On Thursdays Morning Focus John began by chatting to Fr Brendan Quinlivan – Diocese of Killaloe Spokesperson as the Diocese of Killaloe has been urged to re-think it's plans for a permanent Diaconate, after criticism from women who say it has left them feeling like second-class citizens. The plan will see men, who are likely married, preside over weddings, funerals and other religious events following a four-year training program which is not open to women. In response, posters have been erected in many local churches in Clare saying "Women have had enough Discrimination" and calling for all members of the laity to be allowed to participate more in church services.
John and Fr. Brendan discussed the situation and Fr. Brendan spoke on behalf of the Bishop. John was also joined by Kathleen McDonnell from Cross Parish. Kathleen and 10 other like minded people met yesterday to discuss how to move forward with this situation and give women all over the diocese a voice. They have decided there will be an open meeting on Monday 15th September in The Inn at Dromoland (Clare Inn) at 8pm for women ,men and priests to discuss inclusivity in the Church in the light of the recent introduction of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Killaloe. It's called The Diaconate! An Inclusive Church? She believes that there is a fear of speaking up against the church and this has to end. They have also created a facebook page – Killaloe Forum On The Permanent Diaconate.
A man in his fifties has died after a farm accident in Ballyea. This accident occured last evening on a farm off the Kildysart Road in Ballyea. Gardaí and other emergency services were called there before ten o'clock last night, and discovered that a man in his fifties had received fatal injuries in the incident which is understood to have involved a tractor and trailer. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The area has now been sealed off, pending the arrival of the Health and Safety Authority who are expected to begin their own investigation later this morning. This is the second fatality in a farm-related accident in Clare in the space of a fortnight, and the 21st in Ireland this year, a figure which has already exceeded the total for all of 2013. John was joined in studio by Clare FM's Gavin Grace to discuss the accident. Clare Fine Gale TD Pat Breen also spoke to John about the man that passed away tragically.
In our Morning Focus Health Matters slot we speak with Dr Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Centre
Today's topic:
Pregnancy
Doctor Maire Finn is from the Ennis Family Medical Centre, and will be joining us again next Friday for more medical advice
You can always send us your thoughts and queries by email [email protected], but if you have concerns or queries about your own health right now please contact your local GP.
Michael Conlan – Chairperson of the Clare Area Committee of The Irish Red Cross joined John in Studio as The Irish Red Cross – Clare Area would like to give the public an update on our fundraising tour of Clare for their Community Vehicle/Ambulance/Mini-Bus for Clare. Councillor John Crowe Mayor of Clare is to launch the 4 X 4 Ambulance which has cost the North Clare Branch of the Irish Red Cross €17,500.00 to upgrade this Ambulance on Sunday at 11.30am in Lahinch.
Two watches which had been left by a cancer victim to his two young sons have yet to be recovered after a robbery, despite national media coverage and a 7-thousand euro reward. However, 9 months later, the family and friends of the late Stephen Carroll have rallied together to raise over 55-thousand euro in aid of cancer services. Kerry Carroll – Sister of the late Stephen Carroll joined John on the phone as 45 people are currently on a 350 kilometre fundraising cycle to Liscannor where they will finish on Friday around lunch. They decided on Liscannor as Stephens's best friend Eoin Doohan is from Ennis and they wanted to do a coast to coast cycle and Liscannor is the closest to him. Ian Stephens's father led the first 10k and his son Senan will lead them for the last 10k into Liscannor.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
