Noi figli d'Occidente che 'vision' abbiamo? I terroristi ce l'hanno e la pubblicizzano.

Da Tempi riprendo questa cartina, ringraziando: Stato islamico, ecco i territori da conquistare in 5 anni | Tempi.it

Hanno una vision, non c’è che dire.

In battaglia avere una strategia è l’inizio della vittoria, perché è in base a quella che si valutano gli esiti delle scaramucce e delle battaglie, cioè i dettagli, e si può tirar dritto anche se si prendono legnate, cosa che in guerra è la norma.

Noi che strategia abbiamo?

p.s. mi piacerebbe che qualcuno provasse a rispondere alla mia domanda.                                                    

Sfera di umile verde: l'erba secondo Emily Dickinson

THE GRASS so little has to do,—  A sphere of simple green,  With only butterflies to brood,  And bees to entertain,  And stir all day to pretty tunes  The breezes fetch along,  And hold the sunshine in its lap  And bow to everything;  And thread the dews all night, like pearls,  And make itself so fine,—  A duchess were too common  For such a noticing.  And even when it dies, to pass   In odors so divine,   As lowly spices gone to sleep,   Or amulets of pine.  And then to dwell in sovereign barns,   And dream the days away,—   The grass so little has to do,   I wish I were a hay! L'erba ha poco da fare -  una sfera di umile verde dedita solo a nutrire farfalle e intrattenere api, sta tutto il giorno a cantare canzoni in concorrenza con la brezza tiene in grembo la luce del sole e si inchina a ogni cosa; infila gocce di rugiada tutta la notte,  come perle, e si fa così bella che  una duchessa al confronto risulta volgare rispetto a come lei fa il suo ingresso. E perfino quando muore, il suo transito avviene con odori di intensità divina come spezie messe a riposo o amuleti di pino. Si trattiene poi in fienili sovrani, e passa i giorni sognando, - l'erba ha poco da fare  e io vorrei essere un po' di fieno!

Viviamo i postumi di un trauma. Dopo il Platzspitz, il Bittbaum.

Per dieci anni, fra il 1984 e il 1994, nel cuore della città più ricca e superba d'Europa si è aperta una piaga purulenta, che nel giro di pochissimo tempo ha rivelato di essere non altro che la bocca dell'inferno.

Questo il dossier pubblicato dal Tages Anzeiger: storytelling/platzspitz

Dopo averlo letto, quello stesso giorno, il 21 maggio 2014, ho intrapreso un pellegrinaggio-via crucis per pregare per i morti e per i sopravvissuti.

Sulla punta del Platzspitz ho trovato un memoriale che esplicita la natura del trauma: il Bittbaum.

 "L'albero delle domande da secoli è interprete e messaggero fra il cielo e la terra, 
fra l'aldiqua e l'aldilà.

Sorge nei luoghi della forza ed è stato qui piantato nella primavera 2009 per la popolazione di Zurigo. 

Questo tiglio, albero di pace, di forza e di speranza, sorge qui come albero delle domande, per tutti quelli che vogliono affidargli le loro pene, 
le domande, i desideri e le speranze - 
o con il pensiero solamente, 
oppure scrivendo su un pezzo di stoffa 
da appendere all'albero. 

Dono della società del Fraumünster, 2009"

Acquista tutto un altro spessore la bellissima canzone di Victor Heredia: Ojos de cielo

Ojos de cielo Si yo miro el fondo de tus ojos tiernos se me borra el mundo con todo su infierno se me borra el mundo y descubro el cielo cuando me zambullo en tus ojos tiernos. Ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo no me abandones en pleno vuelo ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo toda mi vida por ese sueño ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo… Si yo me olvidara de lo verdadero si yo me alejara de lo más sincero tus ojos de cielo me lo recordaran si yo me alejara de lo verdadero. Ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo no me abandones en pleno vuelo ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo toda mi vida por ese sueño ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo… Si el sol que me alumbra se apagara un día y una noche oscura ganara mi vida tus ojos de cielo me iluminarían tus ojos sinceros, mi camino y guía. Ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo no me abandones en pleno vuelo ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo toda mi vida por ese sueño ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo ojos de cielo, ojos de cielo…

Occhi di cielo Se guardo il fondo dei tuoi teneri occhi si cancella il mondo con tutto il suo inferno si cancella il mondo e scopro il cielo quando mi tuffo nei tuoi teneri occhi. Occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo non abbandonarmi in pieno volo occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo tutta la mia vita per questo sogno occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo… Se dimenticassi ciò che è vero se mi allontanassi da ciò che è sincero i tuoi occhi di cielo me lo ricorderebbero se mi allontanassi dal vero. Occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo non abbandonarmi in pieno volo occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo tutta la mia vita per questo sogno occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo… Se poi un giorno si spegnesse il sole se una notte buia vincesse la mia vita i tuoi occhi di cielo mi illuminerebbero i tuoi occhi sinceri, mio sentiero e guida. Occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo non abbandonarmi in pieno volo occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo tutta la mia vita per questo sogno occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo occhi di cielo, occhi di cielo...

REMINDER / 14-22 May 2014 - Nine Days of prayer in Jerusalem in preparation of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomeos' visit

NINE PRAYER DAYS IN JERUSALEM FROM 14 to 22 MAY 2014

IN SPIRITUAL SUPPORT TO AND IN PREPARATION OF THE

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND 24-26 MAY 2014

PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEOS - POPE FRANCIS

From 14 to 22 May 2014, the Jerusalem Christian Churches and communities will prepare for and support spiritually with nine days of prayer the pilgrimage and encounter of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomeos in the Holy Town on 25 and 26 May 2014. This meeting happens fifty years after the historical encounter of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem, which marked a new start in the relationship between the Orthodox and the Catholic Church.

The nine preparatory days from 14 to 22 May 2014 consist of individual and community prayer in the Holy sites, fasting, worshipping and good deeds.  Community prayer will be held in turn by the different Churches present in the Holy Town, with all other Christian communities being invited to join.   

The initiative - an official initiative linked to Pope Francis's pilgrimage (see http://popefrancisholyland2014.lpj.org/blog/2014/03/23/pray-for-the-popes-pilgrimage/) - elsewhere in the world takes place on the days 24, 25 and 26 March, April and May 2014 and is coordinated by "TerraSanctaPax" (www.terrasantapax.org), a recurring, annual catholic prayer initiative for Peace in the Holy Land. In Jerusalem, the nine preparatory days of prayer are being coordinated by the "Association for the Promotion of the Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, beginning in and proceeding from Jerusalem" (APEPI) (www.prayrup.info), which supports, since 2009, the homonymous Extraordinary Prayer Initiative of the Churches of Jerusalem, a great intercessory prayer for our time, beginning in and proceeding from the Holy Town. Since 2011, TerraSanctaPax and APEPI cooperate and join efforts, trying to organise contemporaneously a prayer in January, also in coincidence with the Jerusalem week of prayer for Unity. The specific vocation of APEPI is to work in favour and to support all Churches of Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem, three times three days will be dedicated from May 14 to May 22, 2014, respectively, to the adoration of the Holy Cross, to Eucharistic adoration, and to prayer for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, associated with three days of fasting and with three visits to a person in need. Personal prayer and worship is proposed, and at least one ecumenical community prayer every day. The Jerusalem Churches will in fact invite the other Christian Churches and communities to join their daily, ordinary prayers for this purpose. A specific intention will generally be added. Also, the special prayer for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace will be held in turn by the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Latin (Roman) Catholic Church.  

The nine Jerusalem prayer days in preparation of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomeos' visit will take place just before the latter starts, in order to open a spiritual path to this important event in the very place where it will happen. Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomeos are foreseen to pray together with all Heads of Churches of Jerusalem in the Holy Sepulchre Basilica (Anastasis) on May 25, 2014 – an extraordinary event for all Christian communities.

 

NOVENA DI PREGHIERA A GERUSALEMME DAL 14 al 22 MAGGIO 2014

A SOSTEGNO SPIRITUALE E IN PREPAZIONE DEL

PELEGRINAGGIO IN TERRA SANTA 24-26 MAGGIO 2014

PATRIARCA BARTOLOMEO – PAPA FRANCESCO

Dal 14 al 22 maggio 2014, le Chiese e comunità cristiane di Gerusalemme si preparenanno e sosterranno spiritualmente con una novena di preghiera il pellegrinaggio e l'incontro di Papa Francesco e del Patriarca Bartolomeo nella Città Santa , il 25 e 26 maggio 2014. L'incontro avviene a cinquant'anni dallo storico incontro del Papa Paolo VI e del Patriarca Atenagora a Gerusalemme, che ha segnato un nuovo inizio nel rapporto tra la Chiesa ortodossa e la Chiesa cattolica.

La novena di preghiera dal 14 al 22 maggio 2014 consiste di preghiera personale e di preghiera comunitaria nei Luoghi Santi , di pratica del digiuno, di adorazione, nonché nel compimento di buone azioni. La preghiera comunitaria sarà tenuta a turno dalle diverse Chiese presenti a Gerusalemme, mentre tutte le altre comunità cristiane sono invitate a partecipare.

L'iniziativa - una iniziativa ufficiale legata al pellegrinaggio di Papa Francesco (vedi http://popefrancisholyland2014.lpj.org/blog/2014/03/23/pray-for-the-popes-pilgrimage/) - nel resto del mondo si svolge i giorni 24 , 25 e 26 marzo , aprile e maggio 2014 ed è coordinata da "TerraSanctaPax" (www.terrasantapax.org), una iniziativa di preghiera cattolica annuale e ricorrente per la Pace in Terra Santa.  A Gerusalemme , la novena di preghiera viene coordinata dall'"Associazione per la Promozione della Preghiera Straordinaria di tutte le Chiese per la Riconciliazione, l'Unità e la Pace, cominciando da Gerusalemme" (APEPI) (www.prayrup.info), che sostiene, sin dal  2009, l'omonima iniziativa di preghiera straordinaria delle Chiese di Gerusalemme, una grande preghiera di intercessione per il nostro tempo, che comincia dalla Città Santa. Dal 2011, TerraSanctaPax e l'APEPI cooperano e uniscono le forze, cercando  di organizzare contemporaneamente una preghiera nel mese di gennaio, anche in coincidenza con la settimana di preghiera per l'Unità a Gerusalemme . Lo scopo specifico dell'APEPI è quello lavorare a favore e di dare sostegno a tutte le Chiese di Gerusalemme.

A Gerusalemme, tre volte tre giorni saranno dedicati dal 14 maggio al 22 maggio 2014, rispettivamente, all'adorazione della Santa Croce, all'adorazione eucaristica ed alla preghiera per la Riconciliazione, l'Unità e la Pace, associati a tre giorni di digiuno e a tre visite ad una persona nel bisogno. Vengono proposte la preghiera e l'adorazione praticate individualmente, e almeno una preghiera comunitaria ecumenica ogni giorno. Le Chiese di Gerusalemme inviterranno infatti le altre Chiese e comunità cristiane ad unirsi alle loro preghiere quotidiane ordinarie pregando insieme per le specifiche intenzioni. Inoltre, una preghiera speciale per la Riconciliazione , l'Unità e la Pace sarà tenuta a turno dalla Chiesa Evangelica Luterana, dalla Chiesa Siro-Ortodossa e dalla Chiesa Latina (cattolica romana).

La novena di preghiera di Gerusalemme in preparazione della visita di Papa Francesco Papa e del Patriarca Bartolomeo si svolge poco prima che inizi la stessa, per aprire spiritualmente la strada a questo evento significativo, proprio nel luogo dove accadrà. E' previsto in fatti che Papa Francesco e il Patriarca Bartolomeo preghino insieme a tutti i capi delle Chiese di Gerusalemme nella Basilica del Santo Sepolcro (Anastasis ) il 25 maggio 2014 - un evento davvero straordinario per tutte le comunità cristiane.

NEUVAINE DE PRIERE A JERUSALEM DU 14 AU 22 MAI 2014

EN SOUTIEN SPIRITUEL ET EN PREPARATION AU

PELLERINAGE EN TERRE SAINTE 24-26 MAI 2014

PATRIARCHE PARTHOLOMEE – PAPE FRANCOIS

 Du 14 au 22 mai 2014, les Eglises et les communautés chrétiennes de Jérusalem prépareront et soutiendront spirituellement par une neuvaine de prière le pèlerinage et la rencontre du Pape François et du Patriarche Bartholomée dans la Ville Sainte, prévue les 25 et 26 mai 2014. Cette rencontre survient cinquante ans après la rencontre historique du Pape Paul VI avec le Patriarche Athénagoras à Jérusalem, qui a marqué un nouveau départ dans la relation entre l'Eglise orthodoxe et l'Eglise catholique.

La neuvaine du 14 au 22 mai 2014 comporte des moments de prière individuelle et communautaires dans les lieux saints, ainsi que la proposition du jeûne, de l'adoration et des bonnes oeuvres. La prière communautaire aura lieu à tour de rôle dans les différentes églises et communautés chrétiennes de Jérusalem, toutes les autres communautés étant invités à se joindre à ces célébrations.

L'initiative – liée à l'initiative officielle de prière relative au pèlerinage du Pape François (voir http://popefrancisholyland2014.lpj.org/blog/2014/03/23/pray-for-the-popes-pilgrimage/ ) – a lieu ailleurs dans le monde les 24 , 25 et 26 mars, avril et mai 2014 et est  coordonnée dans ce contexte par " TerraSanctaPax " (www.terrasantapax.org), une initiative de prière catholique annuelle récurrente pour la paix en Terre Sainte. A Jérusalem, la neuvaine est coordonnée par l '«Association pour la promotion de la Prière Extraordinaire de toutes les Eglises pour la Réconciliation, l'Unité et la Paix, en commençant par Jérusalem» (APEPI) ( www.prayrup.info ), qui soutient, depuis 2009, l'Initiative de Prière Extraordinaire du même nom des Eglises de Jérusalem, une grande prière d'intercession pour notre temps, qui commence  par la ville sainte. Depuis 2011 TerraSanctaPax et APEPI coopèrent et unissent leurs efforts, essayant d'organiser simultanément une prière au mois de janvier, également en coïncidence avec la semaine de prière pour l'unité à Jérusalem. La vocation spécifique de APEPI est de travailler en faveur et de soutenir toutes les Eglises de Jérusalem.

A Jérusalem, trois fois trois jours seront consacrés du 14 au 22 mai 2014 , respectivement , à l'adoration de la Sainte croix, à l'adoration eucharistique, et à la prière pour la Réconciliation , l'Unité et la Paix, associées à trois jours de jeûne et à trois visites à une personne dans le besoin. La prière et l'adoration personnelle sont proposées, ainsi que au moins une prière communautaire œcuménique chaque jour. Les Eglises de Jérusalem inviteront en effet les autres Églises et communautés chrétiennes à se joindre à leurs prières quotidiennes ordinaires. Une intention de prière spécifique sera généralement ajoutée à ces dernières. En outre, la prière spéciale pour la Réconciliation, l'Unité et la Paix se tiendra à tour de rôle auprès de l'Église évangélique luthérienne, de l'Église syriaque orthodoxe et de l'Eglise latine (catholique romaine) Eglise catholique.

La neuvaine de prière en préparation de la visite du Pape François et du Patriarche Bartholomé se situe juste avant que cette dernière ne commence, pour ouvrir un chemin spirituel à cet événement important, dans les lieux mêmes où il va se passer. Il est prévu en effet que le Pape François et le Patriarche Bartholomé prient, avec tous les responsables des Eglises de Jérusalem, dans la Basilique du Saint Sépulcre (Anastasis) le 25 mai 2014 -  un événement véritablement extraordinaire pour toutes les communautés chrétiennes.

 

تساعية صلوات في القدس، ١٤-٢٢ أيار ٢٠١٤

للاستعداد وتقديم الدعم الروحي

لزيارة الحج إلى الأرض المقدسة ٢٤-٢٦ أيار

لقداسة البابا فرنسيس والبطريرك المسكوني برثلماوس

من ١٤ – ٢٢ أيار ٢٠١٤ تستعد الكنائس المسيحية والطوائف والرهبانيات في القدس عبر تسعة أيام من الصلاة لتقديم الدعم الروحي والمعنوي لزيارة الحج المقدسة لكل من قداسة البابا فرنسيس والبطريرك المسكوني برثلماوس واللقاء المسكوني الذي سيجمع بينهما يوم ٢٥ أيار الجاري. يأتي هذا اللقاء بمناسبة مرور ٥٠ عاماً على اللقاء التاريخي الذي جمع بين البابا بولس السادس وبطريرك القسطنطينية أثيناغوراس في القدس والذي شكّل علامة فارقة وانطلاقة جديدة في العلاقة بين الكنيستين الكاثوليكية والأرثوذكسية.

تتضمن التساعية التي تنظم من ١٤ ولغاية ٢٢ أيار الجاري سلسلة من الصلوات الفردية والجماعية في مختلف الأماكن المقدسة بالإضافة إلى الصوم والصلاة والعبادة وأعمال الخير والمحبة تجاه المعوزين والمحتاجين. ستقام الصلوات الجماعية تباعاً في كنائس المدينة المقدسة المختلفة، حيث ندعو كافة الطوائف المسيحية والرهبانيات إلى المشاركة الفاعلة في هذا الحدث المميز.

هذه المبادرة، هي مبادرة رسمية تجدون لها رابطاً خاصاً على الموقع الرسمي المخصص لزيارة البابا فرنسيس على العنوان التالي:

http://popefrancisholyland2014.lpj.org/blog/2014/03/23/pray-for-the-popes-pilgrimage/

وهي مبادرة انطلقت في أماكن أخرى من العالم تنظم وتمارس شهرياً من الرابع والعشرين وحتى السادس والعشرين من شهر آذار ونيسان وأيار ٢٠١٤ حيث دعت إليها ونظمتها حركة "سلام الأرض المقدسة" وهي مبادرة صلاة سنوية تتكرر كل عام من أجل السلام في الأرض المقدسة. أما تساعية الصلاة في القدس فيتم التنسيق لها عن طريق مؤسسة "تعزيز الصلاة الاستثنائية للمصالحة والوحدة والسلام انطلاقاً من القدس"، وهي مبادرة نشطت منذ العام ٢٠٠٩ بهدف تعزيز مبادرة الصلاة الاستثنائية الموحدة بين الكنائس المقدسية. انطلقت صلاة الشفاعة الاستثنائية من المدينة المقدسة ولا تزال تتواصل فيها دون كلل.

بدءاً من العام ٢٠١١، تعاونت مبادرة "سلام الأرض المقدسة" مع مؤسسة "تعزيز الصلاة الاستثنائية للمصالحة  والوحدة والسلام"  وضافرتا جهودهما وذلك بهدف تنظيم ومؤازرة صلوات شهر كانون الأول/يناير والتي تتوافق مع أسبوع الصلاة من أجل الوحدة في القدس. دعوة مؤسسة "تعزيز الصلاة الاستثنائية" واضحة ومددة وهي: مساعدة كنائس القدس كافة وتقديم الدعم اللازم لمبادراتها المختلفة.

أما في القدس، فسيتم تكريس ثلاث لحظات على مدار ثلاثة أيام متتالية، بين ١٨ و٢٢، وذلك للتعبد للصليب المقدس، والسجود للقربان الأقدس، والصلاة من أجل المصالحة والوحدة والسلام. نرافق هذه المبادرة بثلاثة أيام صوم وثلاثة زيارات إلى المحتاجين لمؤازرتهم.  نقترح القيام بصلوات شخصية وعبادة  وأن نشارك في صلاة مسكونية واحدة على الأقل يومياً. ستقوم كنائس القدس بالتأكيد بدعوة الكنائس المسيحية والطوائف المختلفة حتى تنضم إليها في صلواتها اليومية المعتادة والمخصصة لهذا الغرض، وسيتم إضافة نية محددة عامة مشتركة بين الجميع.  كذلك ستقام الصلاة الخاصة لأجل المصالحة والوحدة والسلام بالتناوب بين الكنيسة اللوثرية والسريانية والكاثوليكية.

ستنظم تساعية الصلوات في القدس استعداداً لزيارة البابا فرنسيس والبطريرك برثلماوس في وحدة وتوافق بين الجميع وذلك قبيل بدء الزيارة المقدسة، بهدف شق مسار روحاني يساند هذا الحدث الهام في كل موقع يزوره الزائران. هذا وسيقوم البابا فرنسيس والبطريرك برثلماوس بالصلاة معاً في كنيسة القيامة برفقة رؤساء الكنائس المقدسية في الأرض المقدسةوذلك يوم ٢٥ أيار، وهذا حدث مميز وفريد للجماعة المسيحية بأسرها.

           

Uno su mille ce la fa: in gioco c'è la vita. Tu non sai che peso ha questa musica leggera.

Grandissima, commoventissima, coraggiosissima suor Cristina.

Questo il video:

Uno su mille ce la fa!

Se i cristiani di Siria potessero parlare con una sola voce!

Ricevo e volentieri trasmetto:

CONFERENCE – GENEVA, 8 MAY 2014, 8 P.M. - ESPACE FUSTERIE

«CHRISTIANS IN SYRIA: THE CHALLENGE OF SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE»

On May 20, 2014, at 8 pm at the Espace Fusterie in Geneva, seven representatives of the largest Churches in Syria - Orthodox and Catholic, senior members of the clergy and lay persons – will witness the dramatic situation confronting Christian communities in a conflict that is tearing this ancient land apart – a land with great culture and a cradle of Christianity.

Mostly originating from Syria, and resident there, they will also analyze and illustrate, from their respective points of view, the issues and challenges facing the Christian communities in Syria and arising from the conflict. One of them – a crucial one – is to unite the Christian voices and forces, looking beyond the antagonism and doctrinal divisions (now for the most part obsolete) which have affected relations among the Churches since the early centuries. Back then, precisely from the Patriarchate of Antioch in Syria, these contradictions led to the first major break in the communion of Christian Churches at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, with catastrophic consequences.

At the dawn of the third millennium, the Christians of Syria follow the Christians of Iraq, and those in the rest of the Middle East, in seeking the awareness and attention of their Western brothers to one of the great challenges of our time, one aspect of which is shown by the dramatic situation in Syria. The seriousness of the situation demands that Christians overcome their historical divisions and speak with one voice, while discovering their mutual riches, woven by the history of cultures.

The Conference on May 8, 2014 is an encounter between Christian brothers from East and West, in a climate of burning concern and brotherly dialogue.

Espace Fusterie, 18 Place Fusterie, Geneva

May 8, 2014, 8 p.m. - Free Entrance

Information : Michel Veuthey, Tel. +41 794697184, email: mveuthey@me.com

John Waters ha smesso di scrivere. In Irlanda è diventato pericoloso dire quel che si pensa, per via della tolleranza. O per via di certe case di tolleranza.

Con un po' di ritardo riprendo da The Indipendent questa non-notizia: Waters ha smesso di scrivere l'editoriale del venerdì, ha preso vacanza, e non si sa fino a quando.

'Pantigate' row rumbles on as journalist takes extended leave

Journalist John Waters

NIAMH HORAN – UPDATED 23 FEBRUARY 2014 02:42 AM

Journalist John Waters has taken extended leave from the Irish Times following the fallout from a defamation case he has settled with RTE.

It is not known if or when Mr Waters will return.His weekly Friday column has not appeared in the newspaper since January 31.

The columnist took the decision less than two weeks after a letter was sent on his behalf to fellow Irish Times columnist Una Mullally.

As a result of the letter, Ms Mullally's column was edited to omit a reference to Mr Waters.

The article, which appeared in the newspaper under the headline 'Watchdog needed ahead of LGBT rights debate', was changed in the online version on January 20 and the web headline now reads: 'Homophobia watchdog needed before marriage equality referendum.'

Mr Waters is one of the country's highest-paid columnists and also writes for the Mail on Sunday but his column did not appear last week.

Neither Mr Waters nor the Irish Times were available for comment at the time of going to print.

Meanwhile, fellow Irish Times columnist Breda O'Brien has spoken of the difficulty she faced following the legal action that she took as a result of the same comments made on The Saturday Night Show.

In an interview with RTE's Marian Finucane, Ms O'Brien spoke of a "chilling effect" that she said she had experienced as a result of her views on same-sex marriage.

"The circumstance in which it arose, the whole debate arose, was that we were very aware that it was very difficult for people to say anything to query anything about same-sex marriage or gay marriage without enduring quite serious consequences."

She added: "There is a chilling effect when people feel they're going to be called a homophobe if they express any doubts at all about the rights of children in relation to gay marriage."

Ms O'Brien also accused RTE of failing to take seriously the complaints made by members of the Iona Institute following the interview.

And she insisted the threat of legal action could have been avoided if the national broadcaster had apologised.

"There was a really easy way out of it. If they had just said 'we're sorry', none of this would have happened.

"The money only entered into it at a stage when we felt they weren't taking us seriously.

"What they were offering was like 'we're sorry if you're offended'," she said.

"They weren't taking seriously, I felt, their responsibilities as public service broadcasters.

"It's in the broadcasting guidelines; it's in the broadcasting act, a space for fair and reasonable debate."

Sunday Independent