Archbishop Martin – representing Ireland’s largest private landowner – wants someone to do something about homelessness.
— King of Iona (@KingOfIona) December 2, 2014
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin says he is concerned about “a deeply divided Dublin” (Newstalk)
(Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland)
UPDATE:
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said he is in a position to make a diocesan property available for emergency homeless accommodation
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 2, 2014
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Maybe we should build loads of gaffs in the Phoenix Park, who owns that, King? Oh wait…
get out your loaves and fishes, martin.
The utter hypocrisy of Martin.
So anyone who already owns property and land isn’t welcome in the discussion on homelessness?
..it would appear so… a bit like the Ch4 news guy who had a go at Russell Brand for renting in London… more on that little interview from last night here…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmlZWYvXMUo
He’s certainly welcome to join in, but considering he won’t be doing anything except telling other people to sort it out while the organisation he works for can easily put a huge dent in the homeless figures, it comes off a tad hypocritical.
Who paid for the property? The poor people of Ireland, ironically enough.
He looks like the guy with the shrunken head from Beetlejuice
Well, they haven’t paid up in the past have they? What makes anyone think they will now?
maybe give back some of the tidings your flock have bestowed upon you, your grace…
no? well fupp off then
*BS, i’ll accept that edit :-)
Is any of this property which the church owns suitable for homeless people?
Or what, they should convert churches to hostels?
Having said that, stories like this don’t help the Catholic Church’s image
http://www.irishnews.com/news/lay-group-criticises-amount-spent-on-bishop-s-residence-1380538
Apparently you can spell “bishopric” with a terminal “k”, how apt.
http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/Bishoprick
They actually own very little on paper now. They exported most of it to trusts after the abuse scandal/settlements/great big Irish tax payer rip off. That way they got to claim poverty when they were supposed to pay out 800 odd million in compensation. Happiness.
the “Christian” brothers in Australia disbanded rather than stump up.churches answer to homelessness probably right wing charity rather than redistribution of wealth/social housing etc.
Let’s not get carried away, I don’t thing it’s upto a church to work on the “redistribution of wealth/social housing etc.” …we have govt for that, ineffectual or not.
WWJD??
He’d lead a band of argonauts to Thrace on a quest for the Golden Fleece, no?
youre getting far too conservative in your old age clamps
He would, Mystery, he would. And then he would sell the rights to Hollywood and live it up baller styles until he died in a blaze of glory (aka in a pool of his own vomit and detritus). Ah fame….
as Dom Hélder Pessoa Câmara said, “When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist.”.what did the Vatican dictatorship do to the liberation theologists?
The old church/chapel attached to the convent in my hometown, has been converted info flats. I believe that was a ‘for profit’ exercise.
What’s he expect him to do, set up campsites? Aren’t we moving away from ceding the State’s social responsibilities to the Church? A few more hostels and refuges would be great, but that’s not going to sort out the rental market or the mortgage crisis or the social housing deficit.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/empty-housing-complex-appalling-paschal-donohoe-says-1.2021413
Please ignore that it’s Pascal Donohue commenting! :)
The ‘Food Bank’ – Daz, Frosies, Fairy
Washing powder and washing up liquid are expensive and when you are living on the breadline it doesn’t mean you stop washing your clothes altogether. I’ve been running a Foodbank for nearly three years, those thing are what we would class as ‘extras’ but they are still very much needed, after food of course.
Let’s round up all the homeless and druggies around Dublin and ship them up to Belfast.
They would love it up there.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/religious-orders-still-owe-75-of-redress-payments-for-abuse-1.1919582
For all the moaning and sniping, the church as a whole does more for the homeless than anyone here.
such as?
http://www.respond.ie/about-us/history/
Well for example, the Respond housing association was set up by the Franciscans in Waterford.
On the coal face, the Capuchin’s run Merchants Quay Homeless and Drugs Services in Dublin. Their Food Centre provides food for homeless people. The Society of St Vincent De Paul is one of the largest charities in Ireland, giving time, money and practical support (food and esb bills) to some of the poorest in our society.
They’re some examples….but I’m not sure you really want to hear them.
+1
as whole they’ve also destroyed more lives then anyone here, if we’re keeping score like..
its the way he uses this story to make you feel guilty for buying presents at xmas that irritates me. maybe we should have a press conference and shame priests about them spending lots of money on fancy wafers, wine and whatnot
Don’t forget the fancy get-ups. Those things are very expensive.
Under EU law, them fancy wafers should have a best by/use by date for the consumer.
And it is the flesh of the zombie jesus as well.
Which makes all catholics flesh eating zombies. Which explains the slow shuffling in & out, low repetitive moaning noises while in the god box, and pointless sit/stand/kneel fidgeting…
Where did they get the wealth from to provide these services from?
If their properties aren’t suitable, sell them and buy suitable ones.
They got the wealth from me – and people like me. Individual members of the Church who like what they do and are willing to share some of our (limited) surplus to help others.
It is no secret that the Church is funded by its members.
From the article linked to above:
“Speaking to Pat Kenny this morning, the Archbishop of Dublin said he is looking at opening a ‘substantial’ diocesan property to house homeless people. He revealed he’s asked his staff to work with authorities to see if the building is suitable.”
Good
It’s dangerous to fall into the trap of thinking the answer to the problem of homelessness is simply to build new homes. There are a host of unoccupied homes and other buildings around the country (and some in Dublin).
In the case of people squeezed out of the bottom of the rental market and living in Hotels/B&Bs, the answer is to have a properly functioning housing market in Dublin (where the problem seems most grave), and a social housing programme for those who simple will never be in a position to house themselves. Neither of these things should be the Church’s responsibility.
In the case of people living rough on our streets, most have substance abuse and/or mental health issues. A roof over one’s head is not an immediate fix for these problems. It may be highly desirable, but unless it’s also associate with other support services (which eg the Capuchin’s desperately try to provide in Dublin) the problems won’t be fixed.
The Church would be better off – as we all would be – demanding the Government drastically increase the number of drug rehab places in Ireland.
That sounds like sense to me.
This is really a matter for Dublin City Council to sort out, no?
I believe Fingal at least are choosing a reduction in property tax over an increase in homelessness services.