The Beacon is not alone in favouring queue-skipping

Fintan O'Toole had interesting piece in 'The Irish Times' yesterday.

He uses the Michael Cullen/ Beacon/ St Gerard's vaccine queue-skipping scandal to point out the inequality of the Irish health system.

He writes: "As of the end of 2020, there were 2.31 million people with inpatient health insurance plans in the State. That's 46 per cent of the population. 

"Let's not fool ourselves: we stump up this hard-earned cash because we want faster access to health care than the other 54 per cent gets."

He courageously admits that he has private insurance. "Bluntly, I pay to skip the queue."

He goes on to say that our health system is organised hypocrisy.

The Beacon Hospital advertises its services to "patients who would otherwise be subjected to a lengthy waiting time on public lists."

The CEO at the Beacon, Michael Cullen is clearly accustomed to a philosophy of queue-skipping.

Zooming in on the state of Irish media

This week's Independent News & Media Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael Commane

I hear many people saying these days that they are zoomed out of it and I have to agree, an overdose of zooming  is not good for you. But like everything in life, it has its positive side.

 

On Friday, March 19 The Future of Media Commission ran a webinar. I’d seen mention of it in a newspaper and signed in. The Commission was set up by Government last year to examine the future of the media in Ireland.

In a world of instant so-called free news, it’s vital that we protect Irish media outlets that tell the truth.

Social media and the Trumps of this world have given Terry Pratchett’s line, ‘A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on’ a frightening reality. We see something on our phones or tablets and our instant reaction is to believe it.

Vincent Crowley, who is chairman of Newsbrands Ireland, formerly known as National Newspapers of Ireland, told the meeting that Google and Facebook made €403 million in advertising in Ireland last year, whereas indigenous media outlets made €23 million.

Crowley, who is a former CEO of Independent News & Media, questioned if it was a good idea that two large US behemoths should be able to take out of the country such a large sum of money.

Crowley also was critical of the nine per cent VAT the Government charges on newspapers. He said in most EU States there is no VAT on newspapers.

 

Blindboy Boatclub, aka David Chambers, one of the two Rubberbandits argued very strongly that public funding has to be invested in the Arts. He said that public service broadcasting cannot exclusively focus on popularity or profit.

He believes there has to be a place for failure within the world of Arts and to allow for such a possibility there has to be significant public funding.

It was my first time to hear the term publisher-broadcaster. It simply means a television or radio station buys in all its programmes from an independent agency. That’s how UK Channel 4 works.

It was argued by Susan Kirby of Screen Producers Ireland that in the long-term that’s what RTE should become, with the exception of news, current affairs programmes and some light entertainment. 

Of course I’m biased but I think it’s fair to say that our media, print, radio and television do a decent job.

We’re fortunate to have a free press. The big worry these days is how do we protect ourselves against the world of vile and fake social media.

It’s important that we can trust our news sources. 

There’s always the worry that media tycoons can influence their editors. The crass version of that is propaganda. It’s vital that media outlets are messengers when disseminating news. Of course they also express opinions, but opinions too need to be well-informed and sourced.

 

Might it be that that social media and the proliferation of news and gossip is showing us how gullible we really are?

It’s good that there is a discussion taking place about media in Ireland.

And trust me, everything I wrote here is true.

Then again, you might ask what is truth. I’m zooming out now, bye.

Why people might turn to atheism

A quote from the late Michael Paul Gallagher SJ:

"One of the causes of atheism is a belief that God is almighty." 

Breda O'Brien makes inaccurate comments in her column

Breda O'Brien in her column in The Irish Times yesterday referred to the Irish Government as being post-Christian and that it has been insensitive to the churches when it comes to Easter.

That is not accurate.

O'Brien also talks about how well the churches are sanitised. That is not the universal picture, hence it is misleading.

There is no anti-church Government conspiracy and to say anything different is part of the fake-news conspiracy agenda.

The Government takes its advice from Nphet. When it comes to public health information and it's between the bishops and Nphet, the choice has to be Nphet.

Breda O'Brien asks Government "to show some faith in religious communities". Government has every reason to be less enthusiastic than Ms O'Brien suggests. The facts tell a different story.

Is Ms O'Brien aware of the  virulency of the third covid wave that is marching across central Europe at present?

Is she aware or concerned of the age profile of people who attend churches in Ireland?

There were 624 new cases of Covid in the State yesterday.

Over 17,000 new cases in Germany today, five thousand more than this day last year.

Please, Ms O'Brien refrain from using unwise words.

A perfection we believe we will share

The 'Thinking Anew' column in The Irish Times today.

Michael Commane 

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, the first day of Holy Week. It’s a week of reminders and sorrows, all part of the lead up to the crucifixion, Easter Sunday and resurrection. In many ways it mirrors the story of our lives.

There are all the formal and religious aspects to the week. Christian ministers of religion speak the appropriate words, the liturgical celebrations all  take place. People of faith act accordingly. Those accustomed to the ritual of the week and then the outburst of celebration on Easter Sunday are somewhat miffed with how these coming days have lost their Christian meaning, replaced by profane celebrations or a deluge of commercial opportunism.

It’s interesting how many have changed the name of Holy Saturday to Easter Saturday. No doubt Easter Saturday complements the world of branding in a way that Holy Saturday never could. 

Whether or not we believe in the Christian mystery, no one can deny the suffering, pain and loss that Holy Week expresses is based on the story of our lives.

Maybe in the past we concentrated too much on pain and suffering. Maybe today we place too much emphasis on how we are in control of the human race, as if we had managed to eliminate all pain and suffering from the human condition. Sometimes  we can give the impression that we are on course to banish all pain and suffering.

Could there be anything further from the truth?

I have often referred in this column to my job as a hospital chaplain. It’s been a life-changing journey, where I have seen first-hand how fragile we are. In an instant we can be changed from powerful, healthy and indomitable to a state of utter weakness, where we are completely dependent on the help of others.

This month is the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the ruinous war in Syria. In the last weeks media outlets have reminded us of  the unspeakable crimes that have taken place in Syria since March 15, 2011 and the false dawn of the Arab Spring. One of those reports tells the story of a young boy with a prosthetic leg. When just a baby in his mother’s arms his mother was killed by rocket fire, his father was also killed and the little boy lost his leg. He now lives with his grandmother in horrendous conditions.

While such terror is taking place far away from us, it is happening in our time to our sisters and brothers. And that’s just one instance in a world that is dotted with unspeakable horror.

The terror that is meted out to the people of Syria is echoed tomorrow in St Mark’s account of the passion (Mark 14: 1 - 15: 47) when Jesus cries out: “My God, My God, why have you deserted me”. It is also the prayer that is often on our lips in times of suffering and anguish.

This prayer was mentioned by blind marathon runner Dr Sinead Kane on the Tommy Tiernan show last Saturday.

Earlier this month a refuse collector who tells me he is not a believer asked me why was God allowing Covid-19 to happen. Of course God did not cause Covid, it was caused by the recklessness of human behaviour. But I did try to explain my personal experience of seeing how fragile the human condition actually is.

When it comes to saying anything about suffering and pain it is so easy to be trite and clichéd about it. Only when we personally experience it, can we have any idea what it means. Indeed, with all significant moments in our lives, it’s our personal account that always gives it its most authoritative meaning.

Like many others have done, I have learned first-hand there is an inescapable mystery to our lives. And I believe that the suffering in this valley of tears, is finally overcome by resurrection in harmony and communion with God. At least, that’s my hope and belief.

Of course that does not mean that we can ever relax or allow any form of wrongdoing or injustice to happen in our world, but to think we can create a utopia on earth is facile nonsense.

It’s important too, that we guard ourselves against all forms of pious clichés and meaningless regulations, against preferring the shadow to the substance of our faith. We realise that Holy Week is an expression of the dilemma of the pain and anguish that is part of the human condition and our journey through life. But there is more to it than that. It ends triumphantly in resurrection.

Easter Sunday offers us the hope that perfection is found in the risen Lord, a perfection that we too, believe we will  share.

Covid Tracker app figures a day late

138,382 people checked in on the Covid Tracker app yesterday.

Why are the figures of new Covid cases quoted on the app those of the previous day?

The figures of the day are available as they are given on the evening news programmes.

Angela Merkel makes an historic apology in the Reichstag

Yesterday was a remarkable and historical day in the Reichstag, German Parliament.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel apologised and asked the German people to forgive her. The previous day the German government ordered a strict lockdown during Holy Week. Yesterday the restrictions were lifted and Merkel took personal responsibility for the government decision.

It is seldom a leader makes such a profound apology. Has it ever happened in Germany before? And certainly it is the first time for a post-war German Chancellor to apologise in such a manner in the Reichstag.

After the 8pm Tagesschau (Evening News) she gave an interview to ARD correspondent Oliver Köhr, explaining the current Covid situation and again, she apologised for her mistake.

Her main concern now is to deal with the third Covid surge.

It was a symbolic moment in a symbolic building for a German Chancellor to ask forgiveness. It surely must have been a moment in which the Reichstag was exorcised of  the evil of Adolf Hitler and the German people who followed all his evil and badness.

Yesterday showed the world how Germany has come of age. It showed in the starkest of terms the difference between Adolf Hitler and Angela Merkel.

And her apology did more. It may have been that final farewell to the GDR parliament that sat in Der Palast der Republic, a place full of lies and dishonesty. Symbolic too that the apology came from a woman who spent her childhood in Templin. And it's also worth noting that the Palast der Republik is about to be reborn in the form of the former Berlin Palace, now to be called the Humboldt Forum. It is due to open its doors this year.

The day Oscar Romero was murdered

On this day, March 24, 1980 El Salvadorian Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass in San Salvador.

Two birlliant young Irish Nigerian artists

This week's Independent News & Media Irish regional newspapers' column

Michael Commane

I’m a fan of The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTE One on Saturday evenings. I make it a must to watch it every week and every week I pick up at least one gem.

On Saturday, March 13 it was a quiet enough show until two young Irish Nigerian women walked on to the stage, sat down and within seconds I found myself glued to the television.

Longford’s Felicia Olusanya aka FeliSpeaks and Tullamore’s Tolü Makay sat down to be interviewed by Tommy.

The two women are friends since their teens. Tolü Makay sings and FeliSpeaks is a poet. While I gather they are well known in the country, to my shame I had never heard of them before. 

They attribute TikTok as one of the social platforms that is making black Irish identity really popular.

Tolü Makay, accompanied by the RTE Concert Orchestra sang on New Year’s Eve the famous Saw Doctors’ N17. I’ve been listening to her singing it many times since the Tommy Tiernan Show. It really is haunting. She is spectacularly brilliant and I’m finding myself trying to sing those words as she did: ‘And as we turned left at Claregalway/I could feel a lump in my throat ……’ It’s simply magic to hear this young Nigerian woman sing that song. 

And as Tolü Makay says while they are Nigerian born, Ireland has formed a lot of their personality.

And they are so funny too. Makay says they are the first of their own and have no problem at all switching from the Nigerian to the Irish accent.

FeliSpeaks read her poem ‘For Our Mothers’ on the show.

Her poem is on the English Leaving Certificate curriculum 2021 - 2023. It’s about Nigerian culture and how women share their secrets behind closed doors about womanhood and what is expected of women. It’s powerful and listening to it, all I can say is that I can imagine there is a universal tone to it. 

She was so self-deprecating explaining how it is on the Leaving Cert when she told Tommy that: ‘Yeats is right under her name’. 

They are so funny. I found myself roaring laughing watching and listening to them. And there was something else that resonated with me. 

I read about them saying how important a person’s name is in the Nigerian culture. I always think a person’s name is intimate and important and when people respect our names you get an idea they are respectful people. Some weeks ago I was on a zoom meeting with Dermot Farrell, the new Archbishop of Dublin. Whatever way he called me by my name I felt he was taking me seriously.

How fortunate Ireland is that these two women landed with their families on our shores.

I strongly recommend you make it your business to listen to them singing and reciting their poetry. You can find it all on YouTube.

And guess what, I think there were times during the show when Tommy was so mesmerised by the two women that he was stuck for words and that certainly was a first for me to see.

Thank you, Tolü Makay and FeliSpeaks. You are brilliant. And you made me laugh too.

US media giants make gigantic profits in Ireland

Last year Google and Facebook earned €403 million on advertising in Ireland, while indigenous Irish media made €23 million.

While most EU States have zero rate VAT on newspapers, Ireland is one of the highest at nine per cent.

There is an urgent need for a change to defamation law in Ireland. Current rules and regulations are costing Irish media outlets large sums of money, including heavy legal costs.

The flowering signs hinting at the arrival of Summer Time

On Orwell Road, Dublin 14 at 16.50 yesterday.

Just one more week before the arrival of Summer Time, which begins at 02.00 on Sunday, March 28.

Ireland, UK and Portugal will move at that time to GMT plus one while the rest of Europe will change to GMT plus two.

UTC or Coordinated Universal Time is the successor of Greenwich Mean Time and was introduced in 1960.

RTE Radio to discontinue broadcasting on DAB

RTE is currently advertising that from March 31 it is ceasing transmission of its radio services on Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)

DAB is the least utilised platform in Ireland and RTE is the only Irish broadcaster who transmits on DAB.

DAB was only available in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

RTE made the announcement in 2019 that it was ceasing DAB transmission.

DAB accounts for 0.5 per cent of listenership. 77 per cent listen to RTE on FM.

Less than five per cent of adults in Ireland listen to radio via a mobile device, two per cent listen on a PC, approximately 1.5per cent  listen on a smart speaker, 0.6 per cent listen on a TV. 

It would seem the death of DAB is due to internet roll out. Also, some years ago car manufactures decided not to install radios equipped with DAB functionality.

It is unfortunate that RTE did not announce its decision at an earlier date. DAB reception is excellent and ideal for people who do not have WiFi.

DAB radios were not cheap.

For details on how to continue to listen to RTÉ digital radio services visit www.rte.ie/keeplistening 

Report shows how women are afraid on our streets

In research commissioned last year by Transport Infrastructure Ireland The Travelling in a Woman's Shoes report shows that more than half the women surveyed said they would not use public transport after dark. 

One third said there had been times when they decided not to go out because of feeling insecure about travelling on their own.

They also expressed a fear of walking to and from rail stations and bus stops and told of their strategies to make themselves invisible

The women interviewed also said that they would visit a shop or cafe while waiting  for transport.

Ninety-five percent of women across the State and 79 per cent of women living in Dublin considered having a car as essential.

Michael D, Davy Fitz and the funny voices of Ireland

A day late but this is good fun. And just one woman to be seen. Wonder why?

UCD advertises on a far-right US talk station

Patriot Radio is based in Phoenix Arizona. It broadcasts 24 hours a day. 

Among its hosts are Mark Levin, Sebastian Gorka and Charlie Kirk.

It is non-stop nasty far-right  commentary. Its hosts constantly insult and jeer those who are of a different political persuasion than they.

It is relentless in its insulting and derogatory attacks on its opponents. For Patriot Radio, Trump is the saviour of the USA and Biden is the evil one.

In recent weeks a number of Irish companies have been advertising on the station and last week UCD ran an advert on one of its programmes.

Is it not inappropriate for an Irish university to be associated with such a station?

It's doubtful any aspect of anything on Patriot Radio could be compatible with anything to do with St Patrick.

A holy and blessed St Patrick's Day to all readers of this blog.

Insurance companies must reduce their premiums

This week's Independent News & Media Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael Commane

My father was born in 1909 and drove a car from the age of 15 until he was 90.

As long as I knew him, and that was 55 years, I can remember every year when his insurance renewal would arrive in the post that he was in horror at the cost.

My father was the mildest and quietest of men. In all his years driving he had only once made an insurance claim on his policy and that was the result of a small accident I had while driving his car. 

It means the insurance company made a good profit on my father over a long life.

 

I’m not aware of my parents ever making an insurance claim on their home or property. I can imagine my family are no exceptions to the majority of upright citizens who have never abused their insurance contracts.

These days I’m noticing some of the additions that are added to travel insurance policies on age grounds. It seems there is an element of ageism about such decisions.

Any excuse and your insurance increases.

For the last 12 months there has been significant less traffic on our roads, fewer accidents too. Have insurance companies made a proportional reduction to  people’s car insurance premiums?

With one ear I have been following the decision to adopt new guidelines to reduce general damages awards for some personal injuries.

From what I gather a majority of the 166 members of the Judicial Council have passed the recommendations of the Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee. Of the 146 judges who voted on Saturday, March 6, 83 voted in favour and 63 said no.

How transparent was the work done by the Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee? 

At first glance the plan to reduce insurance claims sounds a good idea. The insurance companies have been pushing for it for a number of years. They argue it will mean that insurance premiums will be reduced for the general public.

But when Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of Insurance Ireland was interviewed by Claire Byrne on her radio progamme Ms Murdock was ambivalent as to when the reduced insurance premiums will filter down to the general public.

There will always be people who try to abuse the system but instead of making draconian cuts across the board would it not be a better idea for the relevant parties to weed out the crooks and abusers.

Why should the honest decent person have to pay for those who abuse the system?

When the new regulations come into operation some awards may be cut by half. Under the present system a justified award of €100,000 could well be reduced to €50,000.

It is understandable that judges hand down judgements but surely it’s the job of Government and not judges to set out policy.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton on his final day as a High Court judge last Tuesday commented how insurance companies that campaigned for an end to juries hearing personal injury cases never passed on the savings to their customers.

He was also somewhat sceptical if the new guidelines will reduce insurance costs.

Pope Francis' Iraq visit was jawdropping on multiple levels

This is an interesting piece on John Allen talking about Pope Francis' visit to Iraq and then goes on to talk about his eight-year pappy.

Click on the text below to listen:

Analysis of Pope's Iraq trip, 8 years under Pope Francis: Last Week in the Church with John Allen Jr

Greens and SPD remain in power in two German states

The German elections in the two states of Baden Würtemberg and Rhineland Palatinate will see the two current state premiers remain in power.

It was the worst results ever for the CDU in both states. In Baden Würtemberg the SPD registered an all-time low vote.

The two premiers, Malu Dreyer in Rehineland Palatinate and Winfried Kretshcmann in Baden Würtemberg  are relatively high profile charismatic people, who increased their vote.

In both elections the far-right AfD experienced significant losses.

Pandemic times in Ireland and Germany

There is great controversy in Ireland at present about the rollout of the Covid vaccination and the rules and regulations surrounding the pandemic.

A similar conversation and controversy is happening in Germany. But in Germany MPs in the governing CDU party have been accused of taking €850,000 in kickbacks on PPE procurement last year.

German President Frank Walter Steinmeier referred to the fraud scandal as  'shameful' and being a 'poison for democracy.

The President of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble said it 'was simply obscene and not compatible with a parliamentary mandate'.

Anyone listening to German conversations on the pandemic would notice the similarities between what is happening in Ireland and Germany. 

The Markus Lanz ZDF programme is similar to Prime Time and the similarities between both programmes is striking. All the same issues are aired.

Indeed, Ireland right now seems to be in a lead position. At least so far, there has been no signs of any extensive fraud.

Munich, Dresden and Stuttgart were among the cities where there were anti-Covid regulation marches yesterday. The Dresden demonstration was the largest and the most violent.

The daily death rate in Brazil is currently running at 2,000.

The Irish bishops should not have asked us to lobby our TDs to relax Covid rules and regulations.

Figures are surging in Italy, increasing in Germany and our figures are beginning to show an upward trend.

Today there are elections in the two German states of Baden-Würtemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, where the CDU are expected to lose votes. 

Unfortunately, it might well be an opportunity for the far-right AfD to take advantage of the CDU's weakness. But most likely the Greens and the SPD will retain their power and may even gain votes.

Ten buses a day between Tralee and Dingle

 Nothing unusual about a new bus timetable.

But the new Tralee Dingle timetable is most unusual.

Up to recently there were four/five buses Monday to Saturday between Tralee and Dingle and five between Dingle and Tralee. Each service had an extra bus during the summer season.

There is a new timetable in operation.

It means there are now 10 buses a day between Tralee and Dingle and nine buses between Dingle and Tralee.

The timetable it drawn up by Transport for Ireland (TFI).

A number of the buses travel with two or three passengers and some with none.

His Litany to the Holy Spirit

When (God knows) I'm tossed about,

Either with despair or doubt,

Yet before the glass be out,

Sweet Spirit comforts me!

                                    Robert Herrick (1591 - 1674)

Bishops should first keep their own house in order

The Irish bishops issued a statement on Tuesday asking Government that the easing of restrictions from Level 5 should include the restoration of public worship.

They have also requested that the number of mourners attending funerals be increased with immediate effect.

The bishops encourage Catholics to make their views on these issues known to their local TDs and local representatives.

The letter would indeed be fine if the bishops kept their own house in order. The Irish bishops are well aware of priests who have behaved with the utmost contempt during Level 5 Lockdown.

What about priests who have allowed people to attend Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

What about priests who have left the State?

What about priests who have roamed the land?

What about priests who refuse to be vaccinated?

It might well be wise for bishops and religious superiors right now to keep their heads down and say nothing.  Time to be contrite for the behaviour of some of their fellow priests.

They may do all the talking provided they reprimand those priests who have flouted the regulations with startling arrogance and sacerdotal entitlement.

In the meantime, it's best the bishops stay quiet and the let Government get on with the job.

Below is the bishops' statement.

Bishops’ statement on the Covid-19 restrictions in Republic of Ireland

 

Statement released on the second day of the Spring General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference

 

 

On 19 February the four Catholic Archbishops had a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin to continue the dialogue about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives of people in our Church. At that meeting the Archbishops affirmed the Church’s commitment to the protection of life, health and the promotion of the Common Good.  During their Spring Conference, bishops reflected on that meeting and released the following statement:

 

“We strongly believe that people’s freedom to worship publicly should be restored as soon as the current Level 5 restrictions begin to be eased.  It is particularly painful for Christians to be deprived, for the second year running, of the public expression of our faith during the most sacred time of Holy Week and Easter.  This is especially true given that it has been clearly demonstrated that church buildings are among the safest places for people to gather.  We also re-emphasise that the ongoing severe restrictions on attendance at Funeral Masses (currently limited to ten) are causing untold grief to many families.

 

“Throughout this time of pandemic the approach of the Church has been firmly grounded in the protection of health and life and in the promotion of the Common Good.  We recognise that strong restrictions are necessary in times of grave threat to public health.  However, such restrictions on personal freedom should be proportionate and for the shortest time possible.  Consideration must also be given to people’s mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing. For people of faith, gathering for worship is fundamental to their identity and to their spiritual lives.

 

Despite assurances from the Taoiseach last month that the concerns expressed by the Archbishops would be given serious consideration, we note with disappointment that none of the issues raised has been responded to.  We therefore make an urgent appeal that the following matters be addressed:

 

-          That the easing of restrictions from Level 5 should include the restoration of public worship, albeit in a safe and limited way.  For people of faith not to be free to worship until regulations return to Level 2, whilst many other restrictions are eased, is seen as particularly distressing and unjust.

 

-          That the number of mourners permitted at funeral services be increased, with immediate effect, noting that in Northern Ireland this number has not been reduced below 25.  The current restriction places immense burdens on grieving families, compounding the pain of their loss.

 

We strongly believe that allowing these measures would contribute greatly to giving a sense of hope and consolation to many in our Church - in line with the central message of Easter.  These measures would be a substantial support to the wellbeing of individuals and parish communities, and ultimately serve the Common Good of all. 

 

We encourage Catholics to make their views on these issues known to their own TDs and local representatives.

 

We wish to remain responsive to public health messaging. For this reason we are recommending the postponement of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies for the time being.   

 

We continue to keep in prayer all who are suffering in this time of Covid, and all who contribute so much to their care.

Events that happened on March 10

March 10 is remembered for a number of reasons.

On March 10, 1876 Alexander Bell made the first successful telephone call.

On March 10, 1957 Osama Bin Lden was born.

On March 10, 1970 Captain Ernst Medina was charged by the US military with the crimes at My Lai in Vietnam.

On March 10, 2005 Dave Allen died.

On March 10, 2019 an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max crashed, killing all on board. This was the second Max to crash and led to the grounding of all Max 737s . The plane is now back in the sky having been retooled.

On March 10, 2020 the World Health Organization officially announced Covid - 19 as a pandemic.

Even one 'stiff drink' can lead to disaster

This week's Independent News & Media Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael Commane

On one occasion in my early years teaching I did something that I imagine would be a sacking offence today.

I asked the students in a first year class to close their eyes. I then went on to ask them if there was any boy in the class who could definitely say that there was not one person in their extended family who did not have a difficulty with alcohol. I think there were three boys out of a class of 28 who raised their hands.

On the last Saturday of February Irish media reported the story of an Air Corps training aircraft losing power 30 km from Baldonnel. 

The PC-9 two-person plane was on a training mission when its single engine lost power. The two Air Corps pilots managed successfully to glide the plane to a safe landing at their base in Baldonnel.

The day after the emergency Irish newspapers quoted a military statement saying that the two pilots were ‘slightly shaken’. And then added: ‘They’ll have a stiff drink tonight’.

I know very well that it was a throw-away comment and indeed something often said with the best of intentions. I also know we may be gone PC-mad and GDPR is a great excuse to dumb down our lives to a state of moribund boredom.

But leaving all that aside I was a little surprised that a military spokesperson would make such a comment to the media.

It was also surprising that there was no follow-up story from the media on what the military spokesperson said.

The same day that the stricken plane glided back to Baldonnel I happened to be in a shop two doors up from an off-licence. While chatting with the owner of the shop I noticed a number of people exiting the off-licence with large boxes and placing them in the boots of their cars. Obviously they were buying drink in bulk. 

I have to admit I was somewhat surprised but the owner of the shop assured me that was a common occurrence.

It set me thinking and I have been wondering since why are off-licences allowed to remain open during our Level 5 lockdown.

Someone told me that if they closed off-licences: ‘they would be taking away our drugs’.

Aren’t we the most complex of creatures. A glass of wine, a pint of beer a measure of whiskey can be the most magical of drinks and do our souls great good.  But there is always the danger that one glass leads to another and on it goes until the danger lights start flashing.

World Health Organisation figures show that 3.3 million people worldwide die every year from alcohol misuse. In Ireland three people die every day from alcoholic poisoning, that works out at over 1,000 deaths per year.

Alcohol problems are costing the State in excess of €2.5 billion annually.

 

Certainly during these extremely difficult pandemic times turning to alcohol is the very last thing we should be doing.

Advertising works. And even the subliminal comments hit a spot in our brains that can so easily ignite a spark that leads to doom, in this case alcoholic poisoning.

International Woman's Day

Today is International Woman's Day.

The Gospel in yesterday's liturgy (John 2: 13 - 25) was the famous story of Jesus driving the money changers and merchants out of the Temple.

We see how angry he was with those who were abusing the Temple, abusing religion.

It seems to be part of the DNA of religions to attract all sorts of additions and malpractices. Religions also seem to attract large numbers of fragile people, as does priesthood.

Last week Ireland heard of the story of the late Joseph Marmion, a Jesuit priest, who spent his life abusing children. He abused them emotionally, physically and sexually while teaching in the three Jesuit schools, Belvedere, Clongowes Wood and Crescent College. Where else did he abuse?

Most likely every male religious congregation and every diocese in Ireland has/had their Marmions. Most likely more than one.

And then all the cover ups.

The damage that these people have caused, the damage too that they have done within religious communities. The seeds they have sown. These men held many positions, including teaching, school deans, 'superiors', vocation directors, missionaries, Vatican representatives.

Had women been in leadership roles in any of these organisations is it possible it would be such a nightmare?

Is it not absurd for any organisation to exclude women from its leadership team? Of course it is.

What happens in parishes where parish priests behave as tyrants? Usually it's women who come to the rescue and save the day.

Of course tyranny is not exclusive to the male population but nature screams out at us that an exclusively male organisation is in some way deficient.

And at a State level, it was an item of news on RTE news today that for every euro a man earns, a woman earns 86 cent.

Alarming increase in alcohol sales

Sales of alcohol for January have seen an alarming increase.

There has been a 57 per cent year-on-year rise in alcohol sales for the first month of this year.

Why are off-licences open in the current lockdown?

The Jesuits, Joseph Marmion and the statement

On RTE's Liveline yesterday Joe Duffy played a clip of an interview former RTE journalist Joe Little did with the late Jesuit priest Joseph Marmion.

It was about exhuming the body of his famous grand-uncle Blessed Colomba Marmion and the late Jospeh Marmion spoke about the incorrupt state of the body.

Anyone who listened to Liveline yesterday and heard the stories of men talking about the vileness of Joseph Marmion must wonder about the credibility of the Catholic Church. It was sickening. 

On Tuesday the Irish Jesuits made a public statement about the late Fr Joseph Marmion.

It might start a trend. 

Channel 4 News last evening carried a horrific story about decades of abuse at the English Benedictine-run school at Ampleforth. The abuse was so notorious  that the school has now been forbidden to accept new students. And the relevant authorities have demanded that the school be separated from the abbey.  

Whether or not the Jesuits were compelled to issue this statement, it is a development that has to be lauded.

Should all religious congregations and dioceses follow the example of the Irish Jesuits? 

Yes, they should. And to do so during the season of Lent would be an appropriate time to undertake such an exercise.

That famous misquoted line, 'Houston we have a problem' applies to priesthood. There are serious problems in priesthood and it seems no one is willing to address them in charity and honesty.

Below is the statement issued by the Irish Jesuits.

Statement of the Jesuit Order regarding abuse of former students by Joseph Marmion SJ (Deceased)

The Jesuit Order in Ireland is making public the name of a former teacher and priest, Joseph Marmion SJ, who abused boys sexually, emotionally and physically while he was on the teaching staff at Belvedere College in the 1970’s.

This action is being taken following engagement with a former pupil who was himself abused, in the hope that others who may have suffered would come forward and get the support they may need.

The Jesuits were contacted by this former pupil of Belvedere College in early 2019. He was a student at Belvedere in the 1970s. In that time, he was sexually and emotionally abused by Joseph Marmion. The abuse took place when he was a 13-year-old boy. 

Fr Leonard Moloney SJ, Provincial of the Order, has met personally with this man. Fr Moloney said: “In our communications, he made it clear to me that he was concerned for others who may also have suffered and that they should be proactively offered a response and support. This man also conveyed to me that he believed others who were abused may be helped by the recognition that they too were dreadfully harmed. He asked that we name his abuser, Joseph Marmion SJ, publicly and that we make this information widely available in order to reach as many former students as possible.”  

Joseph Marmion SJ was a teacher in Belvedere from 1969 until 1978. He died in 2000.

The Jesuits have been in contact over many years with others who were abused by Joseph Marmion while they were young students.  They have spoken of sexual abuse and physical and emotional bullying by him. We believe that the secrecy imposed by Joseph Marmion may still be preventing some victims and survivors from accessing help and support. 

“We are acutely aware of the pain and distress that many have had to hold and continue to hold, years after the original experience,” said Fr Moloney. “This pain is held by those who were direct victims of harm and abuse, by their families and also by other students who were witnesses to this abuse and felt powerless and unable to do anything about it. It is a matter of profound regret to me personally and to the Society of Jesus that children were abused whilst in our care. We are truly sorry. Words are never enough.” 

Following receipt of information from concerned parents in 1977, disclosures of sexual abuse were received by the school.  In consequence, a decision was taken that Joseph Marmion be removed from the staff in Belvedere with effect from the end of the academic year 1977/1978. He then spent a year on sabbatical in Paris with the Jesuit Community Saint François Xavier. He was then assigned to the Gardiner Street Jesuit Community. In 1990 he was appointed Chaplain to St. Vincent’s Private Hospital. We recognise that these subsequent appointments should not have been made.

While this particular communication relates to abuse that occurred in Belvedere College, Joseph Marmion also taught in Crescent College Limerick and Clongowes Wood College. Every effort will be made to communicate this information to former students in all schools.

Fr Moloney said: “We have in the past apologised and invited victims and survivors of abuse by members of the Society to come forward and to seek help. We do so again today. These efforts must always be continuous. We hope to explore with you the responses and supports that would be most useful at this time. I would like pay tribute to the man abused by Joseph Marmion who asked us take this course of action. His request, made solely out of concern for others has been an example to us all.”

In recent days, a former student has written about his experience of Joseph Marmion and recounted the stories of others who have spoken to him and who were also terribly harmed. We are making efforts to reach out to those individuals and to offer them our support if they wish.

All information regarding abuse is shared with An Garda Siochána, Tusla and other relevant authorities. 
Anyone who wishes to make direct contact with the Jesuit Safeguarding Office should call our Safeguarding Delegate, Saoirse Fox on 089 2644400 e-mail safeguarding@jesuitlink.ie  
ENDS

Notes: Information on the Safeguarding Policies of the Jesuit Order and Belvedere College are available here:

https://www.jesuit.ie/safeguarding/
https://www.belvederecollege.ie/about-us/policy-documents

Further Information:
Pat Coyle, Director of Communications, Jesuits in Ireland, 086 8190029
Email coylep@jesuit.ie

Vincent Twomey and Covid-19 vaccination

Vincent Twomey has over the last weeks received publicity on his comments on the Covid-19 vaccination.

He argues in favour of taking the Covid-19 vaccine, while warning that it shouldn't be compelled by either government or companies.

He went on to say that people who have "committed his or her life to the pro-life movement" could in conscience, refuse the vaccine, and that conscientious objection must be protected by law, if necessary.

Does this mean that Twomey would find it acceptable for frontline workers not to be vaccinated on 'conscientious grounds'?

Surely it's best we listen to the advice of experts, in this case Nphet, as to how we should protect ourselves against Covid-19.

Leadership has not come from a moribund clerical caste

The Church of Ireland Dean of Waterford, Reverend Maria Jansson concluded her 'Rite and Reason' column in The Irish Times on Tuesday with this paragraph:

Leadership has not come and will not come from a moribund clerical caste; it will come from the people who want community, who reclaim their voice, who know the connection between faith and real life, who have found the spiritual strength in the pandemic to prevail and who now must step up to the bar and start rebuilding. Exciting times ahead.

That paragraph certainly does not exclusively apply to the Church of Ireland. No doubt it applies to many church denominations.

It certainly applies to the Catholic Church, within dioceses and religious congregations.

What happens for instance when a provincial goes missing, what happens if a parish priest flouts diocesan guidelines, Canon Law and State regulations? 

Most likely nothing.

Former Dominican Joe Bergin RIP (1935 - 2021)

Former Dominican, Joe Bergin died on Sunday, February 28 in College View Nursing Home, Clones Road, Cavan.

Joe grew up in 52/53 Dublin Street, Carlow. He was born on July 29, 1935. He joined the Dominicans in September 1953 and was ordained a priest on July 10, 1960.

Joe's family was associated with the newspaper business. Well-known journalist Olivia O'Leary cut her teeth under the tutelage of Joe's uncle on the Carlow Nationalist.

He attended Newbridge College as a boarder before joining the Dominicans and spending his noviciate year in St Mary's Priory, Pope's Quay, Cork. 

On completion of his  philosophy and theology studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Tallaght he went to UCC, where he obtained a BA degree.

Joe spent his first years of priesthood working in Trinidad, a place he grew to love. Indeed, Trinidad and its people gave him a new and fresh understanding of what it meant to be church. While in Trinidad he made lifelong friends with a number of people.

After his years in Trinidad he returned to his alma mater, Newbridge College.

His gentle manner and kindness made him a great favourite with students in the school. He was a fine teacher.

No past pupil of Joe Bergin will ever say a bad word about him. He was an exemplary senior dean. Joe was a fair man, a quality that young people see and respect very quickly.

From Newbridge he went to St Mary's Priory, Pope's Quay as prior, being elected to the job on two occasions.

He was an excellent preacher and his liturgies were always prayerfully conducted. He made it his business to pray and speak in a language that touched the souls and hearts of those who came to pray in the church.

Joe's interest in music gave him a great introduction to the church choir. In his six years as prior his support for the choir played an important and seminal role in making the choir into what it is today. 

At the time another now former Dominican, Fiontán Ó Murchú was choir master and both he and Joe worked closely in the development of the choir.

On completion of his six years in Cork, Joe moved to the Dominican-run St Martin's Parish in Tallaght, where he was parish priest for approximately 10 years.

While there, his elderly mother, with whom he was very devoted, moved to a bungalow across the road from the church, which gave Joe the possibility of keeping a close eye on her.

It was in 1990, while he was in St Martin's, that he decided to leave the Dominicans and resign his priesthood.

He moved to America and married Loreen.

He subsequently became an Episcopalian priest and ministered in Newfoundland, Newark, New Jersey and finally in New York.

On reaching compulsory retirement age Joe continued to help out in a nearby parish.

In 2017 Joe returned to Ireland after the death of his beloved Loreen the previous year.

During his time in America he made regular summer visits to Ireland accompanied by Loreen.

Joe was my prior during my three years while attending UCC.

I have memories of a most gracious man, who had a great and genuine interest in people. He was a man of faith. A gentle soul without a malicious thought in his head.

Joe Bergin was a refined person with a wonderful sense of occasion. He lived in the now and accepted people for where they were and what they were.

Joe began to write a memoir of his years with the
Dominican Order. The text was at such a stage that he was in the process of looking for a publisher. His deteriorating health put paid to the work. No doubt the manuscript is among his belongings.

He had a number of close Dominican friends, who in turn cherished his friendship.

The late Dominican Constantius Bergin (1915 - 1994) was his uncle.

I had the good fortune to meet Joe and Loreen on a number of occasions while they were on holiday in Ireland. 

Two years ago I visited him in the nursing home in Cavan. His memory was impaired but the moment I mentioned my name he smiled that infectious smile of his, threw his arms around me and called out in the loudest of voices my name. But on this occasion there was no sign of his pipe. Joe loved smoking his pipe.

A lovely last moment with a gentleman.

May he rest in peace.

A comment on Condolences on RIP.ie

Oh Joe, how loved you were. You were my brother-in-law,  my go to scholar on Gilbert and Sullivan, my adviser and so much more. You made my sister so incredibly happy and it makes my heart joyous to know you are together again. You will continue to teach me about the love I have to give. You have touched so many, many hundreds if not thousands of people to value  the gift of life.  May you rest peacefully my sweet Bergin. You will always be in my heart,  and even though it’s broken for now, it will heal with all your words of comfort and love inside of it. I love you. Travel well Sweet Prince. - Jennifer Lee

Pictures. On the day of Joe's priestly ordination. From left:  Katherine Parry (Nee Bergin) Bridie Bergin (Mollie’s sister) Fr Constantius Pat Bergin OP,  PC Bergin, (Joe’s father) Eithne Shubotham (Nee Bergin) Joe Bergin, Mollie Bergin (Joe’s Mother) Sheila Kelly (Nee Bergin) and Dr Joe Kelly.

The single picture was taken in recent times.