I write this column in a state of shock – at the dramatic news of the death of Pope Francis. I saw the sad news breaking on Sky News last Monday morning. The general reaction was one of shock but not surprise, given the Pontif’s ill-health.
Last Sunday, watching the coverage of the Easter ceremonies from the Vatican was inspiring, as Pope Francis made what must have been a huge effort to participate. When he gave the final blessing to those gathered in St Peter’s Square and those tuning in from around the world I wondered if indeed it would be his last time, but I wasn’t expecting his death to happen so soon. It now feels as if he struggled on through ill-health to fulfil his Easter duties and felt then that he could go in peace. Though he did the blessing, and amazingly one last tour of St Peter’s Square, he left an incisive ‘Urbi et Orbi’ address, delivered by an assistant. He cut through the awful conflicts going on in the world, touching on each crisis with sharp insight. He flew the flag for peace in general and for cease-fires in particular. He criticised warmongers for see people as ‘targets’ rather than ‘persons’. He remembered the vulnerable, from the unborn child in the womb to the elderly in danger of being discarded. All those political leaders issuing statements of admiration and sympathy over these few days will do well to study that address.
I watched the Urbi et Orbi programme on BBC One as I wanted to get the blessing live – RTÉ was showing it on delay. It was so moving, but I just didn’t realise just how historical it would be in retrospect. I was impressed by the initial coverage of Monday’s sad news on Sky News and ITV News in particular – there was great respect and dignity. I liked Michael Kelly’s contributions to various programmes, e.g. on News at One (RTÉ Radio 1), when he spoke of the Pope’s ‘pastoral heart’ and how he related so well to ordinary people. On the same show we heard from Archbishop Eamonn Martin about how Pope Francis had a special place for those on the peripheries and was critical of any assault on human life. Reporter Colm Flynn’s contributions were positive – e.g. on Late Breakfast (Newstalk), with all the inevitable talk about succession and conclaves, he reminded us of the role we believe the Holy Spirit has in the coming proceedings. Of course there will be political aspects, and on the same show Archbishop Diarmuid Martin frankly reminded us that there were those who didn’t like Pope Francis. In fact, I’m frequently sickened by the level of vitriol directed against the Holy Father (on social media of course). Through the morning Sky News continued with excellent and sustained coverage as the glowing tributes poured in. One of their commentators referred to the ‘moral awareness’ raised by Pope Francis. There was also a BBC News Special with ongoing coverage, and eventually a News Special on the RTÉ News channel. The commentary on RTÉ seemed to be primarily from liberal commentators.
Last Monday also, it was a brave move to broadcast a one-hour programme on the Nicene Creed on the night of a public holiday. I enjoyed this special edition of Our Divine Sparks (RTÉ, Radio 1), though I’d have to be a theologian and scripture scholar to make a proper judgement. I thought there was too much of the political and not enough of the spiritual in the discussion, but it was informative about the various efforts to combat heresies and define the nature of God, especially in relation to the divinity of Jesus. And there were other decisions, less well known – e.g. about the date of Easter (a heated debate, apparently).
The vox pops were interesting – one person described how unsatisfactory it was just to rhyme off the Creed, while another referred to it in terms of solidarity. Fifth Year girls from a Clare secondary school had a variety of reactions, and I wondered about their Religious Education or the youth culture that might have overwhelmed it. One related the Creed to guilt. Another thought you’d have to re-write the Bible to make changes to the Creed. But there were also insights too from the girls. One thought there was a need for more conversations about the Creed, another like the idea of everyone in church praying it together.
PICK OF THE WEEK
JUBILEE FOR TEENAGERS: AN EWTN SPECIAL
EWTN Saturday April 26, 9am
From Rome, join teenagers from across the world as they begin the Jubilee for Teenagers, a weekend filled with prayer and the Holy Sacraments.
THE SIMPSONS
Channel 4 Sunday April 27, 1.55pm
Homer the Heretic: Homer has a vision from God and decides to start his own religion, which doesn’t go down well with the neighbours. (S4 Ep3/22)
Film: HIDDEN FIGURES
Film 4 Sunday April 27, 6:25pm and Friday May 2, 6:25pm
(2016) Fact-based drama about three extraordinary women, whose genius in mathematics and engineering made a significant contribution to the space race.
