CAMPAIGN DEBATE:NO CAMPAIGNERS, such as Cóir, are spreading "introverted hateful propaganda" that is doing "immense damage to the Christian message", a leading Augustinian priest has said.
Fr Iggy O'Donovan, in a note circulated to parishioners in Drogheda, Co Louth, in recent days, said voters "are faced with a heavy responsibility" in deciding on the Lisbon Treaty.
"Most of us will be aware that there are good arguments for and against each side.
"No Christian church has instructed its members how to vote: let us be very clear about that.
"Almost inevitably the old moral chestnuts have made their way into the debate.
"The spectres of euthanasia, abortion, homosexuality, same-sex marriages are once again stalking the land.
"Publications such as Alive! (a newspaper circulated in some Catholic churches) and organisations like Cóir are stirring up the moral waters and preaching falsehoods of every kind," Fr O'Donovan said.
Describing himself as "a passionate believer in the European project", the Drogheda-based priest said extremists "on the left and right have opposed all things European since 1973. "Europe will not impose abortion on Ireland. That is a choice we make for ourselves.
"Our present position is that this is not a problem so long as it takes place in England - an English solution to an Irish problem.
"Everyone is free to vote as they see fit, but groups such as Cóir with their introverted hateful propaganda do immense damage to the Christian message.
"Irish Catholicism would sleep much more easily without the presence of these bizarre bedfellows," Fr O'Donovan added.
Meanwhile, Cóir yesterday denounced what it said were highly personalised attacks made by the Yes campaign on individuals and spokespersons working for a No vote.
Its spokesman Richard Greene said the attacks "were indicative of the contempt in which the political parties held the electorate since they had refused to debate the treaty during the entire campaign, preferring to make wild and false allegations against No campaigners instead."
Mr Greene said he believed personalised attacks would increase in the run-up to the vote.
"Our politicians can't sell this treaty, because this is a bad treaty for Ireland and for Europe.
"This is what they are reduced to in this campaign and it's not working for them."
