Zany Covid deniers and right-wing Christians

This week’s Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column

Michael Commane

It was reported in the media in mid-July that both the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan and his assistant, Dr Ronan Glynn received abusive phone calls.

Across the world in Australia the New South Wales police fined far-right commentator Katie Hopkins before the Australian government deported her.

She had been invited to Australia to appear on  Seven Network’s Big Brother VIP.

Before filming took place Katie Hopkins released a video describing Covid19 as the greatest hoax in human history. She joked about her elaborate plans to break quarantine regulations, explaining how she planned to frighten security guards by answering her hotel room naked and maskless.

In Ireland we have had the spectacle of two well-known journalists taking the State to court, claiming that Covid is a conspiracy.

Another Irish media personality is constantly criticising the State for its strict Covid rules and he is also highly critical of how the church authorities have acquiesced  in State rules and regulations concerning liturgical celebrations.

One could easily get the impression that he believes the State is hellbent in closing down churches.

I am aware of a parish priest who has allowed choral singing to take place in church, something that has been strictly forbidden by the State and indeed the man’s own diocese.

And then there have been those who have refused to be vaccinated, citing spurious religious grounds.

I know a priest, who refused the vaccination, and subsequently fell victim to Covid. He lives in a community with a number of vulnerable people. To make it even worse there was hardly a word of apology from him to his colleagues.

What is it about the purveyors of this rabid right wing conspiracy that is simply running amok? They seem to have worrying links with churches.

Trump has discovered some sort of magic wand that appeals to large numbers of church-going people.

 

There is a significant underbelly of angry, disaffected people, who want to shape the world in their fanatical image. They are finding refuge and maybe even solace in the various Christian churches. And the Catholic Church is no exception.

I have to admit that I am scared. My experience is within the Catholic Church and I can’t help but feel there is a terrible swing to the right, indeed, a worrying trend. Maybe it is having such success because of the current weakness within church leadership.

From time to time Pope Francis hints at what is happening but then some days later his message is drowned out by off-the-wall right wing comments.

I’m often baffled and saddened how church leaders are so forthright in criticising any tendency that might show liberal or left wing tendencies, but when it comes to calling out far right-wing ideas, they are far more reticent.

On a personal note, I’m saddened by a conservatism that plays such a powerful role in the Catholic Church to which I belong. I’d love things to be different.