In the preface to his second book of poetry, Sorry for Your Troubles (Canterbury Press, 2013), Pádraig Ó Tuama explains that ‘The poem titles have spaces between each letter as a way of indicating the importance of silence, listening, … Read more...
Category: Irish politics
Returning to the Hard Gospel?
Church of Ireland Archbishop Michael Jackson’s recent comments about sectarianism and his unveiling (and critique) of the derogatory language of ‘Polyester Protestants’Archbishop Michael Jackson on Sectarianism in the Church of Ireland – Do We Need a Sequel to the Hard Gospel?
On this island, the conventional wisdom south of the border has been that ‘sectarianism’ is a problem in Northern Ireland, but not in the Republic. I encountered this perspective during the five years that I lived in Dublin, where it … Read more...
Telling Stories about the Future: David Porter and Heather Morris on the Role of Christian Activists–New Post on Slugger O’Toole
I have a new post on the Slugger O’Toole blog based on last night’s Catherwood Lecture by Canon David Porter, ‘Telling Stories about the Future: David Porter and Heather Morris on the Role of Christian Activists.’… Read more...
Gordon Lynch on the Irish Industrial Schools – Were Irish Children Sacrificed for the ‘Nation’?
Recently I reviewed Gordon Lynch’s The Sacred in the Modern World: A Cultural Sociological Approach (Oxford, 2012). I agreed with Lynch’s argument that a broadly defined ‘sociology of the sacred’ can help us to identify what’s of utmost importance morally, … Read more...
Do the Churches Matter? – Hope and History and the Irish Churches Peace Project
People often think of religion as causing conflict, but sometimes religion can inspire peace. That’s the aim of the ‘Hope and History’ campaign, set up by religious leaders to encourage politicians to engage faithfully in the Haass Talks on … Read more...
Christians and “Orangemen’s Day” (the 12th of July) – Contributions to the Debate
On my desk I have a calendar from Holy Cross Monastery in Rostrevor, Co. Down, which features photographs of the monks and the monastery throughout the year. In the month of July, the 12th is designated “Orangemen’s Day.” … Read more...
The Catholic Church in Ireland in Transition – Reflections for Zimbabwe, Published in Mukai/Vukani
I have had an article published in the latest issue of Mukai/Vukani (meaning “Wake up!”), the Jesuit Journal for Theological Reflection in Zimbabwe. This edition (volume 64, April 2013) discusses “The Church in Transition.” With kind permission from the editor, … Read more...
Can I Stay in the Catholic Church? by Brian Lennon–Book Review
I’ve reviewed Brian Lennon SJ’s latest book, Can I Stay in the Catholic Church?, on the Slugger O’Toole blog.… Read more...
Trevor Morrow on the Ulster Covenant, the Reformed Churches, and Irish Identity (at the Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism)
I recently blogged about a colloquium at the Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism and the Kennedy Institute for Conflict Resolution at the National University of Ireland in Maynooth. The colloquium helped to mark the visit of Rev Dr … Read more...
An Independent People Part II – What have the Ulster Presbyterians Ever Done for America?
The BBC’s whirlwind tour through Presbyterian history in Ireland continued last night with the second instalment of “An Independent People: The Story of Ulster’s Presbyterians.” The programme excelled in introducing viewers to men – often largely forgotten today – whose … Read more...