Former AG Says Irish Charities Bill Mass Card Provision Is Unconstitutional

In Ireland, Sec. 99 of the Charities Bill 2007 bans the sale of any Mass card except pursuant to an arrangement with a bishop of the Church or a provincial of a religious order. The bill was recently passed by both Houses of Ireland's Oireachtas and earlier this week was sent to President Mary McAleese for her signature. According to today's Irish Times, former Attorney General John Rogers says the provision is an unconstitutional infringement of free exercise of religion protected by Article 44 of Ireland's Constitution.