Woo insults Children Who Want To Perform A Magic Act To Facilitate A Woo Pilgrimage

[Eejit]

There's an interesting little spat brewing over here in the Emerald Isle. I though this particular squabble might be of interest to the folks on this forum. It's got both magicians and religion involved.

Fraid I don't have enough posts to be able to post links yet so some kind soul might tidy this up: wwwDOTlimerickleaderDOTie/news/Controversial-Limerick-priest-refuses-toDOT3855418DOTjp

It seems that a local priest has objected to two little girls performing a magic act at a talent show fundraiser (for a pilgrimage to Lourdes). He described their inclusion in the fundraiser as a "thundering disgrace," and has described his feelings on the subject by saying: "a performance of magic is sinful."

The father of the two children, Terrence Andrews along with Paddy Ward and Vincent Finucane, three well known practitioners of the not so dark arts, have called on the priest to apologise for his stupidity. The priest is refusing to do any such thing. Even the local bishop has distanced himself from the fiasco (though this piece of news doesn't appear in the article itself - it's a development that occurred later).

I'll post any more info on this when it happens.

[ThatSoundAgain]

link (http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Controversial-Limerick-priest-refuses-to.3855418.jp)

It seems to be the stance of some far out catholics that they want no competition in the parlor tricks department.

[Dancing David]

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Controversial-Limerick-priest-refuses-to.3855418.jp

[Jeff Corey]

link (http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Controversial-Limerick-priest-refuses-to.3855418.jp)

It seems to be the stance of some far out catholics that they want no competition in the parlor tricks department.

Maybe the kids were turning water into wine...

[AkuManiMani]

Maybe the kids were turning water into wine...

ROFL!

[Ladewig]

Maybe the kids were turning water into wine...

Or worse, turning wine into water!

[fuelair]

Sounds like the bishop is rather much the coward.



Probably not the last either.

[Dark Jaguar]

Wow.... how outdated... Even modern fundamentalists who believe there's real magic practiced by real witches "out there" usually acknowledge that performance magic is all just illusions and harmless.

[Safe-Keeper]

I love fundies. Apart from really small kids (age seven or less), they're pretty much the only people in the Western world to actually believe in magic. Even psychics et al are above such nonsense, I think.

Witchcraft is awesome to read about in Harry Potter, but to actually go around thinking it's real, in adulthood, is just childish. ETA: I feel bad about writing this post now because what this idiot really deserves is to be completely ignored.

[Eejit]

Thanks for sorting out that link folks.

I remembered where I'd read of the bishops involvement. I'd read it on the website of 95fm a local radio station in Limerick. I'll quote the whole article as it's a short one and so as I don't wear out my welcome by asking folks to sort out my links each time I post. Here goes:

Bishop does not support priest`s comments

The Bishop of Limerick has diassociated himself and the diocese from comments made by a Limerick priest relating to a Talent Show.

A spokesperson for Dr Donal Murray, who is out of the country, has told Live95fm News the comments made by Fr Terry O`Connell were made in a personal capacity and are not the views of the Catholic Church in Limerick.

Fr O`Connell, who is a curate in St Patrick`s Parish in the city has criticised the inclusion of 2 young magicians in the show, saying magic is against the teachings of the Bible, and should not be used to support a church trip.

The Diocesan spokesperson has wished all the show`s participants the best of luck.

The Talent Show takes place today in the Crescent College Comprehensive at 7.30pm with all proceeds going towards sending a number of young helpers to Lourdes as part of the Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage.

I'm particularly annoyed at the antics of the bishop. The bishop has the power to discipline the priest but thus far has avoided even thinking about it.

As a kid (a while back :)) I was a fanatic when it came to magic. Every bit of cash I could conjour from my parents' pockets would be spent on the latest magic trick. I used to shop for my fix of magic at Paddy Ward's magic shop - the only magic supplies shop in Limerick. Paddy features in this story: he's one of the magicians who's called for an apology. I used to stay in Paddy's shop for hours, wrecking the poor man's head with my questions. He never once got annoyed at me. He taught me many's a trick and gave me an appreciation of the art that remains to this day.

I know that in the big scheme of things that this is but a storm in a teacup and that it doesn't bear much attention at a time when so much crap is hitting the fan worldwide. But this story offends me on a number of levels. The Church has a very sick history in Limerick and in Ireland in general (my opinion). At a time when the Church should be on its knees begging for forgiveness and when the Church should be diciplining the clergy along with prison sentences being handed out, we have this instead; some jerk who's seen as an authority figure spouting tripe that could effect the self esteem of some children. Not to mention the insult to those who bring a sense of wonder to billions.

[lionking]

On the contrary, this is an important issue and symptomatic of the influence the catholic church still has - such displays of idiocy would not be newsworthy if a priest were not involved.

BTW I visited Limrick last year. Beautiful part of the world.

[fuelair]

Based on the exact wording, I partially retract what I wrote about the Bishop. But not completely, since he should be moving him to a parish somewhere IN the North Atlantic.

[Eejit]

Thanks for all your responses folks.

More info has become available on this story this morining via the UTV web site. I'll post the whole article as it's a short one. It seems that the curate who criticised the children and magicians has become even more isolated as the parish priest has come out and said that the curates views are solely his own.

Parish Priest apologises for Curate's comments

A Limerick city priest has apologised for the anxiety caused by comments made by one of his curates about a magic act in a school talent show.

St Patrick`s Parish Priest Fr Edwin Irwin told congregations at Masses over the weekend that the views expressed by Fr Terry O`Connell were his own personal thoughts.

Fr O`Connell had criticised the inclusion of a magic act in the Crescent College Comprehensive Talent Show saying magic goes against the teachings of the Bible.

Meanwhile, the show raised close to 5,000 euro which will help send young helpers to Lourdes as part of the Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage.

An impressive array of talent was on display during the show which was organised by the students themselves.

[MG1962]

If I am reading this right - it wasn't the Parish priest that created the furor, but his off sider? That must have led to an interesting Sunday lunch, espcially after the Bishop rang

[Bob Klase]

Wow.... how outdated... Even modern fundamentalists who believe there's real magic practiced by real witches "out there" usually acknowledge that performance magic is all just illusions and harmless.

But not always. Just a few years ago I was doing magic in stores (like Walmart and grocery stores) as part of a promotion for a food company. One evening a guy came over to me while there was no one else around and asked, "what do you think Jesus thinks about what you're doing". I was a little surprised and just said "I'm sure he's knows the difference between what I'm doing and what you think about it".

And 12-13 years ago when I was in the army I did a show for my company's picnic. One of the wifes left with her two kids when the show started. I was talking to her husband later (who was a good friend) and found out that she thought 'magic' was the devil's work and wouldn't even let her kids watch the Smurf's on TV because they used magic.

[ponderingturtle]

I love fundies. Apart from really small kids (age seven or less), they're pretty much the only people in the Western world to actually believe in magic. Even psychics et al are above such nonsense, I think.


No there are plenty of new age people who believe that they can work magic. And they would generaly fail to fit a classification as fundies.

[ceo_esq]

One strange thing about this whole affair is that stage magicians have their own patron saint in the Catholic Church (St. John Bosco, an amateur illusionist, used to perform children's magic shows for pedagogic and catechetical purposes). Didn't anyone in the diocese think to point this out?

[Dr H]

I love fundies. Apart from really small kids (age seven or less), they're pretty much the only people in the Western world to actually believe in magic. Even psychics et al are above such nonsense, I think.

Witchcraft is awesome to read about in Harry Potter, but to actually go around thinking it's real, in adulthood, is just childish.

Hey! Watch that noise, boss, or I'll turn ya into a toad! ;-)

[Radrook]

There is a BIG difference between simple attempts at entertaining stage tricks, card tricks, coin tricks, etecetera, as opposed to attempts at contacting evil spirits [rebel angels] and seeking their help. That is what the Bible condemns.

[joobz]

BTW I visited Limrick last year. Beautiful part of the world.
Is that anywhere near Nantucket? I knew an old guy from there.

[Eejit]

One strange thing about this whole affair is that stage magicians have their own patron saint in the Catholic Church (St. John Bosco, an amateur illusionist, used to perform children's magic shows for pedagogic and catechetical purposes). Didn't anyone in the diocese think to point this out?

Yup, this was said in the original article. Paddy Ward (magician) said:
"St John Bosco was a magician and if a saint is a magician then what is this priest on about? We just came from a magic conference in Blackpool that had 3,500 people there, many of them priests,
" said Paddy Ward, who has performed for both Catholic and Protestant bishops in Limerick.

I don't believe that the fact that the Catholic Church, prohibits 'black magic,' mitigates the behaviour of the priest in any fashion. If anything, the idea that the priest might have believed that the little girls were going to engage in an act that practiced the various profane rituals associated with black magic, like animal or human sacrifice, would only compound this twisted muppet's state of ignorance.

The only way forward at this point, for the priest, is to make a full and unconditional apology, accompanied with a promise that he lift himself from his self-imposed state of ignorance by attempting to seek education and guidance. A severe kick in the arse from the bishop wouldn't go astray either.

[vIQleS]

OTOH:

The Crescent Talent Show will go ahead as planned this Friday evening and there are still some tickets available from the school's reception at 229655 or from the Limerick Pastoral Centre on 400133.


Free publicity FTW

[ceo_esq]

Yup, this was said in the original article. Paddy Ward (magician) said:

OK, you caught me being lazy. I didn't read the whole thing.

:D

[Beerina]

It seems to be the stance of some far out catholics that they want no competition in the parlor tricks department.

Especially since this competition's tricks are actually amazing and seem to work.

[Beerina]

Having said that, there are those who are so afeared of black magic, they think regular sleight-of-hand tricks can be a slippery slope to full-blown devil worship.

First the sleight-of-hand, then incantations, then pentagrams on the floor, and soon you're regurgitating vile filth and sacrificing babies.

[Moochie]

Thanks Eejit. If I hadn't read it I wouldn't have believed it. It is wickedly funny, but sad for the kids.

M.

[Robin]

There is a BIG difference between simple attempts at entertaining stage tricks, card tricks, coin tricks, etecetera, as opposed to attempts at contacting evil spirits [rebel angels] and seeking their help. That is what the Bible condemns.
Rebel angels? I thought you were a Jehovah's Witness. Was I wrong about that?

[PBTree]

These cretins actually want people to take them and their religion seriously.

Here's hoping the kids take all of this nonsense on-board and realise after a few years that this bloke and all of his cronies are just one big crock of .....

[megaresp]

Based on the exact wording, I partially retract what I wrote about the Bishop. But not completely, since he should be moving him to a parish somewhere IN the North Atlantic.
You wouldn't be referring to Craggy Island, now, wouldja?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craggy_Island

[Safe-Keeper]

There is a BIG difference between simple attempts at entertaining stage tricks, card tricks, coin tricks, etecetera, as opposed to attempts at contacting evil spirits [rebel angels] and seeking their help. That is what the Bible condemns.Do Rebel Angels fly X-Wing Hellfighters, or are they more into the Commando Insertion by Stolen Christian Shuttle thing?

But not always. Just a few years ago I was doing magic in stores (like Walmart and grocery stores) as part of a promotion for a food company. One evening a guy came over to me while there was no one else around and asked, "what do you think Jesus thinks about what you're doing".You should've asked him if we wore mixed garments and ate shellfish.

And 12-13 years ago when I was in the army I did a show for my company's picnic. One of the wifes left with her two kids when the show started. I was talking to her husband later (who was a good friend) and found out that she thought 'magic' was the devil's workWon't they ever understand that wizards and magicians are two different things?

[JoeTheJuggler]

Having said that, there are those who are so afeared of black magic, they think regular sleight-of-hand tricks can be a slippery slope to full-blown devil worship.

First the sleight-of-hand, then incantations, then pentagrams on the floor, and soon you're regurgitating vile filth and sacrificing babies.

I understand the priests decided on a new strategy. They entered the talent competition with their own magic act. . . .

"And now folks, we're going to change this bread into the actual flesh of a guy who died some 2000 years ago. Now mind you, it will keep all the accidents of perfectly normal bread, but it's an amazing miracle nonetheless. . . ."

[godless dave]

Hey, at least he didn't call for them to be burned at the stake. That's progress.

[Eejit]

The people of Limerick turned up in force to pack the hall where the event took place. The two girls (the ones condemned by the crazed priest) won the competition. :D

Many priests turned up too and enjoyed the show also.

Nobody was sacrificed at the show and there have been no reports of any demonic manifestations or of other undesirables showing up.