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Susan Boyle’s performance signifies commercialization of Pope’s visit

By
CATHY HAYES,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 7:34 AM
Updated Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 8:00 AM

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Susan Boyle a whizz bang success
Susan Boyle a whizz bang success


The leader’s of the Catholic Church in Scotland have rejected claims that the hit singer, Susan Boyle’s performance is part of the commercialization of the Pope’s visit to the U.K.
 
Cardinal Keith O’Brien has denied these claims and insists the performances by runner-up winner of “Britain’s Got Talent”, Susan Boyle, and winner of “Pop Idol” Michelle McManus will help the Pope’s message to resonate beyond those in the Roman Catholic Church.
 
“If you've got a good message, and I think we have, there's no harm in marketing it in the very best possible way, said Cardinal O’Brien.
 
“We want to get as many people as possible to listen to the Pope's message, not just specifically members of our Roman Catholic Church.”
 
He added “You have to do something with them. You can't just have them singing ancient hymns and that sort of thing.”
 
The Cardinal also defended the $1.55 million cost to the taxpayers saying that the price of the Pope’s visit will be outweighed by the “moral benefits”. He also welcomed Ian Paisley’s plans for a protest in Edinburgh.
 
Reverend Ian Paisley, the former Northern Irish First Minister, now Lord Bannside, is leading a delegation from the Free Presbyterian Church to Edinburgh to protest.
 
Cardinal O’Brien said “If Ian Paisley didn't come, I wouldn't have thought the visit was worthwhile. It just shows how important this visit is that Ian Paisley's coming along to protest.”
 
Paisley has said that he has been spurred to action over the Cathlic priests’ abuse of children. While Cardinal O’Brien said he did not know if the issue would be addressed by the Pontiff he said he would be “perfectly happy” if it was.
 
Pope Benedict XVI’s visit will start on Thursday in Edinburgh. There he will be greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. He will also be greeted by Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, Nick Clegg, the deputy Prime Minister, and leaders of the Welsh and Northern Irish Assemblies.
 
Also on Thursday thousand of Scottish will take to the streets as part of the inaugural St Ninian's Day Parade on Princes Street to mark the feast day of Scotland's first saint.
 
The Pope will then travel to Glasgow where he will celebrate evening Mass at Bellahouston Park. The congregation is expected to around 85,000 people.

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26 Comments

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kelliechang | Sep 17, 2010, 04:01 PM EDT
I am so very happy for Susan Boyle. It is one of her dreams to sing in the Papal mass. Love her very much.

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shamrock43 | Sep 17, 2010, 09:56 AM EDT
If it's true that Irish central dislikes catholics, then I guess I'll not read anymore of what they have to say about anything. I use to enjoy most of the articals , but I have to say when one of your readers refer to church as an evil place I kinda lost it.ya that be you glorybe

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jamieLM | Sep 16, 2010, 09:01 PM EDT
Did I see correctly on the national news that the Pope was driven off just as Susan was about to start singing? What's up with that?

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Intercessor | Sep 16, 2010, 07:23 PM EDT
And what is the Catholic Church going to charge each of Her 85,000 followers to have the privilege of attending a Mass given by the Pope? Jesus said, "Freely give, as you have received." When someone becomes a "Prophet for profit," I have some serious issues with this kind of behavior, especially when it is institutional. Regarding Susan Boyle, I believe that she definitely has a God-given talent, and I'm sure that she would willingly share it without any remuneration, if her managers and handlers would allow her to do so.

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glorybe1929 | Sep 16, 2010, 01:31 PM EDT
Suasan Boyle is a lovely lady that has the gift of an angel but has not drifted out of her sphere of influence since she made her 1st communion. God love's her. She is not aware of the tragedys that have been revealed in the last ten years. May God Bless her! od

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glorybe1929 | Sep 16, 2010, 01:25 PM EDT
If Irish Central doesn't like the Roman Catholic Church they are smarter than most of the Irish catholics who are still attending this evil place.Hooray for you IC!

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glorybe1929 | Sep 16, 2010, 01:20 PM EDT
Oh, so what? The RCC are who they are. Nothing like beautiful voices will change the evil that has been perpetuated for millenium(s) by them. So either entertain evil and then forget about it and let it continue for another 100 yrs. OR PROTEST THE WHOLE SHOOTEN' MATCH.GET WITH IT PEOPLE, THE POPE NEEDS GOOD PR. THAT'S WHAT HE THINKS HE'S GETTING....Ha Ha! SICKENING DISPLAY! ALL AROUND!

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killowen | Sep 16, 2010, 01:16 PM EDT
The Popess of Henry VII and the Pope of Roman Catholics. A perfect union for the man(ipulation).

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AmericanReader | Sep 15, 2010, 08:39 PM EDT
Susan Boyle is an excellent choice to sing for the Pope. Local girl with a marvelous God-given voice, very devout Catholic. Who better? Brilliant!

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busterbrown | Sep 15, 2010, 07:09 PM EDT
Better Susan Boyle than one of the Spice girls. Having Susan sing for him won't make a tent in his robe.

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jamieLM | Sep 15, 2010, 06:47 PM EDT
Susan has a beautiful voice and I'm sure she feels honored to have been asked to sing. As a devout Catholic and a nice woman who has overcome a lot of hurdles in her life, I think she's a good choice to sing for the Pope. Musical talent is a gift from God and this is a great opportunity for it to be shown. Blessings to all.

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LinLinisme | Sep 15, 2010, 05:09 PM EDT
Susan Boyle is the best and I wish people would not try to pick on her. She is wonderful and she can only add to this wonderful visit. I am not Catholic but I think the Pope is right.

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MalcomAC | Sep 15, 2010, 04:33 PM EDT
Okay, she says one of her sisters sang for JPII back in 1982's mass at Bellahouston Park.

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kelliechang | Sep 15, 2010, 03:14 PM EDT
I am very excited for Susan Boyle. What an honor to be able to perform for the Pope. God Bless her.

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Yerffac | Sep 15, 2010, 02:06 PM EDT
The Irish have very good reason for hating the Church. Apart from the hideous child abuse, the Church has had its foot on the throat of the Irish people--particularly women for many centuries.

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