THE IRISH CHURCH was uniquein that it avoided nearly all the hugeproblems the Catholic Church else-where faced over the last four hun-dred years. It suffered practically no apostacy. In fact, from the beginningof the nineteenth century the Catholic Church in Ireland has gained increas-ingly the loyalty and support of the people.
THE PAPACY is no stranger to earthly vicissitudes. Popes have beenhoundedfrom their sees by emperorsand kings. Their palaces have been burned,their lands occupied by foreign troops. They have been elected by corrupt processes and turnedinto the puppets of powerful families and monarchs.
On November 22 the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops called by John Paul II to reconsider Vatican 2 begins in Rome. Already, in behind the scenes manoevuring, Cardinal Hume of England has got the upper hand on Cardinal Ratzinger of West Germany, the Pope's favourite conservative.
On Sunday 29 September, Archbishop Kevin McNamara watched and listened as Dr Donald Caird was enthroned as Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin.
IT'S IMPERIALISM OF THE WORST KIND, like the Roman Empire putting a fella into Syria to whip in the slaves." The priest was directing his anger at the arch-conservative Vatican, not at Archbishop-elect Kevin McNamara whom the Dublin clergy see as much the unhappy victim of Roman Imperialism as is the Dublin diocese itself. By Olivia O' Leary
Olivia O'Leary talks to members of the Radical Church.
Muted murmurings from six thousand throats, a wave of sound incessantly ebbing and flowing.
Hailmaryfullofgracthelordiswiththee ...
Scattered through the crowd, identifiable only by the tunics rolled up and tucked under their arms, are the 200 Knights of Columbanus who have joined this pilgrimage to Knock
An assessment of the financial clout of Archbishop Dermot Ryan, By Pat Brennan
The Pope's plea for reconciliation between the religious traditions in Ireland could best have been directed at Catholic bishops, who have stifled ecumenism here for fifteen years.
Twelve months is a short time. Yet for such an encouragingly energetic and tirelessly active Pope as John Paul II - so many speeches, so many trips - twelve months is a long time. There is no significant issue on which he has not already taken a definite stand; after just one year the contours of this pontificate stand out in bold and unmistakable relief.