The whole argument is ludicrous, and is more of a comment on the state of modern Catholics and their understanding of their own religion, as well as their misguided priorities. Folks need to listen to Joe on this. The day is the feast day of a Saint of the Catholic Church. This isn't about your right to parades, parties, drinking stupid green beer, and being Irish once a year. It is the feast day of a Saint. There is no discussion as to the Church's right to move that day. The decision is theirs and theirs alone. Now, as to the secular celebration of so called Irishness, you are free to do that whenever you want, within the constraints of your own conscience as to whether or not to keep your Lenten vows of sacrifice. But taking shots at the Bishops, and the Church, because they won't give you dispensation from the most important time of reflection in the entire liturgical year so you can have a party is ridiculous. It just goes with the turf, folks.

Mick, who wishes he had the dispensation but will live with it, cause thems the rules.