Matthew Jolley, 32, had only recently entered the priesthood
Alan Weston 25 OCT 2019 ECHO. Liverpool.
Matthew Jolley, 32, was jailed after pleading guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence
A Catholic priest’s career was in ruins after he was jailed for a serious child sexual offence at Liverpool Crown Court .
Fr Matthew Jolley, who was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Liverpool in 2015, pleaded guilty to one offence of arranging the commission of a child sex offence.
ORDINATION PIC 2015
Jolley, 32, of Rhona Drive, Great Sankey, Warrington , appeared by videolink from HMP Altcourse to be sentenced this afternoon.
At the time the offence was committed last month, Jolley, who served as Catholic priest in Widnes , had just returned to the UK from Belgium and was due to travel to Rome for a two-year period of study.
The court heard Jolley came to the attention of authorities when he engaged in disgusting chat on various online platforms – including Grindr -about having sex with a two-year-old boy.
Jolley thought he was communicating with the child’s father, but in fact it was an undercover law enforcement officer trained to root out such perverts.
Liverpool Crown Court
Alaric Walmsley, prosecuting, said Jolley “created a profile as a 13-year-old bisexual male on Grindr, using the name Breed Me”.
Over a series of exchanges with the undercover operator, Jolley spoke about his sexual interest in young children, both male and female, with no age limit “so long as they’re cute.”
When the undercover operator mentioned a two-year-old son, Jolley’s response to the fictitious child was “whether I could share him”.
The interaction then moved to the Kik messenger service, and continued on the Wickr encrypted platform, with Jolley asking for indecent pictures and videos.
Mr Walmsley said Jolley then arranged to go to the dad’s address in Hale Village, in order to sexually abuse his son.
During the meeting Jolley again discussed how he planned to abuse the child.
When the undercover operative revealed his true identity to Jolley, the shamed priest struggled and tried to escape but was restrained and arrested on suspicion of child sex offences.
Mark Shanks, defending, said Jolley felt “utterly ashamed and appalled” by his behaviour. Mr Shanks said that if a two-year-old boy had been produced, Jolley said “he would have run a mile.”
Mr Shanks added: “His job and his interests were separate and he did not join the church to engage in activity with children.
“His career is ruined and he intends to take another job on his release.”
Sentencing Jolley to 40 months in prison, Recorder Jeremy Lasker said: “Your words and actions and intentions seem to me wholly inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic church.
“You have done nothing but a great disservice to the Church.”
On top of the custodial sentence Jolley was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.
Following sentencing, Detective Constable Louise Murphy, of Cheshire’s On-line Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Jolley committed this terrible offence whilst holding a position of trust.
On a previous tweet on his Twitter account Father Jolley published the photo if a whale’s erection!
Strange? No?
UPDATE LIVERPOOL
Windows smashed and strange “BEAST” graffiti daubed on church grounds
Police are looking for vandals who broke six windows and wrote the mysterious message in chalk at St Oswald’s in Old Swan
Luke Traynor Liverpool Echo
Boarded up windows at St Oswald King & Martyr Catholic Church.(Pic Andrew Teebay). (Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)
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Windows were smashed and mysterious graffiti daubed on the wall of a city church.
Vandals trashed St Oswald RC Presbytery in Old Swan, breaking six windows and writing in chalk the word “BEAST”.
The windows have now been boarded up at the church presbytery in St Oswalds Street.
Police received a report of the criminal damage at 11.10am on Saturday.
Officers think the yobs struck sometime between 1.30am and 10am yesterday
PAT SAYS
So worrying that a priest ordained in the last 4 years has turned out to be a paedophile!
So, Catholic Clerical Paedophilia is NOT a past problem but a current problem.
How did this young man pass the psychological assessment?
And does this mean the system of assessment is not good for purpose?
It seems to me that the Catholic priesthood is not just a gay network, but also a paedophilia network!
And Francis, cardinals, archbishops, bishops priests are involved both in paedophile activity and covering up for each other.
And LIVERPOOL ARCHDIOCESE has serious problems at present.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 
207 replies on “PRIEST TRIED TO MEET DAD ON GRINDR TO ABUSE HIS TODDLER SON!”
did he do the psych at St Luke’s? I still have the questionaries they gave us. some of the questions are beyond bizarre!
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Can we see the questionnaire?
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It’s rumoured St Luke’s has its own agenda! Draw your own conclusions… What is clear, is they’re getting through screening ! How?
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It’s interesting Warrington is mentioned in this sordid case. Warrington is now the centre of the 39 deaths in a lorry connected with N. Ireland. What’s going on?
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The ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL does indeed have very serious problems (clearly intrinsically deep-seated ones, at that!) and, the man wearing the big fish-hat is well and truly out of his depth, having absolutely no idea, whatsoever, how to manage these problems/clergy…. Perhaps Jolley, upon his return from prison, will be escalated to the office of episcopate! With the present Arch, it cannot be ruled out!
There is MORE but a Court order is currently preventing people from hearing the truth! For now!
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There is a Liverpool seminarian in Wonersh.
What the hell is going on in our seminary system.
Close them down !! Distance learning would be better.
At least this claimed spying in showers at wonersh for example can’t happen.
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11:08
How long are these deep seated problems going on in Liverpool Archdiocese? I ask out of curiosity as I knew a fellow ordained for Liverpool back in the day but he’s back in Ireland. I wondered if there was a backstory.
A known problem but ordained. Nothing new under the sun.
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Fr Jolley’s Twitter account is still open. He reveals that he went to Oscott and then the Angelicum and he has pops at Fr James Martin SJ.
https://twitter.com/frmatthewjolley?s=09
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11.10
That’s interesting. Fr Martin is probably the most gay-compassionate priest on the planet. And doubly interesting because another queen (officially, ex-queen 😂) keeps attacking Fr Martin on his YouTube channel.
(Who might this be, I wonder. 🤔)
Didn’t Michael Byrne (The Reverend 😱) support a ‘No’ vote in the Republic of Ireland’s referendum on gay marriage back in 20.15, even though gay (and apparently active sexually himself)?
Curiouser and curiouser.
Perhaps Pope Francis was right: that those most inflexible, most opposed, to others ‘ rights are hiding something about themselves they’d rather weren’t known.
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Excellent point well made Mags. Those young fellas dripping in lace and prancing round with their hands together in prayerful pose raise many questions and worries for me. Amy is surrounded by one.
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Thank you for that Magna. I have been one of those who has tried to see the good in Michael Byrne, but if it s true that he opposed marriage equality in 2015 despite EVERYTHING, then I am done supporting him. They are all the bloody same: liars and charlatans. I hope – perhaps naïvely – that what you say is not the case and that Michael is a man of decency and integrity.
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Magna Carta
Byrne was in New York in the summer of 2015 doing CPE and did not vote. Get your facts right please before you attack anyone.
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Why do you keep commenting about Gorgeous? Did he do something to you Magna? There is no legitimate reason for you to be constantly bringing him up all the time; especially in relation to todays blog and topic. To do so, only seems to be for your nefarious reasons.
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1.13
As you undoubtedly know, there was a long run-up to the referendum, when either side of the argument frenetically sought to persuade the public to its point of view; this period lasted MONTHS.
Byrne was not abroad for most of this time.
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Magna
He did not oppose it. He was very quiet about it which caused the more conservative members of Maynooth to critique him heavily on this site about it. He was away in America for the months leading up to the referendum, during it and after it. I hope this helps.
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Quite so, Magna. You did not say how he voted on the day, as none of us knows for sure in a secret ballot. Michael continues to be of interest because of what he represents in a extremely dysfunctional seminary culture. The fact that he has not proceeded to priesthood is indicative of how sensitive and significant his ordination would be. For me, it would be greatly in his favour if he could be shown to have spoken in support of marriage equality, or at least that he made no comment – unlike so many self-serving homosexuals in the Catholic priesthood. If he wanted to be, Michael could be a powerful voice for a new integrity in the Church. I just don’t want another liar ordained. Be a hero, Michael, not just another queen in a sailor suit!
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1.28
I don’t ‘keep commenting’ on Michael Byrne; control your tendency to exaggerate. I comment on Byrne only when it is timely, and today’s blog was appropriate timing.
Byrne did not do ‘something’ to me alone: he behaved appallingly to a great many others as well. Byrne betrayed people’s trust: he lied; he deceived. And when called out for all of this, he went to ground, like a frightened rabbit. He neither publicly owned his conduct, nor publicly apologised for the mess he had created. The man is a spineless narcissist, and I have no respect for him whatever.
Oh! I don’t require legitimacy from YOU to comment on Byrne.
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I for one am glad to have the assurance at 1:37 pm that Michael did not oppose marriage equality while at Maynooth. Which of those “conservative voices” who did was heterosexual? Gay dear … me dear?
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The fact remains that you are wrong Magna. He did not vote on the referendum like you alluded to in your original post.
I am glad you got all that stuff out of your system about Byrne. I hope you feel better. How pathetic.
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What does he need to apologise for Magna?
– Who did he behave appallingly to? Give us names and back it up.
-Who’s trust did he betray? Give us names and back it up too.
– What exactly did he lie about?
– What has he done that has been proven unequivocally?
People on this blog acted like judge and jury while simultaneously taking the word of anonymous people as fact. There is no justice in that.
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I’ll let you off lightly at 1:59pm before Magna gets to you. Magna did NOT say how Michael voted, as how could he or anyone have known that regardless of whether Michael was around at the time or not. He asked for clarification on Michael’s pronouncement during the discussion which lasted for months. I for one am glad to be assured that Michael’s integrity was not compromised during the debate, and congratulate him for that.
So who’s pathetic? And just FYO, “like” is not a conjunction. Am I correct, Magna?
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Magna calls Byrne a “frightened rabbit“ that has gone to ground while hiding behind an anonymous pseudonym 😂😂😂
The only spineless narcissist I see on this blog is Magna!
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There are a lot of people who blog here who are clearly pretty supportive of Michael Byrne. All they ask is that they are not taken for a ride by him – and don’t start that nonsense, please! I don’t want Michael to be “a frightened rabbit”, and would like him to stand up and be counted. He could do great good, or he could lie low and do nothing. Given all that has happened, I think Magna is right to ask him where he stands.
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1.45
Quite right of you to comment ‘quite so’ about me, because it provides an opportunity for setting straight the record on what I said about Michael Byrne…and it was not on how he voted in the 2015 referendum. Read again (I presume you did so already) my post at 8.57. I asked whether Byrne had supported a ‘No’ vote in the referendum; nothing more. And I certainly did not say how he voted, or even THAT he voted.
As far as I know, Byrne took a rigidly orthodox line in the run-up to the referendum and campaigned for a rejection of marriage equality in the Republic, despite his being gay AND his apparently being sexually active.
I ‘m bemused at your opinion, that Byrne could be ‘a powerful voice for a new integrity in the Church’, because so far he has shown neither power nor integrity in wake of the scandal for which he is, in large measure, responsible.
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He is not responsible for Maynooth.
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“As far as I know, Byrne took a rigidly orthodox line in the run-up to the referendum“
Can you back this up or is it just conjecture? It would seem you have very little facts about Byrne to back up your arguments.
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“ I asked whether Byrne had supported a ‘No’ vote in the referendum; nothing more.”
No Magna you did not innocently ask if Michael voted no, you inferred that he did vote no.
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You are absolutely a hypocrite, Magna Carta.
Here are the words you used, cut and pasted from above.
“Didn’t Michael Byrne (The Reverend 😱) support a ‘No’ vote in the Republic of Ireland’s referendum on gay marriage back in 20.15, even though gay (and apparently active sexually himself)?”
A question which begins with “Didn’t……?” is a rhetorical question which expects the answer “Yes.” You were not asking this question in the hope of receiving an answer.
Attempting to deny this is a despicable action on your behalf.
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2.16
In formal speech, ‘like’ is not accepted as a conjunction.
You are quite right.
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2.53
I have information on Byrne, which may, or may not, be factual. This is why I have expressed my posts here carefully, either interrogatively, or with qualifying words or phrases (for example, the adjunct ‘as far as I know’).
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Byrne preached against homo marriage in Mary’s Oratory.
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The link below comes with the headline “Priest described gay people as ‘intrinsically disordered’ in homily.” It refers to a Fr Terry Crotty OP of Dublin.
https://www.thejournal.ie/catholic-church-sermon-gay-people-2245126-Jul2015/
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3.01
I drew no inference about Byrne in my post at 8.57: my question was rhetorical, not literal.
It was you who drew inference.
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No one cares what you think Magna. Get over your deluded self importance.
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4.22
No one cares what I think? Count the number of responses to my posts in this thread. It should teach you to think before you post.
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The responses are in relation to correcting your false assertions. That is not something to be proud of Magna 😆😆😆
Stop taking over Pat’s blog. As i said, no one cares what you think. They are here for Pat’s blog. They are not here for Magna’s thoughts on things he knows nothing about. 👍
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4.55
It hasn’t taught you ANYthing, has it?😕
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The praise for Cardinal Sarah and the opprobrium directed at Fr James Martin SJ is a very sad reflection on the extent of the posturing of younger clergy today.
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Fr Jolley on Fr Martin and LGBT issues.
https://twitter.com/frmatthewjolley/status/1119506058479841280?s=19
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And one “Miss Otter” ( presumably a bloke ) while congratulating Father Jolley, rails against faithless and unworthy disciples of the Lord – though the poor deluded cow is aiming at Father Martin not at the man “she” believed then but presumably not now to have been both faithful and worthy. Every abuser has his enablers.
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Truly a very sad state of affairs.
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Pat, this is an appalling story, one which disturbs any parent or responsible adult. The psychological assessment in the 70’s when I was being assessed was pretty rigorous and thorough as could be. I remember being very intimidated by the two assessors, a lay psychiatrist and a psychologist. When I was called to be guven the results I was very scared. I cannot fathom how such deviancy could go undetected in a modern, thorough psychological assessment. You can be certain that had any intimation of this deviancy and dysfunctionality been detected, this man would not have been accepted for priesthood. How can people manage to pass assessment tests?
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11:22pm
Maybe this case illustrates psychological and psychiatric assessments are not what they are cracked
up to be and too much weight as well as deference is given to psychologists and psychiatrists.
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This is by far the most horrifying story I have come across in a few years’ following this blog. I had never heard of this priest until now, but then did a bit of quick research on him. He is young and appears entirely narcissistic, wrapped up in a fantasy of priesthood, and having been about to go off to the Angelicum for yet more study – Liverpool hardly has a glut of priests! – has been indulged by his superiors who never saw anything dodgy in him. His twitter account demonstrates his “official” interests which include snide remarks against Fr James Martin SJ for daring to discuss rationally sexuality in the modern world, an admiration for Cardinal Sarah, a devotion to the Little Flower, Sacred Heart, cancelling his Netflix account for their apparent pro-Choice line, though, as is disgustingly apparent, his respect for life does not extend to children outside the womb … AND a penchant for the Extraordinary Form which he had learnt to celebrate in his old stomping ground of St Mary’s Warrington. ( Come to think of it, he may have been the porcine young priest who celebrated the EF at St Anthony’s Scotland Road a few months ago – if he wasn’t already suspended then – was he suspended? I remember thinking he looked dodgy as he was sporting a extremely tall biretta. And now he turns out to be a nonce. ) I am not hostile to the EF, but I am an old fart, so what I do find very suspicious is a young man getting himself ordained in a diocese where there is massive pastoral need in order to ponce about. I infer that he is one of those priests who take a “firm” line against homosexuality, contraception and divorce, whilst pursuing a very different line in private. His is an extreme case of viciousness, and one can only be thankful at least he has been stopped in his tracks, but it is deeply disturbing that there are still more out there, and the Church continues to ordain these perverts. Given the stuff we have heard on seminaries and monasteries, Magna has been proved right in his excoriating condemnation of a vile and discredited institution.
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I make no excuse for repeating what I have previously commented several times.
I have the consistent opinion that a significant proportion of RC priests do NOT believe the religious and moral tenets they profess to advocate. I believe that many of them do NOT believe in either the existence of the God they claim to represent, nor that Christ was the redeeming Son of God whose guidance we should follow for “salvation.”
Furthermore, having read recently, both here on +Pat’s blog and elsewhere, about the prevalence of patently wrongful immoral behaviour of high ranking RCC prelates, I have come to the opinion that the higher ranking the cleric, the less likely it is that he is a believer and follower of the Christlike persona they claim to represent.
How else do I make any other sense out of so many revelations of such longstanding abusive, coercive, evil and cover-up behaviour?
MMM
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Appalling ! How was that man ever ordained? In what seminary did he ‘study’ for the priesthood?
What the f*** is going on in seminaries whereby such an individual is ordained, to be let loose on the Christian community/society?
Serious questions need to be asked, including, if a paedophile network exists in Ireland & the UK among some clerics. Nothing would surprise me at that stage.
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Northolt and South Harrow Parish. Cardinal Vincent refuses to meet us parishioners. Curate now three years in three different parishes. There are concerns and this is no connection to your story whatsoever but parishioners here are demanding answers but getting none.
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Can you send me all the details and I will blog about it and write to Vincent.
bishopbuckley1@outlook.com
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Elsie has been warned time and time again about a certain individual and hasn’t taken any heed. Seminary staff have warned him, his Archbishop’s Council who will meet again with him this week have warned him, former Auxiliaries have warned him. People who’ve been to Lourdes with this character have warned him – all to no avail. So I feel sorry for people in Northolt. Elsie does not listen and has a smug arrogance. He hates being challenged in any way. I feel like his predecessor he covers up for a lot. I hope I can be proved wrong but I think Westminster is keeping many dark secrets.
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Have a look at https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/harrowsouth/wp-content/uploads/sites/206/2019/10/20-Oct.pdf and you can work out for yourself who this character is ! It’s a name that has appeared previously on this blog, if memory serves me right.
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HIM again! So here we go … what has the porker been up to now? Obviously the “solution”, as always – nothing changes! – has been to move him to another parish. Clearly we need another feature on him, and, as always, the Cardinal has only himself to blame for the unwanted publicity which he finds such an affront to his dignity. Bring it on! Re another blast from the past, does anyone know whether Father Daniel Seward late Provost of the Oxford Oratory took part in the recent Newman fandango? Or was he kept firmly at the back of the wardrobe?
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8:23 Have you spoken to your parish clergy about your concerns? If so what was their response?
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Did poor old Norbert survive the experience of housing the porker in Welwyn Garden City?
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Poor old Norbet is probably still trying to get over that experience with porky in WGC. It didn’t take him long to get rid however.
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Poor old Norbert? If you look at all his assistants, they don’t stay long.
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Pat, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. What a dirty, sordid lot!
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These people need to stop holding their hands in the looking like prayer pose. It always makes me cringe.. fake and disturbing
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@8.23am Please write your concerns to Sr Wragg c/o Ambrosden Avenue. You might get a quicker reply. If you are lucky enough you might get scrambled egg on brown toast.
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Jolley my my aunt fannies nanny hi. Sick and sad most like hi. First time I didn’t want to continue reading. I respectfully throw my rosary beads in the air with fekn frustration
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It’s just too terrible to think with who Fr Jolley might have been seeking his jollies.
If he’s convicted he won’t be having a jolly time in prison.
Unfortunate surname.
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He has been convicted and given 3 years.
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Is it not 30 months?
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The only consolation in this story is that this man has been taken out of circulation, and hopefully will be forever watched closely, and will not be allowed to engage in any activity that has safeguarding concerns. And, he most definitely must be laicised by the Church. Will that happen ?
I am disturbed that all the indicators were that there was something strange, dodgy, unintegrated, odd about the young man…..@1156 pm outlines these eloquently. For the sake of God, why did the Archbishop, VG, and others in his diocese not notice these signs ? They are the elements of classic coverup, transference and denial in a person’s life, and indicators that this man was fundamentally flawed. Never mind psychological assessments, all it takes is a bit of common sense to see these things. And then to act on them.
Jolley will not have an easy time in prison, and neither should he. He may well have a new arsehole ripped for himself when his fellow inmates find out what he is like and what he has been up to. He might also use the opportunity to lose a bit of weight. He looks a bit lardy for a young man. I cannot find it within myself to have the slightest compassion for him. I feel for those who have been let so badly down by him, including his family, for whom this will be a defining moment in their lives. But for Jolley himself…well, I hope that some elements of purgatory accompany him during this time in prison. Just think of what he would have visited upon an innocent 2 year old if his plans had been carried out.
This will not have been an isolated incident. Jolley, over the years, will have a litany of odd sexual and behavioural incidents behind him, and I’m sure that the police will be looking closely at things, and he may well find himself facing new charges.
I’m sure there are people in Oscott, in Liverpool, in places where he lived, worked and studied, who will have information on this man, and they should hand this over to the police, so that we can be assured that everything about this man comes to light and is acted on, if warranted.
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I agree with all you say @ 9.09am. I’m concerned about those who are not taken out of circulation. I’m also concerned about what the warnings the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminser has had about someone and fails to act as a poster earlier alleges. I know the case is unconnected with this subject today but why do senior Clerics not take advice from people who offer it.
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9:09 Furthermore, was Jolley a lone wolf or member of a pack.
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There’s the answer for Liverpool! The writing is on the wall! 🙏😔
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In response to Anonymous @ 9:09.
Is it possible, or indeed the case, that the ‘’Old boys’ Club’’ in the good old POOL do not believe the TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE? Is there a vulnerable who was burnt by the hot and thunderous climate of Northern Spain and, as a result, is now on medication and attempting to put back the broken pieces—with great difficulty?
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As someone who was at Oscott at the same time, I can assure you that most people feel sick to the stomach. I’m sure like me, many are trying to think of anything obvious that was missed. Sadly these people are very deceptive and work in the shadows. As others have said, if people do know anything they should come forward immediately. I’d hope that Matthew would give information of anyone else involved.
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I can accept that he kept his viler proclivities to himself, but one look at his own Twitter account tells you everything you needed to know about his preening narcissism, psychological and emotional dysfunction. In fact I seriously propose using James Martin as a litmus test of intellectual and moral integrity as well as authentic personal and spiritual growth. He is the wisest and sanest of priests, so if you have a problem with the dialogue he is trying to open up, what does that say about YOU. ( NB I am not addressing you personally at 1:32 pm, Father, but maybe you wouldn’t mind taking the test, and let us know you what really think. Go on, you’re safe here: it’s all crap, isn’t it? AND very dangerous crap! )
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What was he like in seminary? Was he one of those creeping jesus types? Feigning piety but falling asleep in formation lectures. Was he bad tempered or a boozer? who were his friends in seminary? How did he get on with Simon Daies?
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English Priest @1:32pm.
As people have already highlighted on this blog… ‘‘Wales erect penis’’ ‘’Narcissistic’’ and, ‘’Completely self-deluded’’ also ‘’In priest fantasy-land!’’
You say you were at the same place of formation as this this dangerous Paedophile? If people from this blog have noticed some of these very serious human-flawes from his Twitter, in a matter of hours, is possible that you should have gone to Specsavers? It takes obedience and silence to be ordained in the RCC.
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All the papers reported wrongly about Fr Jolly, whether they were misled or not I don’t know. Fr Jolly had already been in Rome for a year when he was caught, he was not about to leave for Rome as reported (I know because I was with him in Rome). Who knows, maybe he was sent to Rome for ‘further studies’ to get him out of parish life because alarm bells had already been ringing.
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Alas, I fail your test! As I don’t have much time for James Martin.
Can the Church be more pastoral to the Gay community? Yes 100% and the language we use is one we need to improve. Is James Martin pushing things too far and becoming obsessive about the issue? In my opinion yes.
I do fear that because Matthew portrayed himself as orthodox, that all orthodox priests will be viewed with suspicion, which is dangerous and unfair on the good priests out there.
Did someone in seminary either staff or seminarian have concerns about him? I think there must have been at least one or two, they have to now live with the knowledge that he so nearly committed a horrendous crime against an innocent child.
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I appreciate your good humored response to my challenge, Father. I agree that gay rights are not the only issue, though it is the Church which has insisted on drawing a line in the sand against all reason. They are however a litmus test which indicates where a person stands on a whole tranche of issues. Where we have cover up and denial there will be suspicion, and for very good reason. The RCC seems determined not to extricate itself from a perverse culture which is bringing it down.
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2.41
You don’t have much time for Fr. James Martin, S.J.?
Why?
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Re: anonymous 8:36pm
During my time in the seminary, I was not an avid user of Twitter. Did he display the characteristics you and others seem to have worked out in a couple of hours – No. If I was to describe him, it would be someone who loved to moan and nothing was ever good enough. He hated his time at Oscott and wished he was still at Ushaw. If I’d had any hint of his evil side, I wouldn’t have kept silent. I’m sickened and shocked by what he has attempted to do. Do I maybe need to go to spec savers? I’ve asked myself a similar question ever since I heard the news. As yet nothing comes to mind that happened which would raise the slightest hint of his future actions. So either I was blind or he kept things well hidden. Whichever it was, I will always question myself about how I missed any signs.
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But why the need to bash Fr James Martin and praise Cardinal Robert Sarah? Is it merely diversionary as in the case of the late Keith O’Brien? i.e. adopting an ultra-conservative pose in public is considered to indicate that one is an ultra-conservative in private?
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Yes, yes, yes!
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Morning fly hi @ 9.01
Aye fly sick and sad no doubt but who feckin let him loose. Are they thick…. or what?
Make sure to catch the rosary fly. There’s decades more to be done.
Bye bye fly hi.
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I nearly dropped them on the way down. Good to know ur ok magwa
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3:43
Who were his friends, associates, spiritual directors,(if any), contacts outside seminary, including clerics, who did he holiday with, hobbies, interests, etc? Very often, these type of characters do not operate alone.
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He was very much taken under the wing of the former parish priest (now retired) of St Monica’s, Bootle. A few young seminarians were, but him in particular.
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Matthew was the Assistant Vocations Director for Liverpool Archdiocese. Interestingly enough, Liverpool’s VD was moved to Ossycott just a few months ago.
A young Liverpool seminarian, 3rd year, has literally just disappeared of the face of the world (around a month ago) He was at Ossycott.
Hmmmmmmm!
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Yes, I noticed that too! You must be referring to J (first name) with a double barrelled surname (C-W) recruited by Preston. Something very odd going on in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. “Becoming the Church we are called to be…” http://www.synod2020.co.uk submit a proposal!
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This Pat has to be the worst I have ever heard. Totally disgraceful. This man is only out of seminary, there is something seriously wrong with formation. This priest was a product of poor formation at oscott.
Pat is there any connection with this priest and the one arrested at wonersh? Are both connected.
Is Fr Tom Montgomery the priest who fell down the stairs at the beda? I remember it being mentioned on here?
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I do not know of that connection.
Yes Monty is the one who fell down the stairs.
Elsie made him lose several stone as a condition of ordination.
Apparently he has put it back on?
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Presumably Elsie also told him to restrict access to his Twitter account to camp followers only. All we have to go on now are his thoughts on Youtube at a Day with Mary ( no dear, not the Bishop of Plymouth – another Mary. )
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He could have bought tickets for Reading from Henry Balkwill?
https://www.last.fm/music/Henry%20Balkwill
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Any word on Alice Hall? When is the blog coming about the staff
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Is there anything? seems pretty quiet there now. Have all the queens moved out to Brum or decamped to Surrey?
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What of monty + Daley (Parsons Green) before his move to the welwyn garden. That’s worth a blog.
What of Daley + willie nichol from Alice hall?
What of Ronnie seary?
What of Chris viper and the seminarian in Lourdes? And the Motherwell connection?
Plenty there for Elsie and cardinal Carmel to review
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Alan Hopes in East Anglia holds all the answers to those questions.
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Is Ronnie Seery ordained yet in Westminster? Another Beda product.
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Oh really? Come on, you’re being coy.
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I hear Fr Terry McGuckin has been letting the cat out of the bag about Westminster- many revelations about Elsie and about Terry’s time spent teaching at the Beda.
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Do tell us more darling 😈
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After the way Elsie treated Terry I’m not surprised he’s singing like a canary.
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Indeed. Father Terry was very poorly treated, I believe 😥
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Thank God for the police and that they were able to intervene where the church failed. I pray that this man has fear of God, has repented and has received his mercy. However something is seriously wrong in the selection and formation process that allowed this man to be put in the position he was! Was he prepared and formed well enough to confront the devil in his ministry? Did nobody know of his weaknesses? His family, his school, his parish priest, the diocesan selection panel, St Lukes, the seminary and the priests he was placed with while training? Which parish and which diocese was he from? There is systemic failure in the priestly formation process which has been hijacked by a vicious, self promoting, gay cabal and nobody in the church is in a position to, or wants to, confront them!
“When the abomination of desolation appears in the temple?” hi
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Yes, the Merseyside Police did good work. The case demonstrates what we have heard again and again that the secular authorities have to step in to protect citizens from religious institutions – the opposite in fact of the narrative we hear trotted out – now by the DUP – for protection of “religious freedom”.
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It is actually the Cheshire Police who are to be congratulated in this instance, and the report names the police officer who tracked down this vile character. She and others like her do an immensely valuable and heartbreakingly difficult job, so need our prayers as well as gratitude.
Re the second item, has this not been the second attack on St Oswald’s Church as there was an earlier one at the beginning of August? Somebody is trying to get a message across, and you don’t need to be Sherlock to have an idea what it is all about – it’s not nicking the lead off the roof. The question is whether this is aimed at the current parish priest or a predecessor? Over to you, Sister Marple!
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I wonder whether the traditional bookkeeping approach to salvation ( the balance between virtuous acts vis a vis sinful ones) is at least partly responsible for drawing men like Jolley into the priestood. It could be a very attractive proposition indeed, the twisted notion that outspoken loyalty to Church doctrine (and other, sundry self-perceived good acts) can be used as trade-offs for such serious outrages as the sexual abuse of the young.
There may be a correlation of this type of sin to doctrinal affirmation, especialy on sexual matters, and on human sexuality. And the more rigid the affirmation, the more likely there is to be sexual impropriety, if not outright sexual deviancy.
Sad to say, there are such mindsets in the Church, even today: those who would go so far as to barter with God morally.
Lord, I have done much good. My account is in the black, so aren’t I entitled to a little sinning?
The idea isn’t far-fetched as it may appear: only the other day, there was an instance of it in a blog here on Pope John Paul I, with Archbishop Paul Marcinkus’ alledged involvement in his death. Marcinkus believed he could offset his hand in the killing of the pope by attempting to carry it out painlessly, first by administering him with a sedative, Valium, before administering him cyanide.
This notion of spirituality was attacked by the Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther, but it remained an insidious feature of Roman Catholicism right into the 20th century. It seems that vestiges of it remain to this day.
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This is an interesting perspective Magna.
But you’ll know my opinion by now, for I’ve often repeated it! I simply can’t find any other convincing explanation than that these repetitive longstanding serious serial abusers have abandoned belief in God’s existence or an afterlife. They may have initially been ‘believers’ although some might argue that they’ve been serial con artists using priesthood as an entry into a cushy lifestyle.
MMM
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5.19: MMN: I agree with you. I cannot comprehend how any individual, irrespective of profession, could ever consider sexually abusing any child, teenager or vulnerable person. My gut wrenches at abuse of any child. My gut twists and turns painfully and shamefully when an abuser is a cleric or a person of belief. If belief in God is genuine, sincere and grounded, it will and should urge any of us (with belief) to always examine our actions and behaviour in the eyes of God, not that this will guarantee virtuous, acceptable behaviour but it most certainly should make us see the moral wrong and grave sin and crime which child abuse is. That any man, as in the case of today’s blog, could countenance the deliberate, deceiving and calculated attempt at child abuse is very frightening. There is something seriously dysfunctioning in this man’s brain, despite his clever manipulation and success in his deviancy going unnoticed. Those who assessed this man – psychologist or psychiatrist or the Rev. Formator have many questions to answer. I am inclined to believe that clerical abusers suspend or completely lose their belief in a God.
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Further to 11:56 pm, Father Matthew Jolley was indeed the priest who celebrated Mass in the Extraordinary Form at 3:00 pm on Sunday, 4th August, 2019 at St Anthony’s, Scotland Road, Liverpool. NB this was only a couple months before his conviction, so the question is whether his continuing in public ministry and celebrating Mass where young children were present were before or after his arrest and being charged. At what point were his crimes known to the Archdiocese, and when precisely was he suspended?
NB too that before his arrest, had he been accessing vile images of abuse of children, and was this one of the charges? This is certainly not a victimless crime, and clearly his “pro-life” stance proclaimed on his Twitter account did not extend to life outside the womb – there is too typically “old fogey” sneering against concerns about our impact on the environment and therefore the threat to the totality of life on earth.
To all those who have claimed that this blog has been too hard in its relentless criticism of the seminary system, this is final vindication that it is utterly unfit for purpose – more than that it is corrupt and corrupting. By forming and dispatching into “ministry” men such as Matthew Jolley, the Church demonstrates it is business as usual, that dysfunction is institutionalized, and these stories are going to run and run. How could it be otherwise when the only approach to the fundamental human fact of sexuality is to lie and dissemble?
Last week Pat halted discussion of other seminarians mentioned on this blog owing to court proceedings: can we now reprise that discussion and name some names, as we may be doing the faithful a favour by preventing other undesirables being released into parishes? The Church should be giving US – including dear old Magna! – a bloody papal medal for whistle-blowing!
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Newspapers report that he was arrested on 26th September. His defence said he had been watching pornography which had “crossed the line”, but the Church had “been good to him” and “had continued to look after him”. Now after this truly appalling exposure, what has been the announcement of the Archdiocese to the faithful? Bugger all, I should think, though they are quick to promote self-serving publicity when it comes to ordinations. I suggest this blog has been pulling its punches up to now. The gloves should come off, now it is clear we are not dealing with locker room pranks in the showers or romantic trysts in Oxford tea shops, but pure unmitigated EVIL.
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12:16
Time now, for good Priests to take a stand against this EVIL, name names regardless of rank, while exposing the activities of the old boys clubs.
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Allegedly, he had a Grindr profile, and was attacking James Martin in public. What’s that about?
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@1143, well said. Very serious and searching questions should be asked about a system of seminary training that allows the likes of Matthew Jolley to thrive and be ordained. I am absolutely certain that warning whistles were blown at various stages of his training, and it would be interesting to do an IICSA style investigation in to the files of the various seminaries he attended and the formation office of his diocese. I’m sure they would be revealing. In addition, it is clear just from the remarks made here about various seminaries, staff and seminarians, and young priests, that there is sufficient smoke to indicate a fire smouldering in these places. Surely, that should be sufficient indication to the likes of Nichols and other bishops that they really do need to look at what is happening, rather than trying to prop up a system that is clearly dysfunctional ?
The culpability and guilt of Matthew Jolley is surely his, but not his alone. I can see that there is a case for saying that there is vicarious responsibility on the part of those who are supposed to have overseen him and managed him. Again, I think if you get to look in to the seminary, training, and diocesan files there will be a trail of concerns and warnings that leads back some years, but was conveniently ignored by those who are desperate to get people ordained and in to parish ministry. Even when they are clearly not suited, indeed evidently patently unsuited and dangerous.
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Hallo Bishop Pat,
I have now got to the stage where I have serious reservations about most catholic priests. I live in Lourdes parish in Glasgow. My mum goes to mass every day and recently said that our priest was on holiday and was being replaced by a “ lovely priest” , a Fr Anthony Sweeney.
Can you imagine my mums face when I told her that the same Fr Sweeney was involved in a dirty business a few years ago involving a rent boy and blow jobs in a Glasgow park. The whole nasty business also involved blackmail. Yet our diocese thinks nothing of allowing this man perform public ministry.
Cesspit.
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Well, he is okay with the Archdiocese because he opposes marriage equality, which, as the RCC constantly tells us, endangers family life in a way in which male prostitution and blackmail presumably doesn’t.
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He is a complete disgrace. The Archbishop used to send alcoholic Priests to live with him to help dry them out. He offered them alcohol for sexual favours and that is well known within the Clergy and hierarchy of Glasgow. Dirty bastard. I will go to Lourdes Church for Mass tonight and if here is there I will call him out. I thought he had retired.
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3:23
What are these people about, in the name of God?
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Hi Dan. He isn’t covering this weekend but he does cover most weekends across the Archdiocese. I am sure he has a brother who is also a homosexual and when he was posted to the South of Glasgow, he was also known to frequent toilets, saunas and parks. You should write a letter to the Archbishop or to Canon Bradley the VG. The Chancellor reads this blog, but fat chance he will do anything. There is a group of old Queens who operate in Glasgow who will not like this post one bit. They holiday together too, but have stopped uploading pics on their Facebook accounts as they know they are being watched. Glasgow is a cesspit of dirty old double standard Queens I am afraid. I jacked it in long ago. As a young Priest they were like flies round shite at our Presbytery. I was offered blow jobs, arse play the lot.
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Yes I know of a Deacon who was sent to him who said that in return for a bottle of gin he asked for a blowie. This was only 10 mins after Mass!
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Why would any PP allow someone like this to supply for them? I have just called the Parish to ask and nobody in. I will keep calling.
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Does this ring a Sanctus bell, Cardinald Parishioner @1:05pm?
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/archives/news/15122/gay-priests-3k-rent-boy-secret/
3k! I’m just trying to add up how many curlywhurleys I could buy for 3k 🤣
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A spokesman was quoted as saying: “This has come as a complete shock to the Archdiocese [ and … ] he would not have been allowed to remain in ministry if we had known.” Yeah, sure! Now you know!
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Pat today’s blog has sickened me to the core. I have to say well done for presenting it though. People are sick and should not be getting through the door of a seminary. What angers me, with the small numbers going forward why can they not be found and booted out. This says a lot for formation in Oscott, the same oscott mentioned many times on this blog. Pat it’s time that you dedicate a lot of time now to seminaries and dioceses. This is truly disgusting.
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You are right at 1:38 pm. And I think we have to remember today’s blog concerns pure EVIL. We often have a laugh for example at the antics of Fatty being sent flying arse over tit down the seminary staircase by a strapping outraged Australian, but dysfunction is too often passed over in clerical circles as a joke to be shared over a gin. This is in another dimension and, as you say, this is truly vile. What worries me, however, is that the enormity of the crime doesn’t necessarily mean anything is going to be done to change the system which produced and enabled such a monster. So to all those who consider themselves “good” priests and their supporters, I ask: what are you going to do about your discredited Church? So far, nothing, and as in Nazi Germany, you will claim to have seen nothing. ( And to anybody who balks at the comparison, take a look at what this priest intended to do.)
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6:56pm
The ‘system’ in the Church has produced an abundance of monsters but remains unchanged.
Not only is the Church discredited but the Gospel itself is being discredited.
The so called good priests prefer to remain dumb, moral cowards!
What Jolley intended to do has been done by numerous priests and worse. In time, the silent sins of omission of good priests will be seen as enabling, facilitating and prolonging this awful state of affairs in the Church.
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A chain of totally compromised people surround this case, the system in England favours mediocre gay men as priests, the St Luke’s screening is an obsessive questioning on masturbation and their line is that it’s a thing a teenage boy might do a few times and then forget about it ,but they won’t be blaming themselves don’t worry they will just say they gave a measured report and he was hiding the truth , yeah right. Now as a ‘ clinic’ aren’t they subject to some form of ‘ ofsted’ even if seminaries aren’t? What they need is less psychology and more spirtual direction , they should also be more involvement with their own families too many of the seminarians today seem to be totally independent from their families and living a student life . There’s a lot more to come from Liverpool but it won’t be done willingly as reform it will be through exposure and the process of law
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So in 2019 the Church is grilling people on masturbation. And we still wonder why the seminaries are as they are. Freaks, weirdoes, perves and nut-jobs … the lot them!
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What about the seminarian who was expelled from Maynooth for sexually harassing another seminarian and who now is ordained as a member of a religious order, which, presumably, didn’t do their homework?
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“Hello I’d like to be a priest please” ” Okay, just a few questions, when was the last time you masturbated and how did it make you feel? St Luke’s Instutite 2019
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Oscott is a gay sex knocking shop. Lots of examples on here over the years.
Lots of them are well into the Latin Mass and dressing up in all sorts of strange vestments, headgear and gloves.
There is a very handsome young Priest recently from there who is now in Lancaster Diocese and most of his Masses are in Latin. He is a PP at the age of 25 and is currently working on turning his altar round to face the tabernacle, therefore his congregation will need to glare at his back all through Mass. That place has produced plenty weirdos who are contributing to the lay faithful leaving in droves.
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Go to another church then grandad, don’t use the crime of child abuse as an excuse to slag off any remnants of the old religion that’s survived , what does your conscience say?? I hate the Latin mass, I hate the priest up the road who says the Latin mass, a convicted pedophile said the Latin mass, therefore all priests who say the Latin mass are pedophiles especially the ones I don’t like, get a grip child abuse is a serious crime not an opportunity to tarnish others
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4.33 He never made such a connection. You obviously did, so you are either in complete denial or are part of it.
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Well said, Henry at 5:06 pm ! A bit too defensive at 4:33 pm, but he makes a similar point as English Priest at 1:32 pm. I am fairly relaxed about liturgy, and so a couple of times a year may attend the EF, as I can still just about find my way around it. What concerns me however is young men fetishizing the Old Mass and dressing up in all the old tat for personal vanity and affectation. Personally I think a biretta looks ridiculous on anyone, and Lefebvre himself discouraged them as vainglorious. Though I wouldn’t necessarily think an EF celebrant was dodgy per se, I would and do worry about “badges of orthodoxy”, whether a cassock or need to refute the shocking theories of James Martin SJ, as expressing an outward form without any basis in reality.
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Well said at 5:44 p.m. Good for you!
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Pat. I must encourage more comments from Scottish Dioceses. You ain’t even scratched the surface until you know what is going on in every Diocese here. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paisley are much worse that the others. I even see that one of KOB’s ex boyfriends is still very active too?
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big Jim. Nice to see you back on. Hope the health is better. The Glasgow gays can’t stand it when you are on here because they know that you have lots of shit on them!
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Is Fr John Sweeney for Glasgow related? He’s the 41 year old Priest for Glasgow arrested allegedly for shagging a teenage girl Parishioner. Well documented in papers. 2 years later still shown as c/o Archdiocese HQ who are no doubt paying for his keep. Hope he is given a fair trial.
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Big Jim!
Await your turn! Liverpool Archdiocese is dealing with Paedophilia at the moment, as well as a broken vulnerable adult with learning difficulties who was almost ruthlessly destroyed in Spain then attacked upon his return to Liverpool (whilst on p. placement) by a recovering alcoholic of 30 plus years. This recovering alcoholic is friends with the reigning monster in Spain! Work it out for yourself!
Not only that, but the victim is not allowed to even talk about what happened to for fear of being arrested as a court order has been obtained by erstwhile of the Underground!
Peoples lives have been destroyed here!
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Okay, Canon Oakley and Archbishop Longley….what is going on in your seminary ? Please enlighten us. And don’t give us any twee shiite about it preparing wonderful young men for priesthood ! It is clear that there is gross dysfunction taking place in your seminary, and you just seem to either be oblivious to it, or are living in cloud cuckoo land and ignoring it. Either way you are culpable. The place is your responsibility, and you have to take responsibility for what is going on there. If you can’t then stand aside and let others do it for you. The place evidently needs a good looking at and a good clearing out. In no other walk of life would a place like this simply be allowed to carry on. And, yes I am a priest, and I know what I am talking about. So, please do take an interest. There is lots, lots more to come out I am sure, and you could find yourselves in deep water for ignoring all the warning signs. Don’t say you were not told !
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I’d suggest that both Nursie and Canon Oakley are actually quite nice, kind-hearted men who are completely out of their depth in dealing with the vicious, manipulative lying queens who inhabit their seminary. I’d suggest an undemanding rural parish for the Rector, and it’s pretty clear that no way could Norah now be translated to the vipers’ nest that is Westminster when the Nichollses retire to their caravan.
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but what about the very good priests that have been ordained and serve so splendidly. Where there are people there will be moral failure, and that’s just a fact of life. unfortunate, but that’s life.
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The very good priests need to man up and speak put – or risk being labelled with the evil ones!
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5:58
This is not simply moral failure. What’s gone on and what is going on in the Church is criminal !!!
It’s NOT only moral failure or human weakness. Covering up sexual abuse and the abuse of vulnerable adults is also criminal.
Cop on for the love of God.
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5:42
I hope the teenage girl is alright.
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When will they ever learn.
This so-called scandal or crisis is going on in the Church for years.
Yet, such a dysfunctional man was ordained. Unbelievable.
It is patently obvious, this is not a scandal or a crisis, but is rather, a culture- a sick,toxic, twisted culture. Shameful.
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I sense that there are quite a few commentators on here who know about Oscott, erstwhile alma mater of Matthew Jolley ? Do tell us us, please ! You owe it to us. In fact, you owe it to yourselves to tell us the truth. And, if you can’t tell us, then please go and tell +Nursey/Bunty/Longley. He needs to know ! And if he ignores the evident signs of dysfunction, then I am sure there are other people who will step in eventually and take action. Just because it’s a Church institution doesn’t mean that it’s immune from the gaze of outside agencies. Actually, I think I might write to IICSA and tell them that if they really want to get to the bottom of the criminal abusive dysfunction that they are investigating in the Catholic Church, then they need to look at the way and the culture in which the priests who commit these crimes are trained. And that trail will lead right back to Longley / Nichols and all the others.
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4:52
Young men have entered seminaries only to have their lives ruined. An independent investigation into the criminal abuse of seminarians, past and present, both in Britain and Ireland, needs to happen as a matter of justice.
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To be honest, the seminary still plays a role in your life even if you do leave. For a while (at least until you work/study), you are likely to rely on references from the Rector or a Formation Tutor and so there’s little incentive to “rock the boat”. By the time you are free of that, you care less, or you just want to get on with your own life.
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Pat the rectors conference begins this week in oscott. How embarrassing is this for oscott rector and staff. But not that bad cause all rectors and their seminaries have their own secrets. This would be a good opportunity for the media to report on , show us their faces this week
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It will be the usual self-congratulation on what a great job they are doing, and what wonderful self-less “lads” they are producing. You’ll never get any of these creatures to admit anything is wrong. The same with their bishops: close a church and call it parish renewal. Will Bunty be popping up to Sutton Coldfield to give a pep talk? The fact is that north of Oscott there remains not a single seminary left, and I say GOOD!
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I was at seminary when Matthew Jolley was there, in fact he was not one of the obvious weird ones, but he was always moody and would feel very uncomfortable when addressing certain issues, I knew Matthew for years and he was always a lone wolf, he never ever wanted to mix with others and spent a lot of time by himself, probably on gay apps. Oscott seminary is a joke, as mentioned in the past grown men dressing up as cats and prowling around each others rooms, condoms being found in seminarians rooms, men kissing at the bar, joke of a place! Pushing out older priests who were holy men to fill it up with Preston in a dress, no doubt some serious issues, swore to myself I wouldn’t go back through those doors.
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I used to fancy Fr Paul Moss who worked there. yum yum
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Do you mind? We’re Catholics on this blog! “Fancying” men indeed! Whatever next – women in the sanctuary? Hand me a gin.
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If not much can be expected from either Norah or the Rector, what about the rest of the staff team at Oscott? We don’t hear much of them since the departure of Father Marsden and his “how-not-to-be-a-wanker” course. The Vice-rector, Paul Keane, used to be spoken of as a rising star, but has been there some time now, and, one has to infer, without much beneficial affect on the morals of the “lads”. Then I see as well as the inspiring example of Father Preston, the lads get spiritual direction from one Gerard Sheehan. He was ordained for Opus Dei, so is he still with them, and does that make him appropriate for spiritual direction in a seminary? A friend of mine got groomed by them as a student in London, and they banged on and on about masturbation. So, given what has been reported concerning psychological assessment at St Luke’s, is wanking the criterion for discerning a vocation? Easy to say you don’t, when you are a bloody liar. And what the hell does it matter anyway? Freaks, weirdoes and pervs – that’s who you end up with.
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he sounds just like someone I know at Wonersh!
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Fr Anthony Sweeney, the blow jobber has indeed a priest brother. He is Fr Jim Sweeney CP. He is presently the Provincial of the Passionists in Ireland and Scotland. They also have a nephew, Fr Stephen Dunn ( known as Dancer) who in the opinion of most priests in the Glasgow presbyterate is a complete looney and hasn’t been in a parish for a few years but still being kept by the diocese.
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Good grief. Sounds a right dysfunctional place does Archdiocese of Glasgow! A gay Provincial? Whatever next. Any more info North Side cleric?
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Father Stephen Dunn who celebrated his silver jubilee in the Tridentine Rite on 30 June 2019, staunch defender of traditional marriage – whatever that is – and was so rude to patients in a Hospice that he was removed? Apparently he felt the dying were not sufficiently ( financially ) grateful for his services, which he admitted were brusque. That Father Stephen Dunn?????
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John Sweeney involved in the scandal with the teenage girl while in Cranhill parish is not related to Gobbler Sweeney from Cardonald, mentioned earlier.
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thanks for that. I’ll sleep soundly tonight
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pat, have you ever been asked to write a reference for someone. I’m looking up jobs in education and you might come in handy as a reference
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Fr Sweeney is not from cardonald. He was just helping out here while our priest was on holiday
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Well, it doesn’t look as if you’ll be seeing Gobbler Sweeney again after this. Your PP will probably want to swill out his chalices when he gets back from Benidorm.
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Gobbler will probably be in Strathclyde Park at this time groping a twink or two using the supply stipend money to pay for it. Meanwhile his brother is probably in the steam room grooming someone to join the CP Order. Yes, their nephew is a total loony and poor +Ena is wondering what the heck to do with him and all the other issues on his watch. Still no Auxiliary for Glasgow either. 5 men now knocked it back sources tell me. St Mungo pray for us.
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Rev Fr Canon Wallace will be mad that this has come out again. She won’t be happy!
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Is John Udris still part of the staff at Oscott?
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What’s he like, and why does Oscott need THREE Spiritual Directors? What indeed are the benefits, and the fruits of holiness in that place?
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THREE Spiritual Directors at Oscott: one of whom spends his time as travel agent for Therese of Lisieux and promotor of Chesterton’s canonization; another who is or was a member of Opus Dei; and a third who got himself photographed at some kind of Vicars-and-Tarts party. Add that mix to Oakley’s ineptitude and Bunty’s failure of oversight, and we haven’t even started on the rest of the staff!
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Is there a chapter of Courage in any of the English, Irish or American seminaries? Now that would be rich potential for comedy! “I have thoughts … .” “Dirty thoughts … ? Take Courage!”
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St Oswald King & Martyr Catholic Church Post;
Any further developments here? Curious it occurred at the same time as the Jolley conviction.
The message left on the building is very personal. Directed at the Parish priest perhaps. Any news on this man?
I am researching
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Did it not occur at beginning of August with the same message? That would have been when Jolley was still doing his rounds saying the Mass of Ages, though what he was doing afterwards tells a very different story. Am I right in thinking there was a second attack this weekend? There is clearly some message or story behind it, so keep digging! Meanwhile, back to our Oscott correspondent …. have I missed Compline?
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The PP at this church is a former Discalced Carmelite who was incardinated into the Liverpool archdiocese when Kelly was Ordinary. Formation in London. Oxford and Rome originally from the Lancaster diocese and ordained by Jack Brewer.
The message left behind at this church is definitely worrying
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Actually there is still one seminary to the north of Oscott and it is flourishing in comparison – at Cardross. 😘
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Indeed, there is. It makes a powerful and unforgettable statement about the condition of the Church today. Thank you for reminding us.
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Pat I’m bicurious about georgous, is he still working as a nurse for ibrhim Malawi?
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Dear Big Jim and Mate, isn’t the real +Ena the Cruel, formerly Anglican Archbishop of York of “my sexuality is a grey area fame” still with us? And who is Fr Canon Wallace – and what has she got to be mad about? The shortage of altar boys owing to the demise of the “traditional family” and a “contraceptive mentality”? At least no one at Oscott can be accused of having a “contraceptive mentality” as I suppose the condoms found at Oscott according to Ladd at 5:37 pm were not the result of a contraceptive INTENTION – so that’s alright then.
PS what was the intention then? No women in the rooms, surely?
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Interesting information from NatLog at 8:21 pm. I cannot even remember Bishop Brewer so the PP must be ancient. Could it be that somebody has now grown up, and come back to visit Father … if you catch my speculation?
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I strongly suspect there are a lot of priests out there of a certain age who live with the constant worry that the past may come calling at their presbytery door in the form of the police
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Fr Canon Wallace is the PP of Cardonald ( our Lady of Lourdes Parish) in Glasgow and I presume the man who engaged “Gobbler Sweeney”
Fr Stephen ‘Dancer’ Dunn is a complete looney tune. He has been removed from a couple of posts in Glasgow Archdiocese. Just need to speak to some of my family from Sacred Heart in Bridgeton. You couldn’t write it.
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Holy Mackeral!
There’s no knowing the outcome of the exclusive.
Will this potentially compromise Pope Francis?
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Another recent protégé of Oscott and the Archdiocese of Liverpool, aged 25 with no experience of life in the real world, dressed to the nines in lace and silk and one of Jolly’s contemporaries… see page 3 of this newsletter https://stcharlesandstthomasmore.org.uk/media/1349/19-08-11-003.pdf The vocations director at the time was opposed to him beginning seminary at such a young age; advising that he go to university and live out his youth, but was vetoed by the now Emeritus Archbishop of Liverpool.
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FFS, would you let that creep near anything dear and close to you ? That picture makes my skin crawl…..
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Sorry, but I get the impression he is an accident waiting to happen. What the hell does he think he is doing in that get up? And why does his PP let him get away with it? As had been said before, there are enablers if dysfunctional behaviour.
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Ah, yes, wasn’t Patrick Kelly himself once Rector of Oscott; in fact spent 18 years there? So he knows how it is in these places.
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Hang on a mo’ ! I’ve just had a closer look at that newsletter, and now see that the PP AND Vocations Director was none other than Father James Preston now Spiritual Director ( if you can call it that! ) at Oscott. So not only was Father’s little helper as Assistant Vocations Director Matthew Jolley, but Preston’s former parish produced this self-satisfied prissy madam. I think Preston has a lot of explaining to do, but I suspect Norah has already forgiven and forgotten, and advised him to try hard in formation of the next batch of suckers and weirdoes.
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Fr James is a good man. A kind man and a Holy man. None of you know him. Get a grip and stop bringing him into this.
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In charity, I can’t help but be concerned about this soul.
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2:06
Agreed,MC.
But I have greater concern for the souls of victims, their families, and loved ones.
Many of them have been permanently alienated from Jesus Christ, the Gospel and Church.
I know from personal experience in my extended family.
Clergy are very privileged, whether or not they realize or recognize it.
To whom much is given…..
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It’s not clear that Fr Matthew Jolley actually abused children. Listening to his sermons one has the impression of someone wrestling with inner demons. He was lured into obscene conversation in a sting operation.
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So you think it’s ok for a priest to plan to abuse a little baby and take steps to achieve that plan?
People like you would place him in a primary school as chaplain!
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9:04
I know Fr James and he IS NOT a good man; he is corrupt.
How dare you come on here and make such false statements! How dare you!
‘’Enter ye in at the straght gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at.’’
Matthew 7:13
(The narrow gate leads to Oscott…).
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Catholic clerical paedophile is certainly a current problem. I think there’s an over relience on psychological assessments and psycho-babbale. I agree Bishop Pat, it seems the catholic priesthood, as well as being a homosexual network, is most likely to be a paedophile network for some, including some senior clerics up the ranks in the church. This issue first came into the public domain in America around 1984. It’s ongoing…
How come? How come Mr. Jolley went through formation for years, yet nobody recognised he had very serious issues? Someone in seminary with Mr. Jolley, said yesterday, Jolley wasn’t obviously a weirdo. There were other students in seminary with Jolley considered weirdos. In what way were these students weird? How many of these weirdos were ordained and where are those ordained (if any) now? It seems to me, Bishop Pat, paedophile is embedded in the culture of the institutional church. If so, it beggars belief ‘good priests’, not involved in such evil, don’t know some of their colleagues are up to no good. A code of silence, secrecy and misguided loyalty ensures this evil will continue as a major issue, indefinitely.
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Matt clearly has issues and previous comments hit the nail on the head, young men going into seminary not knowing who they are what they like, they are expected to come out and deal with real people and real world issues, but this isn’t the case in oscott, as mentioned above Matt didn’t engage with anyone, he wasn’t part of the flirting, gossip, and scandal, but he done what most seminarians do, kiss up to staff to get through, its a factory that isn’t creating good priests but a factory producing insecure men who struggle in the real world, this doesn’t mean every priest out of oscott is bad, far from it, but there is no real formation in that place.
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It’s clearly a dysfunctional place. Obvious. So, what’s going to be done about it ? Nothing, probably. It will be just more of the same. Because the people who lead us haven’t got a clue. But, one day they will be called to account for their inactivity, and for carrying on a system that has been shown to be dangerous and dysfunctional, with all kinds of consequent damage to the Church, parishioners, and priests themselves.
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8:23
What is real formation? Is there real formation in any of the remaining seminaries?
We’ve had mentioned on this blog recently Maynooth, Wonersh, now Oscott.
By the way, issues is a major understatement.
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But did he show any proclivities towards lace, the Mass of Pius V, a devotion to Summorum pontificum, maniples, Dominican friars who don’t wear trousers under their habits, homophobic posturing, an antipathy to Francis, an affection for the Benedictine arrangement of cross (bigger than the one on Calvary) and candles on the altar, and an exaggerated concern for rigid orthodoxy?
Little things mean a lot.
A straw shows the way the wind blows.
Telltale signs are there to be read.
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8:23
How do most seminarians kiss up to staff to get through?
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11:53
Are you thick? Seriously. In all honesty.
His ‘inner demons’ were seeking to sexually abuse, sexually act out his fantasies, on an infant, an innocent BABY, you silly person. Sick.
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His defence lawyer admitted that Jolley had viewed extreme pornography. That is certainly not a victimless crime, but collusion, it can only be inferred, in the rape and abuse of infants.
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Who’s thick?
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10:36
F*** the externals.
He showed procivility for raping 2 year old infants.
Whether liberal,conservative, moderate, ultra whatever, his faculty in seminary had responsibilities.
The man is a dangerous risk to infants!
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12;43
Wasn’t Jolley sentenced to three years imprisonment. If so, it had to be evidently clear, beyond reasonable doubt, an offence was committed. Yes, downloading extreme pornography is NOT a victimless crime.
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It was actually 40 months, and the judge said he’d got off relatively lightly on account of his priesthood. He was also declared a danger to kids for life.
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10:59
You missed the point.
The question was whether there were telltale signs WHILE HE WAS A SEMINARIAN.
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Clearly no one could have predicted just how bad it would be ( UNLESS somebody did know and even shared his extreme perversion ), but I’d say all the signs were there at Oscott, according to contemporaries, and certainly after ordination, according to his own Twitter account, that he was emotionally immature, malformed and unsuitable for ministry. He gave me the creeps when I heard him say Mass on Scottie Road a couple of months ago. I trust now his laicization is being expedited. Thanks only to the cops, he was stopped in his tracks, but shame, shame, shame on his bishop, PP and all those freaks who waved him through first Ushaw and then Oscott.
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1:20
I didn’t miss the point.
My point is, do seminarians talk to members of faulty on issues of a personal nature related to their human growth? If so, how come this character was allowed proceed to ordination. If not, why not?
His bishop and faculty bear a responsibility, to some extent, in the matter, in allowing him to be ordained.
I’m also saying, characters like Jolley are to be found in all ‘branches’ of the Church and in all sectors of wider society.
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A poster at 9:07 pm on 27/10/19 revealed that Matthew Jolley had been Assistant Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Liverpool! If true, that blows any residual trust in McMahon’s judgment sky high. I fear he has been suborned by the Latin Mass Brigade who dress him up in buskins, white shoes with matching gloves, cappa magna and God knows what to perform at shrines such as Warrington, which produced – what d’ya know? – Jolley himself! Let me tell you, Your Grace, you are no Richard Downey! ( For those not up to speed, Archbishop Downey was a hatchet faced old bigot from Kilkenny, who nevertheless knew how to run his Archdiocese, and, like McQuaid, didn’t just dress the part, but got things done. )
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No sign of this story yet in the Catholic Herald. Instead readers are treated to an article by a priest who writes that he is sometimes “tempted to dress down” but “the cassock represents an eternal truth”. It represents something, Father, but not that! Likewise the Latin Mass Society is yet to advise its followers that, contrary to earlier reports, Father Jolley will not after all be celebrating the EF at various venues near you in the North West.
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Oh, there’s more to come in the Archdiocese of Liverpool! Keep your eyes peeled for Fr George Cheeramkuzhy (appointed priest in charge of St Chad, Chorley)! “Due to unforeseen developments, Fr George Joseph Cheeramkuzhy has had to take some leave.” [Message from Fr Marsden Dean of Chorley.]
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What about the Salford queen?! Is she still prancing around in hats?! Jean the Queeeennnnn!
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Forgive me for being somewhat late to the party, but I too was at Oscott at the same time as the aforementioned convict.
On reading this in 2021, I was struck numb by the fact that I had known and rubbed shoulders with someone who was capable of such acts. The impression he gave at seminary was of arrogance and, yes, narcissism. If you were not in his little circle then you were a nobody to be ignored.
Christ. Thank God for the pollice.
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