E-mail: 3rproductions@tinet.ie

This week we have an interview with Bishop Donal Murray, Rev. Gordon Linney and John Alderdice about some of the issues raised when the Peace Forum was addressed recently by Irish Catholic Bishops.  We also look at the incidence of stress among middle-aged and suicide among young people.

Side One:

1. Crossways:  News in the Church and the World. For our main report this week Liam Greene spoke with Tom McGuirk of Age Action Ireland about the challenge of facing aging and death.  The news was read by Elaine Comerford and Liam Greene, SJ.
 
Time:  5.32

2. Religious Education:  Kevin Williams, Vice-President of the Educational Studies Association of Ireland and lecturer in Mater Dei Institute puts forward the arguments for considering religious education as an examination subject in schools.

In   Harbourne:  "Why has religious.....................and serious way."(Williams) Time:  5.32

3. Celtic Spirituality:  The restoration of places like Glendalough and Ballintubber, fresh interest in celebrating the feast of St Brigid, ever increasing numbers of books dealing with the topic all point to a revival of interest in Celtic Spirituality.  Fr Leo Morahan is a priest of Galway diocese, an experienced broadcaster, and well known for his interest in Irish culture, language, games and traditions.  Marie Stuart RSM asked him 'Why this renewed interest in Celtic Spirituality?'

In  Morahan:  "Do you know.......................anwhere else on earth."(Morahan) Time: 4.28

4. Peace Process: Church people were involved in helping to bring about the current peace in Northern Ireland.  Marie Stuart RSM asked Fr Gerry O'Hanlon SJ about the role the Churches could now play in helping to further that peace.  Gerry O'Hanlon is a well-known and highly respected theologian and lectures at Milltown Institute in Dublin.

In  Stuart:   "Fr Gerry O'Hanlon,...................of the peace process."(Hanlon) Time: 5.16
 5. Europe needs a Soul:  Is the structure of Europe to be purely based on materialism?  Brian Griffin, Chairman of the Dublin branch of the Methodist Church in Ireland, was part of a group of Irish Church leaders who went to visit the European Commission and the European Parliament in Brussels on January 29th.  They were invited to discuss the prospect of "Giving Europe a Soul".  Antoinette Harbourne asked Brian about the meeting.

In   Griffin:   "I was in Brussels......................extravagant possibility."(Griffin) Time:  6.48

6. Abused:  Imelda Deegan talks to Mary (not her real name), a woman abused from the age of ten years.  Only now, years later, can Mary come to terms with what happened to her.  She talks openly about her recovery from the abuse and about her faith in God.

In Deegan:  "Can you remember......................hadn't felt for years."(Mary) Time:  4.30
 

Side Two:

1. Ballintubber Reflections:  Fr Frank Fahy continues his reflections.

Fourth Station:
In Fahy:  "The Stations of the cross......................in our Irish tradition."(Fahy) Time:  2.36

Tenth Station:
In Fahy:  "Here at the tenth...............................the Resurrection path."(Fahy) Time:  2.26

2. Ash Wednesday & Lent:  Fr John O'Donohue is a theologian, philosopher, poet and lecturer in Archaeology and Communications.  With Lent fast approaching, Marie Stuart RSM asked him 'Do people take any notice of Ash Wednesday anymore?'
 
In  O'Donohue: "I think a lot of people.............notice of it anymore."(O'Donohue) Time:  5.34

3. World Day for the Sick:  In 1992 Pope John Paul II instituted World Day for the Sick to be held on February 11th, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.  HIV and AIDS, the major illnesses of our day, are touching the lives of more and more families.  Richard, a man in his 30's, who lives in Wicklow, was diagnosed as having the virus 7 years ago.  He is actively involved in HIV/AIDS education and a support group for people who are living with the virus.  Marie Stuart RSM asked him what it was like when he first heard that he had the virus.

In  Richard: "I think it's the most......................that's what I am."(Richard)  Time:  5.59

4. Child Sexual Abuse:  For the past twenty months, the Irish Catholic Bishops' Advisory Committee on Child Sexual Abuse by Priests and Religious has been working on drawing up guidelines for dealing with this problem.  These guidelines were launched last week in Dublin. Martin Browne spoke to two members of the Advisory Committee: Sr Éilís Bergin, PBVM, the Manager of St Bernard Residential Homes in Fethard, County Tipperary, and Most Rev. Laurence Forristal, Bishop of Ossory and Chairman of the committee.

In:  Browne:  "Sr Éilís Bergin......................and act immediately."(Forristal) Time:  4.50

5. Lent, Liturgy & Music:  After the great joy and participation in the music of the Christmas season, many communities find it difficult to find suitable music for the season of Lent.  In fact, there is much to choose from in existing Irish hymnals, such as The Veritas Hymnal; Alleluia! Amen! and Hosanna!  Fr Paul Kenny, a curate in Haddington Road Parish in Dublin, is the editor of Hosanna! and he spoke to Martin Browne.

In  Browne:  "It's not long since..........................from the past."(Kenny)  Time:  5.42

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