On May 22nd the country marches to vote in a referendum. And like other referendums before it, the side not sponsored by the state is savaged, demonized and the public urged and urged with threats of mean names and disapproving finger waving if they do not vote as the state wishes.
And make no mistake, the yes vote is the vote almost every party in the republic implicitely supports, if not explicitely such as the more socialist parties.
I, being the cynic I am, am wary of the millions of dollars from American trusts poured into Ireland promoting numerous 'progressive' causes, and knowing of the apathy of the Irish populace and the utter catastrophe that is our moral and civic backbone, know full well I am preaching into a hurricane. The propaganda will likely win out, the beleagured Irish once again bullied into going the way of so many other fish in the river instead of swimming upstream like the fish of wisdom, the undecided will have the decision made for them and those who dared to vote no will be found and, one way or another, pay for their defiance in subtle, small ways that nonetheless cut deep.
But I have been wrong before, this is the electorate, after all, that did that most rare of things and exercised the proper duty of caution a democratic citizen is supposed to do when presented with an urgent vote. And for their temerity they were shamed and brow beaten and forced to vote again. But this same electorate saw the shamefulness of those who would grasp for the throne of the presidency and elected the quiet man in a brisk and surprising bout of mass wisdom to choose the humble and well spoken over the brash and the boorish, the likes of which will probably be never seen again. But this is the same electorate that voted for Divorce too. And when they vote for gay marriage which I have little practical reason to doubt, they will, in due course, vote for their rights to adoption and then, because everything else has been thrown out, Ireland will at last be an abortion on demand country, because at that point, why not?
At least, that is where reason would take me. But like I said, I've been wrong before, and miracles do indeed happen. But even if it is defeated we cannot rest easy, St.Patrick's work has been undone, and the snakes have come home to rest between the blades of grass in our fields.
A welcome return, bravo on your piece. At least we have prayer on our side, so lets take the time and pray the rosary today. I think its going to be closer than they think.
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Josey
I can hardly find words for this tragedy right now. But I am glad to see you back servant and I pray you do not give up.
ReplyDeleteYour quest for sacred government would seem impossible in the face of an Anglo-American led globalisation - but what I think we need to do is nurture the 30% or so of Ireland that is not lost, show that the appalling catechesis of recent years has failed utterly - and build a new traditional subculture.
Religion is not your main focus here, I know, but sacred government. But the mentality created by traditional religion - including the Latin Mass - has been the key to Ireland's former resistance to Anglo-Americanisation.
A traditional subculture is active in France as I am sure you know. We need the same here. Again I think the traditional Mass is key and would again urge you, if you haven't already, to check out the Institute of Christ the King high sung Mass usually 2nd Sunday of the month in Belfast. (If you are ever there, servant, I am a big - in both height and girth - guy with brown hair and a beard and would love to have a little chat.)
Terrible times - but if we can co-create the solidarity of a new traditional subculture and stand and fight for a different vision … we can create a more effective resistance.
The tragedy today is that this subculture wasn't built 15 years ago. Note how Sarkozy in France has pledged to repeal Hollande's Same Sex 'marriage' - because there is an active subculture which resists ...
Sorry for the delay in response.
DeleteI am actually in Belfast most days for work, but only get an hour for lunch. I'll try to be at the High Mass next month.
I've been trying to find information about the Institute of Christ the King in Belfast, but the closest I ever seem to find is the one located in Limerick. Could you help me out?
DeleteIt's not good Servant, but try not to be too disheartened. If the Irish can be converted once, then they can be again.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind Servant, many people seem to take pride in the fact that Ireland is the first country to legalise homosexual marriage through a referendum. What does that say about countries that legalised it without a referendum though? Roger mentioned France as an example. Why wouldn't they put it to the people there? What were they afraid of?
As for abortion, the effects would become noticeable pretty quick. Ireland has a TFR of less than 2.1 as it is. When things start going downhill, that's when things will start to turn around.