Missing the opportune moment

Cardinal Brady 's comments in Limerick at the weekend are receiving much attention, so too is the issue of 'pre-signed Mass cards'.

When the State enacted new rules and regulations re marriage registrars it was the ideal time for the Catholic Church in Ireland to negotiate with the State so as to separate Sate and church weddings. It was the perfect opportunity for the church to say bye bye to State on the issue. But no. It seems incapable of shedding 'power baggage' that has absolutely no pastoral advantage.

And now with the controversy of Mass cards it would be a moment of prophetic thinking for the church to say that the days of Mass cards are over. The link between Mass cards and money needs to be broken and this is the moment when it could and should be done. Will it be done? No.