Murphy Report and a secularist challenge to the church

national | rights, freedoms and repression | other press Thursday December 03, 2009 22:33 by Anne Mc Shane Annegmcshane at eircom dot net

This article forcuses on the significance of the recent revelations in the Murphy Report for the left. Anne Mc Shane argues that the left needs to take up the struggle for democracy against the Irish state. With the church exposed once again for their sanctimonious hypocritical and abusive behaviour the time is right for such a challenge.

The Irish state embodies theocratic and reactionary rule. The Church has a great deal of influence and power, particularly on social questions. Article 6 of the constitution states: “All powers of government, legislative, executive and judicial, derive under god from the people.” Organised religion - specifically the Catholic church - is the ultimate power. This system must end. We can and must fight for a democratic, secular republic. The working class has every interest in constitutionally separating the church from the state. Tax breaks and charitable status must end and catholic schools become state schools. The church should be stripped of all riches.