick and choose. They use us when they need us, and don’t bother with us the rest of the time. Read more…
‘Oh Father, I couldn’t begin to tell you. Where do I start?’ This is not an uncommon line from someone speaking about their family. Often when I hear this comment it makes me smile and think of my own family. I especially think of a few years before my Mum Read more…
‘Oh Father, I couldn’t begin to tell you. Where do I start?’ This is not an uncommon line from someone speaking about their family. Often when I hear this comment it makes me smile and think of my own family. I especially think of a few years before my Mum died and I Read more…
‘Abide with me; fast falls the even tide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.’ This is the first verse of the great and beautiful hymn that we often sing at Night Prayer. The world we Read more…
N.B. Over the next four weeks the ‘rumblings’ will be taken up with the upcoming Referendum. The titles are as follows: Today: ‘Letter to the Women of Ireland’ May 6th: ’10 Questions about the Referendum’ May 13th: ‘Darkness Deepens?’ May 20th: ‘The Polling Booth’ Dear Sisters, I realise from the outset, Read more…
I think between the book, a few media appearances and a couple of the rumblings I have got the name of being something of a prophet of gloom. A lot of people are inclined to associate me with the phrase ‘the death of the church’. I think some, especially those who do Read more…