FMA — Family and Media Association — "What it DOESN'T say in the papers!…"

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"Contrary to the impression given by the resignation of Aoife Kavanagh, groupthink does not grow from the bottom. On the contrary, it arises from the action of a hierarchy, bearing down on the individual journalist - rarely by means of formal direction, more usually by nods, winks, nudges and occasional snorts of derision.

"Many of those who become infected were not ideologically motivated to begin with, but simply wanted to succeed in their jobs and be admired by their colleagues. Groupthink is a kind of ideological sick building syndrome, infecting the rooms in which editorial decisions come to be made." - John Waters

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Having considered the matter, the Authority determined that there had been breaches of Section 39(1) (b) and (e) of the Act by RTE. In making its determination, the Authority found as follows:

(FINDINGS:)

* The programme was not fair in that it broadcast serious, damaging and untrue allegations about Father Reynolds that he had abused a teenage girl in Africa in the early 1980's, that she had borne his child and that he had then abandoned her and the child. These allegations were broadcast in the face of denials and in circumstances where Father Reynolds had offered to take a paternity test; despite this, RTE decided to broadcast the programme. Given the fact that Fr. Reynolds is an ordained priest, currently in ministry, the impact upon his reputation was particularly severe. This constituted a breach of Section 39 (1) (b) of the Act.

* The means employed to make the programme, including secret filming and a doorstep interview, unreasonably encroached upon Fr. Reynolds's privacy. This constituted a breach of Section 39 (1) (e) of the Act.

* There was a significant failure of editorial and managerial controls within RTE which failed to anticipate, monitor or control the possibility of such a breach occurring and which failed to recognise the grave injustice which could be done to Fr. Reynolds. This constituted a breach of Section 39 (1) (b) of the Act.

* RTE accepted that its broadcast of seriously defamatory allegations against Fr. Reynolds gave rise to breaches of Sections 39(1)(b) and (e) of the Act and expressed its deep regret that this had happened. RTE accepted that there was no truth whatsoever in the allegations against Fr. Reynolds.

* RTE fully co-operated with the investigation.

* It is a source of regret that RTE did not choose to waive its claim to privilege in the solicitor/client relationship between itself and its in-house legal staff. Such an approach would have assisted a greater understanding of the extent of the advices available to the broadcaster and of the role they played in RTE's decision to transmit the programme.

* The procedures followed were, at all times, appropriate and reflected not only the statutory obligations pursuant to the Act but the requirements of natural justice.

* The Authority regretted that information regarding the process entered into the public domain. The Authority is satisfied that there was no prejudice to anybody concerned in this investigation or determination.

*There was no gain (financial or otherwise) made by RTE as a consequence of the breach.

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EWTN - RTE One 11:30am - 'Mass for St Patrick's Day' - from Knock Shrine Adoration chapel.
Celebrant: Fr Richard Gibbons - Music newly composed for the Mass called 'AIFREANN MHUIRE AN CHNOIC' is set in Irish, composed by Sr Marie Dunne and dedicated to Mons Joseph Quinn. It includes St Patrick's Breastplate - soloist Patricia Bourke (possibly repeated on EWTN at 6pm) ...

Cardinal Sean Brady will concelebrate St Patrick's Day Mass at noon in the Cathedral in Armagh with the Apostolic Nuncio Charles Brown ...

RTE One 4:40pm: 'Patrick': Docu-drama about the life of St Patrick??? (Narrated by Liam Neeson - Gabriel Byrne as the voice of St Patrick) ...

EWTN 5pm (30 mins) SAINTS AND HEROES: St Patrick - the TRUE story of this tremendously loved and celebrated man ... St Patrick's Day - Sat 17th March, 2012
See FaithArts.ie and fma.ie/watchman

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Dignity4patients.org saying scale of sexual abuse of patients as high as in Catholic Church dignity4patients.org #newstalk #lunchtime

- FMA News (@familyandmedia) March 6, 2012

Interview with dignity4patients representative - Lunchtime (Part 2) - Newstalk - Tue 6th Mar, 2012

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Today FM's "apology to members of the Catholic Faith" - Tue 28 Feb 2012

"The following is a special announcement from Today FM. On the 9th February, 2012, the Ray D'Arcy Show conducted an interview with a listener about breast implants in which she detailed hurtful remarks made to her by another woman. The presenter followed this with a comment suggesting that the person who made those remarks was a practicing Catholic and lacking in compassion. Today FM accepts that this comment had no basis in fact and was completely unwarranted. We wish to offer an unreserved apology to members of the Catholic Faith and anyone else who was offended by this item."

'Mea Gulpa' - Broadsheet (comments)

@MKellyIrishCath @davidcochrane And re the #BAI allowing brodcasters to develop bad habits, here's another case in pont fma.ie/fma/marian-fin%u2026

-; FMA News (@familyandmedia) February 28, 2012

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X-CASE - Bacik re abortion legislation on Newstalk Sunday Show (presenter, Shane Coleman) [Audio] - Sun 26th Feb, 2012 11:30am ... Fair and balanced? Listen back and see the following tweet from Caroline Simons...

So, Shane Coleman dealing with X case. Uninvited me an hour before due in studio. Will anyone counter @ivanabacik on this issue? #newstalk

- Caroline Simons (@carolinesimons) February 26, 2012

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POPE WARNS AGAINST THE POWER OF FINANCE AND OF THE MEDIA - Thu 16th Feb, 2012 ... "Yesterday afternoon the Holy Father visited the Major Seminary of Rome for the occasion of the feast of its patroness, Our Lady of Trust, which falls on Saturday" ...

"The Pope then went on to refer to the force of evil which, in today's world, also emerges "in two great powers which are good and useful in themselves but easily open to abuse: the power of finance and the power of the media. Both are necessary, both are useful, but so subject to misuse that they often go against their true goals".

Today "we see how the world of finance can dominate mankind. Possession and appearance dominate and enslave the world. ... Finance is no longer a tool to promote well being and to support the life of man, but a force that oppresses him, one which almost has to be worshipped". The Pontiff called on his audience not to conform to this power. "Be non conformists. What counts is not possession but existence", he said. Christians must not bow to this power, but use it as "as a means, with the freedom of the children of God".

Turning then to consider the question of public opinion, Benedict XVI highlighted how "we have a great need of information, knowledge about the truth of the world; but there is a power of appearance which in the end counts even more than reality itself". Appearance "overlies the truth and becomes more important. Man no longer pursues the truth but wants above all to appear". Here too "there is a Christian non conformism. ... We want not appearance but truth, and this will give us true freedom".

"Christian non conformism redeems us and restores us to truth. Let us pray to the Lord that He may help us to be free in this non conformism, which is not against the world but is authentic love for the world"." (emphasis added)

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"The Government was wrong to close Ireland's embassy to the Vatican, a former head of the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.
Sean Donlon, once this country's most senior diplomat and a former ambassador to the US, said the current difficulties between Ireland and the Vatican made the embassy more, not less, important." - Closing Vatican embassy 'was wrong decision' - Paul O'Brien - Irish Examiner - Mon 13th Feb, 2012

Mary Fitzgibbon Ireland Stand Up Presentation 18-01-12 Buswell's Hotel

Sean Donlon on embassy closure decision [Audio] - RTE Radio One News 9am - Mon 13th Feb, 2012

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Down and Conor seminarian, Phil Mulryne..."With professional footballers hitting the front pages for their extra-curricular activities almost as often as the back pages for their sporting exploits, we don't expect them to behave like priests. But..." - Forget the Wags, pass me the dog collar: Former Manchester United teammate of Beckham and Giggs trains to become Catholic priest - Daily Mail - Thu 26th Jan, 2012 - Daily Mail ... Have you heard the one about the former footballer that entered the priesthood? Mulryne has the calling... - Thu 26th Jan 2012 - Daily Mail ... "He got some 27 caps for Northern Ireland. He scored some memorable goals...He played lots of times for Man United and he played Champions League, Premiership, the whole lot...For whatever reason, I don't know, but he's over in Rome, at the moment, where he's currently training for the priesthood" (cf John 1:5 - 'overcome' can also be translated as 'comprehended') - The John Murray Show with Damian Lawlor, Sunday Independent - Wed 1st Feb, 2012 - RTE Radio One ... ("Mulryne - a red devil to serve God" - France Soir")

Foul-mouthed, pornographic and tasteless! TV3's Tallafornia on the John Murray Show. To complain about this interview, please contact RTE on 01 208 3111 and complaints@rte.ie and the BROADCASTING AUTHORITY of IRELAND, BAI - John Murray Show - RTE Radio One - Mon 16th Jan, 2012

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Matthew McAteer talks about the Catholic documentary series Radharc - FREE LUNCHTIME SCREENINGS OF RADHARCH PROGRAMMES IN the IFI THIS MONTH - RTE Radio One - Mon 16th Jan, 2012

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"The Government has announced this evening that it has established a so-called 'expert group' to look at the issue of abortion..."

"A statement from the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH this evening..." (emphasis added)

"The Expert Group will be chaired by Justice Mr Sean Ryan and consist of the following 13 members:

Dr Peter Boylan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Dr Mary Holohan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Dr Imelda Ryan,

Psychiatrist,Dr Ailish Ni Riain,

General Practitioner

Dr Mark Walsh, General Practitioner

Ms Christine O'Rourke, Office of the Attorney General

Ms Mary O'Toole, Senior Counsel

Ms Joanelle O'Cleirigh, Solicitor

Ms Denise Kirwin, Solicitor

Dr. Deirdre Madden, Medical Council

Dr Maura Pidgeon, An Bord Altranais

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health

Mr Bernard Carey, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health..."

- Government announces 'expert group' on abortion - Irish Catholic - Blogs - Michael Kelly - Fri 13th Jan, 2012

COMMENT: You don't need an expert to tell you that killing the innocent is wrong; you only need an 'expert' when you want to obscure the truth that killing the innocent is wrong...

Pro Life Campaign Says Expert Group on Abortion Presents Opportunity to Clarify Key Ethical Distinctions - Fri 13th Jan, 2011

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"A NEW study suggests that one of Christianity's most prized but mysterious relics -- the Turin Shroud -- is not a medieval forgery and could be the burial robe of Christ.

"Italian scientists conducted a series of experiments that they said showed that the marks on the shroud -- purportedly left by the imprint of Christ's body -- could not have been faked with technology that was available in medieval times." - Turin Shroud not medieval forgery, says new research - Irish Independent - Tue 20th Dec, 2011

Scientists say Turin Shroud is supernatural - Independent (London) - Tue 20th Dec, 2011

Could the Shroud of Turin be real after all? Scientists recreate iconic image with 'blinding flash of light' - Daily Mail - Tue 20th Dec, 2011

Italian study claims Turin Shroud is Christ's authentic burial robe - Telegraph - Mon 19th Dec, 2011

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"Last week also saw the publication of a review by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on induced abortion and mental health...One of the most notable things to emerge from the review was its finding that abortion provides no mental health benefit to women. THE FINDING FATALLY UNDERMINED THE MEDICAL RATIONALE FOR THE MOST USED GROUNDS OF BRITAIN'S ABORTION LEGISLATION. Ninety five percent of abortions performed in the UK are performed on the grounds that continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk of injury to the mental health of the pregnant woman....UNFORTUNATELY SOME OF THE COVERAGE OF THE REPORT CREATED CONFUSION AS TO ITS ACTUAL FINDINGS..." (emphasis added) - Dr Ruth Cullen - Irish Examiner - Tue 20th Dec, 2011 (Page 15)

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Orthodox sex abuse scandal
enclave - 117 kid victims and 85 arrests in Jewish enclave - New York Post - Sat 11t Dec, 2011

[Comment: Why was this not reported in the Irish media ?]

Child sex abuse scandal rocks Orthodox Jewish community after 85 arrested - Daily Mail - Mon 12th Dec, 2011

Child sex abuse scandal rocks N.Y. Orthodox community, after 85 arrested - Haaretz - Mon 12th Dec, 2011

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In an item on Friday's Drivetime, dealing with a report on sexual abuse in the Dutch Catholic Church, RTE's Mary Wilson, RTE'S Philip Boucher-Hayes and a Dutch investigative reporter omitted an important fact: the Dutch Report, itself, pointed out that child sexual abuse was no more prevalent in the Catholic Church than it was in non-Catholic institutions ("It emerged that the risk was twice as high as the national average, but with no significant difference between Roman Catholic and
non-Roman Catholic institutions." - Page 9). The Programme also failed to read out a text which drew the attention of the Drivetime team to this statement in the Report, which begs the question, does the repeated omission of relevant facts and contextual information amount to deliberate public deception regarding the issue of child sexual abuse? - Drivetime [1 hr 17 mins into audio] - RTE Radio One - Fri 16th Dec, 2011

[Comment: The Programme also included the playing, without critical comment, of a particularly anti-Catholic section in the infamous Enda Kenny 'Cloyne' speech as well as a feature on Christopher Hitchens, who died on Thursday] ]

http://fma.ie/fma/news/highlighted_news_links/

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"Below is the telegram of condolence from Pope Benedict XVI to the Most Reverend Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia on the death of Cardinal John Patrick Foley.

"Having learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal John Patrick Foley, Grand Master Emeritus of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, I offer you my heartfelt condolences. As I recall with gratitude the late Cardinal%u2019s years of priestly ministry in his beloved Archdiocese of Philadephia, his distinguished service to the Holy See as President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, and most recently his labors on behalf of the Christian communities of the Holy Land, I willingly join you in commending his noble soul to God, the Father of all mercies. I also pray that his lifelong commitment to the Church%u2019s presence in the media will inspire others to take up this apostolate so essential to the proclamation of the Gospel and the progress of the new evangelization. To all who mourn Cardinal Foley in the hope of the Resurrection, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ."

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
Vatican Radio interview with Cardinal Foley - Vatican Radio

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Doctor struck off as abortion nearly kills Irish woman - Irish Independent - Fri 2nd Dec, 2011 ...

"Dr Phanuel Dartey perforated the uterus of the unidentified woman and left parts of a foetus inside her at the MARIE STOPES INTERNATIONAL clinic in Ealing where he worked."

[Comment: Marie Stopes International have a large openly-identified 'clinic' beside St Joseph's Discalced Carmelite Church, on Berkeley Road, in Dublin. It is also near the Mater Misericordiae (Mother of Mercy) Hospital ...

This 'botched abortion' took place in 2006. Why are we only hearing about it now!?

Were the many women who made appointments with Marie Stopes in Dublin made aware of it?]

Irish woman left 'fighting for life' after abortion in UK clinic - Eilish O'Regan - Belfast Telegraph - Sat 3rd Dec, 2011

Surgeon struck off over botched ops - Press Association - Fri 2nd Dec, 2011 [Comment: NO MENTION OF 'ABORTION', AT ALL, IN THAT PRESS ASSOCIATION ARTICLE]

Gynaecologist struck off after botching four cosmetic genital operations at Harley Street clinic - Daily Mail - Fri 2nd Dec, 2011 [Comment: 'ABORTION' NOT IN HEADLINE!]

Marie Stopes Doc Loses License, Almost Killed Woman in Abortion - Steven Ertelt - LifeNews - Fri 2nd Dec, 2011

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???
"... And, then, the harder question, but the question, to use the phrase that's very common in the Law: the fair question to be tried is, 'DID PEOPLE IN RTE FALL INTO SOME KIND OF INSTITUTIONAL MINDSET VIS-A-VIS THE CHURCH, PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THE SCANDALS?'" ??? - Ronan Mullen - Marian Finucane Show - RTE Radio 1 - Sun 27th Nov, 2011 ... Please, see, also: A DOUBLE-STANDARD Double -- Drive (home your point) Time! RTE Radio 1 - FMA - Thu 24th Nov, 2011; ... DOUBLE STANDARD! - FMA - Fri 18th Nov, 2011 ;... RTE's 'Mission to Prey' (on an innocent Catholic priest!) - FMA - Fri 7th Oct, 2011; ... The paper of (some) records (but not others!!): Kevin O'Sullivan's Irish Times! Newstalk Breakfast - FMA - Fri 21st Oct, 2011 (The prededing article by the Family and Media Association, was published shortly before and independent of the Amarach Report about 'Attitudes towards the Catholic Church') ...

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Is there a VENDETTA, in the media, against the Church? Fr Sean McDonagh, Michael O'Regan, Irish Times, Kate Shanahan, DIT - Sarah Carey - Newstalk - 9am Sat 26th Nov, 2011 ... See, also, Time for Shatter to apologise ("I share the widespread public concern and disgust at the REVELATIONS (emphasis added) which the programme contained" - Minister for Justice, Solicitor, Alan Shatter)

9th Annual Brian Walsh Memorial Lecture:...

"The AUTONOMOUS CONCEPT of 'FAMILY' in the JURISPRUDENCE of the EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS".

To include the ECHR's jurisprudence on issues such as: adoption, parental rights, same-sex relationships, and the best interests of the child -

Thursday 24th November at 6.30pm - The Distillery Building, 145-151 Church Street, D 7.

Speaker: Judge Ann Power-Forde SC Judge of the European Court of Human Rights Chairperson: The Hon Mrs Justice Susan Denham Chief Justice of Ireland

Registration: From 6pm. Prior registration required to iselbrianwalsh@gmail.com. This lecture is open to all and free of charge to ISEL members. There is a 10 Euro charge for non-ISEL members, payable on arrival.

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A FRIGHTENING DOUBLE STANDARD in RTE's attitudes to child abuse and the Catholic Church has emerged in the last 24 hours.

Following the settlement, at the High Court, yesterday afternoon, of the Fr Kevin Reynolds defamation case, Kevin Dawson, Head of Corporate Communications at RTE, decided to go on the Station's Drivetime programme to be interviewed by Mary Wilson, at 5:40pm.

When asked, would heads now roll, over the Fr Reynolds case, Mr Dawson said, "It's very difficult for a rolled head, so to speak, to learn anything".

This response is in stark contrast to the attitude adopted by RTE towards the priests and bishops which the Station helped to hound out of office.

The irony of RTE's position, however, appears to have been lost, not only on Mr Dawson, but also on the Drivetime Presenter, who decided not to follow up with a related question.

Later, that night, as part of the terms of the Settlement, an apology was read out on air on RTE 1, immediately prior to the screening of Prime Time (it was last May's Prime Time programme, 'Mission to Prey' which gave rise to yesterday's defamation case in the High Court).

Although the wording of the apology was comprehensive, it was read out quickly and in a monotone way, as pointed out by Fr Sean McMcDonagh of the Association of Catholic Priests and Fr Eamon Aylward of the Irish Missionary Union, on Friday's Today with Pat Kenny.

Fr McDonagh also pointed out that had it been a bishop who had been required, by a court, to read out an apology, and had the bishop got someone to read the apology in a similar monotone way to the way last night's Prime Time Apology was read, that bishop would have been subject to severe media criticism.

These incidents, in the last 24 hours alone, have revealed a worrying double standard in the way RTE holds people and organizations to account for their actions. It cannot be a matter of one rule for priests and bishops and another rule for RTE journalists and producers. More generally, it cannot be a matter of one rule for the Church and another for RTE!

The challenges now facing RTE are formidable and while it is clear the Station would wish to be able, quickly, to put the affair behind it, in reality, it will have some work to do if it is to tackle the growing impression among ordinary Catholics that when it comes to fair play for the Church, the Institution that is RTE 'still doesn't get it'!

...

The Family and Media Association is encouraging its members and other people of good will to protest this obvious double standard on the part of RTE by contacting the Station and other authorities.

See also RTE's 'Mission to Prey' (on an innocent Catholic priest!)

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"THE DEFAMATION action by Fr Kevin Reynolds against RTE did not proceed at the High Court yesterday because no judge was free to hear it." - Delay to priest's defamation case - Irish Times - Wed 16 Nov, 2011 - [Comment re headline: Why was the word, "RTE" not included? Also, the word, 'priest' -- when used by the IT -- is almost a pejorative term, certainly impersonal and not likely to arouse much sympathy in the reader/viewer. An alternative headline: "RTE defamation case - Fr Reynolds forced to wait for his day in court".]

No judge to hear defamation case- Irish Independent - Wed 16 Nov, 2011

[Comment: Tiny article which would hardly warrant a second look, particularly, in view of the absence in the headline of any words which could identify, much less personalise, the Case. None of: 'Prme Time Investigates', 'Mission to Prey', 'RTE'' and Fr Kevin Reynolds' are used. Even, the word, 'priest' is left out]

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Final year student Maura Garrihy talks to John Murray about her decision to live chastity. "I'm totally living a normal life like everyone else...it's quite an enriching experience...it's normal". Youth 2000, Pure in Heart, Elation Ministries etc. mentioned. [Audio] - 9am Mon 26th Sep 2011

Virgin Teens: Why I won't have sex until I marry - Susan Gately - Fri 23rd Sep 2011 - Independent

The Camino mentioned later in the Show and also St Sebastian. Texts read out at end.

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Eclectic first episode of this new religious affairs programme: The Pope in Germany and remaining a Catholic after the scandals. Contributions from EWTN, Ben Conroy (who wrote in the Irish Catholic re World Youth Day, here, and also here and here), 'We are Church', Paul Dunbar of 'Count Me Out'.

Programme is in competion with the Late Late Show and the international X-Factor.

The negative results of the paternity tests in the Fr Kevin Reynolds case were mentioned briefly at beginning. Also mentioned: the fact that today is the Feast of St Padre Pio.

"As ben says, when you meet him (Pope Benedict) up close, he comes accross as a much gentler man than he is often portrayed" - Eileen Dunne. 'Last word' given to orthodox Catholic positions in both discussions.

Duration: 30 mins approx (follows 10pm News)

Podcast
Next week's podcast (The UK riots and The RCCG Holy Ghost service)

Phone: 01 208 2039
Email: godslot@rte.ie

10pm Friday 23rd Sep 2011

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Two paternity tests have shown that the Co Galway-based priest, Fr Kevin Reynolds, who was featured in the RTE 'Prime Time Investigates' programme 'Mission to Prey', is not the father of a Kenyan woman, it was revealed in the High Court today.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said it was wholly unsatisfactory that RTE had not already lodged a defence to the claim for defamation which Fr Reynolds had taken out in early July but gave the National broadcaster until the end of the month to do so.

Is this case slowly but surely revealing that RTE has an unstated mission of its own, a 'mission to prey' on all Catholic priests?

Priest featured on RTE programme 'did not father Kenyan woman', High Court told - Examiner - Wed 21 Sep 2011

RTE given week to defend defamation claim - RTE - Wed 21 Sep 2011


A Comment from the Family and Media Association which RTE FAILED TO PUBLISH, last May, on its Prime Time Investigates blog for 'Mission to Prey'

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The Director of the Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Bishops Conference, Martin Long has launched a stinging attack on a feature which appeared in the Sep 16th edition of the Irish Examiner newspaper.

The 'Joyless Sects' feature included a photograph of a female model in a provocative pose involving rosary beads. Mr Long described this 'objectification' as "offensive to Catholics and demeaning to women. It demonstrates a complete lack of respect for a prayer cherished by Catholics. The Rosary is, and always has been, a prayer associated especially with the family", he went on to say.

Later, in the letter, Mr Long explicitly defends the Catholic Church's teaching on human sexuality when he says, "The Church's teaching on sexuality is rooted in the innate dignity of each human person created in the image and likeness of God and redeemed by Christ".

Mr Long closes by calling the Irish Examiner to task: "I would have expected a more reasoned debate on these important issues from writers in a quality national newspaper", he says -

Letters - irish Examiner (a digital version of the letter had not been posted on the Examiner's website, www.examiner.ie, at the time of writing)

Letters to the Examiner at letters@examiner.ie

Minister stands firm on abuse plans - Irish Times
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'I hate to say this but...' DID THE MINISTER READ THE LETTER? Did Minister Frances Fitzgerald read the Holy See's response to the Tanaiste, Eamonn Gilmore, regarding the Murphy Commission's Report into child sexual abuse in Cloyne?

In this Irish Times report by Patsy McGarry, out today, the Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald is quoted as saying that the Vatican had "not been comparing like with like." "I don't think it was a valid comparison," she said. "We are in a different place now" to 1996 "with over 10 years' experience of the guidelines". (see paragraph 3)

But, surely, the comparison that the Vatican made was between a 1997 letter from Archbishop Luciano Storero (linked to Cardinal Hoyos) and the 1996 position of the then Fine Gael and Labour Coalition Government? In a disturbing echo of the Taoiseach's Cloyne error, the Minister appears, clearly, to be under the illusion that the Vatican was referring to some imaginary 'letter of intervention' from perhaps "as little as 3 years ago", to quote the Taoiseach. Can it be that the Minister for Children takes the issue of the abuse of children so lightly that she did not actually read the Vatican Response to her Government? Sadly, there is a poor appetite in the Irish media for holding the Government accountable for ITS failings with respect to child abuse!

...

The Minister is also quoted as saying she is "very struck" by indications of increased sexualised behaviour among children. Her comments are far from being premature and an acknowledgement of the problem should inform several areas of Government policy, including that of broadcasting. The Family and Media Association first raised this issue of the sexualization of children over 4 years ago, as did CARI, the organization which the Minister is quoted as referring to in the present article. Please read this FMA Newsflash and related links from July 2007 - Tue 18 Sep 2011





















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Dana poised to enter Presidential race - Newstalk

Dana poised to enter Aras race - Irish Times

Dana pulled from Celebrity Bainisteoir over presidency bid - The Journal

Comment: 'Complete hypocrisy from RTE as usual who have been virtually openly campaigning for David Norris. If RTE were an All Ireland final ref, one of the teams wouldn%u2019t be allowed to score at all!' - FMA

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Government controlled - Late Late Show pushes its agenda...Also on this programme: State sponsored - irresponsible promotion of euthanasia by RTE and Late Late show; Unfair: David Norris, the presidency and the Late Late Show; attempted defence of Enda Kenny speech by Fine Gael's Joe O'Reilly; finding fault with your parents: adolescent Enda? Everything definitely not 'Hunky Dory' (What have Ryan Air and the Crisp Manufacturer got in common? Some publications make an 'each way' bet on the objectification of women); - Coleman at Large - Newstalk - Wed 14 Sep 2011


Discussion continues here... http://media.newstalk.ie/listenback/174/wednesday/2/

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In May of this year,

THE FAMILY AND MEDIA ASSOCIATION ATTEMPTED, WITHOUT SUCCESS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, TO POST THE FOLLOWING COMMENT ON RTE'S BLOG FOR PRIME TIME INVESTIGATES: A MISSION TO PREY...

"Good that more terrible abuse has been brought, in a certain sense, into the light, particularly in the 'forgotten continent'. Strange, however, that the absence of any criminal conviction and the assertion of innocence should be presented as proof of guilt. Not sure also about the producers' confidence in Africa's criminal justice systems -- was under the impression that concerns had been raised, in particular about Uganda's proposed execution of those accused of homosexual rape. A recent documentary on South African prisons also showed the horrific lawlessness that obtains there...Will be following with interest the results of that paternity test. Hope I'll be able to find them easily on the RTE website, whatever the outcome..."

(RTE has still not posted this comment!)

FAITH IN THE MEDIA 25 MAY 2011

Archbishop Martin, David Quinn, Richard Bruton, Fr Tom Doyle [AUDIO] (balanced programme from RTE)

"It's a very specific allegation but it is important also to be able to say calmly and ask the Taoiseach or whoever was speaking on his behalf what exactly was meant by this so that we can move forward not having suspicions that there were some other agendas there that we don't know about" - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin

"There were a number of other citations they could have found of Ratzinger before he was Pope and of other leading vatican...where they clearly state...that they are strongly opposed to Bishops reporting criminal activity by their priests to the civil authorities as if they are above the law..." - Fr Tom Doyle. "Well let's hear the quotes. Let's hear the quotes from Cardinal Ratzinger. Let's get chapter and verse and tell us what they were and where they were said and in what context!" - David Quinn (no response from Fr Doyle) ...

"Therefore, what law of the State was the Vatican interfering with? The answer is none! And so, if you're going to be making incredibly serious allegations at the level of international diplomacy you'd better be able to back it up to the hilt!" - David Quinn

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Senator Ronan Mullen accused RTE presenter Marian Finucane of "ratcheting up" outrage on today's Marian Finucane Show. In a discussion regarding the vatican reponse to the Cloyne Report, the Senator also accused the broadcaster of advancing an agenda and behaving more like an interviewee than an interviewer. Texts in support of the Senator were read out, following a break.
[AUDIO]

Sun 4 Sept 2011

CLICK here to listen to audio of the Show

(begins 27 mins into audio; main exchange: 37 mins into audio)

"But Marian, you're becoming an interviewee here not an interviewer, in fairness, you know...Marian, with respect...What you are doing Marian is you are ratcheting up the outrage here ...and ...you are preventing us from distinguising between what has to be condemended outright and in forthright terms and what ought not to have been said and my point to you is simply this, there is nothing and there was nothing in Enda kenny's speech that acknowledged that over the last 10 years Ratzinger in particular had led a reform about how these issues were handled but what you did get was a direct allegation of elitism ... and there's no evidence provided in the speech. You then get this taking out of context of a quotation which is about something totally different and it's made to sound like the Church is saying that we don't really have to follow the laws of the land and this is why it's important and this is why I think maybe unconsciously you have a bit of an agenda here (oh I most certainly do not) oh I do think you have on this point...It is a failure to look at the precise meaning of words and it is a failure to accept that sometimes innocent people get slated along with the guilty"