Irish president pays tribute to Venezuelan leader Chávez

Venezuela's fiery and controversial socialist president died on Tuesday

 IrishCentral Staff Writers,

 

The Irish president has said his thoughts are with the people of Venezuela after the death of Hugo Chávez.

The 58-year-old Venezuelan president died on Tuesday after a two-year battle with cancer.

On December 8, he announced on State television that he intended to travel back to Cuba to undergo surgery since his pelvic cancer had "returned". His death ended his 14-year rule of the South American country.

His death was announced by Vice President Nicolas Maduro, surrounded by other government officials, in a national television broadcast.

Irish president Michael D Higgins said: “I was very sorry to hear of the death, after a long illness, of president Hugo Chávez of Venezuela.

 “President Chávez achieved a great deal during his term in office, particularly in the area of social development and poverty reduction.

“I extend my sincere condolences to the family of President Chávez on their great loss. My thoughts and best wishes are also with the people of Venezuela as they come to terms with this sad news.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore also expressed his sadness upon hearing news of the death of the political leader.

"He was an important figure on the international stage, as well as in his own country, and I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and to the people of Venezuela on his passing."

Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein, said the socialist president had worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Venezuelan citizens, reports the BBC.

“He dedicated himself to building a new and radical society in Venezuela,” Adams said.

“His progressive social and economic changes took millions out of poverty. He extended free health care and education for all citizens and his re-election last year with a huge majority was testimony to his vision.”

 

Comment:

 

The only thing to be said here is: Birds of a (radical socialist) feather, stick together! The tragedy is that too many people are fooled by their ”utopian claptrap”. Socialism, by its very nature, stifles an individual’s ambition and desire to succeed and is the enemy of democracy and of all freedom loving people throughout the world. May God Bless America and Freedom!

 

Jack Meehan, Past National President

Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

Dáil exchange over undocumented

Irish Echo Staff - February 27, 2013

 

John Deasy and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore “enjoyed a frank exchange in the Dáil” last week on the issue of the undocumented Irish in the U.S., this according to a statement from the Waterford TD’s office.

“The problem is that there never has been a plan B put into operation either by this or the previous government. There have been a lot of false dawns. While we have made progress with regard to the E3 visa, as the Tánaiste has said, it will not cover the bulk of the undocumented Irish. Who is the Tánaiste speaking to on the Republican side, the usual suspects?” said Deasy.

“The reality is that over the last ten or 15 years we have lost sway on Capitol Hill and we have lost sway in particular with the Republican Party. The House of Representatives is held by the Republicans and the opinion of that party on immigration has hardened over the last five or six years. We have not made any inroads into that party in terms of convincing it that a standalone deal, if necessary, is good for the Republicans. I wish to remind the Tánaiste that when it came to the green cards, it was Republican presidencies that allowed that to happen, namely former Presidents Bush and Reagan,” Deasy. who once worked as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill, added.

“The Visa Waiver Bill, which has helped Ireland so much over the last 18 years, was passed by a Republican-dominated Congress. The Clinton administration was actually against it. Unless we have a return to the kind of situation that we had 20 years ago with, in particular, the Republican Party and if comprehensive immigration reform fails again we will be left in the same position in which we currently find ourselves,” he said.

 

Comment:

 

It would appear that Waterford T.D. John Deasy, unlike many of his colleagues in Dail Eireann, believes in dealing with reality. The reality is that the plight of  undocumented Irish nationals currently living in the U.S. is paramount and must be dealt with and permanently resolved before the attention of Dail Eireann and Irish immigrant activists in the U.S. is turned  toward future flows of immigrants. Also, the proposed “Irish E-3 Program”, in its present form, is not a solution to future flows of immigrants from Ireland in that it is a “non-immigrant visa”. There is,currently, no provision to convert the “E-3 temporary work permit” to a permanent residency visa and eventual U.S. citizenship.

 

Jack Meehan, Past National President

Ancient Order of Hibernians in America 

Life of prayer at core of Bishop D'Arcy's 'priestly heart'

By Kay Cozad  -  2/22/2013

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CNS) -- At the core of the late Bishop John M. D'Arcy's "priestly heart" was the "intimate dialogue that is the life of prayer," said the homilist at the funeral Mass of the former head of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

"Prayer, daily, intimate conversation and communion with the Lord Jesus, the heart of the life of any believer, was central to (the) bishop's preaching, his work as a spiritual director, and his devotion to spiritual development and parish mission work," said Msgr. Michael Heintz.

Bishop D'Arcy, who had headed the diocese for 25 years before he retired in 2010, was remembered for his love of the priesthood and the love he had for the people of the diocese.

His funeral was celebrated Feb. 8 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne. He died Feb. 3 at age 80.

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, current head of the diocese, was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. Other bishops from across the country and state who concelebrated were Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis, retired Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans and Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria, Ill., a former Fort Wayne-South Bend auxiliary bishop.

"How many times, at the end of a long day, would he come over from his office to this beautiful cathedral he restored, to spend some quiet moments in prayer, alone, in silence, finding here, in the presence of the One he knew loved him, both solace and strength?" Msgr. Heintz recalled of the late bishop.

He spoke about how Bishop D'Arcy celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of the Presentation Church in Brighton, Mass., "the church where he had been brought by his immigrant parents for baptism, where he was plunged into the mystery of Christ's dying and rising, a mystery that every celebration of the Eucharist makes present and tangible."

"This central act of his daily life as a priest was to format his every duty and pastoral task," said Msgr. Heintz, rector of St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend.

Whether as his first assignment as a new priest, ordained in 1949 for the Boston Archdiocese, or as an Indiana bishop, "at the center of his priestly life was the Mass, that unparalleled encounter with Christ in word and sacrament" said the priest.

"For two millennia, the triad of dialogue, word and Eucharist has comprised the pattern of Catholic worship," he added.

To the end, Bishop D'Arcy exercised "the 'munus propheticum' entrusted to the successors of the apostles."

"Even from his sickbed, (the) bishop was teaching us, like Blessed John Paul II, the meaning of the Mass, the meaning of our baptism; he was teaching us how to die," Msgr. Heintz said. "A priest of Jesus Christ to the end, he offered himself back to God and he died with the same love and generosity with which he exercised his ministry."

He said Bishop D'Arcy "had a profound understanding of and reverence for the office of bishop -- rooted in his deep and obvious love for the priesthood -- as a sacred, indeed spousal, trust. And second, he was simultaneously and almost singularly devoid of pretense about or ambition for that office."

Msgr. Heintz also noted that the bishop was "genuinely interested in every person he met; he had an incredible memory for detail and a command of names."

At the close of the Mass, Bishop Rhoades incensed the bishop's body as the congregation sang "Come to His Aid."

Bishop Rhoades extended sympathy to D'Arcy family members and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers for his predecessor.

In a private ceremony, Bishop D'Arcy's body was entombed in the crypt of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Comment:

Bishop John M. D’Arcy was an exceptional priest as well as a wonderful friend, neighbor, Red Sox fan, and Brighton, MA native at heart. His parents home was directly across the street from the home in which my late wife, Theresa and I brought up our family. On his annual trips to Boston, he would often drop in to say hello to his neighbors from the “old home town”. He was  very proud of his Irish parents and the heritage and traditions they instilled in him and his siblings from childhood. His father’s home in Ireland was only a short distance from where Theresa was born and spent her childhood years before emigrating to  the U.S. so we had many conversations with the Bishop about Ireland while sitting on our front porch with a cup of tea.

In 2004, when the AOH honored Fr. Theodore Hesberg, the President Emeritus of Notre Dame University, Bishop D’Arcy joined us for the banquet in South Bend and spoke glowingly about his friend, Fr. Hesberg. Bishop D’Arcy will always be remembered in Boston, not only as a native son but also as a fearless spokesperson for the rights of children who suffered abuse at the hands of some Catholic clergymen.

In short, Bishop John M. D’Arcy epitomized all that a Catholic priest should be and will be sorely missed in both his home town of Boston and his adopted home in the Diocese of Ft. Wayne – South Bend.

Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar Easpag Sean D’Arcy agus go dtuga Dia suaimnheas siorai a anam.

Jack Meehan, Past National President

Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

Knights of Columbus – 4^th Degree

Eight year path to green cards for illegals in White House proposal

Plan leaked to USA Today calls for ‘lawful prospective immigrant visa’

 Niall O’Dowd, - Irish Central

 

Undocumented immigrants will be able to receive a green card after eight years of provisional status, according to the leaked White House document on President Obama’s immigration bill. There are an estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish in the U.S. The document was leaked to USA Today.

• The new visa status would be called a “lawful prospective immigrant visa” which would be granted and would allow the person to work in the country and make brief visits out of the country until they gained a regular green card after eight years.

• The Obama bill version leaked to USA Today does not have a cut off date by which the undocumented immigrant had to be in the country, a major factor for more recent Irish immigrants hoping to take advantage of the proposed bill.

• Undocumented immigrants must come forward and register, submit biometric data, pass criminal background and national security checks, and pay taxes and penalties before they will be eligible for a provisional legal status. Agricultural workers and those who entered the United States as children would be eligible for the same program.

• Individuals must wait until the existing legal immigration backlogs are cleared before getting in line to apply for lawful permanent residency (i.e. a “green card”), and ultimately United States citizenship. Consistent with current law, people with provisional legal status will not be eligible for welfare or other federal benefits, including subsidies or tax credits under the new health care law.

• Those applying for green cards must pay their taxes, pass additional criminal background and national security checks, register for Selective Service (where applicable), pay additional fees and penalties, and learn English and U.S. civics. As under current law, five years after receiving a green card, individuals will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship like every other legal permanent resident.

• Earned citizenship for DREAMers. Children brought here illegally through no fault of their own by their parents will be eligible for earned citizenship. By going to college or serving honorably in the Armed Forces for at least two years, these children should be given an expedited opportunity to earn their citizenship. The President’s proposal brings these undocumented immigrants out of the shadows.

• Create administrative and judicial review. An individual whose provisional lawful status has been revoked or denied, or whose application for adjustment has been denied, will have the opportunity to seek administrative and judicial review of those decisions.

• Keep Families Together. The proposal seeks to eliminate existing backlogs in the family-sponsored immigration system by recapturing unused visas and temporarily increasing annual visa numbers. The proposal also raises existing annual country caps from 7 percent to 15 percent for the family-sponsored immigration system. It also treats same-sex families as families by giving U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents the ability to seek a visa on the basis of a permanent relationship with a same-sex partner. The proposal also revises current unlawful presence bars and provides broader discretion to waive bars in cases of hardship.

Comment:

It is very refreshing to see that this plan recognizes that it makes a great deal of sense to address the plight of the undocumented residents of this country before trying to pass legislation that would provide for the issuance of 10,500 annual temporary work permits that make no provisions for conversion to permanent residency status. Even though there appears to be a certain degree of bipartisan support in Congress for the concept of comprehensive immigration reform, there remains a great deal of work to be done before a final bill that addresses both the problems of the undocumented and the needs of this great nation can be written into law. Let’s hope and pray that Congress can keep their eye on this very long overdue and much needed goal and bring it to a mutually satisfactory and final conclusion.

 

Jack Meehan, Past National President

Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

Obama to announce an Immigration Reform Plan        

 

President Obama will debut his plans for comprehensive immigration reform at an event Tuesday in Las Vegas, the White House said Friday.
In a statement, the White House said the president's proposal would call for legislation to create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Obama held a strategy session Friday with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, telling the lawmakers that reform efforts would be "a top priority" in his second term.
"The President was pleased to hear from CHC members and noted that they share the same vision, including that any legislation must include a path to earned citizenship," the White House statement said. "The President further noted that there is no excuse for stalling or delay."
The White House described Obama's trip to Nevada on Tuesday as an opportunity to "redouble" efforts to fix the immigration system within the next year.
Among those in attendance at Friday's White House meeting with Obama were Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), House Democratic Caucus Chair Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas), Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.).
"After today’s meeting, it’s clear that President Obama is determined to fix our long broken immigration system," Becerra said in a statement following the meeting. "The President expressed a great sense of urgency and that comprehensive immigration reform, including an earned path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, is his top legislative priority."
The CHC developed a nine-point immigration plan earlier this year, and that is likely to serve as the template for the president's immigration reform efforts.
"Immigrants need action now and immigration reform cannot wait," Gutierrez said in a statement after the White House meeting. "We have a unique opportunity to finally put our government on the side of hard-working immigrants. We all need to work together — the President and Congress, Republicans and Democrats — to get something done right away."
The caucus's ambitious overhaul calls for a pathway to permanent residency and eventual citizenship for undocumented immigrants, new work visas for skilled professionals, and the establishment of an employment verification system. The Associated Press reported Friday that that the White House will debut its plan separate from a bipartisan Senate working group that also hopes to outline its proposals next week.
The president has said that he is "very confident that we can get immigration reform done" and suggested he would debut his plan early in his second term.
"I think it should include a continuation of the strong border security measures that we’ve taken, because we have to secure our borders," Obama said at a press conference shortly after winning re-election.
"I think it should contain serious penalties for companies that are purposely hiring undocumented workers and taking advantage of them. And I do think that there should be a pathway for legal status for those who are living in this country, are not engaged in criminal activity, are here simply to work." Earlier this month, White House press secretary Jay Carney hinted that Obama would use his upcoming State of the Union address to push for reform.
"I would say, broadly speaking, that State of the Union addresses tend to include at least a sample of a president's agenda," Carney said at his daily press briefing. "And immigration reform, comprehensive immigration reform, is a very high priority of the president's. But I don't want to get ahead of the speech."
Republicans have also been aggressive in pushing new immigration reforms, with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) spearheading efforts.
In interviews earlier this month, Rubio called for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who are already in the United States. Under the plan, immigrants would likely be assessed a fine and back taxes, undergo a background check and work through a lengthy probationary period. That's a break from some Republicans, who have suggested that a pathway to citizenship would be tantamount to amnesty for illegal immigrants. But it's also a far more conservative plan than the one advocated by the White House, and one that has gained traction among top conservative leaders, including Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.).
Carney said last week that Rubio's comments "bode well" for striking a deal on reform.
"We are encouraged — referring now to recent reports ‚ that Senator Rubio's thinking — as reported — so closely reflects the president's blueprint for reform," Carney said. "The president has long called for partners from both sides of the aisle. And he has lamented the absence of partners from the other side of the aisle. It used to be a bipartisan pursuit, comprehensive immigration reform. For a while, it ceased to be. But he certainly hopes that it will be in the future."
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on Friday argued Republicans must embrace comprehensive reform.
“In some conservative circles, the word 'comprehensive' in the context of immigration reform is an epithet — a code word for amnesty. People who oppose such reform declare that securing the United States border must come before moving toward broader reform,” Bush and conservative immigration scholar Clint Bolick wrote in the Wall Street Journal.
“Such an approach is shortsighted and self-defeating."

 

Comment:

 

It is very refreshing to see that we are getting back to basics and talking about resolving the plight of undocumented residents of the U.S. as the very necessary first step in any attempts to “fix our broken immigration system”. Congress has been dancing around the issue and sweeping it under the rug for far too long. The time has long since passed for them to “take the bull by the horns” and get it done.

 

Jack Meehan, Past National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

 

PASSING OF BROTHER JIM MAGEE

 

Brother & Sister Hibernians,

 

It is with great sadness and a very sincere and profound feeling of loss that I have learned of the passing of Brother Jim Magee. Jim served as National Legal Counsel during my term as A.O.H. National President and neither I nor the Ancient Order of Hibernians could have asked for a more loyal and learned colleague. I will be forever grateful for his service in that capacity, but more importantly, as a friend and kindred spirit on our many trips to Ireland to participate in the Bloody Sunday Commemorative Marches in Derry.

My deepest condolences are extended to Jim's family and please be assured that Jim and yourselves will be in my thoughts and prayers and those of the Meehan family as you go through this very difficult time of loss.

 

Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar Seamus agus go dtuga Dia suaimhneas siorai a anam dilis.

 

Jack Meehan, Past National President

Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

Inez McCormack - R.I.P.

ALF McCrery - 22 January 2013

 

 Inez McCormack, who died yesterday after a short illness, was a leading trade unionist and a champion of women’s rights who was well-known for her work in Northern Ireland and much further afield. She was 66.
She was a forceful character, who consistently sought to improve the working conditions of a wide range of people and she also campaigned successfully on many human rights issues.
She was the founder and an adviser to the Participation and the Practice of Rights organisation (PPR), which provided support to local disadvantaged communities and groups in using a rights-based approach.
Her local and international reputation was such that she was honoured by a portrayal of her career by Meryl Streep in a play on Broadway.
In 2011, she was named by Newsweek magazine, along with Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and others, as one of the “150 Women Who Shake the World.”
Inez McCormack was born in Belfast in 1946, and left school at 16. She later studied social work at Queen’s University, Belfast and at Trinity College, Dublin.
Her distinguished trade union career began in the late-1960s and she became the first female president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
She was a signatory to the MacBride Principles, a code of conduct for US companies investing in Northern Ireland, which stressed the importance of religious equality in employment.
She also played a pivotal role behind the scenes in gaining trade union support for the Good Friday Agreement and helping to shape its provisions on equality issues.
She also made a significant contribution to the implementation of equal opportunities and fair employment in the workplace.
McCormack played a major trade union role with NUPE and latterly with Unison.
Paying tribute, Patricia McKeown, of Unison, said: “She was held in the highest regard across the international trade union movement.
“Her vindication lies in the fact that many of the issues on which she broke the mould are now seen as safe ground for those who came later.
“She has left us, but only in the flesh. Inez will never leave us in spirit.”
Mark Durkan, the former SDLP leader and Foyle MP, said: “Inez was impressive and effective in all she did. She stood for workers’ rights, for women’s rights, for equality and public services.
“Her positive outlook, compelling analysis and valid stances won her international recognition as a standard-bearer for social justice and a role model for all who seek economic emancipation.”
She was a deeply committed person who formed strong personal relationships and she was a friend of many leading public figures, including Hillary Clinton and Irish presidents Mary Robinson and Michael D Higgins.
Her human rights work was recognised internationally and she won many awards, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Award from New York City in 1997, an honorary degree from Queen’s University in 2000, and the Aisling Person of the Year Community Award in 2001.
She was married for more than 40 years to Vinny, who survives her with their daughter Anne, son-in-law Mark and grandchildren Maisie and Jamie.

 

Comment:     Inez McCormack was a truly remarkable woman, totally dedicated to civil rights and the trade unionist movement. Her extensive work over many years in these pursuits brought her to many places. Back in the day, she was a frequent visitor and lecturer in her chosen field. She participated in numerous seminars and lecture series here in the U.S. A. Over the years, I was privileged to have met Inez on several of her trips to Boston and other venues.
     Her deeply held views were quite evident in the dedication and zeal that she enthusiastically exhibited for the civil rights for the downtrodden, not only in the North of Ireland, but all over the world. Women of Inez McCormack’s caliber are few and far between and the lives of those who knew her were much richer for having had that privilege.

 

Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar Inez agus go dtuga Dia suaimhneas siorai a anam.

 

Jack Meehan, Past National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America