Headlines to grab attention: "Priests" and "Sex"

Dear friends,

We have two commentaries today. In a sense they come from opposite ends of the spectrum though they are both related to "priests" and "sex" within the same media headlines. Cliff Baxter examines a sleezy story about sordid sex in the Philippines and the efforts of an Irish priest to clean it up. Across the other side of the Pacific, Tom McMahon shares with us a sensitive story about the needs of priests for relationship. For links to the commentaries see the introduction to each commentary in the panels immediately following…

Cliff Baxter shares some personal knowledge of his involvement in the exposing the activities of sexual predators in the Philippines. His commentary links to a recent documentary on ABC television concerning Fr Shay Cullen and an article in this week's Irish Echo in which Fr Cullen criticises the way the ABC covered the story about pedophiles and sex predators in the Philippines. <more>

Tom McMahon sent us this sensitively written commentary exploring the importance of relationship in our lives. Tom was laicised many years ago over differences of opinion he had with the institution on the matter of celibacy but it could be said that throughout his life he has brought to his work a very "priestly" view. It still comes through in what he is writing from the comfort of his retirement in San Jose, California. <more>

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life, and in our world,

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher