UNDER new Covid restrictions passed into law last night in the Dail, a priest can now be fined, or imprisoned, or both, for saying Mass in public. The same applies to any minister of religion who holds a public act of worship. This is drastic, draconian and unacceptable and must raise questions about the Constitutionality...
In the Republic of Ireland right now, people cannot attend public worship. The only other region in Europe with similar restrictions at the time of writing appears to be Wales. NPHET regards public worship as “less important” in the context of a pandemic. Everywhere in Europe and in America, there are restrictions on how many...
The assisted suicide Bill currently before the Dail is being justified on the grounds that no-one should have to suffer ‘unbearable pain’. But this concept is extremely elastic and can and has been interpreted in the most extensive manner in other jurisdictions to include even ailments absolutely commonplace in old age, as this blog will...
Last night the Dáil voted in favour of moving Gino Kenny’s assisted suicide bill past second stage of the legislation process, and to committee stage. Several senior Government figures voted in favour of it including Leo Varadkar, Helen McEntee, Stephen Donnelly and Simon Harris. Supporters of the bill claim it will be introduced with strict...
Last night the Dail debated Gino Kenny’s assisted suicide bill. But it wasn’t a debate because only one TD opposed to the bill was allowed to speak, namely Peter Fitzpatrick, and he was given only four minutes. In other words, 71 out of the 75 minutes allotted went to speakers who support the bill. Other TDs opposed to...
Last week, the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, published ‘The Good Samaritan’, a letter approved by the Pope decrying euthanasia. It is very timely from the point of view of the assisted suicide bill currently before the Dáil. Some form of it could be passed within the next 12-18 months. The document describes euthanasia...
At their press conference on Wednesday, NPHET members were asked why their advice is that public worship should not take place under Level 3 of the Government’s living with Covid plan. Dr Ronan Glynn said their view is that activities considered “less important” to society “in the context of a pandemic” should cease in that level....
By Eamonn Gaines The renewed lockdowns in Ireland, and in the UK, are causing more worry than the original ones back in March. The draconian punishments handed out by the police and others are causing more disquiet as well. Now the attempts at “Track and Trace” are being criticised too. These apps are intended...
HOW many Catholics were attending Mass before the pandemic began? How many have returned in the meantime? How many will come back when this is all over? These were some of the vital questions asked in a new Iona Institute poll conducted by Amarach Research. Here are the main findings: 27pc of Catholics were attending...
Another ban on public worship has been imposed in Dublin. It is the only city in Europe, and certainly the only capital city, where no-one will be allowed to take part in public worship this weekend, including cities where the infection rate is much higher than in Dublin. Other countries judge such a move to...
