FATHER PAUL PRIOR – THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF FORMATION AT THE DISGRACED MAYNOOTH SEMINARY – IS NOW AT THE HEART OF A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE IRISH JESUIT PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR – FATHER LEONARD MALONEY.
FATHER LEONARD MALONEY SJ
When in Maynooth, Father Prior was accused by a number of seminarians of quizzing them intensely and inappropriately about their sex lives – their sexual fantasies, their masturbation habits, their wet dreams etc, etc. This inappropriate questioning caused great distress among seminarians and was responsible for some leaving Maynooth. In spite of a number of complaints, the Maynooth authorities and the Irish bishops took no action and allowed Father Prior to continue as before.
This is a redacted statement from one seminarian about Prior:
Paul Prior left Maynooth in 2018 and was expected to return to his diocese of Kilmore in Cavan.
Instead he chose to join the Jesuits as a novice.
In the past few weeks two young Dublin lay men have lodged complaints against Paul Prior over his alleged contact with them in a Dublin Jesuit church – St Francis Xavier in Gardiner Street.
Both claim that Paul Prior questioned them in an inappropriate sexual manner.
One incident happened in the Confessional where the young man was told he would not get absolution if he did not answer the priest’s sexual questions.
The other young man claims his sexual interrogation in the church kitchenette.
The Jesuit provincial has met both young men and an investigation has begun.
Another Jesuit expressed the opinion that Father Prior was being protected “in order not to give Pat Buckley credibility”.
Pat Buckley is not seeking credibility from anyone. He is seeking truth and justice for those whose lives have been severely damaged by all these happenings.
NOT JUST PRIOR
The Maynooth Gay Scandal of Summer 2016 was not just caused by Paul Prior.
It was also caused by the inaction of the Irish bishops, the then president of Maynooth Hugh Connolly, and the current president Mullaney.
The truth about all that has happened must come out – for justice’s sake.
And to quote Archbishop Diarmuid Martin:
“The truth will set you free, even if the truth is revolting”.
Do the Jesuits really want to carry this can for the Irish bishops?
I really thought the Jesuits were better than that.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 