A Limerick priest was condemned by a Minister of State yesterday for criticising the Taoiseach. Father Phonsie Cullinan (38) had censured Mr Ahern for not giving better example in the area of personal relationships.
The priest told Mass-goers in St Munchin's Church last weekend that he did not agree with the "public display of infidelity to his marriage vows" by the State's leader. He did not mention Mr Ahern by name during his sermon.
The Minister of State , Mr Willie O'Dea, said yesterday he was shocked at the comments. The chaplain at Limerick Regional Hospital told the Limerick Leader that, while the State was enjoying the benefits of the Celtic Tiger, he was seriously concerned that moral values were dropping at leadership level and a sense of sin was being lost.
Mr O'Dea said that in common with tens of thousands of other people in this State, Mr Ahern's marriage had broken down and he then formed another relationship with Ms Celia Larkin.
He added: "If we are to indulge in the prurient examination of every aspect of all leaders' private lives, then it will be impossible not only to govern the country, but to get people involved in public life.
"Father Cullinan appeared to suggest that people's sense of sin is being diminished by Bertie Ahern. In view of the huge increase of marriage breakdown in this country and the fact that many people have formed second relationships, I have concluded that any sense of sin arising from this situation has long since vanished," added the Minister.
The priest said : "We must all look at ourselves. None of us is without sin and I know that people may say who am I as a priest to point fingers at anybody. I genuinely feel, however, that people in leadership such as those in high finance, the Government and in the clergy must set an example to the rest of the country in the manner in which they conduct their lives and their business."
He referred to the recent banking fraud and to the rising incidence of violence, murders and cases of abuse that "are taking place in this city alone".
"Suicide and attempted suicides are quite commonplace and it is particularly sad when we reach the stage where adultery is now becoming fashionable," he said.
