Joe Duffy returns for the 17th series of The Meaning of Life, in which public figures reveal how their lives have shaped, or been shaped by, their experiences, choices, values and beliefs.
100th Episode of The Meaning of Life – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
The first programme is also the 100th episode – a longer than usual Special, in which Archbishop Diarmuid Martin talks candidly and emotionally about dealing with the clerical child sex abuse scandals in his former Archdiocese of Dublin, sharing his insights into the behavior and motivation of perpetrators, their impact on victims and how publicly addressing that wrong became a priority for him, despite resistance from within the Church.
With remarkable honesty, he reveals the difficulties he faced as a seminarian, choosing celibate ministry over a loving relationship; he describes the "bad theology" that led the Catholic Church to ban artificial contraception; he discusses his deep connection with Dublin people – especially women – and the many challenges now facing the Catholic Church in Ireland.
