The time for Irish unity is now -- economically, politically it makes perfect sense

Well, norm, The Church will be cleansed as it has been during various points in Her history when greed and corruption have threatened the mission given to Her by Christ. One has only to think of St Francis of Assisi the humble founder of the Franciscan order in the 13th century whom Christ told to "rebuild my Church" or of St Ignatius of Loyola the charismatic and selfless founder of the Order of Jesus(the Jesuits) in the 16th century to see how the Holy Spirit works. Currently we are seeing a new broom sweep through the Church with new appointees succeeding to dioceses/archdioceses across the world who will usher in a new age of authentic renewal As I have said the Church is a mixture of saints and sinners and perfection although striven for is never guaranteed. Christ came for the lost sheep who strayed from the path of righteousness and the Church like individuals, at times has to be purified to find the right way.

Gearoid4-What does the Holy Spirit think about his Church with it;s corruption,greed & criminality?

I think that your "corpulent" popes reference, Normy, is in relationship to the renaissance popes whose life-styles were somewhat hedonistic. But popes were or are not guaranteed to be paragons of virtue(as much as we would like it) in as much as they are flesh and blood like ourselves but the Holy Spirit has been given to the Church to guide the papal office to make sure that those who hold it do not teach anything that is contrary to the deposit of Faith given to the Church by Christ.

@@jamieLM | Feb 05, 2013, 10:27 AM EST YOUR MISSING THE POING WE DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR IRISH ANCESTARY.. THATS YOUR CONCERNS...AND ALL THATS WORTH TO MOST IRISH IS 'TOURIST DOLLARS; The same as we get tourist all over Europe, England, Spain, Germany.. Do you realise you call yourself Irish American that if you wanted to come to live in Ireland or work in ireland tomorrow you cannot do so.. All Americans be they Irish Decent, Dutch decent, or decended from Mars you can only come into Ireland on a 90 holiday Visa and leave again... If you were born in London of no Irish ancestary you can come here live here work here and stay forever.. So how does that make you feel about your irishness ? Just a thought !!!BUT THATS THE FACTS

The True Faith my ass... "corpulent" Popes?

The Scottish referendum to decide the fate of that particular country in 2014 will set the proverbial cat amongst the constitutional pidgins which will have repercussions for the north of Ireland.

Sorry anglo, the Irish people would not go with the state church founded by a corpulent English king in the 16th century who took liberties with the Church's divorce code and expected the Church in turn to grant him his wishes. They have stayed down the centuries with the True Faith, although in recent years this relationship has undergone very severe strain.

Stevenstar sounds like an ignorant blowhard. He needs anger management, get back on his meds and get an education. Ps he also needs to figure out how to find the all caps key and turn it off but that may well be beyond his ability. I would like to see him spew that nonsense in the States or face to face to an American anywhere; likely get his bottom smacked.

It may come as a surprise to some but ,what will Ireland be United as.Its plain to be seen that Europe is pressing ahead without much publicity in manipulating circumstances that look like United Federal European States system .Like the United States of Europe (USE).When you see the circumstances by which the Celtic Tiger developed and ended with a totally bankrupt destroyed Country . The Govt ,Greedy Builders etc were blamed. Who advised the Govt and provided loans, but your Banks.Who financed and advised the Irish Banks.Mainly British,German etc. Who controls these Banks. Theres a lot of questions here regarding the future of Ireland as being United ,as what,to whom ,. If we get the answer for what and whom,then no need to ask , why or how. Just an observation.

If the Irish people had embraced the Reformation then we would have a United Ireland today.

The loss of status of the Catholic church in the Republic is beginning to remove one of the most intractable barriers to a united Ireland.

@stevenstar All Caps, best wishes on the sentiments directed at Irish Americans. Americans have been known to speak English as well, and to do a supportive thing or two for Britain and Ireland.

@stevenstar All Caps, best wishes on the language (Americans speak English as well) you are using to Irish Americans. Do you hear yourself? Try reading aloud.

@stevenstar All Caps, if you have no interest in America, then why don't you keep all your insulting remarks and opinions about America and Americans to yourself??? Take your own advice and MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS and stop telling Americans what they do and don't know about Ireland. I haven't read where any one in Ireland appointed you their official spokesman for the entire country, so you don't speak for anyone in Ireland, except yourself. We Americans of Irish ancestry will think and do whatever we like and there's nothing you can say or do to stop us, so get over yourself.

God knows you are right Steven, a heard that too that the free state is in an awful mess and people lavin in their thousands.But a honestly do think Steven she would be stronger if she was united.The Americans are a wee bit loud surely Steven but in all fairness the world needs them including Ireland ,especially when she is united.I think it is time to pray STEVEN, if ye want to pray with me.Lord delivers us from the throes of danger,especially our brethern in the free state, at this dark time.Amen