tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post3624755290498359302..comments2024-01-13T10:13:06.558+00:00Comments on PaddyAnglican: Coming down from the High Moral Ground in Northern IrelandStephen Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15130425037498473898noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-20487246044216347542010-01-13T12:27:02.372+00:002010-01-13T12:27:02.372+00:00I want not approve on it. I assume polite post. Pa...I want not approve on it. I assume polite post. Particularly the title attracted me to study the whole story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-4599192965648309352010-01-11T22:27:14.278+00:002010-01-11T22:27:14.278+00:00I'm old enough to know better, but yet again I...I'm old enough to know better, but yet again I've been suckered by the "Carefully drafted statement".<br />it's not as though we haven't had enough of them down South of late.<br />i have an aversion to kicking someone when he/she's down, but as this story unfolds its obvious that such sentiments were wasted.Cromdubhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11319028147435107598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-48131919881612017462010-01-10T22:51:31.672+00:002010-01-10T22:51:31.672+00:00Thanks Bock - couldn't have put it better. Joh...Thanks Bock - couldn't have put it better. John seems to be stuck in a time warp - most of us, DUP excepted, have thankfully moved on.Stephen Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15130425037498473898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-72489888773722658032010-01-10T22:39:06.837+00:002010-01-10T22:39:06.837+00:00In my opinion, the fact that deValera and his cabi...In my opinion, the fact that deValera and his cabinet stood outside the church was an abdication of their civil responsibilities and their duties as men. The fact that they pandered to the dictation of the RC church says more about them than it does about the Catholic hierarchy. <br /><br />After all, a dog will bark, and Rome will issue its edicts. We all have a choice whether or not to jump at the sound of either.Bock the Robberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06670303189589399025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-51311275275575902082010-01-10T22:09:11.837+00:002010-01-10T22:09:11.837+00:00Paddy Anglican, At the Funeral Service of Douglas...Paddy Anglican, At the Funeral Service of Douglas Hyde at St Ptrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Eamon De Valera and the members of his govermment stood outside the Cathedral. Why? Because their Church - the Roman Catholic Church- did not allow their members to attend Protestant Services. What a mark of direspect to the memory of a great Irishman. <br /><br />It was until after Vatican II that the ban was lifted. It was some years that RCs gradually began to attned Protestant Funeral Services in Church. I can remember RCs standing outside the entances gates of of Protestant Churches while the Funeral Servce was in progress. Some may have ventured inside the graveyard for the Committal but took good care to stand at a distance from the graveside. This is fact.<br /><br /> And what about the injustice of the Ne Temere Decree? A Decree that has emptied Protestant Church in the Rpublic over a period of some 70+ years! <br /><br />It pains me even to think on such matters, but facts are facts.St. Mary's Parish Church, Belfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06521099240150748017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-27493448722126340392010-01-10T15:37:02.676+00:002010-01-10T15:37:02.676+00:00You might like to see Winter views of Churches fro...You might like to see Winter views of Churches from Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland:<br /><br />http://catholicheritage.blogspot.com/2010/01/sixteenth-monthly-mass-in-diocese-of.htmlRecorderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04588650483534846682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-58582928469044674432010-01-10T00:08:45.876+00:002010-01-10T00:08:45.876+00:00Stephen I'm inclined to agree.
When Peter R...Stephen I'm inclined to agree. <br /><br />When Peter Robinson gave that interview, I felt every possible sympathy for him as a man, even though, on a personal level, I could never find anything to like about the man.<br /><br />However, on mature reflection, so to speak, the interview does seem to have been stage-managed, and what's worse, it seems to confirm my initial instincts that there isn't an ounce of human warmth in him.<br /><br />He seems to have been well matched with Iris, whose reptilian personality has been laid exposed for all of us to examine in recent days.<br /><br />Is it a fundamentalist Christian thing? I can't understand their tight-arsed atttitude to everything. Is there no joy at all in their lives?<br /><br />But anyway, this is all irrelevant to our daily existence. It matters nothing who Iris conducts liaisons with. What matters is whether the precarious Northern fudge can hold together in the face of icy-hearted Presbyterian judgement and if Peter Robinson can cling to power.<br /><br />What's the alternative?<br /><br />Can Sinn Féin do business with Sammy the Creationist Nudist?Bock the Robberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06670303189589399025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-86708604733490547452010-01-09T10:16:59.135+00:002010-01-09T10:16:59.135+00:00Brian - I think you missed my point - I agree re p...Brian - I think you missed my point - I agree re personal affairs being personal and I said as much in my post - but then went on to point out that Iris saw fit to condemn the personal and private behaviour of others using her political office as a mouthpiece. She was the one who moved things into the public sphere. The potential damage that she did to people struggling with their sexuality is something we can never quantify. Because of that I feel my comments were entirely justified<br /><br />Cromdubh - I think you have blinded by the Peter Robinson spin - that interview was a cool calculated and cynical ploy - no more no less. I too worry about NI politics but I think PR's usefulness has expiredStephen Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15130425037498473898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-47077734854759921632010-01-09T10:04:40.943+00:002010-01-09T10:04:40.943+00:00I must be honest to say I have absolutely no likin...I must be honest to say I have absolutely no liking for the politics of the DUP and the Robinson. I might was I don't even understanding of them.<br /><br />However, I must say that their personal lives are personal and although I am naturally fascinated with the "soap opera" style revelation - I don't think it is right for me or anyone outside of the Robinson family to get involved in sorting out their personal affairs.<br /><br />I always understood that the christian message was to "love your enemy". Maybe I am a christian aferall :-OBrian O'Donovan (BOD)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10652457466416412942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-69523426408566984082010-01-08T01:14:24.794+00:002010-01-08T01:14:24.794+00:00I think you jumped into this a little precipitousl...I think you jumped into this a little precipitously.<br /> I am no DUP follower, but I felt nothing but sympathy for Peter Robinson as I watched his interview.<br />Even SF held their fire, of course though they have their own dirty laundry.<br />The Unionist community has not been best served by their leadership over the years but they still need a leader. I cannot see an alternative to Robinson on the horizon and I feel nothing should be done or said to weaken his position any further.<br />The Robinsons will sort themselves eventually but the NI Assembly is all we've got.Cromdubhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11319028147435107598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-68183157630188973182010-01-07T23:27:57.409+00:002010-01-07T23:27:57.409+00:00What a revelation on Spotlight! My goodness who sa...What a revelation on Spotlight! My goodness who said Northern politicians were boring - but this is surely the end of the road for his career if there were such conflicts of interest apart from all the prurient interest in the affair. The wheeling and dealing was awful and so compromised. She was clearly not a well person - not sure all this washing of linen publicly is a good idea personally for them both. What pride comes before a fall.Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116884676266268214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-4672255469081514482010-01-07T23:19:54.750+00:002010-01-07T23:19:54.750+00:00Indeed - considering his position I reckonIndeed - considering his position I reckonStephen Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15130425037498473898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-69120064652361503622010-01-07T23:12:34.590+00:002010-01-07T23:12:34.590+00:00well now, that was an interesting Spotlight progra...well now, that was an interesting Spotlight programme wasn't it? Holy hell. She was obviously out of her mind. And I think her husband will be obviously out of a job......Toast Apparitionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811375491089050446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-37993615334509512892010-01-07T20:42:41.987+00:002010-01-07T20:42:41.987+00:00Catherine - I suspect you are right re the DUP and...Catherine - I suspect you are right re the DUP and ecumenism - they consider it a dirty word!<br /><br />Janet - Agreed re DUP they are totally wrapped up in their own egocentric existence!<br /><br />Ó Rothláin - Our own Willie Walsh in Killaloe springs to mind but sadly retiring<br /><br />Toast Apparition - Yes looks like their may be another angle - Spotlight tonight on UTV may reveal more?Stephen Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15130425037498473898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-49029683264745012102010-01-07T20:20:48.184+00:002010-01-07T20:20:48.184+00:00Great, thoughtful post Stephen, and what an incred...Great, thoughtful post Stephen, and what an incredible story, though I suspect, not yet the full story.Toast Apparitionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811375491089050446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-46609424856058146572010-01-07T18:59:59.620+00:002010-01-07T18:59:59.620+00:00Cardinal Cahal Daly's passing was sad. The re...Cardinal Cahal Daly's passing was sad. The real question is are there men waiting to fill the void that he leaves?Ó Rothláinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12194505360987645780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-34596312662474411312010-01-07T11:23:00.934+00:002010-01-07T11:23:00.934+00:00Spot on - I was watched in horror when the DUP sai...Spot on - I was watched in horror when the DUP said they couldn't attend the mass. When will they realise that sometimes the world is not about them. This was an opportunity to show humility, respect and they completely blew it. I too now hope that the Robinsons will be able to see that life is not black and white and that it's in the nuances and shades of grey that we are more likely to encounter God. thanks for this thoughtful post.JanetWJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-52908834017977193542010-01-07T01:29:40.955+00:002010-01-07T01:29:40.955+00:00This was indeed some revelation and I was pretty a...This was indeed some revelation and I was pretty amazed at his emotional statement - he lost the sympathy when he blamed her and magnanimously forgave her - and her statement mirrored his so I wonder did he script both? I hadn't heard them referred to as Swish Family Robinson until I saw a UTV clip and another reference on a Facebook comment. Hard not to feel a bit of schadenfreude in the light of her hatefully homophobic statements last year - very unChristian I know but then so was she! I too was horrified by the intransigence of the reps (Sammy Wilson and Arlene Foster) comments that they couldn't stay for the Mass of the Cardinal as they couldn't partake fully in the service - do you think that meant they would have taken Communion if they were able to? I can't see such hardliners wanting to take it in the RC Church with their antipathy over the years. Anyway I think they are innately anti-ecumenical. Good for the other Church reps - Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist - who found it possible to stay for the funeral mass. The DUP fundamentalists are so hardline I can't imagine what living in their society must be like. I met many good "Northern Prods" (self-styled!) over the years especially in development work and none of them were bigots or hardliners, whereas many of the fundamentalist Christians I met were Irish former/ex-catholics - nothing to beat the zeal of the convert!Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116884676266268214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-22505081725404392242010-01-07T00:38:11.658+00:002010-01-07T00:38:11.658+00:00On at least one blog I read a holier-than-thou typ...On at least one blog I read a holier-than-thou type endlessly snarks about Catholic priests abusing small boys in Ireland, as if the republic was some uniquely depraved and corrupt place.<br /><br />Recent development in N.I., mercifully on both sides of the communal divide, have shown that human frailty is fairly universal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-55391437886110393172010-01-07T00:31:23.961+00:002010-01-07T00:31:23.961+00:00Even more sobering is the fact that the DUP is act...Even more sobering is the fact that the DUP is actually somewhat to the <i>left</i> of the GOP here in the States when one considers certain domestic issues such as health care, social welfare, education and public expenditures.Daithíhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10244973908794885703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-74408951815365974272010-01-06T23:44:29.299+00:002010-01-06T23:44:29.299+00:00Donna & Ladygeekgeek - thank you for your kind...Donna & Ladygeekgeek - thank you for your kind comments<br /><br />Gary - they didn't stay for the funeral stating that they didn't feel welcome because they couldn't recieve the Mass.While all of us find this Eucharistic exclusion painful this was not the occasion to make a theological statement! If we can't be with one another in death what hope is there in life? I despair!Stephen Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15130425037498473898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-72702105400057383222010-01-06T23:33:37.753+00:002010-01-06T23:33:37.753+00:00Spot on Stephen.Spot on Stephen.ladygeekgeeknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-7584952420214170672010-01-06T23:31:17.045+00:002010-01-06T23:31:17.045+00:00An excellent personable analysis Stephen.
DonnaMcC...An excellent personable analysis Stephen.<br />DonnaMcCuskerDonna McCuskernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-21821038039854300522010-01-06T23:27:14.298+00:002010-01-06T23:27:14.298+00:00Two DUP Ministers (Sammy Wilson and Arlene Foster)...Two DUP Ministers (Sammy Wilson and Arlene Foster) were present at the funeral, being greeted by Cardinal Brady here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stepbar/4247987331/<br /><br />It's a tragedy for sure, I haven't had dealings with Mrs Robinson myself, but she is our local MP and is well thought of in the constituency. They certainly need our prayers at this difficult time.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04452898471070875871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989890166047940960.post-71977881579840877332010-01-06T23:17:18.202+00:002010-01-06T23:17:18.202+00:00Blackwatertown - It would have been more genuine a...Blackwatertown - It would have been more genuine and moving if his behaviour in recent days (vis a vis the funeral of Cardinal Daly) had shown the compassion he so obviously wants from the public - not suggesting in circumstances that he should have gone but his reps should have attended the funeral<br /><br />Robert - Too clever by half ;)Stephen Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15130425037498473898noreply@blogger.com