Category Archives: Misc

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‘Holy’ Joe Humphreys, of the Irish Times

Anything unusual/unsettling in the Irish Times?

Catholic Church is one of the only institutions in Irish society that talks about fundamental values, meaning and human purpose.

On top of that, it promotes an egalitarian ethic that is highly commendable in both ambition and scope. The command to “love your neighbour as yourself” sets a moral benchmark for Christians that, despite bordering on the unattainable, is nonetheless capable of inspiring benevolence in its adherents.

What’s not to like about Jesus’s anti-capitalism? Or Pope Francis’s social conscience? Secular humanists may baulk at the theological reasoning behind the claim that “everyone is equal in the eyes of God” but they must surely observe its sentiment.

The Catholic Church also serves a particular purpose in Ireland by providing the basic unit of community. For historical reasons, the parish remains a key identifier around which sports clubs, fundraising efforts, political campaigning and educational activities typically revolve. It is also the place towards which many people gravitate to commemorate important events like birth, marriage and death.

This poses a challenge for humanist reformers. Should one try to dismantle existing community bonds in order to build a better and fairer society? Or should one work with church bodies to try to achieve the same goal?

Joe Humphreys, more at link below

Crucify HIm!

Fight!

Why Irish atheists still need the Catholic Church (Joe Humphreys, Irish Times)

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In the case of women who are told their babies may not survive outside the womb or if they do may only survive for a few days or weeks, who is anyone to define what constitutes a valid life?

There are many women who have borne babies like this and have cherished the precious short hours, days or weeks they have had with their babies.

Isn’t there something very beautiful about a woman loving a baby which may only live for a few hours so completely and unselfishly. That child will know nothing in his/her life except complete and pure love. The alternative of aborting him/her doesn’t add up in my view.

Galway West Independent candidate Tommy Roddy

Galway Independent

Thanks Fluffybiscuits

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New master of the Rotunda Hospital, Professor Fergal Malone

Of course you are.

Gareth Naughton writes:

“In his first major TV interview since taking over as master at one of the nation’s biggest maternity hospitals, Prof Fergal Malone will be joining Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show this Friday to discuss the challenges faced by medics and their patients in an increasingly under pressure health service.”

“We’ll hear his views on how the Irish health system is failing women, from those whose cancers may be missed as a result of treatment delays to the pregnant women who must travel abroad if they want to terminate unviable pregnancies, and what can be done to fix it.”

Related: Rotunda master’s comments on abortion criticised (Catherine Shanahan, Irish Examiner)

Yesterday: Climate Of Fear

The Late Late Show

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Alison O’Connor, columnist with The Irish Examiner on Prime Time last night

Last night RTÉ’s Prime Time looked at the forthcoming general election.

During the programme, Irish Examiner columnist Alison O’Connor said:

“Well, if variety is your kind of thing, this election is going to be for you. I think we’re going to see a real all-sorts Dáil, following this election. But that could feed into, possibly, an unstable situation.”

“The last few years has seen a phenomenal rise in the hard left. The way that they’ve tapped into people’s upset at the Government’s austerity policies, the way they’ve managed to bring people, tens of thousands of people out onto the street to protest. But I think, equally surprising really has been how they’ve failed to capitalise on that. There isn’t a sense that there’s going to be massive gains in the general election.”

Meanwhile, also last night…

 

Watch last night’s Prime Time in full here

Previously: The Squiggle Of Doom

Beware Of Pundits Crying Chaos

On A Right Wing And A Prayer

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Homeless charity You’re Not Alone distributing food and drinks in Dublin last night

You’re Not Alone writes:

“[Last night] we looked after 158 of our homeless friends. It was bitterly cold but at least it was not raining we had seven new volunteers so far this week which is great to see as, even with the weather getting bad, the number of people wanting to help is still increasing. A big thanks to everybody who helps and supports us – as without you all, we really would not be able to help the homeless as much as we do”

Previously: Feeding Our Friends

You’re Not Alone (Facebook)