Dear Editor, Allianz is an Israeli-owned insurance company which should be boycotted because of the Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people.
We know about the campaign by some members of the GAA to get that organisation to cut all ties with the Allianz Insurance Company because it is Israeli-owned. It is thought by some in the GAA to be one way of sending a strong message to the Israel government of Netanyahu – stop the genocide.
Perhaps, not many are aware of the Irish Catholic Church’s connection with Allianz Insurance. The Irish Catholic Church at national and diocesan level is deeply connected with the Allianz Insurance Company. Most of the Catholic clergy have their car insurance with Allianz, which used to be known as Church & General. Most Catholic Church property in Ireland is insured with Allianz.
The leadership of the Irish Catholic Church should immediately cut all ties with Allianz.
It is time for the Catholic Church to stand up for justice for the oppressed people of Gaza. Words are not enough. It is time for action. Boycott Allianz which proudly boasts in Catholic publications that it has been “protecting dioceses, parishes and religious orders since 1902”. Between the GAA and the Catholic Church this Israeli-owned outfit is taking large sums of money out of this country.
All concerned people should contact bishops, priests and religious orders asking them to cease using Allianz
Yours etc,
Fr Joe McVeigh
Enniskillen,
Co. Fermanagh
A Christmas gift for our wildlife heritage
Dear Editor, I was delighted to be among the large gathering of animal protection campaigners outside the Dail last Wednesday (November 12) when Ruth Coppinger TD announced that the Second Stage of her Bill to ban fox hunting will be considered by Deputies on December 17.
While not doubting the power of the politically well-connected hunting lobby, I hope that TDs will spare a thought for the fox that is at the butt-end of this joke of this so-called sport.
During the Presidential Election debate, the issue of “rural pursuits” was discussed when one of the candidates made a point of expressing support for these activities.
Now the issue arises again, except that this time it won’t be just an exchange of views, but an opportunity for TDs of all parties, and independents, to take a stand against a most egregious form of animal cruelty.
The fox is a sentient creature, with a nervous system much like our own. It feels pain the way we do. It’s a wild dog, and you wouldn’t subject your dog, or anyone’s pet dog, to a prolonged and unnecessary chase until it drops from exhaustion, let alone have it ripped apart.
Why then do we tolerate a practice in which this beautiful creature has to endure such calculated suffering…an animal that enhances our ecosystem, and that, in recent years has become a welcome guest in people’s gardens nationwide?
I hope that on December 17 each deputy will ask him or herself: Do I really wish to be associated with this barbarous relic of Middle England? The passage of the Bill would be a fitting and long overdue Christmas gift to our wildlife heritage.
It’s time to call off the dogs.
Yours etc,
John Fitzgerald
Callan, Co. Kilkenny
Two Catherines with differing dedication to faith
Dear Editor, I was surprised and puzzled when I read David Quinn’s article on President-elect Catherine Connolly (October 30). He writes that Connolly describes herself as “a religious” which I am aware of and many others are too. How sad! Does she fully understand what being “religious” means?
I sum it up in love of God reaching out in love to others. You do write that she cares about the poor and about justice. To me justice means right relationships with God, others, ourselves and Creation. I believe we must give God his rightful place in this world created by Him. David writes that she is like a contemplative nun, a superior, a missionary sister!
As I re-read this article, I do think he has a point, for I reflected on the modern representation of a statue of our Foundress Catherine McCauley. Venerable Catherine was a contemplative in action, she was a superior, a missionary and a Foundress. In fact, the modern statue of her at Baggot Street International Mercy Centre is not unlike Catherine Connolly. She is portrayed as an attractive, lovely lady in the modern version of the statue. But as I reflect on both Catherines, I can honestly say they are far from being alike! Catherine McCauley was a woman of deep faith who made many sacrifices to pass on this faith by practising the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy.
My prayer is that our new President would learn some lessons from her namesake – Venerable Catherine McCauley. Pope Leo, who is also quoted in this article, says his aunt was a Sister of Mercy and he himself is a devoted follower of Catherine McCauley. What would Catherine McCauley say to us today – “We need God, we don’t need woke.”
Yours etc,
Sr Susan Evangelist
Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
St Finnian’s Penitential’s: a lesson on indulgences
Dear Editor, In ‘Questions of Faith’ (IC, November 6) there was a query about some indulgences having a specific number of days attached.
In the Penitential of St Columbanus there are guidelines for confessors on penances for specific sins. There were separate Penitentials for monks and clerics and also lay people.
An extract from the Penitential of St Finnian of Clonard, will illustrate this practice “If one of the clerics makes strife, he shall do penance for a period of seven days with bread and water and salt, and seek pardon from God and his neighbour. with full confession and humility, and thus can be reconciled to God and his neighbour.” If he obtained a partial indulgence of three days he would then only be required to fast for four days which must be completed before absolution is given.
A full list of St Finnian’s Penitentials is contained in the late Dr Ludwig Bieler’s book Ireland – Harbinger of The Middle Ages. In the book A History of the Irish Church 400 – 700 (Columba Press, 2003), John R. Walsh and Thomas Bradley devote Chapter 10 to ‘The Irish Penitentials’.
Yours etc,
Daithi O’Muirneachain
Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Lack of reasonable basis for ban on female ordination
Dear Editor,Dr John Murray is concerned that advocacy for the ordination of women “works against the possibility of ordaining anyone”. As I noted in my clarification, I am not advocating anything: rather I am requesting that the Vatican revisit the reasons behind its ban on female ordination, because these reasons are not understood or accepted by many Catholics.
It is this perception of a lack of reasonable basis for current teaching that is more likely to do harm to priestly ordination. Hope is of a different order to advocacy: Abraham hoped against hope. Interestingly in her captivating memoir A Divine Calling, Soline Humbert recalls the supportive words of the former Bishop of Cloyne, John Magee, after he had listened respectfully to her vocational story: “don’t get discouraged”.
Yours etc,
Fr Gerry O’Hanlon SJ
Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10
