Pope would oppose Sperrin mountains gold mine, priest tells inquiry [Northern Ireland]

The Pope “would be totally opposed to the destruction of a sacred place” to mine gold, a priest told a public inquiry in Northern Ireland.

Fermanagh priest Father Joe McVeigh made the claim as the potential cultural and heritage impacts of Dalradian Gold’s planning application were examined, the Detail website reported.

The North American company hopes to mine gold, silver and other metals in the Sperrin Mountains designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for more than 20 years.

Over three days this week, the Planning Appeals Commission heard witnesses on a number of topics, including a mass rock site cited by the priest, a historic road and archaeological assets like Beaghmore Stone Circles. […]

Fr. McVeigh criticized “the division in this community that is being caused by this process”.

“We work to keep the community together and then you have a foreign mining company coming in and disrupting this sense of community, I would oppose that,” he said. …

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for more than 20 years

Wow! 20 years, huh? That's pretty epic. What a colossal chunk of history right there. I have friggin socks older than that! They look pretty nice too. Wonder if it's okay if I decide to throw them out anytime soon.

The spectacular views have been there longer than that. Just because they got around to protecting the area only 20 years ago doesn’t mean they should destroy it now.

I’ve personally watched much of our gorgeous west get spoiled with such things for 50 years. I watched the first windmills get built on the Altamont Pass in California, ruining some of the most spectacular views in the west. In the springtime, the long rolling hills look like Ireland. Now it’s nothing but bird-choppers as far as you can see in any direction. It was the first wind farm in the US in 1981; by 1985, 1,600 turbines were “running” (the quotes mean “sometimes running”). There are over 5,000 there today and lots more if you include surrounding areas.

Take a guess what happens when those machines reach the end of their 25 year life span.

I am with you 100% The best way to show your commitment to pre venting all of those terrible things is to stop using things that despoil the land, Gold and other metals are used in computers and communication. Steel, aluminum and more in cars. Just stop being a consumer of such things and do it now. You may as well tear down your home and restore the land to its original condition because it probably was beautiful once. Maybe after some time, someone of no consequence can declare it a scenic area or something. Please do the right thing. Anything else just makes you a hypocrite. Please wait until the check clears for the mining company before you drop off the grid though. Thank you in advance for doing the right thing.

You’re right, Doug. We should despoil everything in sight. There’s nothing worth preserving at all. I’m with you on that. Mountains of tailings, acid waste ponds, millions of windmills, tens of millions of windmill blades buried, tens of millions of tons of concrete in the ground under all the abandoned windmills. Toxic waste as far as you can see. Let’s go for it! Don’t hold back!

No, actually, you did not read what I wrote. I proposed that YOU stop doing what harms the earth. I am just offering support as you break from hypocrisy. Personally, I will continue to use mineral resources because I am not against them like you are. Unlike you, I don't believe that the mineral resources that I use come from fairy dust. Maybe before you recycle your car, you should take a road trip to an actual modern mine though. Then you can see how much restoration is done. It's not what seem to believe it is. I lived in a mining district for about 15 years. It's amazing what is actually done. You will be surprised to know that they don't even kill Bambi when they open a new mine. Sign off now and recycle your computer. Cover your head with organic ashes to atone for what you are doing online even tonight. Then turn off your power. You know how electricity is made. It's not pretty. I will miss the humor and whimsical thought process that you bring to otherwise intelligent discussions here.

Pro Tip: Summer will be easy but you had better get some warm clothes before winter. Remember, no synthetic fibers. They are made from oil, ya know. Please don't use any that have been created or transported by mechanical means either. Perhaps joining an nice Amish group would help. Then you can practice what you preach. We are counting on you. Bye now, and good luck with your new hypocrisy free life.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.