Yes, I think I do believe that St Patrick banned snakes. Jesus himself says: Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you.
Just like I believe he kicked out the druids: because, like any good pastor, he defends his people from the attacks of the wolves. This is in fact why we need a pastor, a good shepherd in every diocese and parish. Unlike our elected nominees, the Good Shepherd is there for life – in bad times as well as good. He lays down his life for his sheep, willing to risk his flesh being torn by the wolves, to be chased and harrased by them, to be unpopular, even, as we have seen many times in history, to be killed defending the poor and innocent. Where representatives seek office, and gain it on popularity, the Good Shepherd does not want the office: he only says yes to it because he has experienced Love, because Love is calling him, and wants to return love for love. Just like St Patrick. So pray for your pastors every day: that we have the guts, and more importantly the love, to be truly Good Shepherds.
Blog of a City Priest 