Four bishops have taken part in street protests against abortion outside the Irish parliamentary buildings in Dublin.
The Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary, Bishop of Kilmore Leo O’Reilly, Bishop of Killaloe Kieran O’Reilly, Bishop of Ossory Séamus Freeman, and Derry diocese administrator Monsignor Eamon Martin took part in the Pro-Life Campaign vigil with thousands of others, reports the Irish Times.
The presence of the bishops marks a major ramp up in Catholic opposition to proposed changes in Irish abortion law following the death of an Indian woman Savita Halappanavar in child labor after an abortion was allegedly refused in Galway University Hospital.
The government has promised that new legislation will be brought forward early in the New Year to deal with the issue. Experts believe it will liberalise abortion laws allowing abortions in the case where the mother’s life is in danger.
The presence of the bishops throws down the gauntlet to the Irish government and shows that despite decades of ebbing support because of pedophile scandals the church is still intent on being a major force in Irish society.
In a previous statement, Cardinal Seán Brady said it is “important as a church that we prepare with others to defend the equal right to life of a mother and child against any effort to introduce abortion to a country which is one of the safest places in the world for mothers who are expecting a child.
“I believe any attempt to do so, even by way of a ministerial directive, will be vigorously and comprehensively opposed by many.”
Bishop Leo O’Reilly stated that that “three of the four proposals by the expert group include abortion, and that is not something that is acceptable in Catholic teaching, as everybody knows.”
Read more news on the abortion issue here
In an RTÉ interview Brady stated, “We would have a media campaign, we would be lobbying public representatives and also hope to write a pastoral letter on this situation, setting forth the argument which we have always held and providing resources to priests to preach on this topic in the pulpit.”
The Pro-Life Campaign, Youth Defence, the Life Institute, and Family and Life were are all the helm of the event. The organizers and gardai have separate estimates of how many people attended the rally - organizers say it was closer to 10,000, while gardai put the figure at around 5,000.
People at the rally held candles, banners and posters in demand for Fine Gael to keep “their pro-life promise.”
Prior to election in 2007, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny promised that he would never legislate for abortion. More recently, before last year’s election, Fine Gael campaign director Phil Hogan issued a letter stating, "Fine Gael is opposed to the legalisation of abortion."
Niamh Uí Bhriain, the spokeswoman for the Life Institute, said at Tuesday’s rally that, “We are not for turning and we will not yield. We are proud to be a pro-life nation, we are here to tell the politicians in Dáil Éireann that they may have destroyed our economy but we will never let them kill our children.”
“The lives of our children are worth fighting for and the mothers who are driven to abortion in fear are worth fighting for and the pro-life ethos in this country is worth fighting for," she said.
Caroline Simons, a legal consultant with the Pro-Life Campaign, touched upon the message that the media has been sending: “A lot of the media imply we are obliged to legislate for abortion because of the European Court of Human Rights ABC case.”
“There is no such obligation. All we are supposed to do is clarify our own position in relation to abortion here. “We have one of the best maternal mortality rates in the world so abortion is never the answer. It is not going to save mothers’ lives and we don’t want to see it on our shores,” she said.
Simons added that the next step would be an anti-abortion rally.
Indeed, in 1992 the Supreme Court ruled in the X case that abortion is permissible in Ireland in cases where a mother’s life is at risk, including from suicide. However, no government since then has legislated to bring clarity to that judgement.
Now, after Savita’s death, the matter is under increased public pressure. An expert group report, published last month, outlined four ways in which Government could introduce such a procedure and said that regulations and legislation would be the best way to approach the matter.
On Tuesday, the official debate on the report began, and Health Minister James Reilly reiterated his pledge that the Government would "bring the required legal clarity to the issue of legal abortion in Ireland.” The government has promised to reach a decision by Christmas.
However, he stressed that, "This does not mean abortion on demand.”
"We must protect the life of the pregnant mother and yet vindicate the right of the unborn child. We have to clarify what is available by way of treatment to the women of Ireland, and clarify what is legal for the professionals who must provide that care."
In response Labor Party Minister Pat Rabbitte stated: “I would be somewhat surprised at the cardinal’s reference to lobbying and engaging with, canvassing public representatives and so on on the matter,” he said.
“I don’t have any objection to any of the churches stating its position and making it clear but I think it would be a retrogressive step if we were to go back to the days of the Catholic Church dictating to elected public representatives how [they] should address an issue that a very large section of our society believes that governments in the past ought to already have done.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.windswiper | Dec 27, 2012, 09:53 PM EST
There is never any justification for murdering an infant. Some of you morally blighted people just don't seem to get it. The liberal mindset does not give a damn about this woman - their only interest is in using the incident as a pretext for pushing their agenda of mass murder. Michael Moore admitted as much when he said, "I don't believe in the sanctity of human life." But he does believe in the 'sanctity' of filthy promiscuous homosexual relations. Go figure These liberals are as insane and poisonous as the American hate preacher Phelps - and far more dangerous - because no one but a few morons listen to Phlelps. OTOH, the policies of the neo-nazi liberals has led to the deaths of hundreds of millions of human beings and the disintegration of morality throughout the world.
EamonnDublin | Dec 10, 2012, 09:36 AM EST
Anglo Son, and Peaches, I see that you two share a brain. I know of a sausage factory that might be able to power it up a bit.
stanJames | Dec 09, 2012, 10:42 PM EST
First we need to figure out how to get the bishops pregnant then see if they change their minds YOu may see this as ridiculous but thats almost what the church has done all over the world with children. The world needs a big abortion - of the power of the church. May God bless that Indian woman who was a victim of the sexist evil church. Since about 75% of hte irish support marriage equality, I bet that the people by a significant majority support abortion. Especially where the church continues to condemn birth control. Women all over the world need to say Free at last, free at last free at last of a sexist church.
seanomelb | Dec 09, 2012, 08:03 PM EST
May have ben a tech error Niall probably is ignorant of your existence. How terrible for you.
anglo-norman | Dec 09, 2012, 04:22 PM EST
GavinE- Chill out son
GavinE | Dec 09, 2012, 12:44 PM EST
I see censorship is alive and well and living at Teach O'Dowdy. I posted two identical posts on different articles and Dowdy took them down after an hour. No obscenities in them, no profanities .............. that's most probably why he censored them. Lefty Looney Liberal types for Free Speech? My ass.
Gearoid4 | Dec 09, 2012, 12:23 PM EST
It seems GavinE that reasonableness is in short supply in relation to the commentaries of the "pro-choice" lobbyists
GavinE | Dec 09, 2012, 07:07 AM EST
"Free Speech" does not allow "Hate Speech". You guys obviously haven't heard - or just don't care.
eiriamach | Dec 09, 2012, 01:30 AM EST
Free speech with responsibility.
anglo-norman | Dec 08, 2012, 11:17 PM EST
Free Speech with intelligence..
seanomelb | Dec 08, 2012, 08:43 PM EST
Free speech with integrity.
anglo-norman | Dec 08, 2012, 05:37 PM EST
Free Speech
eiriamach | Dec 08, 2012, 02:43 PM EST
@anglo-norman and GavinE: Fr Darcy can't speak out. See "Celebrity priest Fr Brian D’Arcy is latest to be censored by the Vatican," Apr 27, 2012. While tracking down that info, I found some typical anti-Protestant comments to share with GavinE: Nicoletta | Apr 27, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT. "Why doesn't this celebrity priest move his pulpit into a Church of Ireland Church and be done with it. Oh, and he could take the dissenting nuns with him - just leave the faithful ones, there are plenty of those too, thank God." And NYCFiredog | Apr 27, 2012, 01:47 PM EDT. "....hey Fawder [Darcy]! Go down the road and join the Unitarians. The Anglicans and COI is crashing into the rocks and some are re-joining the Mother Church, but I'm sure they'll take ya. Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. And I'll pray for your soul. Truly." And mairint | Apr 27, 2012, 10:16 AM EDT. "Sure if Fr. Darcy and his pals are so discontented with the Catholic Church why don't they just pop over the road to that other church where they can forgo their celibacy, have their wimmin 'priests' and all the other carry-on that would make them happy little chaps." Don't notice those, huh?
eiriamach | Dec 08, 2012, 01:14 PM EST
GavinE, don't forget that I was agreeing with seanomelb's comment that anglo-norman's calling the Catholic Church "an abomination" is offensive, bogoted. Then I added "mairint's rabid ranting about 'fiminists propaganda,' SherLinton's cursing out feminists and conjuring up hell for us, Scrivner's delusion of a 17-week fetus as a 'person,' the aptly-named Kit Marlowe (killed in 1593 over a bar bill in Bull House) calling abortion 'murder.' THESE TOO are demonizing and bigoted comments, but you don't object to them, only to anti-Catholic (and anti-Semitic, I'll take your word for) comments. And I cannot help wondering: Why the tunnel vision? Do you not see the other comments as equally bigoted?
eiriamach | Dec 08, 2012, 12:52 PM EST
GavinE, have you not seen comments by Phlutie Phen and his crowd of haters about the "proddy pope" and other demonizing of the ABC and American ECUSA primates and C of E? And as for anti-Semitism, as you mention, there's plenty of it, along with Islamophobia and other bigotries. You're just plain wrong that "the other churches ... are never attacked on these boards." If you wish, I will take the time to use the search engine to find and quote to you some of the diatribes against Protestants that I've dealt with on "these boards." See, the problem with bigotry is that it cannot be confined; it overflows from one target to another, so talk of anyone being exempt from it, once we turn a blind eye and deaf ear to ANY form of it, is foolish.
GavinE | Dec 08, 2012, 12:29 PM EST
"Eiriamach" - I just now saw your comment about my complaining of hate speech only when it is the Catholic church that is the object being vilified. Wrong! I have also said the same on these boards about Judaism, when it is attacked. As for the other churches, perhaps you haven't noticed, but they are never attacked on these boards. I really don't know why I bother, now you'll simply twist it all around and respond with some more drivel.
Smyrnian | Dec 08, 2012, 11:32 AM EST
Killing unborn infants for any reason is still killing.
StevieJoe | Dec 08, 2012, 02:00 AM EST
Anglo- Norman, Thank you sir.
anglo-norman | Dec 07, 2012, 06:55 PM EST
Yet not a word out of Fr,Brian Darcy in his columns in the Sunday Worls about that tragedy regarding that poor Indian womens death & her family. That church is a den of rats!!
seanomelb | Dec 07, 2012, 06:37 PM EST
Good Lord I agree with some of Morts post, I also agree with Eiriamach his posts are succicnt and informative.
anglo-norman | Dec 07, 2012, 06:26 PM EST
Mortimer- Some of us live in the real world.
Gearoid4 | Dec 07, 2012, 03:18 PM EST
Headline: Pope announces that he is Catholic. Shock and disbelief around the world The headline in the above article would be on the same ridiculous level as that very "surprising" statement of fact if it was to happen. IC again seems to be trawling the internet for any story that they can skewer with an anti-Catholic headline. I for one applaud the Churchmen for publicly showing their solidarity and support for pro-life activists in the face of the usual predictable pro-choice/pro-abortion propaganda as shown in the comments of the previous posters on this thread. They are also enacting their rights as citizens in protesting against any legal passing of legislation that would allow the abomination of abortion(even in "limited" circumstances, which we all should know from common experience, as in the US and GB, will lead soon after to abortion-on-demand).
RichardP | Dec 07, 2012, 01:18 PM EST
Too bad they didn't march against paedophilia
pilib04 | Dec 07, 2012, 01:06 PM EST
Go raibh maith agat: Seamus30, Monkey,StevieJoe, Cyn, Eschetic and eiriamach.
ciaradexy | Dec 07, 2012, 01:02 PM EST
If you dont agree with abortion, dont have one. I dont like the fact that sometimes women need/want abortions but its up to the individual no one else should stick their nose in especially those who are part of an institution that systemically raped children and sold babies to Americans after taking them from their mothers without their consent.
Mortimer74 | Dec 07, 2012, 10:38 AM EST
Thanks, guys, for some of these hilarious comments, which I've shared on other sites to illustrate everything from vile hate speech to sheer stupidity. Monkeynerd:"You want to rebuild the church here is my formula: let women be priests, let people use birth control, accept gays, let priests marry, and when necessary let women get abortions." Yeah, thanks, we'll get back to you. Steviejoe "They (the Church) have raped and pillaged the people and country since 1922". That's right, ever since they arrived on their longboats. No, wait a minute... anglonorman, "The Catholic Church is an abomination...". As a committed Catholic I just love seeing moronic comments like this. Anyone really want to live in anglomoron's world? God bless you all! You have my pity.
seamus60 | Dec 07, 2012, 10:14 AM EST
The law makers should not be hindered by religious beliefs. The doctors should not be hindered in making medical decisions by decisions of the law makers. Pass the law that will allow everyone the freedom of choice according to their own moral and medical compass.
monkeyapplenerd | Dec 07, 2012, 03:29 AM EST
Shock, really cause that's exactly what I would expect from those dinosaurs. Their stuck in their little 1950's bubble where this attitude still makes sense. You want to rebuild the church here is my formula: let women be priests, let people use birth control, accept gays, let priests marry, and when necessary let women get abortions.
anglo-norman | Dec 06, 2012, 11:26 PM EST
StevieJoe-RESPECT
StevieJoe | Dec 06, 2012, 11:18 PM EST
Dear SherLinton, If you subscribe to the theory that a nice old man, with a beard, up in the sky micro manages your life,and that the world was created six thousand years ago, well God bless you. But please do not try to force your views on every one else, it is not how a democracy works.
Cyn | Dec 06, 2012, 10:52 PM EST
Making abortion legal does not increase the number of abortions. It reduces the number of women who die attempting one illegally. It also reduces the number of unwanted children with mothers who cannot care for them. I do not care what a bunch of supposedly celibate men say, I do not care how much wealth they accumulate and keep disregarding people in need, I do not care what they think. Women have alway had and will aways seek abortion to save their own lives, to save the families they already have and to not have a baby when they do not want one. That is not the church's decision and the church has no place in government.
StevieJoe | Dec 06, 2012, 10:35 PM EST
The church is being dragged, kicking and screaming, through the last troughs of life as a Catholic theocracy. They have raped and pillaged the people and country since 1922. Good riddance.
Eschetic | Dec 06, 2012, 10:10 PM EST
The few deluded souls who cling to the myth that human life begins at conception (or before as the ultra-extremists would have it) rather than the LONGER ESTABLISHED church position of "the quickening" (when the ganglia of the brain start to come together and the fetus starts to kick) which - ironically - comes closer to a position science can support and what enlightened abortion law uses (the end of the first trimester) as the cut-off date for abortion except in cases where the life of the mother is at risk, SHOULD be out on the streets protesting for their minority position. We ALL want to protect human life. The overwhelming majority of intelligent, educated people however, should not allow the superstitions of that minority - however sincerely held - prevent a change in the law which would, in reality, benefit EVERYONE and harm no one.
anglo-norman | Dec 06, 2012, 08:57 PM EST
eirimach- aren't you being a tad sensitive son?
eiriamach | Dec 06, 2012, 08:26 PM EST
I also find anglo-norman's words offensive, and I'd guess that thousands of others click away in disgust after seeing them, or mairint's rabid ranting about "fiminists propaganda," SherLinton's cursing out feminists and conjuring up hell for us, Scrivner's delusion of a 17-week fetus as a "person," the aptly-named Kit Marlowe (killed in 1593 over a bar bill in Bull House) calling abortion "murder," and myopic GavinE complaining of "hate speech" only when someone attacks the Catholic Church. What a sensitive gathering, ROFL!
anglo-norman | Dec 06, 2012, 05:25 PM EST
seanomelb- You would..
credere | Dec 06, 2012, 05:24 PM EST
Why on earth would this be SHOCKING??? Shocking that more bishops didn't march!! Surely when you stand for something you stand...when you stand for nothing you fall for everything.
seanomelb | Dec 06, 2012, 05:10 PM EST
AS an atheist I find anglonormans pearl of wisdom offensive and bigotted.
anglo-norman | Dec 06, 2012, 05:00 PM EST
The Catholic Church is an abomination...
Scrivner | Dec 06, 2012, 04:21 PM EST
Abortion to save the life of the mother? Yes, that's unfortunate but understandable--one life OR another. Abortion in case of rape or incest? Why punish a third person (the child) for the crimes of the father? Long ago civilized societies eliminated holding children and grandchildren responsible for the debts of their fathers, this "blood debt" should also be looked at the same way. Yes, it is terrible that a woman should bear nine months of unwanted pregnancy, but people often have unwanted duties placed on them--jury duty, taxes, paying child support, maintaining property to government specifications, refraining from using deadly force in minor disagreements (it's not just the Irish that have tempers), conscription into the armed forces, etc. Amazing that I can come up with this reasoned argument, and I am not even Catholic!
mairint | Dec 06, 2012, 04:16 PM EST
IC certainly took its time in posting this 'news' - and then such a tiny little clip of the video. Readers should look at Lifesite news and see the crowds, young mainly who have no longer swallowed the fiminists propaganda. Yes there are great young people in Ireland, beautiful men and women, in spite of the Rabbitte and Gilmore types in government. There were thousands there and amongst them a few bishops - it is their right, and duty to support the people who do not want laws to kill preborn children. Look at the mess around the world to see the damage done by 'doctors' and 'nurses' who kill for a living. Look at how women are treated now, India, UK, USA, Russia and on and on. Stay strong Ireland, do not resort to killing your future generations.
mairint | Dec 06, 2012, 01:42 PM EST
I thought Hate Speech is a crime. Why does Irish Central allow it? Is it allowed only in cases where the Catholic Church is being attacked? Niall O'Dowd might care to respond, please?
SherLinton | Dec 06, 2012, 01:28 PM EST
Women's Liberation started the whole mess and the propaganda spread to women everywhere to "Abort Your Babies" They are god- less and the world is just as far from God as they can be. Killing a human being....hell awaits them.
SherLinton | Dec 06, 2012, 01:25 PM EST
American's are and have been forced to accept Abortion. My huge Irish Family who came here in 1680 have fought Abortion and believe every child is wanted no matter what and God will give and take life. We should never kill a child.
Searlit | Dec 06, 2012, 01:02 PM EST
Ireland needs to protect the right to life of the Mother. Afterall, women can go on to have other babies, in most cases. Also, the world's eyes are upon Ireland, now.
TobyMaguire | Dec 06, 2012, 12:55 PM EST
why indicate "Shock" in the headline ? should bishops not avail themselves the right to protest as citizens? is it unexpected that Church representatives would voice and protest the view of the Faith ? is it not intended to be an informative, reporting news article; so, why the editorializing headline? the Irish Voice has become nothing but hype and "Shlock".
Kit Marlowe | Dec 06, 2012, 12:44 PM EST
1. It is impossible to have law or government without morals. Try and explain ANY law without resort to morality. Positivism is a fallacy. 2. Changing the abortion laws because of this one alleged incident is arguing the exception. e.g. A person may be justified to kill someone in self-defense, yet no one would argue that there should be no law against killing. 3. There is no supportable explanation for why abortion is not murder. It is the taking of a human life. One day before delivery, was it not also a human life? And one day before that? Moving the definition of "human life" to the point of viability is arbitrary, dependent upon the latest science. If the law were to be at least consistent, a human life would be defined the same way coming into this world as going out. But the only non-arbitrary method of defining human life is beginning at conception.
eiriamach | Dec 06, 2012, 12:01 PM EST
Minister Pat Rabbitte points out a danger when he speaks of “the cardinal’s ... lobbying and ... canvassing public representatives." Can you imagine Queen Liz II, as titular head of the Church of England, leading a protest against elected MPs legislating on a public issue? Petitions for dis-establishing the C of E would follow very quickly, it seems to me, if **in the name of her Church** she were to try to influence Parliament. The Irish cannot dis-establish a Church which is not constitutionally established. None the less, Ireland seems to need separation of Church and State more urgently than their neighbours across the Irish Sea need it. Dáil Éireann should welcome ethical reasoning from all sides, but lobbying "as a church" (Card. Brady's words) and opposing legislation as "not ... acceptable in Catholic teaching" (Bsp. Leo O'Reilly) show that the Church is flexing its political muscle, not its moral reasoning. Is that because they know they have the losing argument in this debate?
handsome68 | Dec 06, 2012, 11:18 AM EST
While I know this is an emotional issue, I failed both literally and figuratively to understand the yelling of the person speaking or shouting into the microphone. Can s/he not breath in and out and talk into the mic. without bellowing? The very emotionalism of the issue demands speaking one's truth as clearly, calmly, and understandably as possible, and this person met none of those criteria.
Portia777 | Dec 06, 2012, 11:16 AM EST
Wolftone "It unfortunately was a natural death for both. Only the death of the 17 week foetus was natural. The mother creator died at the hands of doctors whose oath is to do no harm. Savita was left to die in agony. She may have given her life as you put it for her brother, but you are speaking like a true member of the death cult. Glad you made yourself known.Ireland has no soul. That went long long ago with the creator Goddess Eriu at Uisneach
Wolftone | Dec 06, 2012, 11:10 AM EST
The sign says it best. "Love them both." The so called liberalization of abortion laws in Ireland is the wrong response to this tragedy. It's a slippery slope that we've experienced here America that now allows for the slaughter of more than 3,000 innocent lives daily in America. There is nothing right or morally just for a society or a government that institutionalizes as a matter of policy, the taking of innocent lives, born or unborn. There is no greater love but to give one's life for their brother. In this tragic incident Savita Halappanavar gave her life with and for her child. It unfortunately was a natural death for both. And this was a tragic exception to the circumstances of pregnancy where both lives were threatened. Ireland should not change its virtuous existing policies and allow itself to sink into a culture of death. I and everyone reading this will eventually meet our end. No policy can stop that and no government can save us. Pray for the souls of Savita and her child. Pray for the comfort and peace and healing of her family. Pray for the soul and dignity of Ireland!
Portia777 | Dec 06, 2012, 11:09 AM EST
Does anyone know a pregnant bishop with experience on pregnancy and miscarrying and birth? No. They are not protesting the rape and torture and starvation of the living children. Why? too much soul food for the vultures.
eiriamach | Dec 06, 2012, 10:39 AM EST
MichaelMcGrath, I don't care a fig newton about the European Court, but I certainly care about the lives of women in crisis pregnancies. Women like Savita will continue to die as long as current Irish law gives "equal right to life" to a foetus doomed by miscarriage and a woman in need of abortion to save her life. For that reason-- saving lives that can be saved-- not to kowtow to the European Court, the Irish government must repeal article 40.3.3 of the Constitution as quickly as possible.
misneac | Dec 06, 2012, 10:30 AM EST
Binasdad and Michael Collins are real clowns ! Not a single intelligent comment between the two of them . The IC headline is rubbish ,there is no "shock " in the Bishops supporting the wishes of the Irish people .What do you mean "state " , the Irish people are the state ,and Catholics have a right to comment on social issues as well as so called liberals !
joan1954 | Dec 06, 2012, 10:05 AM EST
Here in the US we have become numbover this issue. As knugent15 says the bishops were doing their job and I suspect this was organized by the people and not the bishops. Years ago there was a movie, I think it was called the "Cardinal" where this happened to his sister in any case the child lived and the mother died. I wish American bishops would march out with their people in pro-life issues.
MichaelMcGrath | Dec 06, 2012, 10:02 AM EST
The government seeks to give the imoression that the European Court ruling in this case must be answered. It does not, it means nothing, so much so that Abbot and Costello might as well have made that ruling.It's just that this Irish government loves to play the white haired boys of Europe, top of the class, like the clowns they are.This is a big reason we are in economic crisis as well.
JudyMae | Dec 06, 2012, 09:58 AM EST
What I think is “shocking” is that the doctors that allowed Savita Halappanavar to die KNOWING her baby wasn’t going to live are not being charged with murder! They themselves said the baby was miscarrying yet they did nothing to save Savita. What’s further “shocking” is that the Bishops are condoning the actions of the hospital by protesting any new legislation that would prevent such a “miscarriage” of treatment of a mother in the future.
Binasdad | Dec 06, 2012, 09:28 AM EST
Not "shocking" at all. What would have been shocking would be seeing the bishops protest child rape.
knugent15 | Dec 06, 2012, 09:13 AM EST
Shock? Really? What's shocking about the bishops doing their jobs? Think the author's trying a bit too hard to be dramatic.
Teresa Cross | Dec 06, 2012, 09:09 AM EST
I always think of Joyce's character of Mr Daedalus: We are a priest-ridden race! They take their church too seriously there whether Catholic or Protestant. I am a recovering Catholic who is now Anglican (Episcopalian here in USA). Finally there are some Irish trying to enter the modern world!
michaelcollins | Dec 06, 2012, 08:52 AM EST
of course the poor bishops are upset there will be less kids to fiddle