Latest news with #ColmO'Gorman
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Gorey Educate Together celebrates 20 years as school goes from strength to strength
The event at the school grounds on Kilnahue Lane, was attended by a large group of parents, current and former staff members, and other community representatives, including Malcolm Byrne TD and representatives of the Educate Together National Office. The evening opened with a musical performance by staff members and pupils. This was followed by speeches from Colm O'Gorman, former director of Amnesty International and one of the school's founders; Joanne Bolger, Chairperson of the Parent Teacher Association; Dr. Emer Nowlan, CEO of Educate Together, Ireland; and school principal Raymond Swan. Deputy principal Mairéad Jordan thanked all attendees and highlighted the extensive preparations for the event by students and staff. Guests had the opportunity to visit an expo in the hall, which included a photographic and video display marking the school's journey over the past two decades as well as the school's edible garden and the two commemorative murals, painted by staff members Pádraig Parle, Catríona Lane, Deirdre Hogan, Ewa Minias and the school's two fifth classes. Gorey Educate Together National School first opened its doors in 2005 at St. Waleran's in Gorey, with just 26 pupils. It moved to its current permanent location on Kilnahue Lane in 2008 and currently has an enrolment of 384, including three classes for children with Autism. Food and drinks on the evening were sponsored by school meals company 'Fresh Today' and the Kitchen Restaurant, Gorey.
The Journal
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Progressive versus traditionalist? The polarising issues that will define the next pope
FOLLOWING THE DEATH of Pope Francis yesterday, there is inevitable speculation about who will follow in his footsteps and what issues will be important to the next pope. However, only time, and the conclave will tell if the next pope will build on Francis's more progressive agenda, or represent a return to more traditionalist values. The late Pope Francis was outspoken about an array of issues, from abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, to climate change and immigration. Issues facing the church Electing a new pope can be as much a political balancing act, determining who will champion the issues relevant to the church, as it is a spiritual exercise. The divide is generally between that of progressive, or liberal, and traditionalist, or conservative. Progressives/liberals would favour reforms to the church's attitude toward cultural and social issues. While traditionalists/conservatives would oppose those reforms in favour of creating even stricter norms or maintaining the status quo. Some of the issues facing the Catholic Church upon which their leaning will be judged include climate change, migration, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Other issues, such as dealing with clerical sex abuse are also seen as an important barometer of a pope's outlook. Colm O'Gorman said that Pope Francis's handling of the scandal was 'disappointing ,' despite an 'enormous respect' for the late Pope. Advertisement Below are a few of the issue areas which may affect the next pope, and Pope Francis's legacy in these issues. Climate change There is a moral imperative to address climate change and take action, according to the Catholic Church. Pope Francis wrote an encyclical, Laudato Si, which recognised climate change as a global problem with significant consequences, especially for the global poor. During his papacy, he declared the science is clear, and there is a moral imperative to take action. More traditionalist priests are likely to may maintain the moral imperative to care for all of God's creation, though they may not see the same urgency to address the issue. Migration The Catholic Church would view migration as recognising the inherent dignity of every person, and addressing the root causes that lead to migration. A top priority for Pope Francis was to advocate for vulnerable migrants . He d enounced the border initiatives from US president Donald Trump , and brought asylum-seekers to the Vatican with him from overcrowded island camps. He visited and prayed at places where people perished crossing borders. A more traditionalist pope may emphasise the importance of national sovereignty and cultural identity while also recognising the inherent dignity of every human being. LGBTQ+ Pope Francis arguably did more for LGBTQ+ issues than any other pope in history, according to a prominent US priest. He moved away from the stigmatising language that the Vatican has used in the past around LGBTQ+ people. He also formally signed off on allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples in December 2023. Pope Francis also called for the Church to apologise for the harm it has caused to the LGBTQ+ community, and said: 'We Christians have to apologise for so many things, not just for this [treatment of gay people], but we must ask for forgiveness, not just apologise.' Read Next Related Reads Vatican publishes photos of Pope Francis in open coffin as funeral confirmed for Saturday morning 'The People's Pope': Irish and global newspapers remember a Pope of change Who could be the next Pope? Here's 15 potential successors to Pope Francis It's not clear if a more traditionalist pope could resend the actions taken by Pope Francis, but the next pope may not continue in the same direction and make as many progressive moves. Abortion The Catholic Church views abortion as gravely wrong, and the late pope was consistent with the Church's view, maintaining that abortion is 'murder' and a 'grave sin.' Though he granted priests the right to forgive an abortion in 2015. He was also against surrogacy, calling it 'deplorable', as he sees it as an 'exploitation of women' and 'objectification of children. Women in the church Other issues, like women's rights in the church were left largely unaddressed by the late pope. In a statement yesterday following the Pope's death, the Catholic Women's Ordination said: '[Pope Francis] was not afraid to enter the political arena where he saw injustice.' The organisation added that it was 'extraordinary' that his 'revolutionary thinking' did not extend to women. 'Women seeking sacramental ordination in the Catholic Church have been rejected,' it said. Though Pope Francis also appointed more women than ever before to top Vatican positions. Despite the advancements, the church's male-dominated structure remains intact, and women's ordination continues to be off the table. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
'Pope Francis did some good, but on the issue of clerical child sex abuse, he was disappointing'
MEMBERS OF THE Catholic faith have been rocked around the world by the news today of the death of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old passed away this morning after a weeks-long battle with illness. He had spent some time in the hospital but had been discharged and rallied in recent days, attending Easter Mass yesterday. Pope Francis has been remembered by so many today, those who have paid tribute to him and the efforts he made as Pope to improve the Church. Many have acknowledged that he has been more progressive than his predecessors in recognising the abuse of children by the Catholic Church. After becoming head of the Church in March 2013, Francis took numerous measures to tackle clerical abuse, from opening up internal Church documents to punishing high-ranking clergy, while making it compulsory to report suspicions of sexual assault to Church authorities. In 2019, he promised an 'all-out battle' against abuse, and compared child sex abuse to human sacrifice. But clergy are still not required to report abuse to civil authorities, unless the laws of that country require it, while any revelations made in confession remain private In December 2014, Francis established the Commission, consisting of an independent panel of experts , amid pressure for more action to tackle the issue. In 2022, Francis asked for an annual and 'reliable account on what is presently being done and what needs to change'. He added that he wants a 'commitment to conversion away from evil and to healing the wounded'. The Commission was then incorporated into the Roman Curia, the government of the Holy See which assists the pope in the day-to-day exercise of his role as the leader of the Catholic Church. In April 2022, Francis called for the annual reports to have a particular focus on the care of survivors of abuse. Advertisement He told the Commission: 'I urge you to assist in establishing suitable centres where individuals who have experienced abuse can find acceptance and an attentive hearing, and be accompanied in a process of healing and justice.' The first annual report on protecting minors in the Church, which was published last year , called for the Church to 'study damages and compensation policies to promote a rigorous approach to reparations, as part of the Church's commitment to the healing journey of victims and survivors'. Colm O'Gorman has campaigned for accountability for clerical child sexual for more than 30 years. He is the founder and former director of One in Four, and the former executive director of Amnesty International Ireland. He told The Journal that he has 'great admiration' for a lot of what Pope Francis has done in his life, as well as what he sought to do in the papacy. 'Disappointing' 'He's focused on a more inclusive, compassionate, responsive Church, which has been really inspiring,' he said, citing a move away from the stigmatising language that the Vatican has used in the past around LGBTQ+ people. 'His obvious compassion and desire to first of all, respond to people as human beings and to see the dignity and the fundamental goodness in all people, I think, is just very inspiring and very welcome.' But on the issue of clerical child sex abuse, O'Gorman thinks Francis has been 'quite disappointing'. He hasn't shown the same courage and tenacity as he has in other areas, and I think that's a real shame. O'Gorman said he was 'enormously disappointed' when Francis visited Ireland in August 2018. 'There were very real efforts on the part of the Vatican to push aside the whole abuse issue.' In the weeks before the visit, the Vatican said that while the pontiff would address the subject of abuse within the Catholic Church, it was not the 'major subject' of his visit . 'It seemed just the most extraordinarily crass, insensitive, stupid thing to do for a pope who was coming to Ireland, where we've been devastated by these issues for the last 30 or 40 years,' O'Gorman said. During his speech in the Phoenix Park , the pope's unscripted remarks went further than previous comments on abuses by the Catholic Church. Speaking in Spanish, he asked forgiveness 'for the abuse in Ireland. Abuses of power, conscience and sexual abuse perpetrated by members with roles of responsibility in the Church.' O'Gorman, who led a demonstration in Dublin to mark the upset that many feel towards the Catholic Church in Ireland while Francis was speaking during the 2018 visit , said the one thing that he did not do in his remarks is apologise. Related Reads Fr Tony Flannery: I loved that man and that Pope — I will miss him Pope Francis put on mechanical ventilation, as prognosis remains 'guarded' Pope Francis's 'clinical conditions confirmed to be improving', says Vatican 'The one thing that I've been looking for for 30 years from any Pope or from the Vatican at any level, is just the truth. Just a frank, open acknowledgement of responsibility for directing a cover up of these crimes at the global level, for seeking to protect the institution, its assets, its authority and its power ahead of all things,' he said. 'It's never been acknowledged. Ever. And sadly, Pope Francis, who I think could have really turned the tide on that, didn't, and I think that's a real shame.' 'Enormous respect' Despite this, O'Gorman said he has 'enormous respect' for Francis. He said it has been 'odd' watching the coverage of his stay in hospital and battle with illness. 'On a very human level, I think he's a man who, from what I can see, always tried to do the right thing. The world is a better place for him having been in it, and there's no question about that. 'People are grieving now. There's an awful lot of people who have enormous affection for Pope Francis, and I understand why, and I feel sad for them. I feel for people who are feeling the sadness of his passing. 'An 88-year-old man has been struggling, obviously, in very challenging circumstances, and that's the thing that's been on my mind, not any of this. If we're honest about about his legacy, he's done some extraordinary things in terms of speaking for compassion, for love, for inclusivity. That's been remarkable. 'But on the abuse issue, I'm afraid he didn't go anywhere near as far towards acknowledging the truth as I would have hoped for, certainly, and that's a disappointment.' The election process will now get underway to select the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. O'Gorman believes that whoever is chosen to be the next Pope must simply tell the truth when it comes to the abuse of children within the Church and the subsequent cover-up that ensued. 'We've never had anybody at the Vatican who's simply told the truth. And the truth is well established. This is not a matter of opinion. This is established fact. The cover up of these crimes, driven and directed by the Vatican at a law and policy level,' he said. 'The first thing that any Pope should do is tell the truth. Apologise for the Vatican's direction in the cover up of these crimes going back, not just many decades, but a number of centuries.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Leader Live
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Pope Francis' visit to Ireland provided ‘powerful moment' for abuse survivors
Despite being praised for an 'important' letter to US bishops in February which called on them to resist 'narratives that discriminate' against refugees, the Pope's address given in Dublin on clerical abuse scandals was called 'disappointing' by one abuse survivor. The pontiff visited Ireland for two days in August 2018, which included a visit to Knock shrine in Co Mayo, a meeting with victims of clerical abuse, and a visit to a homeless centre run by the Capuchin Fathers. The visit culminated in an open air Sunday Mass in Dublin's Phoenix Park, where pilgrims' attendance was a fraction of the million people who greeted Pope John Paul II at the same spot in 1979. The legacy of church abuse cast a long shadow over the Pope's Irish visit, during which he addressed a litany of crimes by its institutions and members. During the Phoenix Park Mass, he asked for 'forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland' and for 'pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions'. The visit prompted several demonstrations, including at a mass grave of infants at a former home for unmarried mothers in Co Galway, and at the Garden of Remembrances in Dublin. Colm O'Gorman, a survivor of clerical abuse and the former head of Amnesty International Ireland, organised the rally at the Garden of Remembrance to coincide with the Phoenix Park Mass. He said that it was initially dismissed that the Pope would address a series of abuse and mistreatment scandals by the Catholic Church, which he said would have been 'completely unacceptable'. 'People were contacting me saying it's really upsetting to think that that's all happening and there's no space for this to be acknowledged,' he told the PA news agency. 'This was not about protest, it's just about standing in solidarity with people who have been impacted or hurt in this way. And we ended up with 15,000 or 20,000 people at the event, which was powerful.' He said the final part of the event involved a silent walk from Parnell Square to Sean McDermott Street, the site of the last Magdalene Laundry to close. The notorious laundry institutions run by Catholic religious orders effectively incarcerated thousands of young women and forced them to work under harsh conditions. Mr O'Gorman described the silent walk as an 'extraordinary' show of 'powerful solidarity and purpose'. 'I'll never forget that silent walk, it was just incredibly powerful. Walking down O'Connell Street and turning left to head up towards Sean McDermott Street. And I was walking by, there was a hotel there at the time, and I heard the clink of somebody's spoon going into a coffee cup.' He said that during the Pope's visit to Dublin in 2018, there were 'massive gaps in the crowd', and that there were sections along the route that the Popemobile travelled where there was 'nobody lining the route'. 'He belted along there at a fair old pace, I think, as a result. That was an early indication of the wider response to the visit. Not that people were disinterested, but people were certainly not out there waving flags in the ways that might have been anticipated.' He said that while he does not agree with Francis' stance on social issues, he said he has 'enormous regard' for his empathy towards refugees and migrants, and said he his stance on women's rights and LGBT+ issues were 'open and non-judgmental'. 'He called time on vitriolic, nasty marginalising approaches that have typified the response of the institutional church on these issues to these communities before now,' he said. A more liberal approach to social issues emphasised why his response to clerical abuse in Ireland was 'such a disappointment', according to Mr O'Gorman. 'Back to the beginning of his papacy, he's been exceptionally strong and good on issues relating to refugees and migrants. 'I can remember back in the early days of his of his papacy, him saying that every Roman Catholic parish should be welcoming and receiving a family of refugees. 'So to say we're aligned on that particular approach would be an understatement. 'To have him position that so powerfully at the very, very beginning of his papacy was really important. 'He's also visited prisons and washed the feet of prisoners, he's visited refugee detention centres and camps. 'He's made really powerful, important statements on on the dignity and the rights of refugees and of migrants, and I think he's been phenomenal in that respect.' He added: 'That dishonesty in relation to the history of abuse here in Ireland when he was coming here was such a disappointment, and the suggestion that he simply wasn't in any way going to deal with that issue when he was here was just deeply, deeply frustrating. 'I have yet to see a papal apology for abuse anywhere, and it's always very frustrating when the statements that various Popes have made over the years are presented as an apology. 'What popes generally do – and that includes, sadly, Pope Francis – is they speak of their regret and sadness, or sorrow at the hurt caused to so many people. That's not an apology. It's an expression of sorrow. 'No Pope has ever done that (apologised). The Vatican has never, ever, ever acknowledged its central role in not just permitting these cover ups to happen, but in directing these cover ups.'
South Wales Guardian
21-04-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Pope Francis' visit to Ireland provided ‘powerful moment' for abuse survivors
Despite being praised for an 'important' letter to US bishops in February which called on them to resist 'narratives that discriminate' against refugees, the Pope's address given in Dublin on clerical abuse scandals was called 'disappointing' by one abuse survivor. The pontiff visited Ireland for two days in August 2018, which included a visit to Knock shrine in Co Mayo, a meeting with victims of clerical abuse, and a visit to a homeless centre run by the Capuchin Fathers. The visit culminated in an open air Sunday Mass in Dublin's Phoenix Park, where pilgrims' attendance was a fraction of the million people who greeted Pope John Paul II at the same spot in 1979. The legacy of church abuse cast a long shadow over the Pope's Irish visit, during which he addressed a litany of crimes by its institutions and members. During the Phoenix Park Mass, he asked for 'forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland' and for 'pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions'. The visit prompted several demonstrations, including at a mass grave of infants at a former home for unmarried mothers in Co Galway, and at the Garden of Remembrances in Dublin. Colm O'Gorman, a survivor of clerical abuse and the former head of Amnesty International Ireland, organised the rally at the Garden of Remembrance to coincide with the Phoenix Park Mass. He said that it was initially dismissed that the Pope would address a series of abuse and mistreatment scandals by the Catholic Church, which he said would have been 'completely unacceptable'. 'People were contacting me saying it's really upsetting to think that that's all happening and there's no space for this to be acknowledged,' he told the PA news agency. 'This was not about protest, it's just about standing in solidarity with people who have been impacted or hurt in this way. And we ended up with 15,000 or 20,000 people at the event, which was powerful.' He said the final part of the event involved a silent walk from Parnell Square to Sean McDermott Street, the site of the last Magdalene Laundry to close. The notorious laundry institutions run by Catholic religious orders effectively incarcerated thousands of young women and forced them to work under harsh conditions. Mr O'Gorman described the silent walk as an 'extraordinary' show of 'powerful solidarity and purpose'. 'I'll never forget that silent walk, it was just incredibly powerful. Walking down O'Connell Street and turning left to head up towards Sean McDermott Street. And I was walking by, there was a hotel there at the time, and I heard the clink of somebody's spoon going into a coffee cup.' He said that during the Pope's visit to Dublin in 2018, there were 'massive gaps in the crowd', and that there were sections along the route that the Popemobile travelled where there was 'nobody lining the route'. 'He belted along there at a fair old pace, I think, as a result. That was an early indication of the wider response to the visit. Not that people were disinterested, but people were certainly not out there waving flags in the ways that might have been anticipated.' He said that while he does not agree with Francis' stance on social issues, he said he has 'enormous regard' for his empathy towards refugees and migrants, and said he his stance on women's rights and LGBT+ issues were 'open and non-judgmental'. 'He called time on vitriolic, nasty marginalising approaches that have typified the response of the institutional church on these issues to these communities before now,' he said. A more liberal approach to social issues emphasised why his response to clerical abuse in Ireland was 'such a disappointment', according to Mr O'Gorman. 'Back to the beginning of his papacy, he's been exceptionally strong and good on issues relating to refugees and migrants. 'I can remember back in the early days of his of his papacy, him saying that every Roman Catholic parish should be welcoming and receiving a family of refugees. 'So to say we're aligned on that particular approach would be an understatement. 'To have him position that so powerfully at the very, very beginning of his papacy was really important. 'He's also visited prisons and washed the feet of prisoners, he's visited refugee detention centres and camps. 'He's made really powerful, important statements on on the dignity and the rights of refugees and of migrants, and I think he's been phenomenal in that respect.' He added: 'That dishonesty in relation to the history of abuse here in Ireland when he was coming here was such a disappointment, and the suggestion that he simply wasn't in any way going to deal with that issue when he was here was just deeply, deeply frustrating. 'I have yet to see a papal apology for abuse anywhere, and it's always very frustrating when the statements that various Popes have made over the years are presented as an apology. 'What popes generally do – and that includes, sadly, Pope Francis – is they speak of their regret and sadness, or sorrow at the hurt caused to so many people. That's not an apology. It's an expression of sorrow. 'No Pope has ever done that (apologised). The Vatican has never, ever, ever acknowledged its central role in not just permitting these cover ups to happen, but in directing these cover ups.'
