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Sinead O'Connor rips into Irish Catholic Church again on child-abuse scandal

By
KENNETH HAYNES,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 8:21 AM
Updated Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 3:41 PM

 

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Sinead O'Connor: Furious that Vatican speaks out on Harry Potter books but maintains silence over true Irish horror
Sinead O'Connor: Furious that Vatican speaks out on Harry Potter books but maintains silence over true Irish horror

Copyright 2009 IrishCentral LLC

IrishCentral editors received an email last night from Irish singer Sinead O'Connor — who once infamously ripped a photo of Pope John Paul II on "Saturday Night Live" in a bizarre protest against the Catholic Church — in which she rips into the Church again, and with seething rage.

In the email, which longtime Irish Voice music writer Mike Farragher verified is genuine in a telephone call with the star, O'Connor, 49, says she speaks "on behalf of all Irish artists" in protest against the child and sex-abuse scandal in which the Irish Catholic Church is currently embroiled.

As angry as her "letter to the editor" is, O'Connor went even farther in her conversation this morning with Farragher.

“I feel strongly that we are proud of our faith and feel completely betrayed,” she told him. “They are withholding documents still. When they are asked to produce anything, there has been no reply, not even a refusal.

"'The Pope does not comment on these matters’ is what they say. That has made people even angrier. There is talk about calling for a boycott of Mass next Sunday. It will send a message if no one is in the pews. There is also talk about having the Irish ambassador withdrawn from the Vatican.

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Posted by Christisall on Feb 04, 2010, 08:05 PM EST
So low a percentage of abusive priests and this broad would haveone think that all priests are abusive. I think she is abusive and crude and loud and disgusting. . .
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Posted by Christisall on Feb 04, 2010, 08:04 PM EST
Someone needs to rip into her, the dumb and uselss broad. . .She is a pathetic individual who craves attention and negative attention will suffice.
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Posted by Rwnevnstr on Feb 04, 2010, 12:27 PM EST
She would be one to demand the Pope will enshrine such people into the priesthood in the name of 'Human Rights' and equality. Where is her outrage at the much larger numbers of pedophiles in schools? Her 'priesthood' gets no more validity by criticizing the Pope than it had without it. She just gets attention...
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Posted by jacersisityourself on Dec 15, 2009, 04:26 PM EST
If I may be forgiven to suggest so, perhaps scarab23 would look over his shoulder and not Sinead's pie-in-the sky God, and find forgiveness for what he's been through? And stop spreading vileness against believers? I was through 10 years of Christian Brothers' education and not once in that time did I come across sexual abuse or stories of it. I am sorry he suffered abuse, because it could have been me instead of him and my heart and prayers go out to his hating heart. God still loves you scarab23, despite yr hatred, whether you like it or not. Turn to Him and not Sinead.
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Posted by scarab23 on Dec 14, 2009, 08:18 AM EST
Sinead - I agree with all of what yu say, except for that magical thinking still lodged in your brain about some pie-in-the-sky god waiting to have words with us when we die. I gave you more credit than that. Guess it was misplaced. I do love your music and bravery, however, and will overlook the other.
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Posted by MontRoyalle on Dec 12, 2009, 04:11 PM EST
Whilst I agree that the Murphy Report has fully exposed the ills of many priests and the cover up by Bishops; Sineid O'Connor is no one to talk. Many agree that abortion is abuse of the pre born. It is also worthy of note that, because of neglect of her own children she lost custody to John Waters.
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Posted by Tilliewillow on Dec 12, 2009, 12:32 PM EST
I was watching SNL that night and did not experience the tearing of the pope's photo to be "bizarre" as you have stated. I was shocked, and actually excited that someone of prominence would challenge the RC church in such a blatent manner. I beleive Sinead was far ahead of her time in recognizing the underbelly of the beast which is the RC church -- and I mean here, the male hierarchy which obviously by their lack of response and compassion are so far removed from the experience and emotional attatchment to children that they would allow such sinful behavior to continue knowingly over many decades.Childhood sexual abuse ruins lives. One of the misunderstandings of lay people is that we believe that the men who make up the hierarchy are men of prayer, or spiritual, or motivated to be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit. In fact, these men are politicians whose primary concern and function is to keep the institution going and in tact. I ask, "where is God in this?" So far, my answer has been: "not in the minds of the men who rule the RC church. God bless and help us all. Tilliewillow
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Posted by kickstar on Dec 12, 2009, 07:19 AM EST
Can you not see that it may be God who is shining the light of truth on these evil activities or perhaps you think it is OK for a priest to Rape a young boy, Do you understand what is involved in that,
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Posted by kickstar on Dec 12, 2009, 07:09 AM EST
Sinead you the Best.
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Posted by JOHNTOBIN on Dec 12, 2009, 05:20 AM EST
The Catholic Faith will not die out in Ireland in spite of this terrible report.Saint Patrick prayed to and perserved with God until he received an assurance that the Catholic Faith would survive there.That is not to say that there would not be trials and trbulations of the worse kind.
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Posted by ciarrai on Dec 11, 2009, 05:17 PM EST
What a shock!
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Posted by jacersisityourself on Dec 11, 2009, 04:25 PM EST
2B, much as I usually support your stance, I hafta say you're way out of line in attacking or admonishing ceceliag. She's told us that she's been one of the abused children. Listen to her. You don't have to accept her hatred but you should listen to her.
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Posted by Watereskhill on Dec 11, 2009, 03:29 AM EST
Sinead O'Connor tearing up a photo of the Pope on television a few years back was not a cheap publicity stunt or the stuff of a 'stoned' Artist. It shocked and deeply offended my Catholic loyalty. With the current 'scandals' and inept rubbish from Rome to waffle through it she was obviously more finely tuned honest and forthright than I was able to applaud at the time. I do so now. Well said and more power to you girl!
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Posted by mikal71 on Dec 10, 2009, 01:06 PM EST
i'm amazed at the people who just downright hate Sinead. If you don't like her music/politics/ect. that's fine but can you seriously not agree with the fact that any and all of the clergy (and higher up)that participated in, knew of or just turned a blind eye should be sent packing or thrown in prison. Sinead is very correct in the fact that the Pope will comment on small stupid things instead of being the man of God he's supposed to be and doing something about this once and for all. I admire Sinead for her ongoing efforts of trying to get these so called people of God exposed and punished. So this is not the time to be bashing Ms.O'connor, we should join in this fight,banish all the assholes from the church and give a little hope to the victims. Then you can go back to hating on Sinead for whatever reason you have. I personally think people should step back and applaud her for standing up for what she believes. Are people that scared of a strong outspoken woman? Well, I guess the Vatican should be.
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Posted by Mollyanne on Dec 10, 2009, 09:52 AM EST
Sinead O'Connor shouts when it suits her some of her points are valid but should we jump when she says so, I don't think so its rich coming from an al a carte catholic. I beleive that Satan is/has been rampant in the Catholic Church and until all who have had any dealings(big or small)with what has happened leave the church we will not see too much change as no one can condone what they allowed happen. I am a mother and grandmother and I feel sick at what these demons did. I am a practising RC (living in Ireland) and love my religion and I feel sorry for all the wonderful spiritual priests we have as they are the ones who now have to apologise for what these evil people did to little children, they are the ones that will have to bring this church back to some sort of normality and I have no doubt that it will be a better church going forward.
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Posted by tullamore on Dec 10, 2009, 09:32 AM EST
I believe that God will deal with the priests and the bishops.From the Diary of St Faustina,she was carried in spirit to the Throne of God, she stated Heaven was "Incomprehensible in the happiness in which the soul will be immersed." She was led by an Angel to the chasms of hell.She described it as a place of great torture;how awesomely large and extensive it is!She saw all kinds of torture there and one was perpetual remorse of conscience! So it is not justice on earth these priests and bishops should be concerned with. They should all fear the wrath of God. They have harmed the victims, the priesthood and the Church.
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Posted by caissene on Dec 10, 2009, 04:38 AM EST
I agree with bletilla - paedophilia and generally sexual molestation is widespread without any religious or ideological limits. Bletilla mentioned Michael Jackson. Roman Polanski, the famous director, now awaiting for extradition to the USA, has also not very much to do with the Church. It happens in educational systems, but also in the artistic world, in sports (instructors and their trainees, often teenager), and in military forces (youngest soldiers). Not very strange to say, but usually it happens where systems of supervision fail - either in strict, non-modernised structures, or in the opposite, musical or film circles where there is little moral rules, and some people are regarded as being beyond the law for average Joes.
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Posted by Liamkeyes on Dec 09, 2009, 08:42 PM EST
Sinead O'Connor...is she not the Girl who Tore the Photo of John Paul the Great on Television? I rest my case!
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Posted by vincentruane on Dec 09, 2009, 07:35 PM EST
A short answer to Ceciliag, I wrote in about a fourteen line answer to your misunderstanding of my words, but for some reason it didn't submit. However I haven't time now to rewrite it. So I'll leave you for now with the quote from Malachai Martin on the dedication page of 'Windswept House'"For Pope St. Pius V in honor of Mary Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.
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Posted by 2BorNot2B on Dec 09, 2009, 07:17 PM EST
-- Furthermore, whatever name you offer must also have the solidity, endurance and promise of perpetuity conferred on the CC by Christ. Barring that, what you'll be left with is a bunch of religious constructs like the 'reform' protestants who no sooner had they apostatized and separated themselves from the body of Christ, they broke away from each other as well, creating a jumble of beliefs, self-serving rules and personal creeds along with the ridiculous demand that every man should be his own pope! -- As for city/states, kingdoms, royal dynasties, warlords, powerhouse financial organizations and even so called 'prophets' (what did he prophesy?) financial organizations, etc. where are they now? I'd like to have you point out to one at least a single one that has lasted 2000 years. -- Bottom line, not only must we be doing something right, despite of all the sin and blunders of some horrible men, agreed; looks like we're here to stay... because Christ said so. So get used to us.
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Posted by 2BorNot2B on Dec 09, 2009, 07:09 PM EST
Sez ceciliag:>>2bornot2b, you need a help<< What...what..? I give you a treatise on the error of your ways and all you can counter with is a anemic phrase that offers no coherent, logical or credible rebuttal? -- Madam, the least you could do is acknowledge that the vitriol you spew is gratuitous and...since you offer no evidence, other than what you hear from tabloids, anti-Catholic haters, and left-wing quasi-reporters that write (and not without an agenda) for this website, the best thing I can come up with to say to you is: if you can offer the name of at least one single organization of the magnitude of the CC that has not sinned, trangressed or otherwise maintained itself above the muck that this world engenders, then be so kind as to set it up as the moral authority and standard for all ages, because God knows, we need a compass. I have yet to see who it is that the world goes to when the going gets tough, or when in need of real moral guidance: Billy Graham? the Dalai Lama? Ovomit? Angela Merkle? Nick Sarkozy? Uh... no.. I think it is the Pope... no?
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Posted by bletilla on Dec 09, 2009, 06:08 PM EST
The entertainment industry and the secular world, has no problem with a Michael Jackson pediphile, and will probably continue to mourn his passing for decades to come. The slime that have infiltrated the Catholic Church in the last 40 years are not alone. They also exist in the public school system, and the rest of the world.
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Posted by newcanaan on Dec 09, 2009, 05:13 PM EST
who is this bimbo ?
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Posted by ceciliag on Dec 09, 2009, 04:32 PM EST
2bornot2b, you need a help.
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Posted by 2BorNot2B on Dec 09, 2009, 03:08 PM EST
Sez ceciliag >>As usual you are just another of those Clergy Worshipping Cathaholics, placing false divinity in anything and anyone in vestments. Get back to the worship of Almighty GOD.<< --- By the same token, you seem to be just another one of those clergy damning CATHAHATERS, who makes no distinctions, admits no evidence of 2000 or so years of good deeds of and by so many, and simply wants the whole thing razed, just because you say so! -- Let's see, how many Universities, schools, orphanages, leprosaries, AIDS hospices, soup kitchens, libraries, etc. have you along with those who cannot stop yourselves from damning us have offered to the needy, sick and ignorant? Zilch, you say? Yeah... I thought so! -- Got news for you honey, better ones than ALL of you and the legion of critics who frequent this forum have tried, and even with more hatred and vigor.. yet the Church 'rocks' on. >>Toss WINDSWEPT HOUSE in the ash can, and pick up your Bible<< As I said before, pick it up yourself and do some in depth reading. If the Church were only full of saints, there would have been no need for Redemption, and we'd all be by now enjoying the beatific vision.
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Posted by michaelvona on Dec 09, 2009, 03:06 PM EST
Snead needs to relax a bit and get into the Xmas spirit.
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Posted by 2BorNot2B on Dec 09, 2009, 02:53 PM EST
To ceciliag: So you do not expect to find Satan inside the CC??? Lady.. before you start proffering opinion, and that bit of sage advice in what seems to be your own inimitable angry hag tone, you should dust-off the bible that sits forlorn on your cofee table and give it a good perusing. -- When you have read what Christ himself, and later Paul, Peter, James, et al say about 'scandals,' sin and moral failings of those who are wolves in sheep's clothing in the Church Jesus founded, then come and amuse us with what appears to be an unchecked habit of pathological ranting.-- Try reading: 2 Sam 12:9, Mt 13:24 about weeds and wheat, Lk 9:54 about apostles desiring to turn those who did not believe like they into cinders, or Mk 14:72 which talks about Peter, the first man entrusted with the Church denying he knew the very one who entrusted him with it! Or how about the one where Jesus says: '..but scandals must come.." (have to look for the actual reference and will get back to you).
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Posted by KathyCallahan on Dec 09, 2009, 02:21 PM EST
jacersisityourself I had a rollicking good time at the show. Joe's Pub was sanctified last night by Colum McCann's reading and Joe Hurley's rendition of Tilly's song (Let The Great World Spin) from The House that Horse Built cd collection would make a great soundtrack for the movie...Let the Great World Spin Terry Lynn a renowned back up singer who has supported the best of them brought bittersweet tears to my eyes
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Posted by 2BorNot2B on Dec 09, 2009, 01:43 PM EST
-- PS: Who the hell is Sinead O'Connor - a semi-lesbian, bi-polar-moral-anomaly to be offering criticism and painting THE ENTIRE CHURCH WITH BROAD STROKES, as though every priest and bishop were a moral derelict, and further demand that the Pope answer to her personally, or to any other critic just because they think he should? Critics are a dime a dozen, especially on these boards, if you had not noticed. Starting by the so called 'reporters' who cannot offer one positive or non-sensationalist article mentioning the CC. -- How convenient that corruption and moral dereliction are the order of the day in every organization, starting by government and family, yet the only ones persecuted are Catholics. Wasn't the government in Ireland knowing, aiding and abetting the abuse in those institutions where they sent orphans and unwanted children? Where are the people demanding they pay for their irresponsibility? Where are those who demand payback from every protestant church pedophile malfeasant, and they are legion? Yeah, I forgot that government is impervious to protest, and protestantism is divided into a miriad of piddly sects that offer no monetary or sensasionalist interest to anyone, least of all the tabloids! Let's just tear down the Catholic Church, they have deep pockets!
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Posted by 2BorNot2B on Dec 09, 2009, 01:40 PM EST
To chesapeake: Would your advice then be that in order to have a more 'well rounded' cleregy, the candidates for priesthood be sent on a tour of Thailand hoe-houses and underage male brothels so they can then come back to the ministry with a broader view and a more experienced sexuality? -- For a long time the Church has been open to vocations to the Diaconate by married men, and though many have responded there is still a shortage. Why not throw your hat in the ring? -- Further, there are many widowers and retired married couples who'd rather spend their life mired in loneliness, bitterness and sloth rather than serve in some missionary capacity which the Church would welcome. -- Mormons have a very successful missionary program of married couples which could serve as a model. -- Fact is that so many have plenty of vitriol and criticism, yet would spend their life contemplating the lint on their navel rather than act, other than when it comes to mud slinging.


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