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LAST UPDATE | 24 Aug 2018
Leo VaradkarSource: RTÉ News/Twitter
LEO VARADKAR HAS said the Catholic Church still has a role to play in Irish society but shouldn't determine public policy.
Speaking to BBC News ahead of Pope Francis' visit this weekend, the Taoiseach said the Church had "too much of a dominant place in our society" in the past.
"I think it still has a place in our society but not one that determines public policy or determines our laws."
Varadkar said the Papal visit would provide an opportunity for Pope Francis to speak to those abused by members of the clergy or in Church-run institutions.
"It is an opportunity for him to say something to the women and children in particular who were victims of the Church's institutions — to reiterate the apologies that he's given in the past but also to demonstrate that things are going to change into the future," he stated.
Speaking on Sky News, Varadkar said more must be done by the Church to repair the trust it has broken.
He said: "It is my wish that we can open a new chapter in relations between Ireland, the Irish State and the Catholic Church.
“One that is more equal, that is more respectful and one that is more modern. Also of course, I will want to talk about human rights issues and issues relating to child sex abuse and the mistreatment of children and women by the Church and its institutions – often with the collusion of the State, we should bear in mind – in the past.”
Pope Francis is due to meet victims of clerical sexual abuse during his two-day visit.
Excluded
In a separate interview with RTÉ News, Varadkar said some Catholics feel excluded from the Church because of its treatment of women, or because they are divorced or from an LGBT+ background.
I know that really hurts for them.
Varadkar said he wants to talk to Pope Francis about this topic in a way that respects religious freedom, adding: "It's not the role of the head of government to ask any church ... to change its faith."
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend events involving Pope Francis in Dublin and Knock this weekend, the largest of which will be a Mass in Phoenix Park on Sunday.
A large crowd is also due to attend Stand for Truth, a demonstration in solidarity with Church abuse survivors, which is due to take place at 3pm on Sunday in Dublin city centre to coincide with the Mass.
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Strong Laws to protect company’s.
Weak laws for the consumer.
Big thanks to “our”government.
Always got their voters interests at heart.
@Dave Walsh: of course if the government tries to regulate companies better it gets accused of being a nanny state.
It can’t win.
@Barry Somers: say that to the thousands of customers left out of pocket every year,when company’s fail and there owners just move on.No recriminations.
Ya, thats one website I won’t be clicking on.
@Luke Sharpish:
No pun intended.
Very good reporting.
A toxic site sure who in their mind would want it or use it.
The guy behind this site has a new business set up already. Be warned.
Id put any money that this is still the same crowd running it, as Declan said and ive checked myself that the Whois is the same as it was before going broke. If this was a different group they’d have removed Cantec straight away.
@Mark McDermott: so they bought the domain from themselves?
Any info about the sale of the domain? According to whois, Cantec are still have the rights to the domain:
Domain: click.ie
Domain Holder: Cantec North East Ltd
Registration Date: 25-April-2000
Renewal Date: 30-June-2019
Smelling of Dead rat me thinks
The same people have bought this again. They also have 3 stores now.
Click Bait
Won’t click on that, no pin intended.
have your say