Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Father James Martin. YouTube

Nearly 10,000 sign petition calling on pro-LGBT priest to to be disinvited from Dublin papal event

Father James Martin has long advocated the benefits of having LGBT people in the church.

A GROUP OF lay Catholics has called on the organisers of the World Meeting of Families to rescind an invitation to pro-LGBT cleric James Martin.

Martin, who is from the US, has long advocated the benefits of having LGBT people in the church.

A letter has been sent to Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, asking him to stop the cleric from speaking at the event.

The Irish branch of the Tradition, Family, Property (TFP) has been gathering signatures to voice its disapproval.

The event takes place from 21 to 26 August. Pope Francis will visit for the final two days of the meeting, which is held every three years.

The letter to the Archbishop reads: “The hosting by your Archdiocese of the World Meeting of Families should be a joyful occasion for Ireland. The choice of Dublin as venue by Pope Francis should serve as a consolation for Ireland at a difficult time and is of course the effective reason for the Pope’s pastoral visit.

“We are disappointed and greatly concerned that Fr James Martin, S.J. will speak at the event, casting a shadow over its proceedings. Fr Martin is well known for his dissent from Church teaching on sexual morality. He has articulated views which condone homosexual behaviour in contradiction of the Magisterium.”

At time of publication, over 9,500 people had signed the letter.

Talking to America Magazine last month on the topic of LGBT inclusion, Fr Martin said: “Why wouldn’t we want to help baptised Catholics feel included in their own church? And the argument that they’re sinful is beside the point because we’re all sinful.

“We need to see LGBT people as full members of the church, by virtue of their baptism. They need to know that God loves them and their church accepts them.”

“I’m tremendously grateful for this invitation, not so much for what it says about my own ministry or writing but what it says to LGBT Catholics, a group of people who have for so long felt excluded. I hope they see this invitation, which had to be approved by the Vatican, as an unmistakable sign of welcome from the church.

Last month, We Are Church Ireland, a group which campaigns for the equal inclusion of women and LGBT people in the Catholic church, described how it was being ‘ignored and discriminated against’ in its applicationto be part of the event.

We Are Church Ireland said it applied back in February to have a stand in the RDS, and even paid a deposit, but did not receive a written response.

Responding to the criticism from We Are Church, a spokesperson for the World Meeting of Families told TheJournal.ie, “We Are Church are one of a number of organisations who are on a holding list in respect of exhibition space …. many of these groups are on hold because they do not meet our stated criteria which was provided to them at the time of their application.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
116 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan mulvey
    Favourite Alan mulvey
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 7:09 AM

    Have they not being talking about this since the boom?

    106
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Kenny
    Favourite Mick Kenny
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 3:57 PM

    It smells like political posturing to me. The info in the paper during was in direct contradiction of what the minister said before Christmas – ruling out tax credits because as he said in a parliamentary question a system of tax allowances would not benefit parents working in the home and could be seen as discriminatory. In addition, tax reliefs would favour the high paid while those on the minimum wage or in part-time work would not benefit to the same extent. Secondly he ruled out the second ECCE year now it back on the table. He’s doing a political cha cha because of the growing momentum for the Association of Childhood Professionals petition and 17th February rally which is even more reason to keep the pressure going. These hollow promises are just to attempt to quieten voices but I for one was raging when I read the article. This committee too is just a stalling tactic too, it will take several months for the committee to be formed, compile the data, launch it, then it will gather dust for a bit and hay presto it’s election time and they’re gone. Surly there is enough reports done of the years that can be dusted off and acted on. I for one will be at the Dail on 17th Feb with the ACP using my voice and looking for positive change. #oneunitedvoice (rant over)

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Kenny
    Favourite Mick Kenny
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 3:59 PM

    Here’s the link for the petition for the government to invest in our children early years education, please support, sign and share https://www.change.org/p/enda-kenny-respect-value-and-resource-all-areas-of-early-childhood-education-and-care

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael cunnane
    Favourite Michael cunnane
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 8:10 AM

    Childcare costs….like paying two mortgages.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Doyle
    Favourite Eugene Doyle
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 7:36 AM

    The problem is…..it is election spin!!!

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stuart Keogh
    Favourite Stuart Keogh
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 10:02 AM

    Course it is, it’s the same government that threatened to cut child benefit if we didn’t sign up to IW, “but childcare services are important to them” pffffft

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nobby Donnelly
    Favourite Nobby Donnelly
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 7:17 AM

    Still early – i thought the headline was about making irish children more adorable..

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jennie
    Favourite Jennie
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 9:08 AM

    That made me smile this morning. Thank you

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute selita
    Favourite selita
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 9:36 AM

    The first thing they need to do is look at the childcare subvention scheme and community childcare.

    Why oh why are the government subsidising childcare for those who choose not to work.
    Yes I know there will be do-gooders who will say the child needs it, that maybe these parents are looking for work etc. there is millions wasted, I work in the community sector and as a working parent there is nothing that drives me mad than meeting parents (who choose NOT to work) leaving their kids off at crèche a few mornings a week, so that they get ‘a break’ and pay between €20-€30(and complain having to pay this) for the privilege as the government subsidises this. Yet I have to pay full crèche fees of a grand and pay tax. While there are numerous families struggling to pay bills and childcare, there are huge numbers of subsidised crèche places being taking up by parents who do not work or train and do not want to!!

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rakel
    Favourite Rakel
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 10:57 AM

    Selita, maybe the fact that some people ‘choose’ to stay at home and take responsibility for the majority of their childs care should be praised and not criticised. Of course people who do this have less money and that is why they need subsidised fees, or are they simply not entitled to a ‘break’ because they don’t put their child in crèche for 8+ hours a day and subscribe to a societal norm that is about as anti-family as it gets!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rakel
    Favourite Rakel
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 11:00 AM

    Caring for a child/family is very much work as you should know. So sick of people undervaluing the role of the parent in the home.

    14
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Henry Fleming
    Favourite Henry Fleming
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 11:15 AM

    Rakel, looks like you completely missed the point made!!

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rakel
    Favourite Rakel
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 12:12 PM

    No I see her point Henry, and have no problem with the cost of childcare coming down for working families, but I didn’t like her comments in relation to parents who don’t work!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mammy
    Favourite mammy
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 1:54 PM

    But how are they going to go and buy their breakfast rolls and Johnny blues without having to share with the chizzlers?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute selita
    Favourite selita
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 4:35 PM

    I am not undervaluing the stay at home parent, it is something I would aspire to be!!! Rakel I am talking about parents (both) who CHOOSE NOT to work and have no intention of working, having numerous kids….claim social welfare benefits, social housing etc. Parents not wanting to work and putting there child into a crèche 20-25 hours per week is hardly looking after their children? if I didn’t have to work I wouldn’t have my kids in crèche, why would I? as a working mother when do I get a break, im up at 6am, kids feed and clothed, dropped off, in work run of my feet, work through lunch so I can get out early, pick up kids, spend time with them, make dinner, bed time routine, clean up and finally sit down at 10pm and off to bed at 10.30, woken at least once a night by my baby.
    I HAVE to work in order to keep a roof over my kids head, if I gave up work we would lose our home, I cant sell as we are in negative equity, I would love a large family, but that is not possible.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute martintim
    Favourite martintim
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 7:47 AM

    Anyone who believes them needs their head examined, they’ll make the price higher with some kind of creche tax if anything

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alison Kenny
    Favourite Alison Kenny
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 7:58 AM

    And it will only apply to crèches even if you have a childminder through the tax system. Seems fair, not!!!

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip
    Favourite Philip
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 11:59 AM

    Those that choose to look after their own children rather than get some stranger to look after them.

    What help are they getting?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Snorre N Skalagrimmerson
    Favourite Snorre N Skalagrimmerson
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 9:58 AM

    Pure spin by the anti family anti people FG/LAB JUNTA

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute deerhounddog
    Favourite deerhounddog
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 8:30 AM

    Pune spin.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute deerhounddog
    Favourite deerhounddog
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 8:34 AM

    Pure spin

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richie Rice
    Favourite Richie Rice
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 8:25 AM

    What else would it be, soak it up Pixies.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Live Long
    Favourite Live Long
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 10:14 AM

    Child care should be more affordable but not on the backs of the tax payer, we pay enough as it is to support other peoples children.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sian O Sullivan
    Favourite Sian O Sullivan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 10:47 AM

    So are you suggesting everyone should fill out a little form every month indicating what their tax should be spent on ???

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Kenny
    Favourite Mick Kenny
    Report
    Jan 14th 2015, 4:02 PM

    these are the future tax payers who will be paying into you pension and elderly care, try to see the big picture.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds