well said. I never thought about it like that.

Wrong, so wrong, and to read that there are actually ‘tickets’ sold and bought by individuals that ignore the raping and bugery of young children.

To even see that Brady person in the picture turns my stomach. Sick, sick, sick.

Sheila – what makes you think that those who will attend the Congress ignore the rape of young children? As far as i can see, those who will attend are more disgusted by this behaviour than most.

People go to the Congress because of Jesus Christ, and he had pretty harsh things to say about those who hurt children.

Ku Klux Klan would get a better welcome than this crowd!

@Almar

The mere fact that those people are attending the concert, sorry, congress show total, total disrespect to these children that have been raped and suffered bugery from individuals in the church and nothing, absolutely nothing and nobody has been properly punished for it and ignoring the part that they played in it.

The fact that Brady has the gaul to attend it never mind be in charge of it is so sickening. You say that the ones attending ‘are more disgusted by this behaviour than most’ , to me are part of the secrecy.

If Jesus Christ was alive today, he would not be hiding the evilness and hypocracy that is in his church, nor would he have the riches, money, gold, art etc. In order to apologize to these children and they are children still in their minds, he would be going out of his way to make it right. These people up there, like Pope Benedict etc. do not represent Jesus Christ, christians, me and many more, they represent themselves, their ‘business’ and the power they’ve made for themselves.

That is how I feel Almar. No matter what you try and turn around and make excuses for these people, I will never have anything positive to say to you on this matter. We differ in many ways and will probably never agree on anything but you need to imagine yourself, being in those people’s shoes, close your eyes and remember what those poor souls have told about what happened them, living it every day, no matter how much they try to forget. Imagine that, imagine an adult, a priest, doing those things to you, a little innocent boy/girl and how afraid they must have been and how much pain they were in …. and still in.

No it’s a gathering of people whose leaders believe themselves to be outside of the law….

their evil and you’re a saint I guess… I am sick of reading all those comments related to child abuse, why don’t you read stuff about abuses in HSE managed institutions? It’s happening all the time, but for some reason people just want to blame Catholic Church for everything..

p.s. if you’re looking for corrupt institutions turn on your tv…

I’m sure that the ticket sales are actually going towards paying for the significant costs of the event itself….

Quite rightly, the Congress did not seek State funding. Most events of this size receive State funding because of the benefit they provide to the economy, so in this case it all has to be paid for by the Church.

That said, I believe that the tickets are overpriced and excessively restrictive, but that’s another story…

Its not a state visit , they were not invited and that’s why the state will not be paying . Please do not liken this to the visit by Obama or the Queen as they were state visits and must be paid for . The state will be footing the bill for the Garda on the street outside the event and the security around the event , so it will cost the Tax Payer .

Personally ,i feel they are not welcome in this country . Cardinal Brady has still not addressed the issues and resigned as suggested by public opinion. Benedict is well aware her is not welcome here according to Diarmid Martin and its an awful shame the rest of them didnt get the same hint .

The headliner in Croke Park that will replace Benedict is Cardinal Marc Ouellet . Just pop his name into Google and look at the controversy he has caused in his home country of Canada when he offended every woman who was raped by suggesting they murdered their unborn by having abortions . Great Guy huh

Ticket sales are not great and they have extended the time and you can be sure the majority of sales are from abroad .

Niall: Nobody said anything about a State visit. There are lots of cultural and artistic events that attract tourism and as a result receive grants from the State. It’s not only State visits that attract State money.

‘the few remaining tickets for upper tiers are available through Tickets.ie. They can also be purchased in Centra and Super Valu stores.’

finally, religion here has found its level. pantomime, tickets available at the local cornershop. might be special offers with every bag of coke and packet of crisps bought? buy two tickets for congress get one free family ticket for circus?

AlMar , why not address the real issues of the congress . Marc Outlett and his pro-life activities ! One of the main speakers at the congress is Sean Brady and the fact the dogs in the street want him to resign. The fact that in any poll that we have conducted their is a serious lack of support for the organisation .

Support for the belief is still strong but the marketing arm from the Vatican is not welcome by the people .

Contrary to the story above , ticket sales are dismal and they have extended the cut off date for tickets .

Maybe the Journal.ie should run a poll . Do you welcome the Vatican and the Congress to Ireland . I would suggest that it might be very one sided !!

Indeed, I would agree with you that the poll would be very one sided here on TheJournal!

I also agree with you that the ticket sales are dismal. Did I suggest otherwise?

As for the Vatican coming to Ireland, what on earth are you talking about?? This is a creature of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Specifically, it is a creature of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin – it’s his gig. The programme is largely made in his own image and likeness. He designed it. He staffed it. He signed off on the speakers and on the fee being charged.

That’s magnanimous of you Almar. The RCC owes the state millions for the settlement of outstanding amounts to those it abused. Perhaps it was wise they didn’t apply for state funding when you consider the fact that the state/taxpayer has picked up the tab for the worlds biggest pedophile support group.

1 day ticket €35, 3 day ticket €70, a 7 day ticket €105. are they mad paying those prices.

I trust in God ,not his middle men anymore i’m afraid

Perhaps to pay for the event???

Or perhaps you might take it on yourself to ask the RDS and the GAA to provide their conference facilities for free so that this portion of the ticket money could go to charity…

Or rent boys…

Sorry johnny you go to a bar on George’s street for them.

The money is going to banco del vaticano straight into benedicts account. I bet he is licking his lips.

You wont get any rent boys on georges street, i love lamp, if you are looking for a rent boy head to the phoenix park, if your looking for a boyfriend go to georges street

Michelle – if you’re not going and not spending your hard earned cash, why are you worried about where other people’s hard earned cash goes, especially since they are voluntarily spending it?

If somebody from abraod is invited to speak at the Congress, do you expect them to pay their own fare?

Any event of this magnitude, which has been in preparation for severasl years, costs a significant amount of money. Why is this surprising to people?

Al – Michelle and the rest of us will have to foot the bill for the Garda presence on the streets around the venue during the event.

@AlMar

Who invited all these people to come to Ireland for Congress? Ireland was picked to host it in a cynical attempt to shore up (financial) support for the venal, corrupt and evil regime that pollutes the Vatican.

Gavin: There is always a cost to policing with any event. For example: concerts, sports events, the Gay Pride march…

I assume you are equally concerned about the economic cost of policing all of these events?

Very good!

Any chance of Jesus and Mary Chain? If they were anywhere on the bill, I’d go!

Lets also not forget the annual awarding of the prestigious Golden Cleric Award :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyBHjRo7vpI

*correction* just been informed it’s only the apostle tribute band ‘the dozen’ that are appearing…

You naughty boy!I hope your comment can be interpreted as having ‘literary’ merit, otherwise you might be breaking the Blapshemous Libel act brought in by Dermot Ahearn…Ah feck it, in for a penny,in for a pound; I’ll join the blasphemy fun and add “There’ll be a prize draw after, where the lucky winner gets to deflower the Virgin Mary…”There, catholics, sue me!

I hear Jesus is planning a surprise come back at this gig. Flock n roll!

Bagsy your +1!

ohh, you’re so funny…

No need to book at all. Just reserve your place with God during prayer time.

I wish Dermot Morgan “Ted” was still alive. What fun and laughter he’d be bringing into our lives. We all need a good old laugh these days. Love watching the old shows. Cheers me up big time. R.I.P. Ted!

How about staff, insurance, printing and promotion, travel and expenses for speakers?????

What about the benefit it will bring to the economy? These large events always do that.

Are you going yourself Michelle? Have you paid for a ticket? If not, it’s not really something to worry about since there is no public money spent on it and it will give as net economic boost to the country.

(As i said above, I think the cost is way too high, but that’s a different debate).

I find the thought of the church covering their asses with insurance to be a distinctly lacking in faith. Also for promotion how expensive could it possibly be to have a guy in robe and sandals traverse the lands, preaching to the good people?

Almar is it expected that there will be a lot of overseas visitors for this event? Or do you expect the small percentage of people with billions in the bank (most likely foreign banks) to be splashing their cash? If not how is it good for the economy? It’s just people spending the same diminishing pool of money.

Julia: I have no idea how many people will be here from abroad for it. Probably several thousand. I think actual figures have been published somewhere buit I cannot remember.

But, even if nobody came from abroad, getting people to spend their money is still a good thing for the economy!!

How about they pay for the damage they have done Almar?

As a country then I feel we should bring back the moving statues….to improve the economy.

My understanding is that the cost of the event is about €11 million. I doubt there will be any excess funds…

Why don’t you ask Archbishop Diarmuid Martin about the money? It’s his gig entirely. He’s supposedly open to public dialogue and all that.

Is there not a policy that exists that prohibits the publication of offensive images? An image of a smiling Sean Brady is not unlike the smell of a spoonful of Cod liver oil to most decent minded folk. His very presence in our society is offensive, his inability to account for what he did is offensive, the fact that he is still Primate is offensive. Any advertisement for this insidious and malignant cancer on the face of Irish society is offensive.

Hardly a surprise that profanity and vitriol finds it’s way into expressions here as a consequence of your publication of a photograph of a smiling Sean Brady. No one has forgotten that he gave those children to Brendan Smyth, I don’t think anyone ever will.

It’s hardly appropriate in light of your knowledge as to the nature of his indiscretions to publish an image of this individual that does not pertain to his being involved in a car crash.

Burning Bush
Sorry for being repetitious. Brady is – like it or not, smirking and grinning as he pleases – head of an organization of which 84% of Irish people are happy to say they belong to.

Looks, lets not be stupid and fool ourselves – or try to fool others!
Even his own mob don’t want him!

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/underfire-cardinal-suffers-snub-from-his-own-priests-3111528.html

Quote:
CARDINAL Sean Brady has suffered a new blow after the majority of priests in his diocese snubbed a meeting organised as a show of support for the embattled leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Just 20 of 150 priests in the Armagh Archdiocese invited to attend a prayer gathering in support of Dr Brady actually showed up — with many privately voicing concerns about his leadership.

If the RC heirarchy want to come on a jolly over here, let them pay for it themselves! If I go on holiday, whether or not it’s to a catholic country, I don’t expect the host country to pay for my travels!

At this stage, I’d rather give to Fianna Failure than the Catholic Church. FF are somewhat less corrupt and have a hell of a lot less blood (and other bodily fluids) on their hands.

Something’s gonna have to give! Most of the comments I reply to get deleted…I’m beginning to feel like the Avenging Angel of thejournal.ie!!!

I can assure you Daisy I would be as horrified as you if I thought one brass farthing of my lucre went towards that foul, vile corrupt organization. But if then on the basis of the last census yourself & meself are in a minority of 16%! Happy days for pope Benny!?

So if you’re sure that church are making no money then why did you ask where it’s going?

Vote NO

Insert obligatory agreeing with NO voter comment.

Christian?

obligatory “thumb down” click on David Higgins’ comment

Also.when niki minaj plays dublin,tell everyone to stay away as two of her dancers just brutally raped and murdered an irish girl…ok

DON’T FEED THE TROLL!

that’s probably the worst comment I’ve ever seen in any forum anywhere. living tangible proof of religious brain-washing, as if it was needed. embarrassing.

The Irish people should be on the streets demanding that this thing should be called off! Why would we encourage a crowd that openly condones child abuse?

****Vote No****