YESTERDAY I WATCHED THE FUNERAL OF GAY BYRNE ON RTE TELEVISION.
I was very touched by the occasion. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin played a very gentle role by meeting people at the front door of his cathedral and showing them to their places and getting them to sign the book of condolences.
The Jesuit Irish Provincial Father Leonard Maloney celebrated a very dignified and balanced Funeral Mass alone – which was as it should have been. There was no “performance”, no “show”, no attention seeking.
Father Leonards was a good homily of New Testament stories with stories from Gay’s life.
He spoke of Gay’s talents and skills, of Gay’s triumphs and struggles, especially his final great struggle with cancer.
It Gay’s funeral was not a state funeral, it was the nearest thing to it.
As a child of the 60s and 70s and 80s Gay Bryne had its own important influence on my life.
I was, on a number of occasions, his guest on the Late Late and his morning Radio programme – especially at the beginnings of my thirty-year struggle with the Church of Rome and it’s minions on the island of Ireland.
My appearances on Gay’s shows helped me to resist church pressures that might easily have annihilated me. I had decided that the only way to survive was to take them on – not behind the heavy velvet curtains of episcopal places – but in the public square in the Republic and the North.
The Republic was important because I wanted the Republic’s Catholics see what their “leaders” were really like.
The North was important because I wanted the one million Protestants there to see that the post reformation RCs were just as bad as the 16th century ones their reformers had to deal with.
Gay, and other principled journalists allowed me to have my say – even when they came under pressure not to.
For that Gay, I thank you.
And as Father Maloney said yesterday:
DEO GRATIAS.
FATHER LEONARD MALONEY
I never heard of Father Leonard Maloney until yesterday. He happens to be the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Ireland.
Maybe he was a friend of Gay’s or the Byrne family. I don’t know?
But a thought struck me yesterday.
This was the thought:
“Is it possible that Father Leonard Maloney might soon be appointed as the new coadjutor Archbishop of Dublin, an auxiliary of Dublin or the bishop of a other diocese?
He’s a Jesuit. So is the Pope. And the pope appointed Irelands first ever Jesuit bishop quite recently.
GAY’S FUNERAL – A DARCY FREE ZONE
I was very pleased that yesterday’s very important national event was conducted without a cringeworthy Darcy performance.
I am privy to information about how that came about – but am bound by confidentiality.
But I remain very grateful to the person that prevented that “Look at me country and western ye haw”.
BD IN THE PEWS
DEO GRATIAS. ALLELUIA.
143 replies on “THE FUNERAL OF GAY BYRNE.”
A very eloquent tribute to Gay. You let yourself down totally by mentioning the Reformation. That has total irrelevance to the subject matter and Gay Byrne wouldn’t want to be associated with that sentiment. The Reformation in England still haunts and affects people. Maybe you don’t understand or appreciate that fact. Mary Queen of Scots is but one figure
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In your opinion!
The Reformation happened because of the utter corruption on Rome and Romanists.
If you cant see that – Go to Specsavers!
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The continental Reformation. However, the English Reformation was largely the result of the lust of Henry VIII who originally opposed Luther (defensir fidei) and the avarice if Thomas Cromwell for the dissolution of monasteries and religious houses.
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The Reformation was good for Ireland. Not.
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@anon 5.44
Sadly that attribution of the English reformation to lust is rather biased.
The stability of Kimgdoms was routinely a cause of marriage annulment in the middle ages. Henry was almost certain to have had his first marriage annulled when he applied for it. The reluctance of Rome to grant it was because the then Pope was dependant on the military strength of the Holy Roman Emperor, otherwise known as Catherine of Aragon’s nephew.
Lust did not cause the English reformation; politics did.
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11.52 Listen hi A miss interpretation of the Crucifixion haunts the Jewish people to this very day. Get reformed brother. Smell the holy water and see. Gaybo Me he rest in peace
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Yes, the holy Jewish still persecute the Palestinians to this very day. Look into it brother.
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Hello hi fly.
Begorra fly a chunk of metonia all round wouldn’t go amiss either way. Rip Gay.
Bye bye fly hi.
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Pat, any chance I could take a trip sometime to Larne and bring a tape recorder? (I’ll also bring cake). You are a fundamental part of Irish history, and I would love to be able to say I chatted/interviewed Bishop Pat Buckley.
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Come anytime you want and bring all the tape recorders you wish.
Everything I believe and say is ON THE RECORD.
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Go to linthgow and say that. Mary Queen of Scots wouldn’t want you anywhere in Scotland nor any Scots. Read your history bonnie lad.
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Gay’s Funeral was handled with great dignity. Although I noticed there were flowers over his casket rather than a white pall cloth. Why?
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Family wishes respected. Just right.
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Pat. I was so sorry Fr Darcy wasn’t on the altar. I would loved to have heard him give a rendition of the Big Tom number ‘You’re going out the same way you came in’ as Gays coffin was being carried out.
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Brian was where he should always be at dignified occasions – in the pews!
His narcissism and neediness was not allowed at Gay’s funeral. And that was decided beforehand.
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Darcy would have been rippin’.
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No star-studded funeral was complete without Darcy at the pulpit. He was all bizz at the funerals of Terry Wogan, Joe Dolan, Brendan Grace and Big Tom and in every sermon he made clear how lucky the stars were to have known Brian Darcy CP
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I wonder if he even sneeked in at KOB’s, Bp Pat.
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I wouldn’t be enthusiastic about the Jesuits.
In Ireland their best known member is Peter McVerry.
He certainly does great work among the derelicts. But I could never accept his agnostic understanding of the Resurrection
He’s entitled to hold that view as a private individual, But it’s totally out-of-order for him to play the big man, SJ and all, appearing on TV and confusing people.
These smart-alec priests are why the culchies have stopped believing in God and switched over to Lourdes and Padre Pio.
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I cannot understand why and Christian, and particularly a priest, would try and minimise or explain away the actual and physical Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Put plainly, is this not naked heresy.
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He is in good company. Francis doesn’t believe in the bodily Resurrection either.
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Totally agree with you Joe Lollard. I was in a lecture given by a Belfast man SJ. He was trying to deny the concept of Hell. I didn’t let him away with it wearing a shirt and collar.
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McVerry’s notion is a contradiction of Church teaching and the Gospels.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 645, it states, ” By means of touch and the sharing of a meal, the risen Jesus establishes direct contact with his disciples. He invites them in this way to recognize that he is not a ghost and above all to verify that the risen body in which he appears to them is the same body that had been tortured and crucified, for it still bears the traces of his Passion.”
“Yet at the same time this authentic, real body possesses the new properties of a glorious body: not limited by space and time but able to be present how and when he wills; for Christ’s humanity can no longer be confined to earth, and belongs henceforth only to the Father’s divine realm,” states the Catechism. “For this reason too the risen Jesus enjoys the sovereign freedom of appearing as he wishes: in the guise of a gardener or in other forms familiar to his disciples, precisely to awaken their faith.”
In the Gospel of John (20:24-29) it says that after the resurrection, “Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’
“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
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Great post. 👍
Spot on.
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This could have Gaybo’s cause for canonisation opened post haste. He worked a miracle by keeping D’arsehole (D’arcy) out of the limelight on a high profile occasion. Now that’s what I call a real miracle! St. Gabriel of Donnybrook, Ora Pro Nobis!
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If I could have such a funeral (not, of course, on such a scale!), I would be very pleased.
The absence of any ‘show’ or banality, the simplicity of the address of welcome by Gay’s daughter, and the combination of affection and dignity on the part of the celebrant, made this a memorable occasion.
‘Jokey’ priests and eulogists should take note. It shows that what is too often badly done can, with a bit of thought and restraint, be superbly done.
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+Pat, did you commit a cardinal Rcc sin, by exposing the dirty linen in public?
Never to be forgotten nor forgiven by powers that be in the Institution?
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I did.
In Rome they have a saying:
“Do what you want with men, women, children, money property etc – BUT LEAVE THE POWER ALONE”
That says it all 😥
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You have made that up with no shame at all! You are really bad.
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‘”Leave the power alone”‘….”My bloody arse”.
“I could never leave Barbara alone… “! 😊
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As usual, Pat, you cannot let any opportunity go past without expressing your hatred of the Catholic Church. Even another’s funeral!
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12:26
A bout of cognitive dissonance?
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I do not hate the catholic church (small c) as I a member of minister of same.
I hate the RC empire for its evil and corruption.
Simplest.
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VENI SANCTE. SPIRITUS
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Bishop Buckley just loves abusing other people’s sorrows – death and loss of Gay Byrne – to attempt to twist the narrative to evoke hate speech against the Church. Pat, you have a long journey to travel to equal the integrity, fairness, decency, goodness, Christizn living and genuine faith of Gay. You will never match the beauty of the True Catholic Funeral Mass which we witnessed yesterday. Now, so my, reverent and powerful. Get off your stage of your venomous anti Cathic rhetoric and as usual you intrude unnecessarily in other Pete’s sorrow to further your bitchy, nasty un-CHRIST-LIKE agenda. God help you grow up…..
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What is “anti Cathic”?
What / who is other Pete’s sorrow? Who is this Pete you speak of?
I presume you mean other people?
I am not anti catholic. I love and treasure my catholic faith and vocation.
But I hate evil and I hate the evil coven of paedos, robbers, liars, cover uppers pretending they represent Jesus and Jesus memory.
I will say this, popular or unpopular, to the say I die!
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I am absolutely no fan of the Archbshop of Dublin. I would shake his hand though after the absence of the jamboree cleric at yesterday’s funeral of Gay.
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I have more respect for Diarmuid than I have for ALL the other Irish bishops together and if course I know that Dermo has his faults and limitations.
What I like most about him is that he has never lost his humanity and emotions.
He managed EVERY aspect of yesterday’s wonderful occasion perfectly and he knows I think that. Not that what I think is important – except on.my own blog of course 😊
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10:02
Did a rush of blood bring on the rant? There’s plenty of clerics within the Church responsible for evoking anti- Catholic sentiment. Get real, brother!
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12.07😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁🐃🐃🐃😉😉
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10:02am. Is covering up rape of children, a Christ like agenda?
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Gays funeral was very dignified and that’s the way it should be done. I remember another such funeral in the cathedral mrs Kathleen mongan, she too was late to the cathedral like Gay, the only difference was her funeral was refused for being late by the old adm. it was only when the bishop of ******** contacted the cathedral that it was allowed to take place. Everyone is deserving of a proper catholic funeral as per canons
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4:55pm . Another rush of blood.😆
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Pat was thinking to myself beside the warm fire today, what if the good pope sent an Irish bishop to Westminster to take over now that would be a good kick in sac for them. Although no one of quality to send.
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Now that would be interesting.
A counter, albeit a spiritual, invasion 😊
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Vin should be removed early from post in order for him to reflect on his career aspirations before the good ppl of god and his damage to so many, I’d send him to the missions.
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On the missions Elsie would be as useless as yots on a bull.
And thecrag would have to go with him and theres no Bupa there.
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11.02: What are yots???? Think i know what you.mean as you use that worn cliched phrase about the thousands of bishops you hate!! Wonder how useful are your once big, protruding “yots”?? (tits)..
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Pat it was mentioned yesterday about Deacon Michael Byrne .! Is he a relative of Gay can you confirm? If he is it makes sense about cover up
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I dont think the Byrnes are related.
Anyhow, Gorgeoys is now a Cork man.
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Pat
Why do you continue to follow this guy? He is not being ordained by Dermott. Can you not let him move on with his life?
Just asking
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Another Gay Byrne!
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11.02: What a fantastical conspiracy theory? What did you have for breakfast?
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Aren’t you very nosey.
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It was good to see the Sisters back in their rightful place yesterday. They are the Pro
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I agree. I’m sure they have their faults. But they served long and faithful.
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What’s this?
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Proper order has been restored.
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Could you please settle a bet for me Pat Buckley? Did you or did you not get on a bus on Thursday evening outside the British Secretary of State’s residence in Hillsborough?
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On Thursday evening at 6.08 pm I boarded a bus at Hillsborough indeed. Interesting to be spotted 😊
I’m not at liberty to say what I was doing in Hillsborough but I arrived there by cat at 2 35 pm.
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+Pat I’d have loved to see Coddle say Roll it there Collette or Roisin at the end as the coffin got rolled down the centre of St Mary’s. Gay would have loved that himself. Actually being rolled down by C or R.
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The Sisters eclipsed Gay. Was good to see them back in their rightful place. Thanks for acknowledging them Pat.
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Yes the sisters are back in town again . Javo
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It was great Pat to see the former President Robinson at the funeral. Such a lady and a proper holder of the State.
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Mary Robinson abandoned her position as Head of State for a job in the UN only to be shafted by them. She is on record stating same. A regret. Pity about her. She was the most useless President of the Irish Republic, uselessness is the golden thread of that Office. Dev had it as a retirement home etc. Abolish that silly ceremonial Office and turn the Aras into a free visitor attraction.
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Your sanctimonious rant is true of your name. It says it all.
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Well said that’s exactly what happened Robbo is only interested in Robbo.
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Yes, Pat, i hear you were spotted in Hillsborough on Thursday outside the Castle. The question is why? I hear you are over to North Yorkshire before Christmas.
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I’m impressed you take the bus Bishop Pat. That’s really struck me. I wonder what other Bishop in Ireland or beyond chooses this mode of transport.
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I use the bus and train all the time but also see driving as a pleasure.
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Nosey. Why do you want to know? That’s a more interesting question. ( Just askin, like) 😝
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I wonder where Elsie and Carmel are going this week to relax after the enquiry
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You never answered the question Pat. Why were you outside the British Secretary of State’s residence in the North of Ireland when he was in residence
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I did say I am not at liberty to elaborate the reasons behind my Hillsborough visit.
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4.15
I didn’t know that the Secretary of State had a residence in Donegal.
The things you learn on this blog.😕
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a little twitter search has found that the said secretary was not in Ireland on the said date 🙂
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Who ever is implying that I was in Hillsborough on Thurs to meet the Sec of State is stirrings.
I had a 3 + hour meeting in Hillsborough but not with the suggested person.
I regularly use public transport in general but I always use it if I am to have any alcohol.
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Donegal is in the north east of Ireland. The poster was speaking about the north of Ireland, where Hillsborough is located.
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Donegal is in the north west of Ireland. The poster referred to the north of Ireland, where Hillsborough is located.
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7.21 & 7.22
Ah, Jeez!😕
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St. Jude, pray for…..😅
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Donegal is in the north west of Ireland. Donegall Square is in the north east of Ireland. That’s what he meant.
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Butlins in Bognor….
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Butlins
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Pat
Can you confirm if you are in regular contact with the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin?
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I am in contact with various Irish bishops when I need to be
I certainly find Diarmuid the most open and honest of them.
Diarmuid and I do not dine out or holiday together 😊
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Does Diarmuid Martin reply to your emails?
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You are Diarmuid make a great team.
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I’m not aware of any team we are on – except perhaps the team of men with a heart, men with much imperfection, staying human and in touch with their emotions.
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Dermo at the end of Gay’s Mass invited any journalists who wanted to visit the Archives and read the many letters that his predecessors received from “ concerned Catholics” (about Gay I presume) and the replies of his predecessors . I would love to read them. Unfortunately I’m not a journalist but you are Pat. Why don’t you take him up on his offer. I’m sure you would have plenty material for your blog
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I might just do that.
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4:06 Are you suggesting most have lost touch with their humanity?
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Goood man Pat
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+Pat I know Coddle has been decent with you in the past and that is because he is a decent character. He is not a company man. He’s someone who I feel shouldn’t have wasted his life in the RCC. I’d say as he said in the past if he had sat the leaving cert a year earlier he may very well have been working as a journalist for RTÉ himself.
I don’t like to see that anyone over a certain age has to carry on for the sake of tradition or in the current climate lack of manpower in the Church.
His Coddle Waddle is becoming more noticeable lately.
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Whose likely to replace his waddle?
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It’s up in the air. But I think that Maloney is now on the list???
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Amy also does that awkward pants-around-your-ankles shuffle sometimes.
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I agree that Diarmuid deserves a pleasant retirement. He did look a bit older and more tired this week.
Nasty comment makes on the blog try to suggest he is very disparaging about me.
I dont believe them. He has never displayed any such an attitude to me personally.
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Who are the main runners on the list and what’s the odds?
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In my opinion
1. Paul Tighe of the Vatican
2. The current bishop of Limerick.
3. The SJ provincial Maloney.
I know Phonsie has Hope’s.
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I think its fair to say that ye couldn’t rule out my good self 🙂
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Dermo has recommended Phonsie to Dublin. He is a total backstabber.
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I think that is nonsense.
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Ahhh….. Mr. Bling didn’t make the list….
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Canon Matt, are ye on anything at the moment? 😉
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5.55: Yes, I’m on the loo bowl spluttering after having a Chinese quickie today!! OMG…….
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Has Phonsie not shot himself in both feet with his media outings?
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6:39. One Shoo-in.
Def top 12. Good luck, going forward.
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7:25
How do you know?
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Darcy may have been heavily sedated for the occasion, Bp Pat. Just a thought.
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4.25: Why would he be heavy sedated? These rumours abiut Darcy are ridiculous, inane and superfluous.
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A joke?
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What rumours?
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But I thought he had attentionseekeritous? Or is that Amy Turtle.
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Their saintly founder wanted the SJs to refuse episcopal office. If only Bergoglio had done that we wouldn’t have idols in St Peter’s Basilica.
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We have Francis courtesy of CMOC. Enough said
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That’s not a rumour. That’s a state of mind. One among many.
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What about rector of Irish college?
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What about him?
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5.42: The present rector may be in with the lists also! He is well respected.
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I’d be surprised if he was a serious contender. A bit of a lightweight.
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Her*
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Arch bishop of Dublin
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When does himself waddle off into the sunset?
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Bishop Pat, any dark horses for Dublin ?
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I’m not sure. Maybe a Vatican or ex Vatican monsignor? A religious order man? A current Irish bishop? A Dublin or other diocesan priest?
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If I were a betting man but, I’m am not a betting man, I’d have to put a bet on Timo’s chances for Dublin. After all, he’s now meeting the requirement of working in a parish, and must figure as a safe bet on some bookie’s list. But that might be a bet too far.
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😥
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He’s got a smell of the sheep.
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You are a fool and not a betting man. Thank goodness
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Tim loves parish life now, he’ll never go back to being a desk priest.
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@7.32pm. Totally agree.
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New man for Dromore being named on Monday. Rumoured to be Armagh priest serving in the north.
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9:15 pm
Do you know a Dromore cleric sexually abused by Fr. Greene?
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@+Pat,
Why did you say earlier that Rev. Gorgeous Byrne is a Corkman?
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Maybe he meant corkscrew.
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The Sisters stole the show Pat. You even recognised them.
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Was Amy Turtle there too, Bp Pat? I wonder.
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What’s the story with them sisters? Where they turned out of something
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Dublin will be getting the Dominican! You heard it here first
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Which Dominican? Where are those two ageing queens who don’t wear anything underneath their robes?
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The seminarians visited mount Mellerary for retreat. In the picture in their Facebook, who is the bald guy. He is probably the best looking lad in it.
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I love Gorgeous!!!
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