Ireland Betrays St. Patrick

Ireland, the land of St. Patrick and Our Lady of Knock has turned its back on them.  More importantly, Ireland has turned her back to Christ.

In a referendum that took place on May 22nd, about 60% of voters voted 'yes' to the legalization of so-called 'same-sex marriage.' The Vatican Secretary of State called it a "defeat for humanity."  Archbishop Eamon Martin, the primate of Ireland exhibited concern that the legalization of so-called 'same-sex marriage' would pose dire consequences for the Catholic Church. Martin stated,

“Will there be lawsuits against individuals and groups who do not share this vision? What will we be expected to teach children in school about marriage or about homosexual acts? Will those who continue to sincerely believe that marriage is between a man and a woman be forced to act against their faith and conscience? If society adopts and imposes a new orthodoxy of 'gender-neutral' marriage, being defined simply as a union between two persons - including a man and a man, or a woman and woman - then it will become increasingly difficult to speak or teach in public about marriage as being between a man and a woman."

The archbishop is correct. We are already seeing many lawsuits instigated by same-sex couples who claim that the Church or religious people are discriminating against them. When will it end?

This news is extremely troubling but just a reminder that Christ did not lie. Christ said in Luke 18:8, "I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”  Clearly Jesus is asking if He will find anyone who believes anymore on Earth when He returns.  This is an indication that in the end times people will stop believing and will do their own thing.  They will cry out, "God is Dead.. let us rewrite the norms and live as we please!"  We have seen this in the past with the Israelites who despite seeing God's power and the many times He had rescued them still turned against Him (Psalm 95:8).

The ignorance surrounding this referendum is just astounding.  On Twitter, some people posted photos of two rainbows that appeared over Dublin, Ireland claiming them to be an endorsement by God of the referendum's outcome. As you may know, the rainbow is mentioned in Genesis 9:13-15 as a sign that God would keep His covenant and would not destroy the Earth with a flood again. The people tweeting the photos of the rainbow seem to think God approves of  so-called 'same-sex marriage.' Ironically, the rainbow has appeared in other places where so-called 'same-sex marriage' was legalized.

Does this really mean that God is happy with this legalization?  
Well, I see it differently. The rainbow in Genesis 9 symbolizes God's promise to keep the covenant and not destroy the Earth with a flood.  That being said, the appearance of a rainbow every time same-sex marriage is approved of is possibly a reminder that God has kept His promise and we have not. We are the ones who are 'breaching the contract,' if you will.  Moreover, it may also be God holding His hand back from punishing the fools on Earth, but allowing a rainbow to show up to "hold Him back," so to speak.  The reality is that God does not endorse homosexual behavior. 1 Corinthians 6:9 clearly states that homosexuals will not go to Heaven.  If this is not a clear indication of how God feels about this same-sex stuff, then I do not know what does.

There's a big gay rainbow over Dublin, if that's not Jesus giving the Yes vote I don't know what is pic.twitter.com/p38LKtLgOv

— Karl (@karltims) May 22, 2015

Double rainbow while canvassing in Ennis #YesEquality #MarRef #MakeGráTheLaw pic.twitter.com/6srDaTDxUt

— YesEquality Galway (@YEGalway) May 18, 2015

OMG and it’s a double rainbow too! What does it mean??!??? (It means vote YES) #Marref pic.twitter.com/brwQJQNutN

— Lmd64 (@liamdunne) May 16, 2015

So What Happened?
Well, many things happened...  The 'yes'vote legalizing same-sex marriage in Ireland is seen as an embarrassment to the once powerful Catholic Church. For centuries, the Church in Ireland was the boss behind the boss, so to speak.  The people listened more to the Church than to anyone else. This is changing.  With the many scandals the Catholic Church in Ireland has faced, it is no surprise as to why the people do not trust the Church anymore as a moral authority. Who is going to trust a Church that tolerated minor abusing priests and religious orders? This is the fault of Church leaders who betrayed Christ and turned off the people. Unfortunately, those who were turned off did not bother with what Christ taught and made their decision based solely on the filth in the Church.  The more important thing is to follow Christ regardless of the bad Church members do. Church leaders will fail and sin all the time. Christ never fails nor sins! Then when you have people like Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry say that Catholics can support same-sex marriage in 'good conscience,' this adds to the problem.  How can a bishop - successor to the Apostles - say such a thing??  How can voting for something unnatural equate to acting in 'good conscience?'

Moreover, many young people came out to vote in Ireland during this referendum. The young people today are inundated with liberal propaganda from musicians, singers, actors and so forth. One just has to look at social media to see the many musicians and actors praising the 'yes' vote. Even the band 'U2' which claims to be Catholic had showed support for the legalization of same-sex marriage. They, of course, are just trying to keep themselves relevant as their music becomes outdated.  Former news anchor Piers Morgan also was in a celebratory mood. He is a Catholic and does not seem to understand the Church's teachings.  Now, pro-abortion advocates are calling for the legalization of abortion in Ireland!  All of this confused influence on the youth has taken its toll. They are brainwashed into believing the LGBT is the next legitimate civil rights movement.

What Can We Do?
As Catholics faithful to Christ and His Church, we must evangelize. We must be the change that we want to see in this world.  Sitting back and hoping the world's problems will fix themselves will not work. We must get out there and spread the Gospel now more than ever since it is clearly 'out of season.'  Do not be discouraged if people mock you, call you a bigot or someone who adheres to 'bronze-age myths.'  Let them say what they want.  The bottom line is that the Gospel 'seeds' are being planted.  Remember, seeds grow best when planted in manure. This same-sex marriage popularity and other errors of the world are the fertilizer which God will use to grow the seeds of the Gospel that we plant in the world.  If we look at history, it is during the harsh times that the Church grew and fixed societies. This referendum in Ireland will not be the last one.  Things can be reversed. Our job is to preach the Gospel and show the world why same-sex marriage does not work; with love and humility of course. We must not become like the Westboro cult.

Let us pray for Ireland.  May Our Lady of Knock and St. Patrick pray for the restoration of Ireland.






Source:

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/02/ireland-archbishop-fears-lawsuits-for-churches-against-gay-marriage

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/26/vatican-ireland-gay-marriage-referendum-vote-defeat-for-humanity

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/26/u2-ireland-gay-marriage-_n_7442984.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/26/northern-ireland-gay-marriage_n_7440376.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/05/26/ireland-catholic-gay-marriage-trust-column/27929573/

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/25/a-reality-check-for-irelands-church-gay-marriage-v/

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/05/26/irish-gay-marriage-victors-lets-legalise-abortion-next/

http://www.recordnet.com/article/20150526/NEWS/150529776/101127/A_OPINION

http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/may/24/ireland-celebrates-historic-gay-marriage-yes-vote-video

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/05/23/landslide-win-for-gay-marriage-in-ireland/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ireland-gay-marriage-vote-live-updates-as-referendum-ballots-are-counted-10271812.html

http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/05/24/segment-kinkade-mann-ireland-gay-vote.cnn-ap

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/05/23/double-rainbows-ireland-gay-marriage_n_7427496.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ireland-gay-marriage-vote-rainbows-5748323

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/02/ireland-archbishop-fears-lawsuits-for-churches-against-gay-marriage

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/irish-bishop-catholics-can-back-gay-marriage-in-good-conscience