The Irish to the bishops
The poor Irish bishops aren’t getting the deference they’re used to.
But Mark Kelly, director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), dismissed the bishops’ call. “The ICCL seriously doubts that the Irish Catholic bishops retain sufficient moral authority to pontificate on the Civil Partnership Bill,” he said.
And the ICCL isn’t the only one.
The Union of Students in Ireland said it was extremely disappointed the bishops were resisting equality for same sex couples. President Peter Mannion said: “While USI respects the viewpoint of the Catholic Church we do not agree with it. Objecting to the implementation of equal rights for Irish citizens may be seen as an absence of moral conscience.”
Omigod he said the bishops lacked a moral conscience! That’s gotta sting.
Aengus O Snodaigh, Sinn Fein justice spokesman, said he rejected bishops trying to pressurise politicians. “The Catholic bishops’ time would be better spent getting their own house in order rather than seeking to interfere in the work of the Oireachtas.”
Pow! Boom!
And about time too.
I like this Peter Mannion. Using the language of ‘respect’ only to immediately undercut with an obvious disrespectful jibe. And in the Church’s own language too. Sly!
http://www.iccl.ie/ Further reaction to the bill.
This Bill is a secular measure to combat discrimination being passed through the democratic parliament of a secular state. It contains not a single word regarding the moral preferences or religious practices of the Catholic Church”.It is the ongoing absence of full equality for all forms of family in Ireland, and the not the Civil Partnership Bill, which brings the existing institution of marriage into disrepute” Mr Kelly concluded.
http://www.iccl.ie/
Aren’t they supposed to be clamping down over there in Ireland? It doesn’t sound as if the clamping agenda is working out too well.
They’re clamping away like mad but everybody is just refusing to be clamped. It’s soooo sad.
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Finally! A little hope for the collapse of the Vatican!