Handed by Bruno
Translated by Christel
 
THREE QUESTIONS FOR SINEAD O'CONNOR
 
Ten years ago she tore up a picture of the pope, live on american television.
Last year Sinéad O'Connor became Sister Bernadette Mary. She's more famous for
her debaucheries than for her music, but after three years of absence she's
finally back with a new album "Faith and Courage" (East West).
 
Q: By choosing the title for your new album, "Faith and Courage"', you
definitely inscribe your carreer
in a religious perspective ...
 
A: Of course. But those who have followed me from the beginning, know that
religion has always been very important to me. The slogan "Faith and Courage"
is actually my device. In all  the houses and apartments I have lived in, I used
to engrave these words in the mantelpiece. To remind me of the fact that, even
in moments of the greatest distress, there is hope, in the light of God. And then
all the doubts, all the  uncertanties fade away little by little.
 
Q: In the song "The lamb's book of life" you apologise to the American people.
Do you regret tearing up the picture of the pope? And do you forgive them for
boycotting you after you did that?
 
A: Not at all. This song is actually a cry for help. Last summer I lived in
Atlanta to work on the album. I spent hours in front of the television and was
deeply touched by the preaches of the black baptist priests. I thought their
faith in Jesus was extremely human. I'd love to be able to get them to Ireland,
to learn our priests again how to preach properly. If I like the rasta's and the
baptists, it's because they perpetuate the magic of religion. That magic is
something we've lost. In Ireland the Church has no more faith in it and has
become totally intolerant. In the States a baptist priest would never condamn
homosexuality in public. As an Irish priest would do.
 
Q: Going for an artistic carreer means in general that you must show a bigger
ego than average. Choosing for religion on the other hand means that you have to
keep your ego in the background ... What's your secret?
 
A: I hope that, by singing, I can make people happy. If I succeed in unraveling
some things, in bringing comfort and relief to my fans, why not ... Anyway, I
don't really mean to preach to people. I don't think I've got a very big message
to pass.

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