The Blessing Of The Engaged Couple

Admin at 2:12 pm February 10, 2015

This afternoon.

At the Shrine of Saint Valentine.

Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare, Leighlin and President of Catholic marriage service Accord, at the not at all creepy ‘blessing of the engaged couple ‘Leona Gallagher and Paul McNulty at the Shrine of Saint Valentine Whitefriar Street Church, Dublin.

New Accord poll findings, published today, claim 65 percent believe a child is “more likely to grow up happy if raised in a home with a loving mother and father”.

Bless.

Accord

(Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland)

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65 thoughts on “The Blessing Of The Engaged Couple”

Kill The Poor February 10, 2015 at 2:15 pm

Brought to you by the people who throw you off the pre marriage course if you ask too many questions about their thoughts on contraception.
1. sickofallthisbs February 10, 2015 at 2:23 pm
  
  Did that really happen?
2. David j February 10, 2015 at 2:37 pm
  
  I paid €200 for the pleasure of doing one of their painful pre-marital courses at the weekend. All the missus wants is some nice photos in a stone building on her wedding day, not a load of God crap. The course was a patronising money grab by accord. Waste of time and money for everyone.
  1. Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 2:40 pm
    
    Question, do you absolutely need to have done these courses to get married in a church? And could you not get married in a nice stone building without the church being involved?
    1. David j February 10, 2015 at 2:50 pm
      
      To get married in a Catholic church you do need to fork out the money. I defected from the church years ago using countmeout.ie so would prefer to get hitched anywhere but in a church, but herself saw a little cute looking catholic church close to where the reception and that was that… I have a business idea to buy an old church and rent it out to couples who want a civil ceremony in a nice building rather than a dull hotel function room. Someday….
      1. AlisonT February 10, 2015 at 2:54 pm
        
        You should be complaining about your future wife, not the church.
      2. Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 2:58 pm
        
        Its your wedding too David!!! :)
        
        But that is a great idea.
      3. gallantman February 10, 2015 at 3:07 pm
        
        Agreed. Accord sound like the least of your worries there.
      4. Spaghetti Hoop February 10, 2015 at 3:09 pm
        
        Ya can’t get a finer civil building than City Hall.
      5. Malta February 10, 2015 at 3:11 pm
        
        Unitarian Church, Stephen’s Green.
        
        But nice, non-church, places for a marriage ceremony are hard to come by. One hotel I visited suggested a room that was at the time being used by a local sports team for training. Another’s proposal was their garden, with no back-up in case of rain…
      6. Stephanenny February 10, 2015 at 3:19 pm
        
        There are a few deconsecrated chapels around Ireland. Lovely spots. The Clarion in Sligo has a very nice one if you don’t mind the fact that it used to be part of an asylum.
      7. David j February 10, 2015 at 3:35 pm
        
        I couldn’t find a deconscrated church anywhere near me or a suitable building in a suitable location.
        But Accord and their money gouging courses are the problem not the woman who has been dreaming of the perfect wedding since 3 years of age.
      8. Joe the Lion February 10, 2015 at 3:46 pm
        
        It is a superb idea – you fupping heathen
        
        But there is a flaw
        
        my understanding is that if a catholic church is not actually used by the catholic church anymore it is deconsecrated – so it’s not a catholic church.
      9. David j February 10, 2015 at 3:51 pm
        
        Sorry, my idea is that people want a non-religious wedding in a church for the traditions, pictures, ambiance etc. so there would be nothing catholic about it. I know a few people who wanted a church wedding without the religion bit, myself included, so you would have a civil ceremony in a church. Its just a thought.
      10. Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 3:52 pm
        
        “the woman who has been dreaming of the perfect wedding since 3 years of age.”
        
        Thats really weird.
      11. David j February 10, 2015 at 4:18 pm
        
        I agree Don, I agree. But have you ever met any women? They are all like that?!!
      12. Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 4:20 pm
        
        Met one? I am one! I stopped thinking about my princess bridey lovely wedding when I stopped playing with Barbie dolls.
        
        Good luck Dave. You might need it….
      13. Spaghetti Hoop February 10, 2015 at 4:22 pm
        
        ‘Perfect wedding’ or ‘perfect marriage’?
        
        Three is a tad young to be worrying about either.
      14. Caroline February 10, 2015 at 4:28 pm
        
        I’m really warming to Accord right now.
      15. Clampers Outside! February 10, 2015 at 4:34 pm
        
        You ever seen a 3 year old talk about weddings…. they’re not worried. They just tell you (demand) how it should be !
      16. scottser February 10, 2015 at 5:09 pm
        
        there ya go..
        
        http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Property/Residential/8+former+churches+to+buy+from+%E2%82%AC189%2C500/id/89127228-1884-fe37-d2a9-02e746237023
    2. B Bop February 11, 2015 at 9:42 am
      
      Nopes, the church does not require that pre marriage course shenanigans.
      We had a very progressive & rational priest 10 years ago say Don’t bother & allowed me to vito all silliness in marriage vows&ceremony about obeying husband & having babies etc, lighting same candle blah blah.
      Everyone happy…superb Donnybrook church venue & we don’t partake in the whole Sky Fairy Tales!
  2. Ding February 10, 2015 at 3:02 pm
    
    Friends of mine done their Catholic Church pre marriage courses in Vancouver last year.
    “You know your wife is ready for sex if their vagina is warm to touch”
    “It will produce a liquid somewhere between phlegm and saliva.”
    1. The Old Boy February 10, 2015 at 3:29 pm
      
      I can’t imagine that they would even pretend to be so naive about the near universality of pre-marital sex. How do you keep a straight face during that?
      1. Lorcan Nagle February 10, 2015 at 4:58 pm
        
        I managed to keep a straight face when the priest on our one said he loved kids, with no hint of self-awareness at all.
    2. Mani February 10, 2015 at 3:46 pm
      
      Vulvic?
    3. Michael February 11, 2015 at 8:19 am
      
      … so don’t take no for an answer!?
  3. p February 10, 2015 at 5:18 pm
    
    Way to stay strong on the whole issue anyway! Claim you want nothing to do with the Catholic Church and then capitulate as soon as you (or your soon-to-be-wife) fancy getting married in a Catholic Church. But at least you’ve gone online and complained about it… so that’s the same as taking a stand…….
  4. newsjustin February 10, 2015 at 6:31 pm
    
    We did one run by the diocese. It was a perfectly fine, worthwhile experience.
    
    This little ceremony seems nice. Not creepy.
    1. Neilo February 11, 2015 at 8:44 am
      
      Curse your empathy and common sense! These people are monsters and must be destroyed…
      1. Don Pidgeoni February 11, 2015 at 9:48 am
        
        Hardly common sense to have someone with no relationship experience give your relationship advice. Or sex advice.
fluffybiscuits February 10, 2015 at 2:19 pm

On their facebook page they said culture seems obsessed with the commodification of children

Is this like the religious orders who illegally sold kids for thousands in the 50s,60s and 70s?
Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 2:20 pm

I doubt that’s a representative sample
Nialler February 10, 2015 at 2:21 pm

65% believe a child is happier growing up in a home with a loving mother and father, I wonder was the poll worded in such a way or “home with loving parents”.
1. Small Wonder February 10, 2015 at 2:27 pm
  
  The question could be interpreted as opposed to parents who are unloving. In which case – only 65%??!
  1. John E. Bravo February 10, 2015 at 2:35 pm
    
    35% were raised exclusively by kicks to the head from a deranged farm animal and it didn’t do them any harm.
  2. jeremy kyle February 10, 2015 at 3:20 pm
    
    Exactly. Not a very insightful statistic.
    
    So people think children being raised by loving parents is a good thing.
    
    You don’t say?
2. Dubloony February 10, 2015 at 2:59 pm
  
  As opposed to….? Children needs to be surrounded by people who care, including parents, neighbors, teachers, aunts, uncles. If you can’t have 2 parents, having a wider network sure does help.
ahjayzis February 10, 2015 at 2:25 pm

The grace and solemnity of this beautiful blessing ceremony of a man and his womb in the presence of the holy box of old corpse by the single, virginal, middle aged marriage, sex & children expert has made me reconsider my quest to destroy marriage, mammys and daddys.
1. Anne February 10, 2015 at 2:32 pm
  
  Ha.
  65% of people polled, believe polls are a pile of cow dung.
  
  Is it the 15th yet?
  Sick of this horsesh*te already.
  1. Mikeyfex February 10, 2015 at 2:34 pm
    
    Drinks in town Saturday night, Anne? We won’t mention the V word. I’m sure I wont be able to handle you but I’ll give it the old college try.
    1. Spartacus February 10, 2015 at 2:50 pm
      
      You haven’t seen how she can drink, have you?
      1. Mikeyfex February 10, 2015 at 2:51 pm
        
        Is she barred from Costello’s?
      2. Anne February 10, 2015 at 3:08 pm
        
        Very sensibly till things start to get a little wobbly.. I’ll have you know.
    2. Anne February 10, 2015 at 3:03 pm
      
      Old college try huh.. mmmmm.
      
      Ah I’m only all guff online Mikey.. You’d be well able I’m sure.
      I’m going for a big hike on Sat to forget all about it… another time maybe. :)
      1. Mikeyfex February 10, 2015 at 3:10 pm
        
        Chicken ;)
        
        I’ve a big game Sunday morning anyway so anyway it’s not like I care anyway
      2. Anne February 10, 2015 at 3:20 pm
        
        I amn’t not! Never.
        
        Won’t be back till late to be giving the old college try my full energy. Shwear.
        
        Anyways, good luck at the game! Are ya hot shtuff in your soccer gear? mmmmm :)
  2. scottser February 10, 2015 at 3:23 pm
    
    just for you anne..
    
    http://tescovaluecards.com/valentines-day-card/
    1. Anne February 10, 2015 at 3:47 pm
      
      Thanks, but you can stick valentines cards up your hairy hoop.. I want romance every day.. failing that, a good lashin’ now and then.
      1. scottser February 10, 2015 at 5:11 pm
        
        what, a tesco value valentine card not good enough for ya? you’ll never get a man with that attitude..
      2. Anne February 10, 2015 at 7:05 pm
        
        I know shur.. might as well just get me a few cats and accept these things.
fluffybiscuits February 10, 2015 at 2:26 pm

Cock in a frock lectures on marriage
1. Mani February 10, 2015 at 3:06 pm
  
  Panti?
  1. fluffybiscuits February 10, 2015 at 3:49 pm
    
    touche
JimmytheHead February 10, 2015 at 2:26 pm

Lovely gaf that Whitefriars, shame about the landlord
Stephanenny February 10, 2015 at 3:22 pm

Any chance of a link to that survey?
1. Stephanenny February 10, 2015 at 3:28 pm
  
  Ok, I found it myself. No information given about how poll respondents were sought that I can see.
  
  http://www.catholicbishops.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ACCORD-Research-briefing-10-February-2015.pdf
  1. Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 3:34 pm
    
    Appears to be an online survey but sure its grand cause its weighted to be representative of Ireland
2. Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 3:29 pm
  
  Well, they didnt mention the bit about how fewer than one in three people think “couples who have children ought to be married”.
Barry the Hatchet February 10, 2015 at 3:29 pm

This has to be one of the stupidest statistics I’ve ever seen. Do polling companies actually have any responsibility to carry out proper research, or do they just take people’s money and ask whatever questions they’re told to?

For anyone who’s interested in more detailed (though still stupid) results/questions see the full report here: http://www.catholicbishops.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ACCORD-Research-briefing-10-February-2015.pdf
1. Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 3:58 pm
  
  do they just take people’s money and ask whatever questions they’re told to?
  
  Yes
Stephanenny February 10, 2015 at 3:35 pm

Respondents also appear to have been given this statement and asked the usual slightly agree/agree/disagree etc type question. “a child is more likely to grow up happy if raised in a home with a loving mother and
father” I’d love to know what the “more likely” applied to. “more likely” than what? Were they given a comparison? Did the respondents feel the “loving” part was important or the “mother and father” part?
1. Clampers Outside! February 10, 2015 at 4:11 pm
  
  Beat me to it :)
Clampers Outside! February 10, 2015 at 4:10 pm

The question is rather basic and I’m not surprised with the outcome when it is phrased as: –

% of 18+ Irish adults who agree/disagree* with the statement:
“a child is more likely to grow up happy if raised in a home with a loving mother and father”

Who the fupp is going to disagree with that in fairness…. but 35% did.

But “more likely” than what? WHAT !

Is it …. if raised in a home with a whoring mother and alcoholic father?
Is it…. if raised in a home with a loving priest?
Is it…. two turn tables and a microphone?

What I would be more concerned about is the 35% that disagree.
1. Don Pidgeoni February 10, 2015 at 4:35 pm
  
  Nah, they probably just get that kids can grow up just fine without a mum or dad, or with 2 dads, or 2 mums, or their grandad, or their aunt or whoever, so long as they are loved and looked after.

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65 thoughts on “The Blessing Of The Engaged Couple”