Is courage the greatest virtue? The musician Sinéad O'Connor has died aged 56. She is remembered for the causes she fought for as well as her music.
The troubled genius who took on the world
Is courage the greatest virtue? The musician Sinead O'Connor has died aged 56. She is remembered for the causes she fought for as well as her music.
What's happening?
Sinead O'Connor died last week, aged 56. Friends and fans remember a singer with a unique voice, who always said what she thought.
O'Connor also struggled with her mental healthThe part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings.. She spoke about how hard life was during her childhood.
A nunA member of a religious community of women. They take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. gave O'Connor a guitar. It started her careerA person's progress through different jobs over their lifetime. in music.
O'Connor showed courageBravery. Strength in the face of difficult situations. in her activismCampaigning for social change. . For her, music was a means of improving the world.
Find out more
In 1992 she tore up the popeThe bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. 's photo live on television. It was a protest against child abuse. She was booed and it ended her pop career.
But her spirit lived on. She did not hide away but risked insults and attacks in the media.
In 2018, the pope said sorry for the "crimes" of the Catholic ChurchThe word Catholic means "universal". A Christian denomination with over a billion followers worldwide, led by the Pope. in IrelandAn island off the coast of England and Wales. Much of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland, but Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. . O'Connor had been right.
Is courage the greatest virtue?
Yes! You need courage to change the world. Sinead O'Connor used her music and her actions to change the world, even though she lost her career.
No! You can be brave and still be wrong. People with lots of courage also need to be wise and kind - otherwise the things they do could be harmful, not helpful.
Keywords
Mental health - The part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings.
Nun - A member of a religious community of women. They take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Career - A person's progress through different jobs over their lifetime.
Courage - Bravery. Strength in the face of difficult situations.
Activism - Campaigning for social change.
Pope - The bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church.
Catholic Church - The word Catholic means "universal". A Christian denomination with over a billion followers worldwide, led by the Pope.
Ireland - An island off the coast of England and Wales. Much of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland, but Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.
The troubled genius who took on the world
Glossary
Mental health - The part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings.
Nun - A member of a religious community of women. They take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Career - A person's progress through different jobs over their lifetime.
Courage - Bravery. Strength in the face of difficult situations.
Activism - Campaigning for social change.
Pope - The bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church.
Catholic Church - The word Catholic means "universal". A Christian denomination with over a billion followers worldwide, led by the Pope.
Ireland - An island off the coast of England and Wales. Much of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland, but Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.