Marianne Heron

As I See It

Marianne Heron Turning a blind eye to the naked truth

Events of the past weeks remind me of the story of the emperor who had no clothes. In Hans Christian Anderson’s tale, the emperor and his people are told by weavers that they would make him a wonderful suit of clothes. Anyone who could not see these wondrous garments said the weavers must be unable to do so because they were stupid. Everyone goes along with the delusion and the emperor parades through the streets naked.

It’s a parable where what is being said is completely at variance with reality: a kind of parallel universe where people turn a blind eye to the contradictions that exist side by side.

What was really startling to my mind about the uproar that followed Father Sean Sheehy’s re and brimstone sermon in Listowel was not what the 80-years-old stand-in priest said – using language which might well be judged as hate speech – but the response to the tirade by the Bishop of Kerry. Bishop Ray Browne apologised appropriately for the hurt caused by the tirade but went on to say that “the views expressed do not re ect the Christian position”.

In the 26 counties today, a majority like to think that we live in a liberal, secular society. is is a country where contraception is available free to women between the ages of 17 and 25, where gay marriage, abortion and divorce are legal rights passed by majority referenda and where an active thought police are on the alert to call out political incorrectness.

But the fact remains that all the sins enumerated by Father Sheehy are part of the Catholic Church’s doctrine on everything from sex before marriage to contraception, from priestly celibacy to labelling gays as ‘objectively disordered’: rules dating from days long before witch trials ended.

In the last census 78% of the population de ned as Catholic, a majority of whom probably don’t adhere to the church’s teaching in their private lives. Rather than live with the contradiction between their faith and its doctrines. Some leave the institutional church, others, campaigning on the synodal pathway, send a report to the Vatican calling for radical change on issues such as married priests and the ordination of women, but a majority turn a blind eye.

Open that eye though and naked truth shakes complacency. e xed attitude of the hierarchy is hardly a growth mindset. Who bene ts from their stance? Hardly the church itself which in sharp decline, where only nine men entered seminary for the priesthood last year. Hardly an over populated world of nearly eight billion, teetering on the brink of climate catastrophe.

With open eyes there are questions we might ask. What part did the celibacy rule play in creating conditions for child abuse and what su ering and di culty has it caused for members of the clergy? What lies behind the anger of individuals like Father Sheehy over issues around sexuality; is projection involved where individuals accuse others of doing the very things they are tempted to do themselves? What part does the Catholic Church play in sectarianism, say, in the North where there are only a tiny number of non-denominational schools of the kind that would help to heal divisions between orange and green? en there are questions of accountability in the light of nancial facts to consider. Like the fact that the Irish tax payer is being asked to pay the lion’s share of compensation to the victims of child abuse while the church, which sits of wealth worth in excess of €12 billion and 10,700 properties, pays a fraction. Or the fact that the Magdalene laundries amassed millions from the labours of women under their roofs and the Mother & Baby homes also amassed millions in today’s terms from pro ts from illegal drug trials carried out on babies which could be used in compensation.

Faith can be a wonderful force for good just as there are many clergy who do admirable work. e comfort brought by Father Joe Du y, following the disaster in Creeslough, Donegal comes to mind. It matters to be open to that good.

In the story of Anderson’s emperor it took a child to point out the naked truth. Perhaps we need a Greta unberg (who started campaigning for climate change at 15) to challenge us on the need for religious change.

Welcoming boys and girls to CBS Primary School

A rst for CBS Primary School as they look forward to welcoming Junior Infant boys and girls, for the rst time to their school in September 2023. Preparations are in full swing for this exciting new venture. e school is having an Open Evening on Wednesday, November 23rd at 7.30pm for parents. According to principal Niall Begin, they look forward to meeting you on the night.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact them on 0567761739 or o ce@ cbsprimarykilkenny.ie

Looking after your prostate

CLAIR WHITTY

November is Men’s Health Month, a great time to remind you to get your prostate checked. Make an appointment with your doctor today if you have not had a check-up recently. Prevention is better than cure.

If you’re getting up several times to pee during the night it could be a sign that you have an enlarged prostate gland. is is normally treatable and a visit to your doctor will help put your mind at ease. Enlarged prostate a ects 50% of men over 50.

Signs of enlarged prostate can include: A weak stream of urine. Straining to pass urine or urination takes a long time. Stop/start urination. Frequent trips to the toilet. An urgent need to pass urine, sometimes with a little leaking at the rst sign of wanting to go.

A healthy diet and lifestyle will help keep you and your prostate healthy. Avoid high saturated fats, sugar and caffeine. Reduce salt, white processed breads, and pastries. Alcohol and smoking both contribute to in ammation and should be avoided.

Alcohol interferes with the uptake of zinc which is an important nutrient for male hormone production. Zinc is found naturally in shell sh, pumpkin seeds, and eggs. Include in your diet plenty of vegetables, a wide variety of nuts and seeds, and wholegrains.

New Nordic ProstaVital is a supplement you might like to look at. It’s a special formulation to help men’s health that includes many of the nutrients required to support a healthy prostate: pumpkin extract is a source of zinc to maintain normal prostate function. It also contains pine bark, pomelo, turmeric, galangal, long and black pepper, lavender, and lots more to support prostate health. You take two tablets per day.

Cleanmarine for Men is a supplement for men to consider if you have a healthy prostate and want to support fertility, testosterone, and your long-term health. Cleanmarine for Men is perfect for general health as it contains Omega 3 to support cardiovascular and brain health, zinc for prostate health, immunity, and healthy skin, and B vitamins for energy.

If you have any questions, we are happy to have a chat with you about the various supplements to support a healthy prostate, healthy testosterone levels, energy, and ways to reduce stress and anxiety.

Shop online at www.naturalhealthstore.ie where you’ll be able to take a look at these brands. Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: 056 7764538 Email: info@naturalhealthstore.ie

Shoulder to shoulder: Ciara Askins from Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny, Shane Tobin, Newcastle, Co. Tipperary and Nadine Mabbott, Kilkenny city who were conferred a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Early childhood studies Picture: Patrick Browne

Girls graduation: Katie Purcell, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, Katie Davis Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny, Ceara Scully, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, Phoebe Kehoe, Portlaw, Co. Waterford, Sheila Dawson from Cappamore, Co. Limerick. Grace Lee, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary who were conferred a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Care Practice Picture: Patrick Browne

OUR FIRST GRADUATES

Proud family: Rachel Ra er from Listerlin, Co. Kilkenny, conferred with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Professional Social Care Practice, with sister Louise, parents Jim and Lynne and sister Lizzy Photo: Mary Browne

Hats o ! Aoife Moore, Skeoughvosteen, Co. Kilkenny, Tomas Johns Ballyknock, Co. Kilkenny and Caitlin Moore, Callan, Co. Kilkenny who were conferred a Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Recreation & Sport Management Picture: Patrick Browne The two Katies: Katie Purcell, Callan, Co. Kilkenny and Katie Davis Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny, who were conferred a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Care Practice Picture: Patrick Browne

Success noted: Amanda Byrne, Kilmore, Co Wexford, Dervla Bergin, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny and Jessica Caulfield, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford who were conferred a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies Picture: Patrick Browne