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Cardinal Sean Brady requests GAA to stop games clashing with mass

Cardinal in plea over football game fixtures

DARA KELLY,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, August 3, 2011, 7:56 AM

Updated Wednesday, August 3, 2011, 9:30 AM

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Cardinal Sean Brady

Cardinal Sean Brady has written to the Gaelic Athletic Association requesting they stop scheduling football games at the same time as Sunday morning Mass.

Cardinal Brady, who is the archbishop of Armagh sent the correspondence to the four county boards of Armagh, Derry, Tyrone and Louth.

It is though he decided to write the letter after several priests expressed their concerns over the parishioners missing mass due to the starting time of games.

Michael Kelly, the deputy editor of The Irish Catholic Newspaper told BBC News that the issue was becoming an "increasingly bigger problem at under-age games".

Kelly added that priests have been voicing these concerns for a number of years.

"Most of the inter-county action happens on Sunday afternoons, sometimes Saturday evenings, but it is the under-age games that are tending to take place on the Sunday morning and when there aren't games there is sometimes training scheduled for Sunday morning," he said.
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"Now in a large urban area where there are a lot of different Masses to choose from it is not really a problem, it is in a rural area where maybe there is only one Sunday morning Mass.

"It is difficult, because parents with young children who want to bring them to Mass are being forced to decide between bringing them to Mass or allowing them to play football and hurling.

"With the best will in the world, if you ask an 11-year-old young fella or girl what they want to choose, I don't think there will be much of a decision."

A Tyrone County Board member confirmed to the Irish News that the Cardinal’s letter had been received.

Nster.com

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Collette2 | Aug 04, 2011, 09:20 PM EDT

Reading the above story of 2010, where he states "I will not resign in sex abuse scandal", the confidentialities signed not only by the two lads in the article, but ALL recepients worldwide, have given them the upper hand, to make whatever demands they wish. In other words: they have everyone by the short and curly.

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mamaginnty | Aug 04, 2011, 07:17 PM EDT

Sirpeter I agree somewhat, we do need faith to hold us together, the church yes, but I would mean the building, gives you peace and children do need that too. But the pope, bishops and clergy at this time have to go. The religion itself has to be given a new book as well, something for the people and not Rome. just heard now that the driver of the Freedom Bus has been arrested, hope this won't start trouble...

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bogsidebunny | Aug 04, 2011, 09:57 AM EDT

With 50,000 Muslims in the country the GAA should halt ALL games during Ramadan. Pandering only to the Catholics is RACIST!

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barneyjo | Aug 04, 2011, 07:48 AM EDT

Hi sirpeter. Long time. Seanomelbourne spoke my thoughts in his post. It sould seem to me that the Cardinal is latching on to an issue that he is using in an effort (vain in my judgment) to re-instate the power of the church at parish level. You're right of course about the need for balance in terms of the physical and spiritual, but at first glance, the church is not considering this. Add to that the fact that if Kids were genuinely motivated to attend mass as well as their training, they would go to an earlier mass in their parish (if available) or to a neighbouring parish, or to a saturday evening mass. Either that or as Seanomelbourne says, have an earlier mass in the parish.No, it would seem to me that the Cardinal is intent on an "absolutist" stance (my way or none) I'm actually quite intrigued at his motives for doing so at this particular time as well!! Based on my own personal experience with my own kids, I dont believe that this is as big an issue as the church is making out, and the Cardinal, for whatver reason, is choosing to use a "Sledge to crack a nut"!!

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helmet365 | Aug 04, 2011, 03:07 AM EDT

The children would benefit more from playing or watching sport. More church only gives them more guilt and baggage to take through life. As God has not manifested himself or herself to anyone on earth they are better off with reality and truth. At certain ages will tell our children that there in no real father christmas or faries the same should apply to religion.

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sirpeter | Aug 03, 2011, 08:58 PM EDT

Whatever about tearing down the authority of the Church.Personally I don't care.Weather we like it or not or aware of or spirituality or not.If hard times fall on any of us.If you can't tune in to your inner spirit.It could be a very rough ride.Kids need to learn how to do that.It does stand to us at certain times in life.Maybe we need to accommodate that too.I think the Cardinal is right.There is to much over stimulation when it comes to kids anyway.Been in a church has a calming effect.I challenge anybody who honestly says they feel more stressed coming out of a church then they are going in.See how stressed kids are when they don't get their game.

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barneyjo | Aug 03, 2011, 06:58 PM EDT

@seanomelbourne - Absolutely. Could this be another instance of the church unable or unwilling to compete with the secular world and wants to "move the goal posts" as a result?? (My God, such a terrible an unintended pun :)!!!)

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seanomelbourne | Aug 03, 2011, 06:33 PM EDT

change mass times to fit in with the matches. Brady doe's not get it the era of the autocratic PP's and Bishops is over.

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barneyjo | Aug 03, 2011, 06:06 PM EDT

If the young ones are out on the pitch making the best of their God given talents, then that is probably as good a way to bear witness to the presence of God in their lives.

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AngelPrecious | Aug 03, 2011, 05:04 PM EDT

LOL, portia, the game is NOT over for those that live the Catholic faith. This has to be the most anti-Catholic forum that I have ever seen. May God forgive us all.

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Portia777 | Aug 03, 2011, 03:30 PM EDT

The boys in dresses just do not know when the game is over and they have lost.

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Fightin69th | Aug 03, 2011, 12:29 PM EDT

Stop Having Mass Clash with Matches!!!

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mamaginnty | Aug 03, 2011, 12:12 PM EDT

In the south of Ireland they started Saturday evening mass years ago to suit the priests. Getting the GAA to change the playing time is not going to bring the congregation back. Send them to the church as alter boys or send them to hurling practice, the kids made the right choice.

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charlesm | Aug 03, 2011, 11:50 AM EDT

Poor Brady, still mired in the 16th century, even with the costumes straight out of medieval Rome. Too many of the hierarchy are still obsessed with using their long gone authority to control the decisions of their "flock". It's long past time that they get out of people's lives and restrict their "advice" to matters of concern and lived out by Jesus, who certainly was NOT obsessed with ruling, with power, with judgment

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biggles008 | Aug 03, 2011, 11:36 AM EDT

The clergy are still trying to RULE.

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