On a serious note…

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  Lottie said,

  It’s a very difficult time for the Catholic Church but an even more difficult time for the Irish people. The Catholic faith is an integral part of their community and society, it is damaging a lot more than religious covenant.

  I had a discussion with my Irish Catholic inlaws about it yesterday, Easter Sunday, the most prominant day in the Irish Catholic calendar. It is hard on them.

  Father in Law feels that many Irish people will feel liberated that they no longer have to hold these people, people they have known for years to be bad and corrupt, in high esteem and be apologetic to them. Mother in Law is horrified but not surprised by revelations – everyone’s known it was going on for a long time.

  Lets not forget though that not all Catholic Priests are bad and that the religion as a whole is not bad. There are many good Catholic people and good Catholic priests and many many good Irish people who deserve to see their way clear of this mess and retain the faith that means a lot to them.

  I’m not Catholic – Thank God!!

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  angelsandurchinsblog said,

  Perhaps their faithful leaving in droves will convince them that most of the world isn’t prepared to tolerate their unusual attitude to ‘morality’. Easter Monday, and its message of rebirth, might be a good starting day.

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  Polly said,

  I abandoned it when my father died in 2006- I honestly couldn’t believe that any higher power could allow it to happen, and I still have only been back for major events under duress.
  I still hope now, that my cousins won’t stay in the Church unless they have to, I have become so totally disillusioned, and am still looked down upon by certain (older) members of my family.
  Your outlook on the religion so perfectly reflects mine, it’s uncanny. I just can’t believe how many people still believe in what they stand for.

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  aims said,

  Although the Catholics are being exposed as the worst of the worst – and perhaps they are – but there are the same sort of people in every religion. They just haven’t been caught.

  I feel sad that religion looks at my brother as something that is vile and dirty and beneath them and definitely going to hell. Just yesterday my aunt of 91 years died. When she turned 90 she found out about my brother being gay and living with his partner. She never spoke to him again. He hadn’t changed in all the 56 years she had known him. But the change in her hurt him terribly hard. Yay for religion that brainwashes their flock.

  Perhaps the Catholics will awaken the world to the evil that lies beneath the surface of all religions.

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  deludedwoman said,

  As an irish catholic, raised in all the pomp and ritual of the church in the 60s and 70s, educated by the nuns, in a working class community, I watched the clip above with a lump in my throat. I am sad for those poor abused children, but also sad for those nuns and priests who were good and did good – and who went into the religeous orders for the very best of intentions. Unfortunately the society in which they chose to pursue their vocaction was a corrup society, run by men who wanted Ireland to stay in a state of ignorance and ‘innocence’. Good for you Nell – it has needed to be said for a very long time. And, many older people in Irelanmd feel the same as Brenda – my mother has fallen out with her sister (both in their 80s) as her sister feels the same as Brenda. My mother is horrified and is just holding on to her faith by a thread. Oh, and don’t get me started on the Pope…..

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  Froginthefield said,

  Excellent post Bea.
  I took Communion in a Catholic Church on Easter Sunday and looked around at the congregation wondering if they are all really as nice as they seem. I’m not Catholic but I’m now God-Mother to a beautiful baby girl who will be raised as Catholic.
  So many Catholics must feel devastated at the revalations of abuse and some Catholics deserve hanging for allowing known offenders to stay in positions of trust with children.

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  EmmaK said,

  I’ve just given you a Kreativ Blogger Award. Please pop over to mine to collect it and answer my meme. Please pretty please xx

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  Victoria said,

  Thanks for raising this. I try to teach my three young children tolerance and acceptance of other people’s beliefs but this is a tough one. I’m not Catholic & many times I have come across articles and issues that have made my head spin and my blood boil. Why must the predominant regulatory mechanism be driven by fear and judgment ? Scary stuff.

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  Karla said,

  I am disappointed thast Dulwichmum has jumped on this Catholic-bashing bandwagon. I think no other Catholics have replied to this post because they feel that her non-comprehension and Daily-Mail- style bigotry is not worthy of response. I note from Duwichmum’s recent post on the EDF that she is also a self-styled authority on the medical profession, as well as the Catholic Church. Dulwichmum, you used to be funny, but now maybe now it’s time you did soemething else.

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  Froginthefield said,

  I’m disappointed that Karla is so scathing and judgemental.
  Let me tell you, Dulwichmum knows just what she’s talking about regarding the medical profession and the Catholic Church.
  Dulwichmum is a kind and sensitive person and thoroughly entitled to her own opinion on her own Blog.

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  Blue Sky said,

  Don’t mind Karla, she’s just lost her sense of humour. And as far as I can tell, you are not bashing Catholics, just certain edicts and actions of the Catholic Church hierarchy x

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  Karla said,

  Dear Frog, “scathing” – you say that like it’s a bad thing? I think Dulwichmum thinks it’s a good thing! Hasn’t she based a whole blog on it?? And dear Blue Sky, thank you for assuming that I had a sense of hunour to lose in the frst place! And “not bashing Catholics, just certain edicts and actions of the Catholic Church hierarchy” – yes I see the joke! And yes Frog, of cousre she is entitled to say what she thinks on her own blog! (We have freedom of speech after all, not like some peoples who issue death threats to Danish cartoonists! and Dutch film-makers.) I suppose what I am really trying to say (after all this time but I didn’t dare look) is that I am very pleased Dulwichmum didn’t stike me off her mailing list, because of course she is always relevant and funny ( well most of the time anyway!). I was a little tired and emotional when I posted, and if she hasn’t seen a copy of the Archbishop’s letter I can get one to her, but I am sure her MIL Brenda has already shown it to her. Of course as a Catholic I was more than a little upset by the whole thing. Of course any abuse is unforgivable, but the absue is a tiny, tiny part of an huge organisation which works towards good, all over the world. So I just think that when you’re “a columnist”, like Dulwichmum, you don’t really give a toss what people like me (“punters”) post in re;ply, you just get on with your column! I know she is standing for election, but with respect, I’m not voting for her unless she can get me an Anya Hindmarch! And no, not a plastic one!

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