Saturday, December 29, 2007
New Years honours
Seems a couple of days early, but the honours list is out. Top of the Northern Ireland list is head of the Civil Service, as he is now Sir Nigel Hamilton. Next is Dame Nuala O’Loan followed by Elieen Bell and Evelyn Collins CBE. Duncan McCausland gets an OBE and UUP MLA Fred Cobain gets an MBE along with Larne DUP Councillor Rachel Rea, boxer Gerry Storey and Portadown boss Ronnie McFall.
Northern Ireland seems to have done rather well, with only Fermanagh lacking a representative on the list. I stand corrected by comment 25.
Michael Shilliday @ 12:37 AM
Did anyone see Ronnie McFall being interviewed about his award on NI results on BBC1?
I assume he meant to say he was humbled by the experience - unfortunately what he actually proclaimed was his severe humiliation at the honour!
Posted by on Dec 31, 2007 @ 01:16 PMYes Dub I appeciate what you are sayin - so - WHAT? is the problem with the Monarchy.
If you apply your standards in your comments above it seems that it is ok given the faith arrangements and endorsement of the UK to have a Monarchy in that way in which Catholics have schools for Catholics.
I don’t understand your argument if there is one against the Monarchy because I understand why you support denominational aspects of Irish life how can you not come to terms with the British Monarchy which operates the same way. Exclusion.
Posted by on Dec 31, 2007 @ 02:43 PM“unfortunately what he actually proclaimed was his severe humiliation at the honour!”
Nah, to me that’s the best statement made so far about such awards from the Qeen but it probably should have been used by certain other people who have been awarded instead of him - a few come to mind :-)
Posted by on Dec 31, 2007 @ 02:51 PMDubliner
On several occasions you extol the virtues of religious education saying this is what the parents wish to have for their children.
I cant agree. When did parents ever get a choice?
No! the church in Ireland assumed this responsibility not acting in the interests of children but to sustain a Catholic ethos in he schools and thus exercise control and influence for its own benefit.
The State walked away from its responsibility.
Who in Ireland in the 20 cent had the courage to oppose the Church. The answer no one as the they would have been crushed by the full weight of the Church. I cant think of one dissenting voice.Now let us have a debate on the separation of Church and State.
Posted by on Dec 31, 2007 @ 04:06 PMThat 93% Protrestant job loss figure is astonishing. Thanks Lib.
Posted by on Jan 01, 2008 @ 09:52 AM“Who in Ireland in the 20 cent had the courage to oppose the Church. The answer no one...I cant think of one dissenting voice.
”Not quite no-one, Ulsterfan. And I can think of at least one dissenting voice - Dr Noel Browne TD famously stood against the might of the Church with the Mother and Child Act, designed to help eradicate the scourge of tuberculosis.It is also true however that as a result he was, politically at least, “ crushed by the full weight of the Church”.
Dr Browne was not alone, there has always been a strong voice of dissent against Church power. It simply has not been strong enough to withstand that power much less to break it. It took the pitiful whimpers of abused children to achieve that.
Posted by on Jan 01, 2008 @ 10:51 AMRory
You are right about Dr Browne who took a stand on health/social issues.
I was thinking of those critics in the field of education and there were very few even when Bishop McQuaid instructed his flock not to attend TCD as it was not the “right type of University”
On the other hand he was ignored.Posted by on Jan 01, 2008 @ 11:06 AM
