Photo was taken yesterday at Millstreet Horse Fair, Co.Cork (Irl)

These two dealers were deep in conversation yesterday, and no doubt wondering would their ponies find new homes!

Thought on Monday – September – 05/09/2011

Crisis of faith is a phrase being used more and more in relation to Church scandals. Yet despite the understandable anger of people towards the Church as an institution, this should not greatly influence the personal faith that people profess.’ ~written by a young person

Recent appalling scandals in the Church, have left everyone shocked and in dismay. Perhaps what has annoyed people the most is the drip-drip effect of the scandals. The Church as an institution, perhaps paralysed by fear and self-preservation, failed to tackle the issues head on. Even this weekend the letter of response from the Vatican to the Cloyne report, is another attempt to be seen to be doing something. Despite the hurt, betrayal and anger among people, many still turn and hold onto their faith as something precious and sacred. While faith in the Church as an institution is rock bottom, faith and belief in God is still important and treasured. In the midst of so much darkness and despair, this certainly is good news and something worth building on. As chaplain in a big secondary school, surrounded by hundreds of young people, I have found them to have a healthy openness to faith and belief in God. They have grown up with the scandals but have moved beyond and outside them. For them there is a bigger picture. The Church as an institution may not have moved with them, but they have moved with instinct and a hunger within. Their faith energises mine and they give me great hope for today but especially the future.