Dear Friend
Welcome to the December Ezine from Redemptorist Communications
Advent Reflection
“One of the essential paradoxes of Advent: that while we wait for God, we are with God all along, that while we need to be reassured of God’s arrival, or the arrival of our homecoming, we are already at home. While we wait, we have to trust, to have faith, but it is God’s grace that gives us that faith. As with all spiritual knowledge, two things are true, and equally true, at once. The mind can’t grasp paradox; it is the knowledge of the soul.”
Michelle Blake
Glimpses of “Reality”
In the December editorial, Fr Gerard Moloney reflects on the ‘Wrong Move’ for the Church:
“On November 3, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore announced that the Government had decided to close Ireland’s embassies to the Holy See and Iran and its representative office in Timor Leste. The decision, he said, was for economic reasons, and would save the exchequer €1.25 million per year. It followed a review of overseas missions carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which gave “particular attention to the economic return from bilateral missions.”
Mr Gilmore stressed that even after the embassy’s closure, Ireland will still have full diplomatic relations with the Holy See, and a non-resident official would perform its work.
The closing of the embassy, he insisted, had nothing to do with the Vatican’s recalling of the Papal Nuncio from Ireland earlier this year or with the fall-out from the Cloyne Report.
But, in effect, the decision means that Ireland will now be the only major country of ancient Catholic tradition without full-time diplomatic representation at the Vatican, and will result in an inevitable loss of influence.
The reaction to Mr Gilmore’s announcement was swift and predictable. To say that Catholics, even many who are angry at the Vatican on a whole range of issues, were nonplussed would be an understatement. To say that secularists and those with an anti-Catholic agenda were thrilled would be an understatement, too.
One could, of course, accept the Government’s explanation at face value, and see it as being simply a cost-cutting exercise, as they claim.
Or one could see it as being childish and mean-spirited – an example of a Government with a lot to learn about the art of diplomacy.
But there is really only one way the Government decision can be interpreted – as a deliberate snub to the Vatican. And, by extension, a deliberate snub to Irish Catholics and to the Irish church. Those in the corridors of power had to be aware of how this decision would be seen; they had to know it would make headlines in a way the closure of any other embassy or diplomatic mission would not. They had to know it would be regarded as a rebuke. For all their faults, our politicians are not naïve; there is no doubt their decision was cold, calculated and deliberate.
It is clear, too, that the explanation offered for the closure is a smoke-screen. A convenient excuse. If the reason was purely financial, based solely on paying “particular attention to the economic return from bilateral missions,” as Minister Gilmore claims, why not close the mission to Lesotho? Or any of a string of other embassies and diplomatic missions? And why close the embassy to Iran, one of the major economic powers in the Middle East? The reason had nothing to do with money, as everyone who has followed the story knows full well.
What it had everything to do with is advancing the Labour Party’s secular agenda. It is clear that party has a deliberate policy of pushing religion in general and the Catholic Church in particular to the margins of Irish life, and that it is using its time in Government, and the ammunition handed to it by the church’s mishandling of abuse issues, to pursue that agenda. When it comes to social issues, the Labour tail is wagging the Fine Gael dog. It’s hard to believe that every Fine Gael member of the Oireachtas is happy about this. Or that it’s going down well with ordinary Fine Gael supporters up and down the country.
At least one would hope now for consistency, and that these politicians will desist from canvassing for support or from taking up collections outside of Catholic churches. For if you disapprove of Rome, if you want to emphasise the separation of church and state, if you want to push religion to the margins, then one shouldn’t use gatherings of church-goers for political purposes, and church-goers should not shy away from telling politicians that.
Church-goers should also not shy away from telling Government members and backbenchers what they think of this regrettable decision and that it must be reversed.”
Also in the December issue of Reality:
SAFEGUARDING THE SEAL: Why the seal of confession is important
THE REAL ST NICHOLAS: Don’t mix him up with Santa Claus!
THE VOICE OF GOD: Where do you hear it?
COVENANT PEOPLE: The Community of Nazareth is a movement where families and single people of all ages work together in God’s service, guided by the Holy Spirit
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MARY’S MOTHER?: Though we have no information about her, devotion to St Anne – the mother of Mary – has endured in the church to this day
LESSONS ON CHRISTMAS FROM MARY: Even in the midst of her turmoil and confusion, Mary still rejoices in a God who has done wonderful things for her
THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS: Shadows and lights in his past
DON’T GET SENTIMENTAL ABOUT CHRISTMAS: There is nothing soft or soppy about the message of Christmas
Click here to order your copy of Reality or to subscribe for the year. Why not buy a gift subscription for somebody for Christmas?!
New from Redemptorist Communications
New Book: Year of the Suffering Servant: Getting more out of Sunday Mass in the Year of Mark
Do you sometimes feel that you get little out of Mass and you don’t understand some of the Sunday readings? If so, then this book is for you! Fr Ciarán O’Callaghan provides reflections and insights into the weekly readings for the coming year. Written in a warm and accessible style, this book will encourage you to be a little better prepared for Mass. It is a perfect companion for those who are Readers in church or those who wish to know more about the Word of God. The book can be used by individuals, groups or families.
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What’s up in “Face Up”?
Face Up is our fantastic monthly magazine for teenagers. Here is a flavour what is in the December issue to inform and inspire young people:
Real Life
Cover story: Holding onto Hope
When you’re feeling as flat as a burst balloon can hope really help you cope?
“What Christmas Means To Me”
Fifth year student Clara Hurley shares her magical moments with you.
How to train your parents
Want to know the secrets to achieving a decent relationship with your mum and dad?
Campaign
Proof of Life
Learn about Trócaire’s efforts to help Kenyan farmers survive the devastating drought which has left millions at death’s door.
Spells, sacrifice and secrecy
Uncovering the barbaric rituals linked to the mutilation and murder of Ugandan children.
Spirit & Soul
Shape up your spiritual life:
It’s a matter of life or death.
Keeping it real:
Got a feeling there’s more to Christmas than turkey, tinsel and all the trimmings? Here’s how to make it feel special.
Plus lots, lots more!!
A gift subscription to Face Up would make a perfect Christmas present for any teenager!
To End With!
Three wise women would have...
asked directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby,
cleaned the stable,
made a casserole,
brought practical gifts,
and there would be peace on Earth.
A blessed Christmas to everyone
