Businessman Declan Ganley has called on the Irish Bishops to “open their churches” in defiance of lockdown after his constitutional case against the state in relation to the right to worship was delayed yet again.
His case – which states that the ban on public worship is illegal under the Irish constitution – was originally taken in November of last year. Over the last seven months, it has been repeatedly put back, and has yet to receive a hearing. At a hearing this morning, the case was again put back for mention until May 18th.
Though not directly referencing the delay, Ganley took to twitter to express his frustration, seeming to imply that legal methods of resisting the ban were not bearing fruit. “This will not be resolved through the courts in a reasonable timeframe”, he said:
In my personal opinion, the Irish Catholic Bishops should order their parishes to reopen from this Saturday forward for the holding of covid mitigated public worship, with priests & stewards as well as the congregants all aware we face possible arrest & prosecution.
— Declan Ganley (@declanganley) April 27, 2021
This will not be resolved through the courts in a reasonable timeframe given the draconian bans on (covid mitigated) public worship in place right now. It is time for peaceful civil disobedience which will have to be rigorous with self managed covid mitigation protocols.
— Declan Ganley (@declanganley) April 27, 2021
Again, in my personal opinion, other denominations should do the same thing. Let's see the police raid hundreds of churches on Sunday.
Mask.
Distance.
Sanitise.
Reduce inside numbers.
Use carparks.
*PEACEFULLY* Resist in silence. Don't verbally abuse law enforcement.— Declan Ganley (@declanganley) April 27, 2021
While we sit here and take this unconstitutional abuse, they'll keep dishing it out. The Irish Bishops did everything right, were deferential to the state and have been repaid in (very) bad faith. Time to raise a standard. In the words of the old hymn, 'Lift High The Cross'.
— Declan Ganley (@declanganley) April 27, 2021
More to follow.