The EU, Lisbon, and ineffective leadership

Edmond Grace SJ, author of Democracy and Public Happiness, wants to see the Lisbon treaty succeed. But he pulls no punches in this broadside against the ‘ineffective leadership’ of politicians who are promoting it.

Lisbon – with a little bit of uncertainty
If the people of Ireland adopt the Lisbon Treaty it will be in spite of the ineffective leadership of our politicians. I’m not saying that Irish politicians are unique in this. At European level a more polite way of referring to this ineffectiveness is to speak of ‘the democratic deficit.’ Leadership is ineffective when it fails to address public disquiet and disillusionment. Leadership is ineffective when it fails to appeal to people’s sense of right. Above leadership is ineffective when it presents a proposal which contains a truly historic reform and fails to alert the general public to the significance of that reform. Read more »

Gerald O’Collins SJ presents portrait of Jesus

“Gerald O’Collins is one of those rare Christian theologians who can combine deep scholarship with accessible language and personal experience.’ So says Lord Carey of Clifton, former Archbishop of Canterbury, in reference to Gerald O’Collins’s 50th book, Jesus: A Portrait, published by Darton, Longman & Todd. Fr O’Collins is Professor Emeritus at the Gregorian University, Rome. At 5.00pm on 16 May, he will present his most recent book at a public lecture, ‘Portraying Jesus’, in the Conference Room, Milltown Institute. All are welcome.

Reflections on Zambia

A group of fifth year students from Gonzaga College SJ travelled to Zambia with Habitat For Humanity over Easter 2008, the third year that the college students have being involved in building houses together with families in need. This year sixteen students travelled along with four teachers for a three week period during their holidays. One of the students, Karl Aherne, has written a reflection on the experience. Read more »