by Phyllis Zagano NCR
I think we owe a debt of gratitude to former West Virginia bishop Michael Bransfield, pilloried by The Washington Post for his reportedly lavish and lascivious ways. The Post wrote from an unredacted report written by lay investigators.
Bransfield’s creative accounting let us see exactly who benefited from his largess. His history of unchecked behavior demonstrates who knew what and when. Most importantly, his objectively sad story sheds light on ingrained episcopal practices around the world.
Plus, it saves us the trouble of reading medieval history.
I bear no ill will and wish no harm to Michael Bransfield. I am convinced he is a product of a system that corrupted him. One wonders if that system alone drove him to drink.
That system is the clericalism Pope Francis talks about. It is the system in which only priest clerics judge clerics, only priest clerics wield authority, and only priest clerics promote clerics to higher offices.
It is the system of priestly clericalism, seeded in the early church, nurtured by the Middle Ages, and full-blown by the 11th century.
It is the system that killed the diaconate.
Ever wonder whatever happened to deacons, once the stewards of the church’s money? For the longest time, deacons and archdeacons managed church funds, providing for needs of the people of God. In the third century, St. Lawrence the Deacon presented the poor to the Roman prefect who demanded the church’s treasures. He had it right.
Over the centuries, deacons grew very powerful. The cadre of priests did not like that at all, especially since bishops were often chosen from among the deacons.
Why choose a deacon as bishop? Deacons were the clerics whose jobs today are called diocesan vicar general, judicial vicar, and finance officer, among others. It made ultimate sense to elect the person who had already been running the diocese as its next overseer. Many popes were deacons and never priests.
And then there was Pope Gregory VII. Born the son of a blacksmith in Tuscany in 1015, he rose to become archdeacon and the cardinal deacon of Santa Maria in Domnica in Rome. Elected pope by acclamation in 1073, he insisted on being ordained a priest eight days before his consecration as bishop of Rome.
Gregory VII thereby solidified the “cursus honorum,” the “course of honor” that essentially restricted diaconal ordination only to men destined for priesthood.
The Gregorian Reform, so-called in his honor, changed other things. Gregory outlawed the practice of simony, especially the buying of church offices.
He also began in earnest the centralization of church power in Rome. One wonders if centralization helped cause more, not less, simony.
Detail of “Standing Bishop,” silver with silver gilt, by the German workshop of Hans von Reutlingen, circa 1510 (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Which brings us back to clericalism, the hothouse for abuses of every description that shuts its doors to any outside views, even from other clerics, like deacons
Despite 16th-century decisions of the Council of Trent, it was not until the Second Vatican Council that the diaconate was renewed as a permanent office. Today, more than 50 years later, deacons the world over are still finding their places within the clerical system.
What deacons do not do is buy their way up the ladder, for there is none to climb. Deacons are ministers. Most do not get stole fees for administering sacraments. Unless they hold a diocesan or parochial job, deacons support themselves.
That is the difference. For the most part, diocesan priests are wholly dependent on their bishops, who may in turn be indebted to their metropolitan archbishops, who may in turn be indebted to the nuncio, and so it goes. The concurrent gauzy web of lateral relationships is not so apparent, but it is there, making the vaulted notion of “transparency” impossible.
Which brings us back to Michael Bransfield. I am saddened that he has been exposed and vilified, I really am. But his story pokes a hole in the clerical veil pulled over the eyes of so many other clerics (deacons, priests and bishops) and laypeople who want to see the church as a church for people, not as a corporation that enriches CEOs while giving pennies to its stockholders.
If we can respectfully continue to part that clerical veil, we might enjoy a church that does not corrupt its mosT talented and capable clerics.
[Phyllis Zagano is senior research associate-in-residence at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. She will speak Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at the Bishop Keane Institute of Immaculate Conception Church in Hampton, Virginia and Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College. Her books include Women Deacons: Past, Present, Future, recently published in France and Canada as Des femmes diacres and in Portugal as Mulheres diΓ‘conos: Passado, presente, futuro. Study guides are available for free download at people.hofstra.edu/Phyllis_Zagano.]
PAT SAYS
This is an excellent and educating article by Ms Zagona.
Knowing our history sheds light on current issues.
There is a ling history of senior and junior clerics putting their hands in the collection plates and donation bags.
A lot of it is still going on from simple parishes to the Vatican billins.
The only way to stop it is to keep the clerics away from all money and keep all money way from them.
Let the laity decide on bishops and priests salaries.
Let the laity choose where and how they live.
107 replies on “CLERICALISM MAKES TRANSPARENCY IMPOSSIBLE”
Sure that would mean that clerics wouldn’t be able to pilfer a bob or two here. Fact: it happens. Clerics should never ever be in charge of money. They (broadly speaking) cannot be trusted
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Vice rector at wonersh seminary collecting hundreds of thousands to repair the seminary . Who audits this ? All heβs done is kit out staff quarters so far costing thousands
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I wonder what fictions about your past the holy water hens will dream up today?
The word for what is going on in the last few posts and this one is patronage. If a young cleric has the patronage of a senior one he can expect money and an easier ride up the greasy pole. I’m sure not a few willingly drop their kecks to buy this patronage…
A very wise priest told me years ago that Canon law is written by Italians and their expectations are that other people will have an Italian cultural approach to the letter of the law. In fact so many things in the church are explained when seen through Italian culture…
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Siamo cattolici ma non siamo fanatici β¦..as the Italians would say.
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do ya really like it? is it, is it wicked? I’m loving it loving it loving it, I’m loving it like that !
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I read this blog on NCR.
Jesus was clear: you are to be servants, one of another.
Roman Catholic clerics have ignored this; correct them!
Do not, EVER, refer to one of these perverted, filthy, Christ-betrayers as ‘Father’. Instead, see your heel as the Virgin’s crushing the head of Satan every time you need adress one of these paedos: down filthy priest, enemy of Christ; down vermin!
Roman Catholic priests are NOT necessary for salvation. How can a filthy, disgusting sexual pervert point ANYONE to salvation?
(Just suggestin’, like.)
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Youβre not well, youβd want your head examined!
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Maggie at 11:51 pm
Maggie here you go again with the same old crap, you are vermin and we can only hope that Our Lady will crush you with her heel soon. (Just hopen’, like.)
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Some of these clergy types live in a parallel universe hi Dress up and it’s different standards secret language and a morality that has different standards for thinside an thoutside of the cup. Leave them to their smells and skirts and lead by example. Talking about them on its own just boosts their ego but
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Transparency and accountability should be integral elements of truth telling, which is badly needed
in the current situation within the Church. The Rcc institution is preoccupied with clerical self-serving secrecy.
Clerical self-serving secrecy is always going to hinder truthful accountability. It’s a culture, a mindset, a way of operating, attitudes,values, beliefs, assumptions, a network or ‘ grapevine’, sense of entitlement, status, power, humour, gossip, etc, inculcated in seminary, and endemic in Rcc, which is destroying the Church. Dedication to Jesus Christ, the gospel and personal holiness, need to be a central priorities for all , particularly, deacons, priests, and the hierarchy. The Church badly needs leadership by example.
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Mornin fly hi.
Far too many of these clerical types lead double lives with double standards
in a parallel universe on the Star Ship enterprise boldly going nowhere fast.
God’s mercy is extended to clerical gangsters while God’s justice and charity
towards those abused is played down. The Church is not a club for clergy
who can make up their own rules for themselves and then live like loose canons.
Let’s have fair play all round.
We’re all Gods children.
Bye bye hi fly.
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Hi fly Fly hi hi begorra forgot to say butt thon was some ride we had last night hi butt. Thought I was on the Star Ship enterprise for ye had me seeing stars when you were going at it like a rocket but hi. The roars of the two of us had the budgies in a right flap hi but. Canβt wait till later butt.
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Hello ladd @ 3:22pm
I’ll say it again it’s back to basics with the
Lourdes water bucket challenge
confession penance and a few roasries to boot
and back to praying the office with sincerity.
Evening prayers on the way.π
Give up yur aul sins won’t ye
and don’t be doing the work of the devil.π
Good ladd.
Bye bye. Bye.
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It is abundantly clear that what ails the Church is not the laity but the clergy and clericalism. The scandals, the misdoings, the corruption, the abuse, the coverup …. it all comes from the clergy, to whom we have given sway over the centuries. The time has come for a radical change.
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Exactly. Good post.
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I don’t agree with you 10.06. The crisis comes mostly because the people have moved away from God and the practice of the faith. Genuine believers on the ground are, not the blind sort, probably the best chance we have of seeing change and accountability. Genuine believers will withhold their support from corrupt clergymen and demand change.
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12:23pm
It would be more accurate to say, the crisis in the Institutional church comes due to too many clerics having moved away from God, if they were ever near God, and the practice of the faith, other than going through the motions.
Donβt blame the laity, for clerical child rape, cover up, clerical moral corruption and crime.
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12.46 but it is the people who control what happens in the church to a great extent. Remember for the past 100 years we have lived in a democracy where a simple majority in government can greatly influence any organisation. There will always be corrupt clergymen and the silent majority of clergymen who will cover up for them. Why was spending by clergymen not linked to the church’s contribution towards abuse which it covered up? People have responsibilities too.
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And if the Church wonβt reorder its affairs then it will be constrained to do so by secular authorities who are beginning to look at the Church as a corrupt organisation. Note what has been happening in various States in the USA where Attorneys General are acting against dioceses, bishops and priests, and in the UK where Government inquiries like IICSA are calling the Church to account including + Vincent and making very incisive and serious judgements about them and their actions. The writing is on the wall for the Church, and doing nothing is an existential threat.
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Exactly.
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The Roman Catholic Church is NOT a democracy.
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No, it most certainly isn’t. It’s a w****!π
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In the interests of transparency, accountability and justice , audit all dioceses in Great Britain and Ireland, to clear out all the rotten skeletons.
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Of course, the situation is not helped by reports of some bishops spending thousands on kitchens and even millions on upgrading their mansions.
Following the KOB scandal, it was alleged he had been spending church funds (he controlled) on gifts for his concubine. For example, something like a Big Boy Deluxe Go Kart Dune Buggy was gifted to… well, let’s just say, one of his favourites.
Annie Walker said an examination would be carried out, but, of course, the outcome of any audit was never disclosed.
http://safervideos.com/pictures/cdu/BIGBOY200_a.jpg
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Maggie at 2:42
The only Wβ¦.! is You.
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Our Lips Are Sealed – Fun Boy Three
Can you hear them talking ’bout us?
Telling lies, is that a surprise
Can you see them? See right through them
They have a shield, nothing must be revealed
It doesn’t matter what they say
No one listens anyway
Our lips are sealed
There’s a weapon that we can use
In our defense, silence
Well, just look at them, look right through them
That’s when they disappear, that’s when we lose the fear
It doesn’t matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed
It doesn’t matter what they say
No one’s listening anyway
Our lips are sealed
Hush, my darling, don’t you cry
Guardian angel, forget their lies
Can you hear them talking ’bout us?
Telling lies,β¦
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Pat, I sent you a comment last night asking relevant questions re: management, accountability and transparency re: your finances and that of your Oratory, not to put you on the spot but to know your procedures, since you put all others under the prism of judgment. I also made other valid observations. I am disappointed you did not print my comments. Why the censoring? I am also disappointed that Magna is being allowed again to comment in an offensive, racist and hate inciting manner. He repeats his vile far too frequently. Why is he guven such freedom?
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The Oratory is not a company, a charity or an institution.
On my annual tax return to HMRC I put my total income from weddings, donations and for the past two years my monthly state pension.
Like every other self employed person I also deduct my personal ta allowance and allowed expenses and pay tax on the rest.
The RC church is an international conglomerate of companies and charities.
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Why donβt you make the Oratory a charity under the aim of βthe advancement of religionβ? Every other church does. Plus you should be able to get a pension from your time on Larne council.
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11:14
What racism?
What hate-incitement?
Evidence?
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1.44: Magna, every word you speak, your very name = hatred of catholic clergy: racism: Your name also = demented madness: You are such a shifty piece of work and a vile bit of humanity. There Isnβt a modicum of self respect left in your sizzled brain. Your soul us DEAD.
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1.44: Mags the Rag Bag Reject: Look into the mirror with your eyes wide open: youβll see UGLINESS writ large.
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5:44
So you can’t provide any evidence. Nothing but a load of vacuous and vapid waffle.
Guess where you can go.π
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7:49
Frankly old fruit, you’d be surprised at my reflection. Bitterly disappointed, too, I shouldn’t wonder, since it would show your expectation for the nonsense it is.
Fair-haired, blue eyes and, since taking up competitive mountain biking, arrestingly athletic.π
(What about same same-sex marriage? Any chance?π)
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Fair- haired, blue-eyed and athletic is your sexual fantasy, βMagna Cartaβ. Youβre a projection of your imagination luvvie.
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βWhatever You Say, Say Nothingβ β Calum Sands
Popularized by Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy.
(The Irish Clergy Anthem)
Whatever you say, say nothing when you talk about you-know-what.
For if you-know-who should hear ya, you know what youβd get
They take you all to you-know-where for you-wouldnβt-know-how-long,
So for you-know-whose sake donβt let anyone hear you singing this song. x2
You all know what Iβm speaking of when I mention you-know-what,
And I fear itβs very dangerous to even mention that.
For the other ones are always near, although you may not see,
And if anyone asks who told you that, please donβt mention me.
Whatever you say, say nothing when you talk about you-know-what.
For if you-know-who should hear ya, you know what youβd get
They take you all to you-know-where for you-wouldnβt-know-how-long,
So for you-know-whose sake donβt let anyone hear you singing this song.
You all know who Iβm speaking of, when I mention you-know-who,
For if you-know-who should hear you, you know what heβd do.
So if you donβt see me again, youβll know why Iβm away,
And if anyone asks you where Iβve gone, hereβs what you must say:
Whatever you say, say nothing when you talk about you-know-what.
For if you-know-who should hear ya, you know what youβd get
They take you all to you-know-where for you-wouldnβt-know-how-long,
So for you-know-whose sake donβt let anyone hear you singing this song.
Well thatβs enough about so-and-so, not to mention such-and-such,
And I better end my song now. Iβve already said too much.
Well, the less you say, the less you hear, and the less youβll go astray,
And the less you think, the less you do, and the more youβll hear them say:
Whatever you say, say nothing when you talk about you-know-what.
For if you-know-who should hear ya, you know what youβd get
They take you all to you-know-where for you-wouldnβt-know-how-long,
So for you-know-whose sake donβt let anyone hear you singing this song. x3
_______________________________________________________________
βif my people who bear my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my presence and turn from their wicked ways, then I will listen from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their country.β
2 Chronicles, 7:14
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I hear Cardinal Arinze was in London recently to celebrate a Pontifical High Mass. The poor Sacristan got it in the neck because Arinze didnβt like the vestments that were laid out for him. He is well known for his short temper and began shouting and hollering. He wasnβt in the best of moods and is obviously used to higher standards in Rome. He is relegated now to retirement and is a coffin dodger. I hear he wouldnβt stay with Elsie as itβs apparently beneath him and he doesnβt rate Elsie anyhow and doesnβt like the fact that Elsie has surrounded himself with too many queer clergy in Westminster.
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1:27pm
Youβre such a GOSSIP arenβt you? I wonder who you get it from.
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Arinzeβs big friend is the Nuncio in Dublin. Itβs safe to say their views on gays in general are pretty similar. Iβd imagine the queens in Westminster and elsewhere would get short shrift.
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@1.27 Here are some photos from the event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicism/48101820757/in/album-72157709185221641/
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If Arinze is so against sausage jockeys and harry hoofters Iβm surprised he didnβt spot the amount of them surrounding him on the altar in those pictures.
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Have just viewed those pics.
Suitable caption for Press release: Cardinal upstages Christ.
What a truly sad and sorry spectacle.
(I was about to say: ‘And Jesus wept.’ But then, an image of a bellylaughing Christ occurred to me. And what followed was this: eternal punishment for self-aggrandising men like Arinze will to be laughed at heartily for eternity. Who says there’s no fun in Hell?π )
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Tom Wood at2:17pm
Thank you so much for the link,the photoβs are wonderful loved them.
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2:17pm
OMG!
A Church panto with hats tails and frills but minus the fun!
Not exactly a jolly boys outing and they don’t look like happy campers!
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LOL at 3:27βs comment!
Say what you like about the cappa magna representing worldly pomp etc, it is very clear that that mass was all about Cardinal Arinze and nobody else. He manages to look like a temperamental very elderly lady.
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The old waxwork looks like she could give old mother Burke a run for her money.
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That sacristan should have told that arrogant, loud bastard, Arinze, to go f*** himself.
Jesus would have done so.π
Most lay Catholics are nauseatingly obsequious when it comes to clerical Christ-betrayers, like Arinze
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Magna darling, you remember what mummy taught you as a boy that we should have educated consciences and it behoves the faithful to correct their pastors. Thereβs a good boy.
You used to say that Rose of Lima should have her conscience educated when she had an accident on your bed!
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Maggie at2:49
Maggie what a lowlife you are Cardinal Arinze is so far above you in every way. I do not think Our Blessed Lord would do what you say as he would not use your disgusting language but I’m sure He has booked your place in hell.
It is wonderful to see that we still have some Cardinals who are true Princes of The Church and not the denim brigade that you like.
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Archbishop Okolo is a Very Talended Papal Nuncio and a credit to represent Pope Francis.
Cardinal Nicholls has apologised for the wrong doing as to safeguarding and Protection however he goes on to say that the Church in England and Wales safeguarding will be at the commission in the Autumn.
https://rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/news/cardinals-statement-following-iicsa-report-into-archdiocese-of-birmingham/
So he will hang on although he does say that βtheyβ will look at it personally so it be 2020 before we really wont hear anything before then and he supposedly bows out next November.
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The Papal Nuncioβs got talent!
BTW the actions you are describing are church speak for nobody gives a shit and indicate it is more imperative than ever that the real world outside regulates the church.
Had he resigned it would mean he was the sacrificial lamb.
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Very talented Papal Nuncio? In what way is Archbishop Okolo talented, Paul?
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He knits his own wooly hats π
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@5:46pm
Bellarmine is back! Hell hath no fury like a bella scorned.
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5:46 pm
That’s what you think, how wrong you are there are many traditionalist’s to deal with lefty liberal low lives like you.
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Monica at 5:01
Monica we can tell you like a jolly boys outing along with all the other members of the Dry Stone Dykeing Society.
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Awww!
Are you a butthurt traddie?π
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Dear Paul, you havenβt yet learnt how to write impeccable English. I can only guess what all those nuncios think when they receive your letters.
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I am in agreement with the author but cannot understand why she says about Michael Bransfield: βI am saddened that he has been exposed and vilified, I really amβ.
Why on earth is she saddened that he has been exposed? The man it appears is corrupt through and through. He is a sex pest and possibly also a sexual predator. He needed to be exposed for crying out loud!
And βvilifiedβ? Thatβs the word we might use of an innocent person falsely accused – not of a conniving charlatan.
This man has given grave scandal and was/is utterly unfit for any ministry in the Church whatsoever.
Thank God he has been caught. Bransfield doesnβt need anyone feeling βsorryβ for him for he feels more than sorry enough for himself. Men like him are sociopaths.
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Maggie at 5:28
Maggie I am a Traditionalist and proud of it but Iβm sure the only butt thatβs hurt is yours there has been so many up it.
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Mr. TraditionalIst @ 6:01pm , you missed the Angelus this evening, didnβt you.
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Pride comes before a fall. @ 6:01pm.
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6:10pm
Oh, Fathers, did my comment ruffle a few big girls blouses.
Take cold showers to cool down and you’ll be grand, Fathers.
That’s what they do in Opus Dei, isn’t it.
You sound such a jolly lot.
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Monica at6:49
Monica Iβm sure youβve been in a few big girlβs blouses, Iβ surprised you know anything about Opus Dei I didnβt think
they allowed the jolly hockey stick brigade.
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6:06pm
No I did not, I was reciting it and posting at the same time, unlike an idiot like you I can multy task.
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7:30pm
Yeah. Iβm sure you did both simultaneously.
A walking TraditionalIst contradiction, giving Christianity a bad name.
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6:06pm
No I did not miss The Angelus I was reciting it and posting at the same time unlike retards like you some of us are able to multy task.
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8.01: Go back to school to learn proper grammar, articulation and spelling. Itβs βmultiβ β not multy.
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6.49: Monica: You are beginning to look like a bug poisoned, spurned dyke! Grow a pair of b***s; you’ll have better fortune….
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No surprise thereβs so many abusers in the priesthood if the derogatory comments by priests
on this blog is anything to go by. Last week I was called a trollope, this week a dyke, next week, who knows.
Funny how the insults centre on smutty sex remarks. Seems to be an obsession with some priests.
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8.02: I’m presuming you are Monica under anonymous . Not call commentators are clerics. Many are ex seminarians and ex priests: some are rejects (Magna): others just disgruntled, nasty individuals with many axes to grind, led by the vilest of axemen, Pat Buckley. Some, a small few are genuine and sincere. Don’t contribute anything too serious: you’ll be attacked rudely and offensively.
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Actually I agree with Monica here – some of the most abusive posts on this blog are by priests.
I have also commented several times that one of the most valuable things bishop Buckley does is allow those comments through moderation because it exposes the dark underbelly of the priesthood to be exposed.
I shudder to think what they say in the comments he deletes.
And these are the holy priests who celebrate your masses folks.
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No , Father. I have blouses of my own to wear. Huh, the jolly hockey stick brigade! Who are they?
Do you play for them?
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Monica at 7:48pm
Monica I certainly donβt play for them but Iβm sure a big butch girl like you does and by the way I am not a cleric sounds like youβve been upset by one.
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8:15pm
Yes. I was insulted by a priest last week on this blog, as well as being a victim of clerical crime.
Your imagination is running away with you.
Are you a Christian?
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7.47: Monica, I suggest that you adopt a different attitude. If you are really serious about particular issues and have any self respect, I’d advise you to be careful about participating in these crazy, horribly hurtful, dark, nasty and poisonous posts. You will be torn to shreds, insulted, demeaned and abused. Just exercise discretion. Pat loves to witness people hurting one another. There’s a touch of the psychopath in his behaviour. Just be careful.
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9:48pm
Thanks but I can look after myself.
Is it the kettle calling the lot black?
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9:52pm
Yes. It was me at 8:02pm.
I moved from my laptop to my phone forgetting to post my name at 8:02pm.
I was called a trollope by a priest last week on this blog.
He identified himself as a priest in his post and refused to apologise.
Thank you but I realize not all posters on this blog are clerics.
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Transparency in the Rcc is impossible simply due to the necessity of avoiding multi billion euros lawsuits.
They pretend to be a moral authority while behaving deeply immorally. The Rcc is imploding in plain site.
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Yes. Thank God.
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Monica at 8:32
Yes Monica I am a Christian, are you? because it doenβt sound like it the way youβre always disparaging the clergy. Youβre beginning to sound like Maggie and you wouldnβt want to be compared with that Bad Boy, would you?
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8:32pm
Yes. I remained a Christian.
It’s ridiculous to say I’m always disparaging the clergy.
Many of the clergy are doing a fine job degrading the priesthood and their fellow priests.
And many of the clergy are also doing a fine job destroying many young lives.
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Disparaging the clergy??
You don’t SERIOUSLY expect anyone to praise such an utterly useless, personally dangerous (esp to kids) bunch of indolent, financially parasitical… (Counting to ten here. 1, 2…)
My goodness! π Well do you?
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8.43: Stop repeating Pat’s mantra. Think for yourself. Think you meant to say “…imploding in plain SIGHT – not site!!…” Ignoramus.
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I don’t need you, or anyone else, to tell me what to think. I’m not repeating a mantra. Take your own advice.
There’s a continuous flow of allegations of abuse from around the world, reaching the Vatican daily. Fact.
The Church is imploding, in both plain site, as in the www; it’s all over the web, and in plain sight; Catholics attendance at mass down, the congregations greying, moral authority of bishops gone, billions paid out by the Church in America, priesthood undermined, gospel discredited, abortion introduced into Ireland, abuse allegations surfacing in remote countries and islands such as Guam, and to surface in future in the majority world, or Africa, Asia, South America. I could continue. Bishop Buckley is a messenger, not the message.
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Jesus wasnβt pleased with your multi-tasking, you know. He wants your undivided attention. I should have thought a traddie would be familiar with such etiquette.π
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10.13: Yes, do think for yourself. Stop repeating Patβs mantra β¦. Stop! What are you as a supposedly concerned individual doing to bring about the Kingdom of God? What do you REALLY do in imitation of Christ, apart from β¦. repeating Patβs mantras, mantras, mantrasβ¦Be imaginative. Be visionary. Iβve heard all the repetition. Iβm doing something β¦. letβs hear about your miraclesβ¦.not mantras!!
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Jesus, wants his traddie heartπ, MC.
All of his heart. π
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Maggie at 10:32pm
What would you know about Jesus never mind etiquette you parasite.
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Why two mitres?
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9:27pm
Due to an inflated ego and big head.
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9:27pm
Read, The ceremonies of The Roman Rite Described by Doctor Adrian Fortescue
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And also two gloves for the mitten queen.
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@ 10:12pm
Less of the paternalism, please.
Iβm not repeating anyones mantra. You may feel threatened and uncomfortable since some of the underbelly of the institutional church has been exposed.
That discomfort is nothing in comparison to a ruined life. Peoples lives have been destroyed by clergy.
Hundreds committed suicide as a direct result of clerical abuse/cover up. Time for the institutional church to publicly repent for the depth of evil
and abominations committed
by priests.
Youβd be surprised at how
Iβm bringing about the Kingdom, and the miracles Iβve experienced in my life, despite the clergy.
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8.32: Monica, when you came on this blog recently, you seemed you might be a decent person. Sadly, Patβs poisonous, bitchy, vile bug has invaded your genes. Youβre sounding like a right little butchy bitch. Are you a he or a she or an it? Tell us dearie!!
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9:42pm
I’m certainly not an indecent person if that’s what you are suggesting.
I’ll tell you no more to prevent you having impure thoughts.
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Can all the mantilla brigade please go to the same confessor as Bellarmine? He told her this blog was an occasion of sin lol and she decided not to come here again.
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Amen.
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Yes.
Barking Bella is disobeying her confessor.
Isn’t this an unpardonable wotsit?π
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10:38pm
Auld Gossip Alert!
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Not quite, MC.
But, I think the old deary, is back. π
Plus a buddy or two. Well, maybe one.
His poor confessor; he must have had, a right earful ! π
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11:16pm
I think you’re ‘tripping’ like yer pal the dreadful MC we know its the drink with her, but God know’s what you’re on
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Do you see that old eejit βMagwaβ? Could I suggest he take his own Lourdes water bucket challenge and drown himself and the Fly with him!
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Hello Anonymous @ 11:46pm.
Tβwas way past yur bedtime when you posted.
Hope you prayed the night office like a good man.
Lourdes water would be wasted on us butt yur need
is greater. Give up yur aul sins.
Good ladd.
Bye bye. Bye.
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Away and drown yourself in Lourdes water you auld eejit. Cop yourself on. Is there something wrong with your head? We are sick of your infantile nonsense. Not a clergyman by the way so donβt do night offices β just good old fashioned night prayers. Tonight I will add one for you that you get a grip of yourself and desist from this ridiculous carry on. No wonder people are making a laugh of you.
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Hello@ 2:45pm aka Phoebe.
What’s bugging you laddy.
Conscience being pricked.
Don’t be doing the work of the devil.
Nite. Nite.
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Why is wonersh seminary in UK asking for hundreds of thousands to do up the seminary. We haven’t had a lick of paint in ur rooms and the same carpet for years, but the vice rector has tarted up the staff areas with the money. Living above the people with the people’s money !! But this goes unchecked with no questions asked ! I hope the priests here and in parishes that do the same enjoy their remaining few years of earthly comfort. For crying out loud last Christmas we had the finest Christmas decorations money could buy to decorate the seminary. Why ? While people are homeless and freezing. We spend the lay people’s money on fine food, wine and decorative indulgence whislt some go without to donate these funds to us. I feel called to be here but I don’t like what I see within the clergy. What to do !!
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