Aidan Troy

Was at Queens University, Belfast, on Friday night to hear a lecture by Noam Chomsky, philospher and political activist. What a treat to hear someone with so much knowledge and insight. It was packed out and I am glad to have been there.

After the weekend, I attended a meeting in Belfast called by the leadership of the Passionist Congregation of which I am a member. It was to brief us on the situation with regard to the sexual abuse of children over the past forty years. I left the meeting coming back to Paris feeling so low when I thought of the cruel and devesatating treatment of those children and young people who should have been safe. While I am a sinner, the abuse of the innocent leaves me lost for words. It is so awful.

While in Belfast I had a meeting with Philip McTaggart - the founder of PIPS which is a suicide prevention group. The people of St Joseph’s Parish, Paris, raised €16,000 (Euro) last Lent to support their training programmes in suicide prevention. The money raised is making a huge difference because training courses can be offered to more groups. As a sign of gratitude, PIPS personnel will present a training day in suicide awareness and response at St Joseph’s Church, 50 Avnue Hoche, 75008 Paris, on Saturday, 27 February 2010 (date to be considered by Parish Council on Saturday)

Parish Council has a retreat day this Saturday.                                 AT