Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
CAMPAIGNERS ON BOTH sides of the marriage referendum debate would be forgiven for having canvass-fatigue at this stage, but they show no signs of slowing down.
Today marked the last full day of campaigning and several politicians were out and about, mainly calling for a Yes vote.
Fine Gael’s canvass at the Stephen’s Green Luas stop didn’t go quite to plan – the area was much quieter than usual as the tram’s service was suspended for a while this morning.
A couple of hours later Sinn Féin’s finest stopped by the same area in Dublin city centre to take some time to inspect the hard-to-spot Yes Equality bus.
Don’t worry, it was stationary at all times.
Gerry Adams said the “line of the campaign” belongs to Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris, who walked into a mart and told farmers ”10% of you guys are gay, come out and vote”.
Ferris quipped back: “But they wouldn’t tell me who the 10% were.”
The Sinn Féin leader gave an impassioned plea for people to vote Yes.
“It’s all down to the people. Sinn Féin has been clear that we’re calling for a Yes vote. There have been aspects of the debate that have been misleading, disingenuous and offensive but I think the majority of people have engaged in debate in a respectful and tolerant way.
The highlight of this debate has been listening to people who may be gay or lesbian, coming out, standing up and talking about their experiences in very human and personal way – which I think takes great courage. It’s a sign of our society and our coming to terms with all these issues of equality.
When asked if any member of Sinn Féin has received hate mail due to their support of the referendum, Adams said “not to my knowledge”, but pointed out: “We do receive hate mail as a matter of course.”
However, he said that while canvassing for the Carlow Kilkenny by-election he met a male Sinn Féin voter “of a certain vintage” who was “genuinely upset” with the party’s position.
Apart from that, he said people have been largely supportive of a Yes vote.
We’ve a huge opportunity to make an awful lot of people happy and wouldn’t that be a good thing to do on Friday?
After a few words with the press, Adams and co all hopped aboard the bus, with Mary Lou McDonald starting an impromtu version of “The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round…”
Ever thinking on her feet, McDonald turned the second line into: “The people on the bus vote Yes, Yes, Yes, Tá, Tá, Tá.” The rest of the gang were quick to join in.
McDonald said the party is considering releasing its own single after the referendum results are announced on Saturday. Watch this space.
Of course, no Sinn Féin canvass would be complete without Adams shaking hands with a fellow bearded man:
It’s mandatory, as is a selfie:
We’ve come a long way.
Enda as a gay icon
At a press conference this afternoon Enda Kenny was asked if he thought he might become a gay icon because of his support for same-sex marriage, to which he responded: “I have no intention of becoming a gay icon.” Shame.
Kenny said a Yes vote on Friday will “obliterate … prejudice or the irrational fear of ‘them and us’”.
Speaking at a Labour event this afternoon, Tánaiste Joan Burton said “our job is not finished yet”.
“We’ve won the argument, but we haven’t yet won the vote. There are 55 hours to go before polls close. In that time, we have to do everything we can to make sure we get that Yes vote out.”
“This is not just a social issue, though it is a vitally important one. It’s about the kind of Irish society we want to present to the world.
“Will it be the kind of open, tolerant, inclusive society that treats its citizens equally and reaps the economic rewards of that equality? Will we take the next confident step forward towards a more just and caring national community? Will we stand together and ensure equality of love before the law?,” Burton stated.
An interview with Burton will appear on TheJournal.ie later this evening.
Yesterday, Fianna Fáil and the Anti-Austerity Alliance held press conferences calling for a Yes vote. The Green Party and Renua Ireland leader Lucinda Creighton have also both spoken out in favour of the referendum.
Meanwhile, Mothers and Fathers Matter is urging people to vote No – saying the implications of the referendum have not been fully thought through.
However let us not forget that former Pope Benedict is responsible for “Crimen sollicitationis”, the Vatican’s officials secret guide for covering up child sexual abuse.
This shameful document should not be forgotten. Every Catholic needs to know about this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimen_sollicitationis?wprov=sfti1
@SouperArlene:
That was 10 mins I’ll never get back, anyway straight from the page you just linked:
“There is no basis to assume that the Holy See envisioned this process to be a substitute for any secular legal process, criminal or civil. It is also incorrect to assume, as some have unfortunately done, that these two Vatican documents are proof of a conspiracy to hide sexually abusive priests or to prevent the disclosure of sexual crimes committed by clerics to secular authorities.”
Ah yes I thought a top secret, Vatican child abuse guide seemed a bit much alright. You’re tin foil hat is on a bit tight.
@SouperArlene: I am very curious to see where in this document you can back up your false claim? That is not to say the church has not covered up abuse – clearly it has – but this document is not some secret memo on how to cover up abuse. It is rather the opposite.
Oh my God Jimmy and Paul Whitehead I cant believe you’re defending this document.
It imposes an oath of secrecy on the child victim, the priest dealing with the allegation and any witnesses. Breaking that oath means excommunication from the Catholic Church.
So in other words, if the child does not keep quiet about the abuse, he has to go to hell according to their damnable false doctrine.
How anyone can defend this is beyond belief.
Good luck to you with your dying religion.
@SouperArlene: I’m defending no-one I’m only calling out your bullsh*t. Have you actually read the link you posted? Read the section on trial confidentiality and get back to me..you are twisting the whole thing to suit your narrative
@SouperArlene: There are many things wrong with your post. The document you refer to was approved by Pope John XXIII and was nothing to do with Pope Benedict.
Did you read the document? It’s clear you did not.
@SouperArlene: Just pointing out that this document is not what you describe it to be. You clearly have never read it in its entirety. You are however right in some aspects of how the church has dealt with abuse by cover up and imposed silence – I am just saying this is not the document that you claim it to be.
“Retired Former Pope” – I didn’t realise ‘Former Pope’ was an actual position. Surely it’s just Former Pope???
@John McSweeney: I believe the Pope formerly known as Pontiff is the politically correct term.
@Gordon Comstock: Pope Emeritus is the correct term.
@John McSweeney: The correct terminology is ‘Pope Benedict emeritus’… it means retired, but allowed to retain the title of the office.
Two “sole representatives of God on Earth” in one shot. Stunning
@Paraic: Incorrect – only one pope.
@Phillip O’Brien: Incorrect. Benedict is still a Pope. Emeritus. But he retains the title.
@Paul Whitehead: Incorrect – a poor and pope emeritus are not the same thing. Pope Emeritus Benedict can not speak ex cathedra.
Lovely photo! Can the journal confirm where I could buy a copy?
He could do with allowing married priests in remote parts of Ireland as well, retired priests covering 3 and 4 parishes at the moment.
Stay behind closed doors please
However Pope Benedict (Ratzinger) cannot deny that he was the main villain behind the notorious Vatican guide for covering up child abuse, namely: ‘Crimen sollicitationis’.
Even the Vatican acknowledges this now. In any other industry he would be in jail but for some reason he is given a free pass. He is responsible for so many crimes against children it’s mind boggling.
For more information see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimen_sollicitationis?wprov=sfti1
Oops. Apologies for posting twice.
Still, it’s not like threatening children if they tell on their abusers or anything.
@SouperArlene: Please will you look at when this document was drawn up and who signed it and who approved it and you’ll see it’s of no support to your argument at all.
When pressed, most people will admit, quite rightly in my opinion, to the acceptance of some ‘version’ of ‘god’ cum ‘spirituality’ but these two guys are evidence that the ‘blind do lead the blind’.
@Denis McClean: Did He ‘Slap’ his hand I wonder.!!
@Denis McClean: not me! In fact I think most people know in their heart of hearts it’s all codswollop but dervive some comfort from the incesting delusion that they are not just heading into a deep dark abyss of nothingness when they die.
have your say