When the spirit moves us

THE death of the Pope has resulted in a significant expression of grief from all parts of Irish society, demonstrating that the values that were once at the core of Irish life are still viewed as significant in an era overwhelmed by materialism.

Our Government denied the public the right to a national day of mourning on the grounds that it would be damaging to our economy, failing to recognise that people see themselves as more than just consumers who participate in a market economy, but rather citizens who are members of a society.

The overwhelming economic transformation of Ireland in the last decade has seen material values replace spiritual ones and consumerism has become the new religion.