People Before Profit are holding a series of meeting across the country to co-incide with the visit of the Pope. The purpose is to generate support for the separation of church and state.
In a statement, Kieran Allen, secretary of People before Profit said,
‘Everyone has a right to express their religion and we particularly welcome Pope Francis statements which have been critical of a culture which venerates the ‘God of Money.’
‘However, there are ongoing issues with church control on schools and hospitals that must be addressed.
‘It is no longer tolerable that 92% of primary schools are run by Catholic bishops or that ethics committees dominated by one religion can dictate what medical procedures are available in Irish hospitals.
‘We have consistently called on the Vatican to open its files on child sexual abuse but this has been refused. Apologies for child abuse ring hollow when an institution puts the protection of its assets above genuine transparency.
‘On the occasion of the papal visit, we think it fitting that a message goes out that many people want to scrap the notorious Woods deal which indemnified the church against litigation over child abuse with Irish tax payers money.’
People Before Profit meetings are being held in Cork, Castlebar,Galway and Dublin. The Dublin meeting co-incides with the papal visit and will be addressed by Vincent Browne, Eamonn McCann, Darren McGavan(Abuse Survivor) and Clodagh Malone( Mother and Babies Home survivor). It will be held in the Gresham Hotel at 6pm on Saturday 25th.
For confirmation: Phone Kieran Allen on 0872839964
