A Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Dublin has questioned the awarding of the freedom of Dublin to former US President Barrack Obama.
In a message on social media reacting to news that Lord Mayor Brendan Carr had proposed the honour during a City Council meeting, Fr Pádraig Ó Cochláin of St Canice’s in Finglas asked: “Why honour a man who fomented war in Arabian countries and also forced Catholic charities and taxpayers to wage war on the innocent unborn.”
Throughout his administration, Mr Obama defended funding for the abortion provider Planned Parenthood and, through his Affordable Care Act, sought to force religious-run institutions to offer contraceptive and abortion cover through insurance schemes.
The Freedom of the City motion was carried by a narrow margin, prompting a walk-out by councillors linked to People-Before-Profit.
