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THE ARCHBISHOP OF Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said that many priests feel hurt about a cartoon that appeared in the Irish Times yesterday.
The cartoon by Martyn Turner shows three priests standing next to each other.
The priest in the centre is holding a paper that has “Children’s First Bill” written on it as well “mandatory reporting”.
Earlier this week, the Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald said the Children First Bill will make it mandatory for certain professions and post-holders to report incidents of harm and the risk of harm to the Child and Family Agency.
Speaking on Holy Thursday in the Pro Cathedral in Dublin today, Martin said:
I know that many priests and people feel hurt by a cartoon in yesterday’s Irish Times.
I am a strong believer in freedom of speech and of the vital role of satire in social criticism, but I object to anything that would unjustly tarnish all good priests with the unpardonable actions of some.
We have great priests in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Auxiliary Bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay men and women from the parishes from Wicklow, Kildare, Wexford, Carlow, Laois, as well as Dublin City and county were present in mass today.
Martin went on to say that there have been many changes in the Church and in society since each of them were ordained.
Older priests
“For those of my age and older the social image and position of the priest has changed enormously. Many of the functions which a priest used to exercise in the Church have now been rightly assumed by lay men and women. Many of the general social functions which a priest used to exercise in society are assumed now outside a specific church framework. Many of the traditional social supports for the priest have been weakened,” he said.
He paid special tribute to older priests who he said had experienced “rapid and deep social change” but who continue to “remain fresh” in their commitment and understanding of the ministry.
Speaking about priests that have suffered from anxiety, difficulty or failure, Martin said:
All of us are sinners; all of us have our weaknesses; all of us have failed; none of us lives in a world where the black and white of good and evil, of success and failure are clearly and distantly separated.All of us live in the greyness of our own interior lives and in the greyness of the challenges of the world in which we are called to witness as best as we can and to seek perfection.
He added that the office for priests is strengthening, adding, “We have much to be proud of as we face ever growing challenges”.
Martin concluded by saying the moment priests lose the hopes and aspirations which first drew priests towards priestly ministry, is the day they become trapped in their own frustration.
“We have to rediscover those hopes and aspirations and the ideals if we have lost them,” said Martin.
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Good to see the US adopting this type of system, the lottery was a bit of a joke in fairness, just so random and seemed like a lazy/handy way of doing things for them. Seems really tough to immigrate into the US nowadays.
That’s true, I was fortunate enough to win a green card through the lottery system…but it was completely random, you could be a computer scientist from Bogota or a sheep herder from Armenia, it made no sense really. This seems like a much better system.
Even when you got your random green card in the lottery you still had to attend the Embassy for an interview so possibly a lot of weeding out was done then?
That’s true, but all you required was a job offer in official headed paper from a company and that was it…easy to make one up if you had to!
Not necessary if you have degree or/and masters in an employable profession. Subtle weeding out.
At the time I didn’t have a degree and went with my letter of an offer of employment which was acceptable. If I was bullshitting I would have got away with it, how I know was because it was my friends company and there was no check.
I am guessing that may have a while go? Perhaps they check more throughly now?
It was 2001. Maybe they do. Border Control has stiffened considerably since 2005…so maybe you’re right. I moved home in 2006.
Just as a matter of interest, if you don’t mind me asking. Just wondering why you decided to move back home. Don’t answer if you dont want I know it’s a personal question.
Ha! Youre close enough Sean!!!
I find I’m asking myself that question a lot lately McBab….I spent a few years there and decided to move back, family I suppose had a bit to do with it. I had a great time there, really lived it. If you are willing to work in the States, you will get on fine. The working man is rewarded. If you want to sit on your hole, you don’t eat, simple as. A policy they could do with having a look at here. To be honest, I would move back in the morn, but my wife would not… Added to a mortgage, young kids etc here its just not an option unfortunately….
Thanks for the reply Jimmy. So refreshing to have a civilised conversation on this site!
No worries McBab
Seems the age category doesn’t make sense It is a kind of discrimination
I agree. Not sure why this ism is ok and gender and race isms are deemed unacceptable.
Err.. Because they prefer to let in young people? I’d get no points for age myself but get it and have no problem with it.
Would it be ok to let in just white people? Or just men?
It makes perfect sense for them too give preference to younger people. Younger people will be in the work force for longer, thus generating taxes and revenue for the government longer.
It’s logical to limit immigration to those who can be more productive and and bring value to the country, rather than become a burden. It is a transaction, not a gift: we let you in, you came and work hard and (possibly, at least initially) cheap, we all benefit in the end.
Above all though, it is their country, their rules. They don’t have to adhere to our political correctness, as much as we might feel righteous about our opinion on it.
It’s called independence.
It’s really sad to see some of us calling African Shit holes …….. Some of us are here legally just for studies and we are benefiting this country by paying huge school fees
Am alway heartbroken when people think that all Africans are Asylum seekers or refugees :-( and i remember when i first arrived in Ireland and stayed for 3 months someone whom i don’t know sent me a text saying “You are fraudulent Asylum Seeker Scamming our country …. Go back to Africa”
it’s really sad.
Unfortuntely ISSA a lot of africans are absolutely bleeding this country for what its worth. Its a national disgrace and no one has the balls to to stand up to it for fear of being targeted as being racist/bigot etc. I dont believe anyone has a problem with genuine students and workers.
I do agree with you Jason …… That some of Africans have damaged our image thurs making everyone think that all African are here to Abuse the system.
Personally am ashamed to be black coz av experienced hard times since i came here for my studies with other people brandishing me names lol.
Not all africans are out to scam this country or take it for a ride. I have the pleasure of knowing some who are really successful here.
But as Jason pointed out there is alot more scamming than actually been good citizens.
Until that trend reverses the African people who are not out to scam etc are going to be labeled with the same tag.
I do get your point …… But am just puzzled on how those people manage to come in Ireland and abuse the system lol.
I remember when i was applying for my Irish student Visa back home in Kenya i really passed through various difficulty process to get my Visa and i had to produce loads and loads of documents and went through serious vetting and on top of that i was required to do an International English proficiency test to prove that i can speak English lol
Does it mean that some countries get their visas so easily???? coz some are here and ain’t speaking English and there are the one tarnishing our name here
Issa . Quite a few africans come in as refugees depending on the country in Africa.
Lock up the illegals.
+1
Nope, just send em home
about time!
Well this is good news for the irish a nation of hard working people when we go to other country’s we dont go their to sponge of that said country we work hard integrate into their society’s spend our money their while still retaining out culture and having the “craic”
Will this cover the ones this October?
have your say