"Nonsense."
Once again I agree - you are talking just that.
Comparisons with what happens elsewhere is as crass as it gets in the light of what ha happened in Ireland - even the Bishop of Dublin has stated that the church has to come to terms with the fact that it no longer can rely on the power it once had, but it still attempts to wield what it has left.
Church power was written into the Constitution when the State was formed - it is not just a matter of changing the law on these matters but altering the Constitution.
The power of the Church was finally broken when the revelations on clerical abuse hit the fan, your that same church still controls over 90% of primary education and many schools are rejecting pupils on the basis that they do not have a Confirmation certificate - explain that one away.
The Irish people have never been asked to vote on the power of the church - ever - the "democratic choice" that you claim is that of politicians - not that of the people - it would take a referendum to change that.
I am not going to do this with you again Keith - the effect that the church has had on Irish lawmaking speaks for itself - your denials no longer work.
No more Keith - unless you are going to show how the people have chosen - I'm tired to your permanent appeasement of tyrants and atrocities
Finished, before we **** up this discussion - I suggest you have the decency to do the same
Jim Carroll