Religion and despair

by David Gaffney SJ

There are scenes of a troubled young man being counselled by a very believable ‘shrink’ in the film Good Will Hunting (and readers may be able to supply other examples). But, lacking such an image of a helper, many a young man who is facing the possibility of suicide may have no use for talk. And I feel that the situation with religion is somewhat the same. Unless an accessible image of God has already been planted in the psyche, I don’t think one can just parachute-in religious considerations.

Any such image is in turn going to depend on whether the young person’s experience of human relationships has been satisfactory. Perhaps the person is isolated, lacking ‘socializing’ networks. Read more »

Seán Mac Réamoinn

<em>Journalist Seán Mac Réamoinn dies in Dublin hospital aged 85 years</em> was one of many articles and obituaries in which reference was made to Seán Jesuit education. In the <em>Irish Times </em>Deaglán de Bréadún writes, <br />
<blockquote>One of Ireland’s leading broadcasters and journalist in Irish and English, Seán Mac Réamoinn, died at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, yesterday morning aged 85 years.<br />
A prominent figure in the Irish language movement and many other areas of cultural life, Mr Mac Réamoinn was a former Controller of Radio Programmes and Director of External Relations with RTÉ.<br />
He was born in Birmingham on November 27th, 1921, the son of James Redmond from Boolavogue, Co Wexford and Wilhelmina née Bruen of Sligo. Seán’s parents soon returned to Ireland and he was educated in Dublin; in Clonmel, where he was taught by the Christian Brothers; and at Coláiste Iognáid, under the Jesuits, in Galway.</blockquote>

The Irish Catholic

Are we drifting towards a more lawless society?<br />
NEWS IN BRIEF<br />
Jesuit Centre backs call for new Junior Minister for Integration<br />
Jesuit criticised ‘Eucharistic fundamentalism’<br />
(What is love? Reflections on a theme)

Paul Miki, Japanese samurai, Christian martyr – The Corkman

Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan describes Paul Miki’s life,<br />
<blockquote>The Shogun in 1597 had decided to suppress the Christian faith as central to his policy of closing off Japan from Western influence. Nagasaki had a vibrant Christian community The crucifixion there of Paul Miki and his companions was expected to terrorise that group of Christians into apostasy. The result was quite different. Paul Miki, a Jesuit priest convert from a family of<br />
Samurai warriors, intoned in Latin the Gloria in excelsis Deo. The hymn was taken up by the others on their crosses. The Christians who had gathered joined in.<br />
The little Christian community subsequently went underground and established itself in total secrecy on an island at Urakami outside the city. They lived by fishing. They preserved the truths of the faith and the traditional forms of prayer form century to century. The structure of their religious practice was built around three roles – the role of Leader Person, the role of Water Person who performed Baptism and the role of Calendar Person who marked Church feast days.<br />
For three hundred years they waited for a priest! Eventually Japan eased its policy of exclusion and allowed in business people from the West.<br />
Permission was granted for a little chapel in the business area of Nagasaki, strictly for foreigners. It was a capital offence for apanese to attend. The word percolated through to the community in Urakami. On market day as the women went<br />
to the city two slipped aside from the group as they passed the chapel. Inside they spoke with the priest. One can imagine his amazement! They checked his credentials with three questions – Did he have an image of Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus? Did he come from the White Father in Rome? Did he have a wife? Satisfied they rejoined their group on return to Urakami. At some later time the Jesuit priest was secretly brought to meet the community. As the years rolled by in a more liberal Japanese society the story unfolded. </blockquote>

Minister on a mission – The Irish Times

<em>Minister on a mission: A week in Zambia with Mary Hanafin</em> describes the minister’s tour and refers to Michael Kelly on 9 February,<br />
<blockquote>Fr Michael Kelly is a slight, softly-spoken Jesuit from Tullamore, Co Offaly. He is also one of the most remarkable people that one could wish to meet.<br />
His story is one of a lifetime dedicated to the poor since moving to Zambia in 1955. He is a Zambian citizen.<br />
Today, he is being honoured by a new initiative in his name. The Father Michael Kelly Bursary, sponsored by the Irish Government, will allow Zambian students to undertake postgraduate study in Aids/HIV.<br />
Fr Kelly’s research work has largely focused on how education can be used as a shield against the disease. His central message is how HIV/Aids is less prevalent where education is available. He has also challenged the orthodox view of the Catholic Church on the use of condoms.</blockquote>

Spirit Moves – RTE Radio 1

In a 45 min programme discussing entitled ‘Is God Green?’ Conall O Quinn SJ was among a panel of guests hosted by Susan Mc Reynolds.<br />
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