Having a stroke is about as near as you can get to dying and coming back, says Fr Kevin Neal of St Mary’s, Taradale. It’s as though half of the brain’s 12 or so hard disks have fallen off the shelf and been trampled underfoot.
Pope John began his famous discourse which needs to be read in its entirety, but even this was interrupted when he called to the non-Catholic observers to come and sit near him on the very edge of the sanctuary.
MÄories could be told of the approachability, pastoral care and humility that define our bishops. It is to be hoped that they have called some of their brother bishops to account for their scandalous behaviour.
Was it a sign, a warning to us Catholics, that the continuing child-abuse scandal flared once again, this time during Holy Week?
But employers? Now they’re different. There could a job or a promotion at stake. We think twice or even thrice before criticizing the boss. Even when we honestly think the boss is wrong, the boss is always right!
Certainly it gives a blueprint for the church to do what it does best ‘ follow the example of Christ in welcoming and accompanying those who struggle in society for whatever reason.
When Fr Kevin Connors speaks, one is drawn by his charisma. Everything he says about youth, the church and society’s attitude towards Catholicism is fresh and intriguing.
An important issue is the relationship of the episcopate to apostleship for it is as successors to the apostles that bishops have exercised their great influence in the history of the church.