Catholic Ireland....

challengemaster

Much to my surprise, found out earlier that anyone playing GAA has to get a form signed by a priest. I have actually seen this form...

Why in 2010 (or at all) would a priest have to sign something with regards to sports?

wonderfulname

GAA at club level is played inter-parish, and to play for a team you must be resident in that parish, just as to play for a county team you must be resident in that county. Who better to know who resides within a parish boundary than the parish priest? Its not actually a religious matter really..

Bottle_of_Smoke

Bring back the Ban!

Pygmalion

wonderfulname wrote: »

GAA at club level is played inter-parish, and to play for a team you must be resident in that parish, just as to play for a county team you must be resident in that county. Who better to know who resides within a parish boundary than the parish priest? Its not actually a religious matter really..

There are hundreds of organisations that require proof of address.
Clearly they've found a better way as I never needed a priest present when I set up a bank account. :pac:

wonderfulname

Pygmalion wrote: »

There are hundreds of organisations that require proof of address.
Clearly they've found a better way as I never needed a priest present when I set up a bank account. :pac:

To be honest I'd prefer to send a priests signature to the GAA that my drivers licence or a bill.
And I'm sure you could also get a Garda to sign it, clarification there OP?

I really don't see it as a massive deal..

challengemaster

That priests have to sign something so people can play in one of the countries largest sports? You see no issue with it? They've got nothing to do with the sport tbh.

ShooterSF

wonderfulname wrote: »

GAA at club level is played inter-parish, and to play for a team you must be resident in that parish, just as to play for a county team you must be resident in that county. Who better to know who resides within a parish boundary than the parish priest? Its not actually a religious matter really..

How would a priest know where you're from, especially if you werent catholic/christian?

wonderfulname

challengemaster wrote: »

That priests have to sign something so people can play in one of the countries largest sports? You see no issue with it? They've got nothing to do with the sport tbh.

I love how the manner in which you phrase something changes its meaning entirely. When you play school sports, a member of staff has to sign to confirm you attend the school, they may have nothing to do with the sport at hand, they may even have never had a conversation with you in their lives.

Its not that the priests are deciding whos fit to play, or that they have any choice in selection whatsoever. The GAA need proof of residency and that form is a very informal manner of doing so, do you really think an underage player should be posting mammys drivers licence to the GAA just to play a game of hurling? Or that sending away the form is some kind of proof of faith?

You never clarified as to whether a Guard could sign BTW

wonderfulname

ShooterSF wrote: »

How would a priest know where you're from, especially if you werent catholic/christian?

Well I'm not catholic and the bollox always seems to know where I live!

Its all to do with their vows, which is why I keep asking about the Guards, they are commonly included on forms such as these due to their oath (which by the way, is to god, something I'd have a much greater issue with), these people aren't meant to lie, i know they do but anyway.

And people please, stop shooting the bloody messenger!!

challengemaster

Specifically said "Priests Signature" on the form.... some spiel about "I confirm that I know this person and he has signed the form in my presence" aswell...

randylonghorn

It's probably a hang-on from times long past when the local priest was almost inevitably the Hon. President of the local club.

Actually, knowing the GAA, it probably goes back to the days when the local polis (RIC) were suspect and often in turn suspicious of the GAA.

Does seem a bit daft in this day and age though (assuming you have the story right).

I wonder what they would say if it was signed by the local CofI Vicar? :pac: They're priests too after all, though we don't often use the word to refer to them because it causes confusion.

Dades

Isn't a priest still considered one of the few who can "vouch for" an individual in bureaucratic matters?

When I was getting a passport for my daughter one of the people who could be a witness for a parent/guardian's signature could be a priest (as well as a doctor, lawyer, Bank Manager and a few others).

It's just a residue from "olde Ireland" which would probably change the instance someone kicked up a fuss about it.

Meh, I say.

PDN

Dades wrote: »

Isn't a priest still considered one of the few who can "vouch for" an individual in bureaucratic matters?

When I was getting a passport for my daughter one of the people who could be a witness for a parent/guardian's signature could be a priest (as well as a doctor, lawyer, Bank Manager and a few others).

It's just a residue from "olde Ireland" which would probably change the instance someone kicked up a fuss about it.

Meh, I say.

Not just an Irish thing. Photographs for British passport applications need to be countersigned by "a member of parliament, justice of the peace, minister of religion, doctor, lawyer, civil servant, bank officer or a person of similar standing." The same applies to things like becoming a taxi driver and, even more bizarrely, getting a firearms certificate!

Actually, stopping to think about it, I'm pretty insulted that, given recent events, they see a minister of religion as being "of similar standing" to a bank officer! :eek:

Galvasean

PDN wrote: »

Actually, stopping to think about it, I'm pretty insulted that, given recent events, they see a minister of religion as being "of similar standing" to a bank officer! :eek:

Well they are both corrupt.... (sorry, couldn't help it! :pac:)

robindch

PDN wrote: »

Actually, stopping to think about it, I'm pretty insulted that, given recent events, they see a minister of religion as being "of similar standing" to a bank officer! :eek:

Given the carry-on of both the country's religious and the country's banks over the last while, the comparison is apposite :P

robindch

Snap

RocketFalls

This may be slightly off-topic, but has anybody noticed the slightly unnerving fixation this country has with the aul' shports? Don't yet me wrong, I love it here, but when it gets to the point that Fetac application forms ask for the details of your referee and a practical art exam is interrupted by a 10 minute detailed synopsis of the under-15s victory yesterday, one begins to wonder about priorities. This is from school, anyway. Not sure if the phenomenon carries over into the long-trousersd world of responsibility.

On topic: I'm sure you can make some kind of arrangement with the Gardai. Hasn't the Church always had close ties to the GAA?

PeterIanStaker

The Church, Fianna Failure, and the GAA has always been a "cosy triumvarate". Emphasises the insular parish mentality as well as fear of outsiders, change, or anything different (read: progress)

randylonghorn

RocketFalls wrote: »

... but when it gets to the point that Fetac application forms ask for the details of your referee ...

Em, I think they mean referee as in "one who provides a reference" ...

aidan24326

challengemaster wrote: »

Much to my surprise, found out earlier that anyone playing GAA has to get a form signed by a priest. I have actually seen this form...

Why in 2010 (or at all) would a priest have to sign something with regards to sports?

I played GAA for many years and never heard of this. It might be where a player wishes to transfer to a different club? In that case, I suppose a priest is as suitable a witness to sign the form as a guard/solicitor/peace comissioner or anyone else. It's no big deal really. And I'd trust the average priest quicker than your average solicitor to be perfectly honest.

randylonghorn

randylonghorn wrote: »

Em, I think they mean referee as in "one who provides a reference" ...

I never understood why that wasn't referrer, surely a referee is the person receiving the reference

axer

Is there a definitive description of a "Minister of Religion"?

Could I not just claim to be a priest in the higher order of Axers? My understanding is there is no restrictions on the claim to be a "Minister of Religion" or priest. Anyone know?

randylonghorn

bluewolf wrote: »

I never understood why that wasn't referrer, surely a referee is the person receiving the reference

Well, it's essentially the same word as a sports referee ... i.e. one to whom something is referred for opinion, decision or judgement.

Just as a payee is the person to whom something is paid ...

I would have imagined that the person who is receiving the reference would be the referand, but apparently not ... at least it's not in the online dictionary, and I cba going dragging the OED down, the last time I hauled that monster off the shelf my shoulder was sore for 2 days!!

checkyabadself

PeterIanStaker wrote: »

The Church, Fianna Failure, and the GAA has always been a "cosy triumvarate". Emphasises the insular parish mentality as well as fear of outsiders, change, or anything different (read: progress)

RCC/FF/GAA sounds similar to another fearful, insular trinity triumvirate that plagues the people of this island.

Pygmalion

axer wrote: »

Is there a definitive description of a "Minister of Religion"?

Could I not just claim to be a priest in the higher order of Axers? My understanding is there is no restrictions on the claim to be a "Minister of Religion" or priest. Anyone know?

Not sure exactly but I think most countries have some definition, or a list of recognised religions.
To be fair though I think that's mainly to distinguish a for-profit organisation that pays tax from a for-profit organisation that doesn't :P.

randylonghorn

randylonghorn wrote: »

Well, it's essentially the same word as a sports referee ... i.e. one to whom something is referred for opinion, decision or judgement.

Just as a payee is the person to whom something is paid ...

Ooh, you have a point there.
I was thinking about a reference referring to a referee (sorry for the redundancy )

RocketFalls

randylonghorn wrote: »

Em, I think they mean referee as in "one who provides a reference" ...

Oh, crap. Feel like aright numpty now. But please clarify..Who would I put down for that? A teacher?

randylonghorn

RocketFalls wrote: »

Oh, crap. Feel like aright numpty now. But please clarify..Who would I put down for that? A teacher?

It depends I suppose on what exactly you are applying for, but for a FETAC course a current or former teacher sounds pretty appropriate, if possible one relevant to the course you are applying for, e.g. an art teacher for an art course, music teacher for a music course, etc.

magicbastarder

bluewolf wrote: »

I never understood why that wasn't referrer, surely a referee is the person receiving the reference

i regularly see capacity signs on buses which list, say, '65 seated 13 standees'.
which would imply the bus can take people who are being stood upon.

randylonghorn

"Standees"? :eek:

You're joking!

That is such an obscene mutilation of the English language! >.<

PDN

magicbastarder wrote: »

i regularly see capacity signs on buses which list, say, '65 seated 13 standees'.
which would imply the bus can take people who are being stood upon.

I hate the signs in lifts that say how much weight is allowed, and then say "or 12 people" when the specified weight is only 7 people of my size.

robindch

magicbastarder wrote: »

i regularly see capacity signs on buses which list, say, '65 seated 13 standees'. which would imply the bus can take people who are being stood upon.

Last time I was on the 46A in rush hour (granted, a long time ago) I'd have said there were 65 seated, 13 standers and about 30 standees.

magicbastarder

randylonghorn wrote: »

"Standees"? :eek:

You're joking!

i'll see if i can get a photo without looking like a lunatic.

panda100

randylonghorn wrote: »

It's probably a hang-on from times long past when the local priest was almost inevitably the Hon. President of the local club.

Dunno about timeS long past. I went to the opening of the new GAA grounds in Churchtown,Co.limerick last month and the Hon.President of the club was the local parish priest. The grounds had a blessing by him before they could be opened and the gates where then sprinkled with holy water.

At least the GAA has moved on from their pre-match ritual of captains having to kiss the Bishops ring. Yuck.

recedite

I propose a competition to see who can come up with the best caption for that photo ^^^^^

recedite

panda100 wrote: »

Ouch the little bugger bit me!!!

The Mad Hatter

panda100 wrote: »

Not a caption, but the hurler seems to be posed as a swastika...

axer

recedite wrote: »

I propose a competition to see who can come up with the best caption for that photo ^^^^^

Or we could have a photoshop competition :eek:

robindch

panda100 wrote: »

"Not here in front of everybody, you moron!! Wait 'til we get to my palace and you can kiss me down there all you want then!"

robindch

axer wrote: »

Or we could have a photoshop competition

With that pose, there's only one direction that's going to go in :rolleyes:

Dades

panda100 wrote: »

You had me at "amen".

Twin-go

panda100 wrote: »

"Donal sean Cusack is seen here kissing the Bishops ring, when he would much prefer to be kissing Christy Ring"

robindch

Is that a cross in your pocket or are you glad to see me?

Mark Hamill

panda100 wrote: »

"I'm very flattered really, but you are far too old for me"

randylonghorn

panda100 wrote: »

"Lol, if he only knew where that finger has been!!"

pljudge321

panda100 wrote: »

"That's not what I meant when I asked you to kiss my ring."

panda100

I should have known the way this thread was gonna go after I posted that pic

sensibleken

panda100 wrote: »

"The bishop? i thought it was johnny cash"

sensibleken

panda100 wrote: »

"When i asked you do 'go down on one knee' I meant i have a peg leg!"

Azure_sky

panda100 wrote: »

At least the GAA has moved on from their pre-match ritual of captains having to kiss the Bishops ring. Yuck.

But now they make the alter boys kiss the Bishops..."ring".