Editorial / Spring 1998

Joseph Feeney, who has written frequently in Studies on Hopkins, discusses the work of Martin McDonagh, the London-Irish dramatist. This article reminds us, if we need reminding, that Ireland is enjoying cultural as well as economic prosperity at the moment. McDonagh portrays a “post- Catholic” Ireland where the impact of religion is indiscernible. He holds the glass up to aspects of Irish life that seem, for better or for worse, to be breaking away from their moorings.

Kieran Kennedy, former Director and now Research Professor of The Economic and Social Institute of Ireland considers the recent economic performance of Ireland in the light of two books, one of which is a collection of essays by foreign economists who attempt to explain the success of the Irish economy that had languished for so long. Kennedy concludes that the source of our success is somewhat difficult to pinpoint. Our notable aspect of our booming economy is that the fruits of its success have not been equally shared. However, few have attained the twin goals of equality and prosperity; not even the wisdom of Solomon managed to do so. His reign was one of unequalled prosperity for Israel., but as a distinguished historian of Israel writes , “The golden age of Israel was not all gold. To some it brought wealth; to others slavery. The growth of a wealthy class increased the gap between rich and poor”[2]. There is nothing new under the sun!

Marie-Claire Considère-Charon, lecturer at the University of Haute-Alsace Mulhouse, writes on the heritage, image and concerns of Protestant schools in the Republic of Ireland. On the one hand, one can see that the identity of the small Protestant community in the Republic depends in large part on its preserving its ethos through its schools, on the other hand Protestant schools are attracting more and more Catholics. Is this the Protestantising of Catholics or the a Catholic take over of Protestant institutions? Or does it suggest that the Protestant emphasis on freedom of judgement, the sense of responsibility of the individual, as opposed to the more collectivist and dogmatic tradition of the Catholic Church is more adapted to a pluralist modern democracy and more consonant with the increasing moral relativism and individualism of western societies?

Things Ecclesiastical

In the Spring 1997 Studies, Gail Grossman-Freyne wrote critically of the Catholic Church’s prohibition on the ordination of women[3]. In this issue the American Jesuit, Avery Dulles, explains the theological grounds for the prohibition. Dulles is a learned and persuasive theologian. Few are better equipped to commend this controversial doctrine which has become a bone of contention within the Catholic Church, driving some out, leaving others bemused while becoming for others the litmus test of loyalty to Pope and Church.

The annulment of marriages by the Catholic Church, too, has been the subject of debate following the publication of Sheila Rauch Kennedy’s book[4]. In this issue of Studies Alicia Sloan, the first married woman to be a judge on the Westminster Matrimonial Tribunal, examines the notion of annulments, the process of annulling marriages and the criticism levelled against both. She admits that if the letter and spirit of the law are not observed then annulments can become divorces by another name. She concedes that this might actually be so in certain cases. Readers may conclude that that the Tribunals ought to be more accountable to the Catholic community and that their processes should be more transparent.

Public Interest and the Private Profit

Vincent McBrierty and Raymond Kinsella deal with the clash of interests to which intellectual property gives rise, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. They propose mechanisms to diffuse the economic benefits of intellectual property throughout society in order to maintain an appropriate balance between public good and private profit.

The Foundation of Values

The articles in this issue of Studies deal, at least in part, with values, be they in religion, literature, economics or politics. These values shape our culture and guide our behaviour. Ireland is undergoing deep cultural change and so it is necessary to be critically aware of the deeper implications of that change. Studies hopes that it contributes to increasing that critical awareness.

Notes:

1]    Quinn, David, “An Icon for the New Ireland - An Assessment of President Robinson”, Studies, Autumn 1997, Vol.86, No.343.

[2]    Bright, John, A History of Israel, London: SCM Press, 1960.

[3]    Grossman-Freyne, Gail, “Women in Exile - Devout Dissent”, Studies, Spring 1997, Vol.86, No.341.

[4]    Rauch-Kennedy, Sheila, Shattered Faith, Dublin: Poolbeg Press, 1997.