Report and links including : Irish churches fixated with sex; Dublin worse than Delhi for rape; Christ Church – a heritage hot spot; Government papers revelations; TDs V Cardinal on abortion; Cyber bullying in Irish schools and society
Churches can’t see beyond the mass appeal of sex
Irish Times – Patsy McGarry writes – Isn’t it remarkable how so much discussion in our churches these days centres on sex?
Mention the words “Catholic Church” anywhere these days and the immediate thought is “child sex abuse”, and/or “contraception/homosexuality/divorce/ abortion”. Mention “Anglican” and what springs to mind is probably either “gay clergy” or “women bishops”.
Maybe it is this very public wrestling with such issues by a generally older, mainly male clergy and a greying laity that has turned young people away. Our churches appear dominated by thinking that is resolutely stuck in the mid-20th century…
… Here, though the way has been cleared for the Church of Ireland to have women bishops, it hasn’t happened. Indeed at its general synod last May the Church of Ireland reaffirmed its traditional teaching on marriage as “of one man with one woman” by a …
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2012/1229/1224328242472.html
Stop cyber bullying in Ireland
Independent – Insights from research present scale of problem
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/education/stop-cyber-bullying/cyberbully-alert-as-we-mostly-allow-children-online-alone-3337758.html
Rape Crisis Centre draws comparison between Dublin and New Delhi
Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, the head of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said more needs to be done to address the ‘escalation’ in the number of rapes in Dublin.
http://www.thejournal.ie/rape-crisis-centre-dublin-734470-Dec2012/
Heritage Hot Spots: Christ Church
Irish Times – Christ Church is the oldest cathedral in Dublin. It was built from 1169 on the site of a wooden church by Richard de Clare, earl of Pembroke – known as Strongbow – for St Laurence O’Toole, archbishop of Dublin.
Sylvia Thompson writes –
What is it?
Christ Church is the oldest cathedral in Dublin. It was built from 1169 on the site of a wooden church by Richard de Clare, earl of Pembroke – known as Strongbow – for St Laurence O’Toole, archbishop of Dublin. Formally known as Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, it is the seat of the Church of Ireland dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.
Why visit?
Its prominent site high above the River Liffey in the heart of medieval Dublin makes it one of the city’s best-known landmarks and most-visited churches. Its striking Gothic naves sit on top of a 12th-century crypt – reputedly the largest in Ireland or Britain. Open to visitors, it houses the Treasures of Christ Church exhibition. Visitors can tour the belfry, with its 19 bells, which are rung in sequence. And campanology enthusiasts can join in the bell ringing, under expert supervision, at certain times. Visitors can also hear the acclaimed cathedral choristers at sung services on Sundays, at 11am and 3.30pm, and on Thursdays, at 6pm.
Why now?
Christchurch Place, outside the cathedral, is one of Dubliners’ favourite places to celebrate the start of the year. At 9pm on Monday, Christ Church will host a New Year’s Eve concert with Dublin Gospel Choir. It will be followed by a champagne reception in the crypt and a countdown to the ringing of the bells at midnight in the cathedral grounds. Tickets cost €45 at iti.ms/Tr9vEXor 01-6778099.
How do I get there?
The cathedral is at the top of Dame Street in the heart of old Dublin, about 10 minutes’ walk from the front gate of Trinity College. It’s open from Mondays to Saturdays between 9.30am and 5pm (November to March), 6pm (April, May, September and October) or 7pm (June to August). It’s open on Sundays from 12.30pm to 2.30pm year round plus from 4.30pm to 6pm from June to August.
Admission costs €6 for adults, €2 for children, €4 for seniors and €3 for students. Call 01-6778099 or see christchurchdublin.ie.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2012/1229/1224328242418.html
TD’s V Cardinal on abortion
1982: Irish Council of Churches opposed anti-abortion amendment
The ICC said the change to the constitution was legally unnecessary and socially unfair – as it placed the views of the Roman Catholic church above those of other denominations in Ireland.
Church refused to surrender Papal Cross
Irish Times – The Catholic Church sought £100,000 from the State before it would surrender ownership of the Papal Cross in the Phoenix Park, claiming it was owed this money from the visit of John Paul II to Ireland. The State papers released under the 30-year rule …
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1228/1224328223604.html