There are far worse offenses for a Bishop than falling in love and having a baby as Galway's Eamonn Casey did. Far less forgivable is the appropriation of diocesan funds for child support payments. Whatever the ultimate truth of the matter, Casey's ordeal cast Ireland into the world headlines in a manner unseen in recent times. That, combined with the recent splurge of … [Read more...] about First Word: The Bishops at the Bat
First Word
First Word: Making a Difference
Did you ever panhandle? Ask for money on the street? One day, too hot and lazy to walk 12 blocks, I decided to see if I could bum the price of a subway token, my wallet being back in the desk of my nice air-conditioned office. So in New York's Grand Central Station I hesitantly approached an average-type woman, someone like myself, who would surely empathize. Or so I thought. … [Read more...] about First Word: Making a Difference
First Word: Break-up of an Empire?
The British general election, set for April 9, could be the most crucial contest in the modern era, one which could redefine terms such as "Britain" and the "United Kingdom." At stake is the future of Scotland as an integral part of the British mainland. Devastated in the Thatcher era by huge unemployment, the rising tide of Scottish nationalism threatens to force a withdrawal … [Read more...] about First Word: Break-up of an Empire?
The First Word: An Chead Fhocal
There are so many things that I love about being Irish. I love the language. When I hear it spoken it touches the very essence of my being, reinforcing my connection to that ancient place called Gaeldom. I will never forget how once on holiday in Kerry, I woke to the sounds of the bean an tí (woman of the house) having an early morning chat with her son. After years abroad the … [Read more...] about The First Word: An Chead Fhocal
First Word: Another Year, Another Scandal
DUBLIN: Now comes Sean Doherty, former Minister for Justice in the Irish government, the point man in a major scandal in the early 1980s involving the illegal tapping of phones of leading journalists. Doherty recently declared that he tapped the phones with the full knowledge of party leader Charles Haughcy, and that he personally handed over transcripts of the tapes to … [Read more...] about First Word: Another Year, Another Scandal