Maybe you saw the viral video of Leo Varadkar partying at a gay pride parade last weekend when 1000’s attended?
Or maybe you saw the video showing Micheal Martin at a press briefing being asked by the reporter if First Holy Communions and Confirmations can go ahead this year? In that press briefing, Martin is seen to look to Varadkar for an answer. Varadkar hesitates, then mumbles under his mask “‘They’re off, unfortunately”. And promptly walks off the stage.
So that was that, deal done. Irish Catholics left without First Holy communion or Confirmations for another year whilst gay pride parades with 1000’s in attendance can go ahead without even a whimper.
However, one brave and defiant priest isn’t going to lie down under these draconian rules.
According to Rollercoaster.ie, Fr. Michael Toomey tweeted that he will not be following the statement until told otherwise by his Bishop.
Fr Michael Toomey, who is the administrator of the parishes of Ardfinnan, Ballybacon and Grange, and Newcastle/Fourmilewater in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore and also a regular on celebrant on RTÉ weekday Mass on RTÉ News, made the personal statement on Twitter.
He said: ‘I will not be following the “…off the cuff” statement by the @LeoVaradkar
‘I am planning to celebrate the two Confirmations in my parish planned and will continue to celebrate the Baptism with families, if they wish me to do so and until such time as my Bishop advises otherwise.’
— Fr Michael Toomey (@frmichaeltoomey) June 29, 2021
Will the Irish Bishops and priests of Ireland back up Fr Toomey or are we getting ready for another storming od a Catholic Church by the Gardai? Time will tell.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.