A chairde The House Foreign Affairs Committee has agreed to host an AOH requested briefing of Congressmen by Mark Thompson and Mark McGovern on November 20th open to Friends of Ireland or other members and staff.(see attached) In addition both men will be available in Washington on the 19th and 20th for individual briefings of Congressmen as part of their six state AOH FFAI TOUR. The Committee will host the event but stress that members of Congress only attend these briefings or hold individual meetings if they think it is important for constituents. That means AOH -LAOH and other … [Read more...] about WILL YOUR CONGRESSMAN MEET Mark Thompson and Mark McGovern-November 19th-20th or attend Foreign Affairs Committee Meeting?
News
To Those Who Have Borne the Battle, We Owe Honor.
from Veteran's Affairs Chairman Jim Green ... Brothers, much of the following message was pulled from an article authored by Hibernian Digest Editor, John O’Connell. John shared it with me to get my opinion on it before it’s published in New York. I have slightly modified a few sections to make it relevant to all Hibernians, but I was so impressed with it that I thought I’d share parts of it – with his permission - with all of you in recognition of our veterans – both men and women – who have served and sacrificed for our country. God bless all of you on this day of honor. To those who … [Read more...] about To Those Who Have Borne the Battle, We Owe Honor.
Commodore John Barry Day, a National Holiday of the Order
September 13th is Commodore Barry Day, a National Holiday of the Order. John Barry is symbolic of both the fact that the Irish have contributed to America since its earliest days and sadly how little known those contributions are. Please like and share the following article by National Historian Mike McCormack, especially with the younger people in your life. Did you know that the first flag officer and founder of the United States Navy was an Irishman? His name was John Barry and Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, said in his eulogy at … [Read more...] about Commodore John Barry Day, a National Holiday of the Order
SEPTEMBER FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
from Martin Galvin,Esq., National FFAI Chairman ... A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A-Boris Johnson suspends Parliament brings on Brexit crisis- In a move called a "constitutional outrage" by Speaker of the House John Bercow, and compared to Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentary purge by Irish Minister Michael D'Arcy, Boris Johnson will prorogue or suspend Parliament for 5 weeks until October 14th, hoping to bulldoze Brexit through, by the Halloween, October 31st deadline. His plan backfired as Brexit opponents, including 21 members of his own party, banded together with opposition parties to … [Read more...] about SEPTEMBER FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
In Letter to U.S. Vice President, Ancient Order of Hibernians Call for Equal Respect for Irish Sovereignty
In a letter written by National Political Education Chair Neil Cosgrove to US Vice President Michael Pence, the Ancient Order of Hibernians express concern regarding recent comments made by the Vice President while visiting Ireland which admonished the Irish government to “to negotiate in good faith with prime minister Johnson, and work to reach an agreement that respects the United Kingdom’s sovereignty.” The letter states: We are greatly troubled by the sentiment you expressed in your statement “As the deadline for Brexit approaches we urge Ireland and the European Union, as well, to … [Read more...] about In Letter to U.S. Vice President, Ancient Order of Hibernians Call for Equal Respect for Irish Sovereignty
Call to Action: Have Your Elected Representatives Commit to Preserving the Good Friday Agreement Against the Risks of Brexit.
Brothers: We are less than 90 days out from a climatic point in the history of the world which will remake the map of Europe and have dramatic consequences for our brothers and sister in Ireland: Brexit. The current Brexit deadline is October 31st, and newly elected Prime Minister Johnson has threatened that unless the European Union accedes to Britain’s demands they will leave without a deal, “a hard Brexit.” The economic disruption of a “hard Brexit” will touch every corner of the world, including the United States, and nowhere will the impact be more keenly felt than Ireland where … [Read more...] about Call to Action: Have Your Elected Representatives Commit to Preserving the Good Friday Agreement Against the Risks of Brexit.
Minority Leader Schumer Responds to Hibernian Request To Make GFA U.K. Trade Deal Precondition
In response to a request made by the Ancient Order of Hibernians to members of Congress and the Senate to register their support for the Good Friday Agreement and their concern for the damage that a hard Brexit could pose to two decades of peace in Ireland, Senator Minority Leader Charles Schumer has written Secretary of State Pompeo and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stating “He will vigorously and vociferously oppose any potential U.S.-U.K. trade deal that undermines the Good Friday Agreement or a return to a hard border.” Senator Schumer’s letter is available below. The … [Read more...] about Minority Leader Schumer Responds to Hibernian Request To Make GFA U.K. Trade Deal Precondition
AOH Responds to Senator Tom Cotton and Colleagues Pledge of “Unwavering Support” for Brexit; Reminds of Good Friday Commitments.
In response to a letter written by Senator Cotton to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and signed by 44 members of the Senate pledging “unwavering support” to Britain irrespective of the course Brexit takes, National President McKay and Politcal Education Chairman Neil Cosgrove have written to Senator Cotten to express their concern that the Senator's letter fails to address the challenges that Brexit and a potential hard border posed to the Irish People. Dear Senator Cotton: We write to you as the National President and Political Education Chairman of the … [Read more...] about AOH Responds to Senator Tom Cotton and Colleagues Pledge of “Unwavering Support” for Brexit; Reminds of Good Friday Commitments.
The AOH National Board recognizes the accomplishments of Brother Bill Halpin, Virginia State President 2017 – 2019
President Halpin selected “Commit to the Future” as the Virginia state slogan for the 2017-2019 term. This phrase is easy to remember, and he believed it would inspire some of the Hibernian Zeal we pledge to maintain while preserving our traditions and beliefs. His goals were simple: Assure the long-term welfare of AOH in Virginia by retaining current bothers and focusing recruitment on men who can carry us forward. On retention, President Halpin echoed (former) National Rituals & Degrees Chairman J.J. Kelly’s view that Hibernians who receive our Order’s Major Degrees are statistically … [Read more...] about The AOH National Board recognizes the accomplishments of Brother Bill Halpin, Virginia State President 2017 – 2019
AUGUST FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
from Martin Galvin,Esq., National FFAI Chairman ... A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A -Boris Johnson threatens Ireland and European Union with "no deal Brexit" unless new deal concessions- After becoming British Prime Minister without any general election, popular mandate or Westminster majority , Boris Johnson began by threatening a no deal Brexit disaster on October 31st, unless the EU renegotiates the Withdrawal Agreement to his liking. He is gambling that the EU will bow to threats and offer major concessions to stop Britain from crashing out of Europe and forcing a hard border across … [Read more...] about AUGUST FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
Rituals and Degrees Report
from Jack Schneider, Ritual & Degrees Chairman Major Degree Ceremonies were held at two State Conventions in the Northeast during the month of July with a total of forty-seven candidates receiving their Major Degree. Congratulations are extended to all newly Degreed Brothers and welcome to the Inner Chamber of Hibernian Brotherhood! Seventeen candidates were brought into the ranks of full Brotherhood within the Order at the Major Degree held at the New York State Convention in Albany, NY on Sat. July 13. This Degree was exemplified by the Schenectady NY Major Degree Team. The newly … [Read more...] about Rituals and Degrees Report
KEY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEGACY JUSTICE
Six Members of Congress joined in a bipartisan letter to Deputy British Ambassador Michael Tatum, citing concerns about state force amnesty in legacy killings and Britain's failure to implement agreed legacy mechanisms. The bipartisan Congressional initiative, joined by Representatives Peter King, Eliot Engel, Chris Smith, Brian Fitzpatrick, Nita Lowey and Brendan Boyle, came as Boris Johnson was named Conservative Party leader and presumptive Prime Minister. The initiative also follows a recent AOH sponsored tour by Mark Thompson of Relatives For Justice and Edge Hill University Professor … [Read more...] about KEY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEGACY JUSTICE
On the Third Anniversary of Brexit, Britain is Still Looking for its Cake
Note that is an Op Ed that appeared in the July 10, 2019 edition of the Irish Echo. On June 23rd, the Brexit Referendum, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), celebrated its third anniversary. To put that in perspective, that was two English Prime Ministers and two Brexit deadline extensions ago. In this period, the British Conservative party suffered a shocking defeat at the polls and, despite concerns over the impact Brexit could have on the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) peace process entered into a “Confidence and Supply Agreement” with … [Read more...] about On the Third Anniversary of Brexit, Britain is Still Looking for its Cake
Catholic Action Update for July
from John D. Fitzmorris III, Ph.D., National Catholic Action Chairman ... As Chair of Catholic Action, I have been careful not to stray too far into the realm of the great work Project St. Patrick has been doing on behalf of all current seminarians, but I want to bring to light the current numbers on our priests from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. The statistics are comprehensive, and I shall go over only a few of them; but they are currently not very good. Back in 1970, there were 59,192 total priests in the United States. There are currently 36,580, which means … [Read more...] about Catholic Action Update for July
JULY FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
from Martin Galvin,Esq., National FFAI Chairman ... A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A- Brexit chaos forces May resignation as Johnson-Hunt vie for PM- British Prime Minister Theresa May ,was forced to resign after a six month Brexit delay and humiliating Westminster votes. Her successor, narrowed down to either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt, is being chosen by paid up members of the Conservative Party, (approximately 160,000). The incoming leader of the Conservative Party hopes to have enough Westminster votes to continue May's term as Prime Minister without facing a general election. Brexit … [Read more...] about JULY FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
Quick Summary on the Brexit Saga
from Neil Cosgrove, National P.E.C. Chairman ... Brothers: Just a quick abbreviated summary on the Brexit saga Prime Minister Theresa May has resigned, she is in a caretaker status until her Tory party selects a new leader The leadership race has been whittled down to two candidates: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt This now goes to a mail in-campaign to registered members of the Conservative Party. This is an internal party process, not a general election. Boris Johnson is the heavy favorite to win, and he is the most extremist of Brexiters. Both candidates have pledged to go … [Read more...] about Quick Summary on the Brexit Saga
The Order Welcomes A New Major Degree Team!
from Jack Schneider, National Ritual & Degrees Chairman ... On June 1, National Vice President, Danny O’Connell, National Rituals and Degrees Chairman, Jack Schneider, Pennsylvania State Rituals and Degrees Chairman, Jim Murphy and four senior Members of the Isle of Erin PA and Tara Court NY Major Degree Teams traveled to Pittsburgh to conduct the Certification Review of the prospective Tri Abhainn Allegheny County PA Major Degree Team. The Tri Abhainn Team asserted itself very well in this Exemplification and 11 Candidates received their Major Degree. On June 17, the National Rituals … [Read more...] about The Order Welcomes A New Major Degree Team!
US State Department Visa Policy “ Visits the Sins of the Fathers Upon the Sons (and Daughters)” of Ex-Prisoners of the Troubles
From the Political Education and Immigration Chairs Part of the foundational ethos of the United States is that individuals are treated based on their merits; rejecting the Old World concepts of royalty and aristocracy where a person is judged based on who their parents were. That American belief was a beacon of hope to the thousands of Irish who came to America in search of being able to achieve their full potential, and America has benefited incalculably from their energy and drive. It is therefore extremely disconcerting to learn that the US Department of State has repudiated this core … [Read more...] about US State Department Visa Policy “ Visits the Sins of the Fathers Upon the Sons (and Daughters)” of Ex-Prisoners of the Troubles
BRITISH ROLE IN TYRONE-SOUTH DERRY KILLINGS UNDENIABLE McGOVERN-THOMPSON CHARGE
"You can argue whether the British government was justified in using loyalists to carry out murders in Tyrone and South Derry but it is just not credible to pretend state force collusion never happened." Professor Mark McGovern, joined by Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice, made that point to Congressmen, public officials and Irish Americans in a seven state American launch of COLLUSION COUNTERINSURGENCY in NORTHERN IRELAND, organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians with Relatives for Justice. CLAIM For decades nationalists in Tyrone, south Derry and across the north saw British … [Read more...] about BRITISH ROLE IN TYRONE-SOUTH DERRY KILLINGS UNDENIABLE McGOVERN-THOMPSON CHARGE
TD Peadar Tóibín Holds Irish Government Accountable Over 8th Amendment Repeal
from John Patrick Walsh, Pro-Life Chairman When the Irish Government first proposed repealing the 8th amendment two years ago, there were many promises made that abortions would limited in scope and treated as an option of last resort. Since those early attempts at pacification, the ugly truth of abortion’s slippery slope has been revealed. Many have buried their heads in the sand or outright changed their earlier statements when confronted with the government’s roll out of abortion policy. Luckily, pro-life advocates on both sides of the Atlantic can thank TD Peadar Tóibín (Meath West) … [Read more...] about TD Peadar Tóibín Holds Irish Government Accountable Over 8th Amendment Repeal