The Rosary at Republican Commemorations? - FOR!

Michael Grey
Ógra Shinn Féin

In February 2006, Oaks Primary School in Ipswich England decided to ban hot cross buns, a small pastry that is traditionally eaten in the run up to Easter. The reason for this according to the school was that the lines of icing on the bun could be deemed offensive because they formed the shape of a cross.

October 2006, Nadia Ewida, a check-in worker for British Airways was suspended from her work because she refused to remove a tiny diamond cross from her neck. This 1/4 inch cross was regarded as ‘offensive’.

November 2008, Oxford City Council decided to rename the traditional Christmas light switch on to ‘Winterlight’, furthermore instead of a main Christmas tree in the city, a ‘solar system’ of light will stand in its place.



The reason why I have listed these examples (and believe me there are plenty more) is to give you an idea of the ludicrous war that is being waged against religion. And lets be honest Christianity is the favourite religion to bash. Christophobia has never been as popular.

Unfortunately too, this phenomenon is creeping into Ireland. The decision in December 2007 by a play-school in Dublin to ban the traditional children's nativity play (to the anger of the overwhelmingly majority of parents) was the first indicator.

Now within Republican circles the debate centres on the rosary and in particular the reciting of the ancient prayer at the graves and monuments of our patriot dead.

As Irish Republicans we believe in the creation of a united Ireland, one that is based upon equality. That ideal whereby none, irrespective of colour, race, religion, sex or sexuality would be discriminated against was so passionately believed in that thousands of men and women fought, bled and died for.

This debate over whether people have the right to pray openly and publicly at a Republican commemoration is an acid test for Ógra Shinn Féin.

Denying people that fundamental right, one that is guaranteed by our proclamation will completely contravene the true essence of equality.

Are we as Irish Republicans to follow the English example were anything that even has the remotest religious significance is to be removed, my friends that type of society is not one of equality. Creating a public space for all citizens is exactly what we are about; denying one section of society’s religious freedom in favour of the political correctness brigade (PC) is nonsensical.

Surely we as an organisation have the maturity to come to an arrangement were all sides to this debate can be satisfied, there does have to be a straight winner v loser scenario. Ógra Shinn Féin is a political movement that encompasses people from right across the island of Ireland and thus is representative of the plurality of opinion in our nation. That is our great strength; we are a diverse organisation united by our core aims and ideals. If we embark on a campaign of war against religion we will only alienate a section of our membership and a rather large component (if not majority in some areas) of our support base.

Furthermore to this, it is important to recognise the fact that Ireland is changing and many people from across the globe have decided to call our island their home, and that is a great honour. Indeed I would welcome and extend an invitation to these new communities to attend our commemorations and if willing to offer their prayers as well.

This would not only help integration into Irish society, it would also prove that once again Republicans are leading the way in demonstrating that the traditions and customs of this island can live and coexist with the practices of our new communities.

Leaving these grand philosophical arguments to one side, lets take this debate to a very human level, are we really stating that Ógra Shinn Féin wants to deny the mothers, fathers, families and friends of our volunteers the right to pray over the graves of their sons and daughters.

Have we become so blinded by political correctness and for some Christophobic sentiments that we want to refuse prayer at a grave?

This notion of removing the rosary from commemorations is a ridiculous one, know one is forced to recite the prayer, however its presence allows the people the opportunity to choose.

If the rosary is successfully removed from Easter commemorations, what will be the next target? The proclamation? After all the opening line in the proclamation is ‘’In the name of God...’’ You may laugh, but what is happening here is exactly what is happening in England.

After all, if people are willing to ban buns from schools because the icing forms the shape of the cross, then anything is a target. The question for us is whether we are going to allow common sense and equality to prevail or whether we follow the English down a disastrous route.

Equality is at stake here it is your choice whether to defend it or not...