Archive for October, 2009
The Church – Contraception and Celibacy
Some people are confused as to my position on the Roman Catholic Church. Here’s the story. I was baptised and confirmed as a Catholic. I attend Mass every few weeks. I believe in the Church doctrines i.e. transubstantiation, papal infallibility, immaculate conception, virgin births and being pro-life. I have no real desire to change any of the above or any of the theological basis of the church. I do however take umbrage with two main issues – the Church ban on contraception and priestly celibacy.
Contraception
As I stated above, I am pro-life. This stance has evolved over the past number of years from a position of being neutral and even some times pro-choice to near militant pro-life. I am now at the stage in my life where I can see where there are justifications for ending a pregnancy i.e. life of the mother is at risk, and where the child if born will suffer severe pain and most certain death. Here is where I just cannot understand the Churches position. The Church is against using Abortion as a means of contraception. Therefore, the most immediate thing that should be done is the stop the high levels of unwanted pregnancies. Using a condom does not kill a foetus, it simply places a barrier thus stopping the sperm from fertilising the ovum and forming a zygote which in turn is implanted on the wall of the vagina. I dont see any killing of babies here, do you? The argument that it is stopping the natural progression of life being created is a bit of bull to be honest. Sure what happens if people cannot produce sperm or ova, should they have not been allowed to marry in the first place? St. Thomas Aquinas states that “And the end of matrimony is the begetting and upbringing of children: the first of which is attained by conjugal intercourse”.
I’m looking for help in understanding the Churches position on this matter. I really want to understand. Any devout Catholics out there to enlighten me?
Priestly Celibacy
Last week, we heard about the new Apostolic Constitution for Anglicans who wish to be in full and visible communion with the Pope . Included in this new Constitution is the ability of currently married Anglican clergy to become fully licensed Catholic priests and keep their wives. If I were a Catholic priest or indeed a Catholic seminarian, I’d be rightly annoyed at this. The church is saying we will bend our rules for Anglican converts but will remain stringent with Roman Catholics.
Let’s look at the history of the whole thing. Prior to the 11th Century, priests could be married across the Christian Churches. Following the Great Schism of 1054, the Churches of the West (Roman Catholic) and East (Orthodox) spilt due to issues regarding who was top dog so to speak. As before, priests in the Orthodox Church were allowed to marry but then could not become a Bishop. However, in the Western Church, priestly celibacy began to be enforced until such a time where it became nearly dogmatic. Some people have claimed that the Church Hierarchy was worried about church property and especially land. What would happen if a married parish priest died? Who would inherit the land However, in the 21st Century, I think there are enough legal mechanisms to allow us bypass any of these concerns, don’t ya think? The other main reason used in favour of priestly celibacy is that a priest must be free from family pressures and ties to tend to his parishioners. Again, has the Orthodox Church crumbled as a result of these pressures? Indeed, has the Anglican Church been damaged by their priests and Bishops being married? I think not.
On the above two issues, I cannot see any justification for the ban on Contraception and the enforcement of priestly celibacy.
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Dempsey presses ahead with new Drink Driving Limits
Minister for Transport and FF TD for Meath West Noel Dempsey has today published the Road Traffic Bill which will include new Blood Alcohol Concentration ( BAC)limits for provisional and experienced drivers. Included in the Bill is a reduction in the BAC limits for learner, novice and professional drivers from 80 mg/100ml to 20 mg/100ml and from 80 mg/100ml to 50 mg/100ml for all other drivers.
There seems to have been some negotiations between Minister Dempsey and the dissident FF backbenchers who were opposed to these measures last week. Those whose blood-alcohol level falls between the old and new limits will be given three penalty points rather than an automatic disqualification. The Taoiseach Brian Cowen and FG spokesperson on Road Safety Shane McEntee have both given the new measures their support.
I’m glad to see that Minister Dempsey stuck to his guns on this issue. All the hulla buloo over this in the past weeks from vested interests simply, in my opinion, can not hide the basic reason for doing this – to save lives. Some FF people I spoke to said that if more of our Ministers were as forthright and unwavering on other issues, the party wouldnt be in as much trouble as it is.
Kudos to Noel Dempsey. A Minister showing courage while under fire from back benchers who really should be thinking about the bigger picture is some thing we dont see too often. Hopefully, we will see it a lot more into the future.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bruton for President of Europe?
RTÉ are reporting that Taoiseach Brian Cowen has offered his support to the surprise candidacy of former Taoiseach and EU Amnassador to the United States, John Bruton. Before the surprise entry into the race of Mr. Bruton, the Government had officially supported the candidacy of the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. However, in recent weeks Blairs candidacy has gotten the cold shoulder from many of Europe’s leaders. The consensus is that the new President should be from one of the smaller states.
As members of the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR), Fianna Fáil are committed to supporting a Liberal for one of the top 2 positions post Lisbon ratification. Though, the chance to have an Irishman as President of the European Council is some thing which should unite all Irish political parties.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 3 so far )Hope at last? The US Economy unoffically ends worst recession in 70 years
The US Commerce Department said that the US Economy grew by 3.5%, which is marginally ahead of the initial forecast of 3.3% for the 3rd quarter. Gains were seen in such sectors as consumer spending, exports and investment in home-building. However, a higher import level was seen which dampened the real US GDP. There are still concerns about the US Commercial Property market where investment was down by 9.5%.
Overall, these are positive signs but it must be remembered that the US Government implemented a massive stimulus package in recent months. Only time will tell if the US Economy can grow on its own merit into the future.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Fianna Fáil – An All Ireland Party?
Picture the scene, April 2016…..Arbour Hill, Dublin 7
Uachtarán Fhianna Fáil and An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD is joined by Patsy McGlone MLA, Fianna Fáil Leader at Stormont. Here, they lay a wreath on behalf of all Irish people who fought and died for Irish Independence. While the names of those taking part may chanhe, the chance to see a FF Taoiseach and the leader of FF in Stormont standing side by side at Arbour Hill is a real possibility.
We are now a little over seven years away from the 100th Anniversary of what is generally accepted as the starting point for the modern Irish State – An Eirí Amach 1916. For those on the Republican side of Irish politics and by Republican, I mean all people who actively support a free, democratic and secular Irish State across the entire Island, this is a pivotal moment and a commemoration that still brings tears to many a persons eyes.
I’m going to look at the Fianna Fáil Stormont Leader and see how I believe it can come about. Before I do this, I think its important to look at what has happened in the past number of years and see what the exact position is in November 2009.
Ógra Fianna Fáil is now unequivocally an All Ireland youth group. Since 2006/2007, Ógra has been actively been recruiting members in the six counties, new cumainn have been set up in Queens University Belfast (Cumann William Drennan) and in University of Ulster (Cumann Watty Graham) The Senior Fianna Fáil leadership has now accepted this and have even gone further. Fianna Fáil fora have been set up or are about to be set up in South Armagh, South Down, Fermanagh and Antrim with the approval and blessing of the Leadership. Cynics will argue that these fora are nothing more than talking shops to keep Northern members happy. Perhaps that was the intention but remember this, once a stone starts rolling down a hill, it gathers momentum and the longer you leave it roll, the harder it will be to stop.
Having spoken to many Northern FF members over the past number of weeks, I can see the absolute determination and conviction they have with regard to this project. They will not settle for anything less than the right to vote FF in the north, to elect FF councillors and MLA’s and the chance to see FF in government in the North. Over the next 9 months, many important decisions will be made. While I have previously ruled out a merger with the SDLP, I still believe that what happens in that party has an effect on FF in the North. The current leadership battle between Alasdair McDonnell and Margaret Ritchie is not simply between pro FF and pro Labour forces. One cannot say that a victory for either will hold back or speed up Fianna Fáils move into 6 county politics. The real determining factor will be the Westminster Elections due for May 2010. I expect both Mark Durkan in Foyle and Alasdair McDonnell and Eddie McGrady in South Down. Apart from this, I cannot see any hope of an SDLP win bar West Tyrone. What Im trying to say is that the SDLP have retreated to their core areas. The joke has always been that the SDLP stood for the ‘South Down and Londonderry Party’ and unfortunately this seems to be becoming a reality. Young people north of the border are looking for a party that represents their ambitions and desires. They want a party that is supportive of Business endeavours but smart enough to realise that all people need a helping hand from time to time. Ógra currently has in excess of 250 people in Northern Ireland. While many are in university, some have already left and are now working. They yearn for party that can unite their Republican ideals and their desires for employment and prosperity. Fianna Fáil has enough talent North of the border to bring a fresh face to northern politics.
9000 Jobs to be protected by Government Scheme
Nine Thousands jobs from 560 different companies are expected to be supported by the Government’s Employment Subsidy Scheme. Costing €250 million, each company will receive €200 per week per employee under the scheme. The subsidies are available to manufacturers or international service providers employing in excess of 10 people.
The Business and Employers group, welcomed this initiative in August 20008 but would like to see it extended to a greater number of sectors. I have to agree with IBEC here. The net cost of supporting jobs in this way is far less than paying people the dole, rent allowance and other social welfare benefits. Extending it makes economic and social sense.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Mary Lou to run for Westminister in West Tyrone?
I heard through the grapevine that former Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin, and twice failed Dáil Election candidate Mary Lou McDonald is thinking about running in West Tyrone in next years Westminster Election. Currently the party’s Vice President, Mary Lou really needs to get a win under her belt. If she runs again for the Dáil and fails to take a seat, I would expect that the writing would almost certainly be on the wall for her.
The sitting MP for the constituency is Mary Lou’s predecessor as SF VP, Pat Doherty. It is expected that he will retire at the next General Election. This will be an interesting election especially if Independent candidate Kieran Deeny decides not to contest the election. He polled over 27% of the vote in 2005 and the common opinion is that most of this an SDLP vote seeing as the SDLP vote fell from over 30% in 2oo1 to less than 10% in 2005. While one would assume that any Sinn Fein candidate would hold the seat, stranger things have happened.
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Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader
I was having a conversation earlier with a fellow Fianna Fáiler on Facebook Chat and we were talking about how the Fianna Fáil party and the Government have become so intertwined. I accept that the Taoiseach and the Ministers need to be 100% focused on the country and its economic recovery. What struck us was that there was no one looking actively at the party and its needs. Yes we have a General Secretary and a large HQ apparatus but no one in the Parliamentary Party who’s first role is to make decisions quickly regarding the organisation and to ultimately prepare the party for an election.
One has to look at the British Labour party where their Deputy Leader isnt a senior Minister or even the Deputy Prime Minister. There was a competitive election in 2007 where Harriet Harmon came out triumphant.
Fianna Fáil needs to be treated as a distinct entity. Yes we are part of the Government but we have an obligation to the party also. My proposal is that their should be a Deputy Leader elected by the Parliamentary Party (ideally by the Membership but thats a long way off in my opinions) whose role would be to oversee changes in the organisation and to make sure we are ready to fight the coming election. This person needs to have the time to talk to the many hundreds of people in the party who have new ideas about how the party can change for the better and to ultimately win back supporters.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 3 so far )McDonnell to declare for SDLP Leadership today
South Belfast MP and MLA, Dr. Alasdair McDonnell is to officially announce his intention to seek the leadership of the SDLP at a press conference. The current Deputy Leader of the party will be the second candidate to declare following the decision by SDLP Minister and South Down MLA Margaret Ritchie to seek the leadership.
Dr. McDonnell, in the Irish Times today, says that he will “present himself as ‘the right leader at the right time’. He intends to concentrate on two main issue; namely the organisational reform and party finances. He believes that the SDLP can no longer ‘accept a secondary position behind Sinn Féin and the DUP’
McDonnell is a former member of Fianna Fáil from his time studying medicine in UCD and is seen as being to the forefront of the Fianna Fáil wing of the SDLP. It will be interesting to see if Alban Maginnis endorses McDonnell as expected. Maginnis is seen as being one of the leading lights of the Labour wing of the party. Having said that, Minister Ritchie is not that hostile to Fianna Fáil and did me a favour and came to debate with me and Minister Noel Dempsey in Meath in 2006.
I’d be interested to hear the views of my many SDLP friends on the above…
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Reform of Seanad Éireann
I read the Irish Independent today (don’t judge me please…there were no Irish Times in the newsagents) and there was an interesting article about Senator’s opinions on how Seanad Éireann should be reformed. I was heartened to see that a number of Fianna Fáil Senators want a change in how it is elected and about how it conducts its business.
I firmly believe that we need an Upper House. I think there is an important role for it to play and Deputy Kenny’s calls for its abolition are nothing more than populist. Deputy Kenny is playing the traditional Fine Gael game of meandering in search of column inches. So here is how I would like to see Seanad Éireann reformed!
How its Elected:
I think Noel Dempsey’ calls for a National List system has merit. I think however, it should be used in the Seanad and not the Dáil. 25 Senators should be elected a list system based on Euro Constituencies, with 5 Senators assigned to each area. The percentage vote for each party in that area would be used to decided the number of seats for that party in that area. Parties would nominate their candidates ahead of the election in order of preference. 15 Senators would be elected by members of County, City and Town Councillors from 3 panels. Five Senators would be elected by Irish citizens from across the globe with two to be elected by Irish Citizens in Northern Ireland. There would be five 3rd level Senators with a further 10 Taoiseach’s appointees.
New Role of the Seanad:
- Increased role in the scrutiny of EU legislation
- Scrutiny of Appoinments to State Agencies
- Approval for Judicial Appointments
These are just my initial thoughts. Let me know what you think?
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