Irish priests thought Elvis was 'agent of Satan' new book claims

In his book, Casey is simply reporting on the personal experiences of Irish people who lived through Elvis's stardom, as well quoting from the reputable news sources of the time. People should note that 'The Star' which is the newspaper that this article gets its information from writes sensationalist tabloid articles and that article is quite likely blowing things out of proportion to wind people up.

Stumbled across this stupid article by chance .This Casey guy is a total liar ! Never once did I ever hear Elvis being mentioned off the altar by any Priest ,nor did the Catholic Church ever denounce . Does this clown Casey think for a single moment that we believe his trashy nonsense .However ,when I read the contribution of visitors to this site like Merefalow I really despair ,and realise that there are many simple minded people out there who believe such nonsense ,and then post bigoted and uninformed rubbish in response !!!

religious fanatical blinkered repressive doctrinal control freaks,the same mind set resposible for the inquisition and witch burning.amazing,dangerous fairy tale believers.

I met an older man in a Belfast club-pub a few St. Paddy's days ago who loved America and loved to sing, he said. He was talking to me because he heard I was American. He was planning his first visit here that summer. I asked where he planned to go in the states... "Memphis and Vegas"...

Music went downhill with Elvis and Mick Jagger. Did you know Elvis Presley shows contained the highest number of disappointed patrons per show who got up and left mid-way through his act, in Las Vegas History. Who were the best singers: Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra, Karen Carpenter, Edith Piaf, Maria Callas, and especially Marian Anderson (1897 – 1993) an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. A ''Lady'' who lit up Carnegie Hall and broke the mould and stereotying.

Many southern Evangelical'a had problems with Elvis's swivel hip'd suggestive gyrations. They referred to rock 'n' roll generally as "the devil's music" as far back as Bill Haley and the Comets. And not without a hint of racism, given that the devil's music was black. To quote Colm Meaney in The Commitments, "Elvis was King!" His last concert in Vegas - supreme! Ahhh! Ooooh! Hmmm!

OMG.....give me a DAMN BREAK....elvis was TAME compared to what some were doing, even when heas alive...and even today....take note; the author is only 29 years old....what and the HELL, does the person know about him? TCB, ALISA NEELY

This is more old drivel! The Catholic Church, and especially fundamentalist religions generally demonize anything sexual outside of marriage as a "serious sin". Happily, the Catholic Church doesn't stress this as much as they used to. They know that most sensible people don't see any need to run to Confession, over such non transgressions as indulging in sexual fantasies, looking at Playboy/Playgirl, or actual pre marital sex. The attitude toward one's partner, in any sexual liason, is what is important, not the act itself. The Church's traditional dogmatic stance, in these matters, leaves people with guilt over things which are quite normal. It is time for all religions, especially the fundamentalist sects, to grow up, when it comes to human sexuality. Having a healthy attitude towards the opposite gender, and a guilt free attitude towards one's own sexuality, is a very healthy thing to maintain!

Elvis has been dead since 1977. Let him rest in peace. He was a part of the zeitgeist of the time. He was a few years older than I am. He took drugs rather than drank booze because of his Baptist religion. He wasn't the devil. Rather, he was a poor soul who was taken advantage of financially by many hangers-on.

Jason Smith aka Ivor Casey...

I have just finished reading this book and it is a great read for people interested in Elvis, as well as the country of Ireland itself. Unfortunately this article only takes one small section out of the book for the report on it. What the author does is give an account of how Irish people discovered Elvis and what they learned about him as the Catholic Church was the dominant education system in Ireland unlike in other countries such as America where public non-denomination schools were more frequent. It is a very balanced assessment of the times because what most non-Irish people don't really realise is the fact that the Church had supreme power and domination over the thoughts and minds of Irish people. Saying that the book also examines the evolution of rock 'n' roll music in Ireland, covering the life of Elvis Presley and the many fun facts and links he had with the country. It really is a great read and I think people should just check it out for themselves.

mscriptette-_I could take what you say more seriously if the "Bible" Protestants hadn't been involved in so many right-wing death squads in Latin America. And Ireland... As to this book, I suspect it's a load of garbage. Which priests and Bishops is this "author" referring to? He hasn't given any names in the above extract, or quotes. Sounds like just one more stupid anti-Catholic that Irish Central has dug up. If this dope knew anything about Dixie he'd know that countless Protestant pastors in the South warned their congregations against Elvis--but no mention of that from the Know Nothing bigots.

Alot of churches where closing their eyes and shaking their fist in anger when they saw Elvis perform Many of the churches in the UK are not very civilized to go along with the changing needs of the people today. Instead of teaching the Bible as it was written about the religion, they try to run peoples lives by telling them what they should or shouldn't do in their everday life - "This is wrong"! What people do behind closed doors is their business and no church should ever preach otherwise! Get with the changing times and stick to preaching what is in the Bible churches, don't be hypocrites! Oh yeah while we are at it, keep your hands off of the young kids and practice what you preach!

In all fairness to the Catholic Church, many clergy of all faiths during the advent of Rock & Roll thought that it was the ruination of our society as well as Western Civilization as they knew it. This subject matter is sort of weak for anyone to give a rat's _ _ _.

you mean they listened to the King while raping the innocents.