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Updated: 5.30pm
SINN FÉIN LEADER Gerry Adams has defended a remark which appeared to compare the party with US civil rights figure Rosa Parks.
Speaking after being unable to attend a St Patrick’s Day event at the White House due to what the Secret Service called an “administrative input error”, Adams said the party would not “sit at the back of the bus”.
The Sinn Féin president was due to attend the annual event hosted by President Barack Obama, along with deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald and the North’s deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
However he was prevented from entering the White House by security personnel who delayed him for 90 minutes before he decided to leave.
In a statement afterwards, Adams invoked the image of Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat on an Alabama bus was a major flashpoint in the civil rights struggle.
Sinn Féin will not sit at the back of the bus for anyone. We are elected to represent citizens and we will do this. I am hopeful that the controversy around my White House invitation will help lead to a resolution of all these matters.
That remark drew strong criticism, despite Adams previously citing Parks as an inspiration for the civil rights movement in the North. Indeed, Adams visited Parks in 1994, shortly after the IRA ceasefire was announced.
Paddy Cole / TwitterGerry Adams comparing the struggle of Rosa Parks to his own White House woes is beyond bad taste. You'd swear he wasn't an opposition TD.
— Paddy Cole (@PaidiCole) March 16, 2016
CLLR Darragh BUTLER / TwitterGerry Adams trying to use Rosa Parks comparison is laughable.
— CLLR Darragh BUTLER (FF) (@DarraghButler) March 16, 2016
Speaking to UTV Ireland last night, Adams defended the comparison, saying that other Sinn Féin members had been delayed at US security checkpoints.
“It’s clear that [Sinn Féin] will not accept anything less than equality for ourselves or the people we represent or for everyone else.”
Meanwhile, Adams has released a statement calling for the US administration “to review their approach to Sinn Féin representatives”.
The constant additional security processes and delays which Sinn Féin representatives are regularly subject to has long been a cause of concern. We have raised it privately in the past.
“Yesterday my colleague Martin Ferris was delayed getting on his flight to Boston and when he eventually arrived on a later flight he was held for several hours.
“In the course of my meeting with the State Department on Wednesday, during which they apologised for the White House situation, I urged the administration to review their approach to Sinn Féin representatives visiting the USA and to fulfil the commitment of the Clinton administration 20 years ago to normalise relations between the US administration and Sinn Féin.”
- with reporting by Órla Ryan
Originally published 9.30am
I hate the catholic church. Not individual priests, not individual practitioners, but as an organisation I hate the catholic church.
Him and Darth Vader blew up Alderaan! #neverforget
Well you should be excluded from any debate if you hate the church so much. Not exactly balanced are you ?
You don’t seem to be on the fence there yourself Anthony.
You have every right to hate it. All the Churches of the world are Churches of the Anti-Christ. The Anti-Christ is the apostle Paul.
`A last minute guide to the Bible` http://www.lastminutebibleguide.capnix.com
`A last minute guide to the Bible`
http://www.scribt.com
The pope should not be commenting about anything to do with sex, what does he know!
You’d be surprised…
I believe he was discussing the consequences of sex and not sex itself, your right he should know nothing about sex( celibate), but can see the consequences just like the rest of us.
He is entitled to voice his opinion as leader of a diminishing and increasingly , unimportant, outdated church
@ Shay he has no right to comment after what his church has done to this country in terms of pain and suffering caused.
John you didn’t, did ya
I did anything, consequences included.
I did say anything, consequences included.
DB then neither has government or anybody else with authority in Ireland’s history
What a load of balls DB. The church has provided schools and health and welfare to the irish people on a shoestring when the state couldn’t be arsed spending real money on them. Stop the bigotry
And also stopped the mother and child act which would’ve been the most progressive piece of legislation in comparison to the times that the CPU try has ever seen. Since you used the Bigot word first, then there is their stern opposition to homosexuality, single mothers, birth control, equality for the sexes etc. They also covered up and most likely still do reports of child abuse. Also a hypocrite with his vow of poverty in a gilded houses shouldn’t actually be throwing stones.
Are you not aware that when the British tried to introduce a state school system in Ireland that the Catholic Church refused to let Catholic Children be educated outside of a Catholic school?
The reason we have religious schools and hospitals is because of the threats made by the church to anyone who tries to change it.
The same church that refused to allow contraception in the state , but were happy for little “Bastards” to be locked up and used as slave labour in their industrial schools/Laundrettes.
That would exclude a lot of people!
Irrelevant virgin makes statement on matters none of his business.
Virgin. Lol
So an adult woman is equal in status to a foetus, in the eyes of The Church?
No, in the eyes of all churches, a women is worth nothing. A feotus has the chance of being male.
No way. A fetus, if finally becomes a man, will be able to have relevant roles in Christian Church. A woman won’t ever. So in that sense I think they consider the fetus quite more important…
Michelle, yes equal in status to a foetus, but what does the church think of women?
By all accounts women are second class citizens, not allowed to become priests, not allowed partake in most activities in the church, etc.
The church pays lip service to women.
Michelle – both the adult woman and the unborn child are both treated as persons. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says: “The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation” (CCC, 2273).
No Michelle, a woman is little more than a baby making machine on a production line, if your not making babies you should be seen only in the kitchen, preferably washing dishes, hanging out clothes and for Gods sake whatever you do, refrain from thinking for yourself.
We have religious leaders to do that for you. So please refrain in your attempt to be recognized as an individual in your own right. It’s Gods plan apparently that you reside in the home and venture out only for Mass.
If only it were true
Not much understanding of the true situation for Catholic women! The Church is slated for defending life; if they spoke out for good treatment for piglets or puppies or against fox hunting, they’d be praised from a height, but, unfortunately, saving the whale is seen as more laudable than saving the human baby.
Pretty sure that he is directing that at Ireland alright. Don’t think there are any other European countries of a christian heritage in the throws of a raging debate on abortion. He could be lumping the Phillipines (well outside Europe for sure) in with us as they have just introduced new contraception laws there.
I wonder does he still think he can dictate to us and we’ll actually do as we are told by him?
Unfortunately Spain is talking about changing law of abortion (to restrict it) since the arrival of Rajoy’s conservative party to the government.
Es así Albert, los tontos de culo de los conservadores!!! another smoke screen to divert the attention that the state is failing in every aspect. Abortion stirs up a lot of passion and debate. Great to get people’s attention of the real issues.
Conor, I listen to what the pope says. And I follow what he says and accept it for my life and the lives of my children. The teachings of the Catholic Church sustain family life. Including no sex outside marriage, no contraception, no abortion, no divorce, no homosexual acts. Show me something better and I’ll follow that. But when I look around and see the suffering people bring on themselves then I will gladly follow the Pope and the teachings of the Church. They lead to a happy life.
Good for you bpdeasy. It is your choice to follow his direction based on your religion and your morals. But for those of us who want nothing from the roman catholic church they should not procrastinate, dictate or pressurise our civil society to follow their opinions and views. Nor should they interfere with our civil legislation be it abortion, contraception or same sex marriage.
Oh and instead of just following roman catholic dogma sculpted to enpower the magesterium, you might like to read and follow the actual teachings of Christ and be an actual Christian. A much better way which you asked for!
A lot of people seem to oppose freedom of speech!
Poor man, while other people retire at 65, he’s still forced to work until the day he dies.
No wonder he keeps on spewing crap.
When he dies, is he fired or promoted?
We catholics cannibalize. Never went in for the body and blood of Christ thing myself, but in any case he’ll probably be tossed in some secret herbs and spices and made into wafers.
“gravely contrary to the moral law”, but kiddy fiddling is alright though.
Abortion on demand in the first 90 days has been available in Italy since 1978. We, as a nation, are introducing legislation pertaining to the narrowest of situations where the mothers life is at risk. Why is the Pope not concerning himself with matters closer to home? The answer is that Italy has moved on and we should to. Using the Catholic Church as a moral compass is like navigating with 2000 year old sea charts.
Get back in your box popey
Given the Vatican’s long-standing and absolute disrespect for women, is it any surprise that he should make these remarks?
He says that the proposal of any law which decriminalised abortion, describing such moves as “gravely contrary to the moral law”.
I am wondering if “the moral law”, as he describes it, is anything like “the canon law”?
I don’t think we need any reminding of where “canon law” got us, do we?
Off topic a bit but the pope is a hypocrite. He always on about protecting the vulnerable but at the same time he lives in a plush palace and his company the Catholic Church owns some of the most valuable real estate there is. Reminds me of Charles Haughey a bit.
Do you think the Pope actually owns the Vatican?.He has little personal wealth.
It amazes me that anyone cares what the pope says, or that the pro- choice groupings seem to believe he can sway – the decision of the people, history is just that history, we have moved on for better or worse, and left the bulk of the popes views behind
The church still has power for some unknown reason. Crazy stuff.
Is going to spend his wealth on caring for the children?
Hi Joni,
One example of the care that the Church gives to people:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampbarrett/2012/11/08/the-largest-u-s-charities-for-2012/
“Catholic Charities USA” is the third largest charity in the US.
How can that man use the words moral law and keep a straight face?
Funny how he’s worried about “the balance between the right to life of the mother and that of the unborn child, a right belonging equally to both”, yet in practice what they really want is the foetus’s rights to trump that of the woman’s.
Totally untrue! No woman should ever be refused life-saving treatment.
I saw a poll introduced lately done nationwide and pro life hammered pro choice and there was also some pro choice vigil somewhere attended by a huge crowd, majority been women
Pro life vigil sorry
Now there’s a useless bit of information…
Proof or you’re spouting sh**e.
Was it in The Catholic Times or Alive! ?
It’s simple, no? Women should have control over their own bodies, end of.
Of course he is against it, nothing new there. All the people always posting negative stuff about the church should really put there money where their mouth is and cancel their connection to the church ( you have to write a letter i think ) no point celebrating some aspects ( xmas, communions ) and then bashing others. Personlly i think this effects women since they live under whatever circumstances that got them pregnant. If its just a stupid drunk night then why should they allowed abortion for stupidity?? Atleast let someone that cant pro-create adopt the child.
Yep if you cant do the time dont do the crime (in regards to unwanted pregnancies)
To true :), i always think of a friend who is so happy his mother chose adoption ( ofc he would for obvious reasons lol )
Robert, sex isn’t a crime, at lest not how I role, and when it’s over for me it’s over, for a woman this may be different, so all options should be over to her, including living with the consequence if that’s her choice
Karl xmas was hijacked by christians. It was a pagan tradition long before christians got their hands on it. Also you cant just leave the church like you say. You could before but the cc removed that service because of changes in canon law. All that other rubbish about adoptions & one nights stands requires you to do some serious research. This subject is too complicated for simple catholics.
Think you should wear protection then if thats how you roll. Same for women. If it should be simple enough to get an abortion in this country then getting a rubber shouldn’t be too hard, no? :)
Do you have a link at all for the changes ? Would like to see it, while i agree it would be very difficult to manage circumstances. Just people already have lots of choices, morning after pill, coil, condoms, injections. Why are these not working for people? Would love to hear from women about this
Karl, I’m pretty sure Christmas was invented to replace a Pagan festival! The guy who is his own father supposedly wasn’t born for another few months! It’s pretty crazy that supposed devoted followers don’t celebrate their Gods birthday on the correct date!
Very true, couldnt do that for the kids now though :) check out century of the self on youtube, its good :)
Karl Good point about existing options,
Contaception fails, as everyone knows. If your back up plan is abortion, maybe you should wonder if a baby’s death is a very high price for a bit of sexual pleasure.
Marie, morning after pill,
Of course they’re against abortion. They need us all to keep them in power and keep money rolling into their bank accounts. We may not go to mass but we are hypocritical as we all attend weddings confirmations baptisms ect nice little earners
What right does this relic have to speak on moral issues after ignoring 1 of the ten key rules of his “church” though shalt not kill by blessing the prime minister of uganda who is pushing through a law that makes it completely legal to murder people suspected of being gay
@Karl Cut ties with the church by writing a letter?? Not any more. There were so many people using an site that assisted in this that they retrospectively changed the rules. Now I and a huge amount of others can be counted as one of their number though the ludicrous cult itself sickens us. Google Count Me Out for more info on how once they have ye they’ll never let you go
Just a small clarification on that; the rule (or ‘law’ as they amusingly call it) on officially leaving the church was changed in the Vatican not just in Ireland and not because of the excellent countmeout . ie site.
It was because people were leaving by the tens of thousands in countries where there is a direct church tax taken from members of a religion and given to that institution, like on Germany. Now, once baptised they won’t let you out in any official way. The rule on “formal defection” was only in for a couple of years before they took that choice away from the post faithful.
There is still a way apparently. You have to write to the bishop of the diocese of your birth and demand to have your baptism roll rescinded. They then send you a letter telling you to reconsider / eternal damnation etc. You then have to write again and they do the same. On the third time you have to go to the Bishops palace with your baptismal cert and demand to be removed from the records at the church where you were baptised. At that point they are supposed to contact that churchs sacristan and inform them that you will present yourself at the church to witness your removal from the records. They just cross the name out. Then take your baptismal cert and burn it.
A mate of mine did it in Ferns two years ago after the count me out website was closed. Its doable just incredibly difficult :(
When is this idiots birthday? Perhaps Ireland could have a whip around and get him an Xbox, that might shut him up for a while
Where abortion is available it is rarely used for medical emergencies. Using a rare tragedy as a pro abortion rallying opportunity is insensitive.
Liberal left have held up humane solutions to medical emergencies during pregnancy by demanding British style abortion in Ireland
It’s obvious guys said it before ill say it again abortion should be introduced under certain circumstances
Specifically in circumstances where the woman is pregnant, not just any.
This institution is fuelled by human credulity and is a prime example of why we all need to learn critical thinking skills. There is no such thing as private beliefs among adults in a democracy as these get acted on in the ballot box and produce the type of leadership Ireland and other Roman Catholic countries have produced. Rarely an example of a vibrant democracy or political class as kids are brainwashed into unquestioned belief in belief and unjustified authority.
Son let’s just stick to mice “neutral” beliefs where it’s ok to attack anyone with religious beliefs! Great idea!
Who cares what the pope said? They should just concentrate on the making more money and laundering all the cash in the Vatican.
Bring back John Paul II at least he was likeable
Good idea Robert, sure if that jesus lad can be a zombie, why not john paul 2 as well?
Class. In the impending zombie apocalypse (that my son says is defintely coming), ill be on the lookout for Jesus. Axe to the head? Just for having to listen to all the a******s that took these notions based on his bollocks.
Ah good ol’ St JPII, Patron Saint and Protector of Paedophiles. Without him (and his henchman, Ratzinger), priest might have been brought to justice.
Here here, I miss JPII
Is this pic above Pope Daniel Day Lewis ?
I can’t believe so much attention is being paid to this dinosaur pontiff and the pronouncements of the catholic church in general. This grossly powerful and wealthy institution deserves to be ignored and even told to ‘shut up’!!!
What facts do u want Peter? About the poll and vigil? It was about a month ago I don’t have facts but I have no reason to lie either! Under no circumstances will abortion be legalised “fully” here, it will in time “under certain circumstances”
Who conducted the poll? What was the sample?Where was it published? Otherwise just posting some numbers is unhelpful and frankly pointless.
The Pope is correct end of.
For his own followers yes, not for the rest of us
Why?
….. end of all rational thought!
Human rights are for everyone, not just Catholics!
When popes, their entourage, and all advisors can and do become pregnant, then their opinions on the matter might possibly be considered.
If the bishops don’t stop turning Sunday mass into political soap box sessions about abortion Sunday after Sunday , the few that are going to mass will disappear ….
I doubt that. In my parish, people are always complaining that priests and bishops don’t speak enough about controversial issues.
The Pope’s out of touch and dogmatic views would be a matter of irrelevance if it were not for the malign influence of the Vatican and the Institution of the Roman Catholic Church on Irish public opinion.
Religion needs to be taken out of the law.
The Vatican must not be permitted to dictate the provisions of the Irish Constitution or of Irish law.
Abortion is legal in Italy up to 3 months. Maybe the pope could confine his meddling in state affairs closer to home
Can’t remember! Was one month ago online! Just a quick glance at numbers I had! Oh there was a poll done alrite! Think it was 22, 645 in relation to 2, 685
Thanks Shane, that’s the facts we were looking for.
At what stage of their lives were popes separated from their moms?
The pre-born are deemed so precious, but the following questions need to be asked: 1. What is the track record of inclusion of children with special needs in Catholic schools in the U.S.?nn2. Are any Catholic folk with special needs precluded from partaking in the religious sacraments in the U.S.?
Are any children with special needs aborted by the thousands? Down’s Syndrome is a case in point!
Ah Journal, the picture of Daniel was more pleasing to the eye
They should keep their noses out of this country’s affairs considering they’re the organisation that caused a lot of suffering in this country ie sexual abuse
The Pope does not the represent Jesus, he representents The Anti-Christ / False Prophet who is the apostle Paul. He is a nobody he has no power only the power he gives himself. All Churches are Churches of The Anti-Christ as they all have Paul.
`A last minute guide to the Bible` http://www.lastminutebibleguide.capnix.com
My god, the news screening department in the Vatican would want to hurry up. The Pope is like a month behind the rest of the world news wise.
Liz, benny and his babbling buffoons are centuries behind reality.
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