Dr Noel Browne explains how he believes the Catholic Church has hampered social progress in Ireland.
During a speech made at a Labour party event in Tramore on 23 April, Dr Noel Browne stated that the Catholic Church has obstructed social development in Ireland. He says that the Catholic clergy's judgement on relationships and contraception cannot be trusted.
Standing by his comments, Noel Browne believes that when criticised, the Catholic Church retaliates. He maintains that the Catholic hierarchy must be prepared to accept criticism, in the same way that other organisations and political parties are criticised.
Everything I’ve said, I can stand over.
Much of the suffering in Irish society today stems from Catholic Church control in the areas of education, healthcare and social services.
The extent of this control has also impacted the lives of many people in religious orders who are leading unhappy lives. Their lifestyle also means they are not in a position to advise married people about relationships.
Dr Noel Browne says the Labour Party criticism in response to his speech in Tramore confirms,
The political parties are frightened of the Catholic Church.
Twenty years ago when he was Minister for Health Dr Noel Browne’s proposal to reform healthcare for mothers and children failed to be introduced by his government. He acknowledges that the situation today is very similar, but describes a recent statement by a group of sixteen priests on the contraception issue as
A magnificent gesture.
This episode of 'Seven Days’ was broadcast on 30 April 1971. The presenter is Brian Farrell.
A current affairs programme, ‘Seven Days’ ran from 1966 to 1976. Presenters and reporters were Brian Farrell, John O’Donoghue, Stephen Fay, Patrick Gallagher, Brian Cleeve, David Thornley, Ted Nealon, Bill O’Herlihy, Rodney Rice, Sean Duignan, Maurice O’Doherty, Andy O’Mahony, Nodlaig McCarthy, John Feeney, Denis Mitchell, Andrew Sheppard, Michael Ryan, Forbes McFall, Nicholas Coffey, Jack White and Kevin O’Connell.
