Comments on: Bless Me Father, For I Have Sinned…

By: Jessica Johnson

Jessica Johnson — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:04:02 +0000

This very well written piece by Eamonn indirectly underlines Karl Marx’s theory that ‘religion is opium for the masses.’ Ever since society began, humans have looked up to other their intellectually superior peers who have in turn instilled the fear ‘of God’ in them and abused their trust. Take the priests of the 12th Century in England who were extremely well read and had advanced meteological skills. To exercise their power, they would, for example, predict a severe weather warning and tell a farmer who had not paid his taxes that his crops would perish on Tuesday. The farmer, ignorant of the priest’s alterior motives, would see him as a sort of demi-god who could do no wrong when the storm did indeed arrive. Perhaps an unnusual example, but it does highlight how these people galvanised total control over their communities. The same could be said for the goings-on in Eamonn’s posting here. Nobody who is of a religious order is ever questioned, because once they are indoctrinated into that sect they are automatically a good and trustworthy person. I believe society has a responsibility to argue that this should not be the case.

Moreover, it is not just the Christian religion that has struck fear into the hearts and minds of men and women down the ages as a means of control. Just this week, Mehmet Goran was jailed for 22 years for the honour killing of his own daughter Tulay; who fell in love with a man from the wrong side of the street. Police have now disclosed the catalogue of missed opportunities to save Tulay’s life in the weeks leading up to her death in 1999. It is possible that the establishment was scared to question a man who held his religion in such high regard because of fears of being called racist or ridiculous.

Here endeth the lesson.

By: Gill

Gill — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:56:56 +0000

Thank you for this piece Eamonn, however I believe that there were more members of the church guilty of these crimes than is being highlighted. I am sceptical that those involved are in the minority.

Even if they never raised their hand to a child or approached a child inappropriately. If they knew it was happening elsewhere, if they heard rumors or speculation, if they had the slightest idea that it might be happening and they did nothing, then they are also just as guilty of the crime.

I would question the idea that the majority of priests could lay their hands on their bibles and say in all honesty that they were unaware and totally innocent.

By: eblaney

eblaney — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:26:26 +0000

Nuggie, I was not referring to children when I wrote of giving away power. I was talking about us, the decision makers within this society. Generation after generation walked down the aisle and were too afraid of the opinions of each other, to question the authority that they and the people before them, had vested in the church. Sorry for not making that clearer.

By: Enda Flynn

Enda Flynn — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:10:00 +0000

Eamonn,

Good piece. Well written. It’s hard to know where, as a country, we go from here. The publication of the Murphy Report last Thursday is most likely only the tip of the iceberg.

Bananna republic indeed.

Enda

By: Nuggie

Nuggie — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:44:54 +0000

“We willingly gave away our power?” I just believed what i was told and feared authority, when the priest siad he liked my hands i didnt know what he was thinking… Even the Buddhists are wanting to go aginst the true following of their teacher to burn the catholic offenders. How spiritual is that? Some of society do bad things-even buddists!!!

By: Siobhan McKenna

Siobhan McKenna — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:42:45 +0000

Eammon, thank you for sharing this; it’s very moving and beautifully written.
Like most people I am deeply distressed by the seemingly endless abuse stories that are being exposed daily, I can only begin to imagine the emotion scars of the victims and my thoughts are with them. It is no doubt, a black scar on us as a nation. My hope is that we can learn and grow somehow from this darkness. I’m thankful we live in a country where the media has the freedom to bring this severe violation of human rights into the public awareness. On a positive note, I was educated by the Dominican Sisters, and my memories of those nuns are one of love, kindness and encouragement to follow my dreams.

By: rocket

rocket — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:32:35 +0000

Eamon – well told. what is astounding is that these men of the cloth were allowed to continue in their mission to bring their brand of “discipline” and abuse to many of the children of ireland.
And that the top brass of the clergy were intent to cover it up.
Pushed on from parish to parish where they were allowed to continue these sins against children. Is it any wonder we are all as disturbed as we are.
It is evidence that the catholic church in its present state is something that does not work. It is a bazarre and backward organization that does not care for the wellbeing of its fellow man.
God help them.

By: Blacko

Blacko — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:56:37 +0000

I’m sorry…I don’t see why its such a big surprise. We are talking about the MOST murderous institution in history. The Taliban has nothing on the Catholic Church, as a Buddhist I have to believe that Ratzinger and his ilk has their own karma to deal with, as a man I hope to Be THEIR KARMA. Burn witches BURN

By: Declan Foley

Declan Foley — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:38:28 +0000

Well done Eamonn! I assume that your esteemed Reverend is still alive and trashing (not literally I hope). The sadistic, Nazi Blood Hound of a Christian Brother who made my life in school a living hell, shuffled off this mortal coil after a long and painful terminal illness – poor fella! (Although not nearly painful enough, I think). I have very fond and vivid memories of being dragged from my desk by my locks and ears, being punched in the chest and arms, having the duster thrown full force at my head from the top of the class and being systematically caned and leathered with little reason. Some of the lay teachers were pretty well equipped to do as much damage too!

I have written to the Archbishop’s house to let the Archbishop and indeed the fine institution of the Irish Catholic Church my disgust of the heinous behaviour that they and the Government are fully responsible for carrying out and covering up! I’m in the process of doing the same to the Minister of Justice, the Minister for Health and Children, the Minister of Social & Family Affairs and of course that big useless lump of a Taoiseach, Brian Coward. What good it will do ??? at least I’ll have got it off my chest! This is the most despicable and the darkest period of our modern history – I am hoping that none of this will ever be allowed to happen again. As for the perpetrators and the coverers, dig them out and let them face the full rigour of the law of the land not the church) regardless of their age or their health!