The website - www.stjoeparis.org - that offers a link to this blog has been out of action for some time. I apologise for this. It was hacked - the country where it happened is known - and persistent attacks on it has meant that the whole site is being rebuilt. The great work being done by our webmaster is to be applauded and the hope is that it will soon be back to full health!
There is a wonderful initiative under way to form the group, 'The Irish in France', which is well advanced. There have been a number of productive meetings at the Embassy of Ireland and it is hoped that the Statutes will soon be registered, a bank account opened, the website developed, a June Irish in France Ball held, a July Sports Day planned and perhaps next St Patrick's Day, the Parade will be a significant event in the diary not only of Irish people, but all friends and associates of Ireland. It is with sadness that I read last week that our Ambassador, Geraldine, is on the move to New York and will represent Ireland at the United Nations. I can only salute her contribution made during her years here and to wish her, Brian and Alex every blessing as they move on to this next chapter of their lives.
We have had the Stormont Elections recently and now the hard work of bringing together an Executive. It will not be easy. Having learnt a little about the complexity during my time at Holy Cross, I know that there is no quick fix. It will take courage, vision and tolerance to move the peace process forward. Many times while living there before I was moved in 2008, I could see that until there is radical change in the educational systems in place - from nursery, creche, primary and secondary - there will continue to be a divide society. It was my privilege to know people of all outlooks and political views and to realise that if only they knew their neighbours better, we could build a great society. 'Brexit' will not help and personally,I have real fears for what will happen should a 'hard border' be put in place again. I wish I could say more, but I can only hope and pray that the worst will not happen. It is also a time of great opportunity and it also a responsibility of the European Union not to see this as a local issue.
The Tuam and perhaps other locations where babies were buried is heartbreaking. It calls for a Day of National Mourning in which every citizen is asked to pause and remember the past and also to seek to commit to a different way of treating people, especially women. The churches could also consider coming together to have a joint service of repentance for our role in creating this horror. May these little ones rest in peace.
Pope Francis considering the ordination of 'vir probati' will be the subject of my next post. AT
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