An Irish priest speaks up.... COURAGE TO SPEAK A GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Father Brendan Walsh BTh As a Catholic Christian, guided by an informed conscience rooted in the teachings of Christ and His Church, I am compelled to speak out against the moral decay afflicting Ireland's political leadership. The present situation in Ireland, and indeed across much of Europe, is a profound and devastating departure from the values of justice, compassion, and truth that have long shaped our nation. God will not be mocked forever. The delusion casting its dark shadow over Ireland’s political landscape brings with it destruction, not only in the spiritual lives of the people but also in our secular communities. The sacredness of life, a core principle of Catholic teaching, is under relentless assault. The legalisation of abortion, the rejection of the inviolable dignity of every human being, and the erosion of the family unit reflect a nation that has turned its back on the most vulnerable. This is a grave moral failure. As the Church has consistently affirmed, from the moment of conception, every human life is sacred and must be protected with utmost care (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2270-2273). To allow the unborn to be discarded is not only an affront to divine law but also a tragic failure of our society to protect its weakest members. But the crisis does not end there. The widespread and unchecked influx of undocumented male migrants, though interwoven with genuine asylum seekers, poses a grave challenge to the stability of the host nations. While our faith commands us to welcome the stranger and care for those in need (Matthew 25:35), the current policies appear reckless and lack the necessary balance between compassion and the preservation of societal harmony. Governments have an obligation to regulate immigration in a way that protects both the dignity of those seeking refuge and the common good of the people already residing within their borders (Catechism, 2241). When these policies result in chaos and the undermining of local communities, it is clear that justice is being subverted. What is equally troubling is the assault on freedom of thought and speech. The rapid advance of 'Cancel Culture,' the aggressive promotion of ideologies that contradict natural law, and the attempt to introduce hate speech laws, particularly in Ireland, reflect a government increasingly hostile to truth. These laws, vague and ill-defined, threaten to silence critical discussion and religious expression, demanding conformity to a narrow view of morality that ignores the objective truth revealed by God. Our Lord warns that "the truth will set you free" (John 8:32), but truth cannot flourish in a society where dissent is criminalised, and where governments refuse even to define the nature of "hate." In our Catholic tradition, we are taught to discern the spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood (1 John 4:1). The current atmosphere in Ireland suggests not just a failure of human leadership but the presence of something more sinister—a spiritual darkness that seeks to erase the image of God from the hearts and minds of His people. The devil is a deceiver, and his agenda is clear: to replace truth with lies, to destroy the family, and to undermine the dignity of human life. We must be alert to this, for as St. Paul reminds us, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world" (Ephesians 6:12). Yet, amidst this darkness, we must not lose hope. God’s promise of freedom—true freedom—is not indulgence in self-serving ideologies, nor is it blind obedience to the decrees of unjust rulers. True freedom is found in pursuing what is good, noble, and just, in obedience to God’s law and the moral order He has inscribed on our hearts. A government that denies its people the ability to live according to this law does not serve the common good—it leads its people into slavery, bound to the whims of human arrogance and selfish ambition. For true Christians, there is no amount of coercion or manipulation that can extinguish the light of the Holy Spirit. The Church, sustained by over 2,000 years of teaching, bears witness to the truth in every age, regardless of the hostility it faces. We must pray for our leaders, but we must also confront the corruption of their intent. As the prophet Isaiah declared, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). It is our duty, as faithful Catholics and citizens, to expose this moral bankruptcy and to call our leaders to repentance. In this defining moment of history, Ireland is at a crossroads. We face not only a political crisis but a profound moral decline that threatens the very fabric of our nation. Our leaders, once entrusted with the noble task of serving the common good, have betrayed that trust through corruption, greed, and self-interest. Every broken promise, every scandal, every unaccountable decision is a betrayal of the Irish people. But more than that, it is a betrayal of the moral foundations that have sustained our nation for centuries. The chasm between the powerful elite and the people they claim to serve grows ever wider. The vulnerable are left without a voice, as corporate interests and cronyism overshadow justice and truth. It is not merely that our leaders fail to act for the good; they act without conscience, abandoning the principles of fairness and compassion in pursuit of their own agendas. Ireland, once a beacon of hope, resilience, and moral courage, now stands tarnished by the actions of those in power. Integrity has been replaced with arrogance, compassion traded for cruelty, and justice overshadowed by self-preservation. But this is not our destiny. We, the people of Ireland, must rise in this moment of reckoning. We must demand a leadership that reflects the values of our ancestors—justice, equality, and an unwavering commitment to the truth. This moral decline must end, not by the will of corrupt politicians but by the collective voice of the Irish people. We must stand as witnesses to the truth, acting with courage and conviction. Let us invoke the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, who taught that law must be rooted in reason and serve the common good. When it does not, it is no law at all, but an act of violence (Summa Theologica, I-II, Q. 96, A. 4). We must reject the laws that oppress and marginalise and call for the return of justice, righteousness, and respect for the dignity of all life. Let us, with courage, say enough is enough. Ireland deserves better, and together, we will restore the moral integrity of our beloved nation. In Christ’s name, let us act. PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS AND FOR IRELAND.
He's dead and gone. The Irish Bishops will roast and eat him. Poor man. They'll tear him apart, unless RTE gets to him first. But, with a bit of luck they'll send him as missionary to Antartica. There's nothing that enrages cowards more than someone being brave, making a stand and showing them all up. Look what happened to poor old Bishop Strickland..
https://m.facebook.com/100011299811975/?profile_tab_item_selected=about Looks like he is married, living in Tralee, Co. Kerry. I don't think he is a priest? Maybe former priest ...
That explains it. He's not part of the system, the Church Organisation can't touch him. Fair play to him anyway, it was brave of him speaking out. Prayers for the dear man. I hope a team of Gardai don't drag him away to Dublin Castle. or where ever.
Yes, fair play to him. Exposing evil must be a legitimate apostolate in itself. Just as meritorious as having concern for the poor, the needy, the hungry. Exposing evil is driven by a concern for the spiritual welfare of the people. Yes, woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.
If we are relying on the Irish Bishops we are all doomed. They are like the dead. They never say anything. Where are they? Are they still living? Are any of them still alive? They pretty well never,ever, ever say anything at all about anything, at all as far as I can see...
Yes I know that Brendan Walsh. He was never a priest. There is a Fr Brendan Walsh who is a pallotine priest in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He goes to Medjugorje quite a bit and conducts healing ministry. He is a special priest and gives great sermons. There are several youtubes on him. I'm not able to link them.
You mean this Fr Brendan Walsh Father Brendan Walsh SAC - Silver Jubilee - WELCOME TO PALLOTTINES IRELAND
