WAS PURCELL TRANSFER DONE TO PROTECT REPUTATION OF ROSCREA COLLEGE?

Dogging haha

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we’re in the middle of a pandemic. no one cares 🤷🏻‍♂️

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Constitution 56, Paragraph 3, of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance outlines the “formula of profession” as follows:
“I, Brother N…, promise my stability, my fidelity to the monastic way of life, and obedience until death in accordance with the Rule of Saint Benedict, Abbot. I do this before God and all his saints, in this monastery of N… of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, constructed in honour of the Blessed and ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and in the presence of Dom N…, abbot of this monastery”.
In recent days, several conversations have taken place with a great number of people concerning the allegations pertaining to Dom Richard Purcell, the current Abbot and Ordinary of Mount Melleray Abbey. Unfortunately, what has emerged is a pattern of sustained duplicitous behaviour by Dom Richard that is completely at variance with his publicly professed monastic vows.
It is clear and will be attested to within an affidavit that the current Abbot General, Dom Eamon Fitzgerald was aware of an allegation that can be described as consensual homosexual behaviour on the part of Dom Richard Purcell. However, it is clear, that Dom Eamon is definitely NOT aware of the totality of the actions of Dom Purcell over a conspicuous period of time. It would appear that Dom Eamon was/is giving Dom Richard, the benefit of the doubt. But, for how long will that continue?
Again, let me be clear nobody wishes to traduce the good name of any individual; but, the behaviour of Dom Richard Purcell was/is an “open secret” in the Diocese of Killaloe. Was the behaviour of Dom Richard Purcell at that time known to Kieran O’Reilly, a religious, and the then Bishop of Killaloe?
It is noteworthy to observe that the current Prior of Mount St. Joseph Abbey, Dom Malachy Thompson, OCSO is listed a member of the Board of Management of the Cistercian College, Roscrea.
It is known that the Cistercian College in Roscrea was in financial difficulty in the past. The efforts of people to save the college — was and continues to be noteworthy and laudable. However, using any yardstick — if it became known that the then Abbot of Roscrea [Purcell] was leading a life that was completely at variance with his publicly professed monastic vows that would not be conducive to fundraising.
Let us be clear, if the event that occurred in the monastic guesthouse at Roscrea (consensually) came into the public domain it would have been devastating to the College and its precarious finances at that time. The said event involved Dom Richard Purcell and another individual, whose name is known to me. At the time of writing; I will not name him; but, his name has been repeatedly confirmed, and the event was as previously stated an “open secret” in the diocese of Killaloe.
As the allegation was so widely known in the Diocese of Killaloe, it is not unreasonable to speculate that a fresh start for Dom Richard was seen as the best solution to ameliorate difficulties that might have unfolded. At the time, after a period of instability, the monks of Mount Melleray Abbey were keen to elect a new Abbot. It is permissible for the monks of a founding house to elect as Ordinary — a monk in solemn vows from a daughter house. So, who suggested to the monks of Mount Melleray that they elect Dom Richard Purcell? Was it done so by the current Abbot General?
But, this raises questions for the Abbot General, Dom Eamon Fitzgerald? When did he first become aware of the behaviour of Dom Richard Purcell? Was he aware of said behaviour when he confirmed the election of Dom Richard Purcell as Abbot and Ordinary of Mount Melleray Abbey?
It is important to note that bishops have no jurisdiction in monasteries of Pontifical Rite; but, it is convention and good practice for monks and abbots of monasteries to receive priestly faculties from the bishops in his canonical territory a monastery is located.
Did Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan grant faculties to Dom Richard Purcell to minister in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore? If so, was he alerted to the allegation(s) that had surrounded Dom Richard Purcell at Mount St. Joseph Abbey, and that were “known” in the Diocese of Killaloe?
Looking at the photographs of the Mass to invoke God’s Blessing on the abbatial ministry of Dom Richard Purcell, Archbishop O’Reilly, Bishop Fintan Monahan, and Bishop Willie Walsh can be seen at said mass. Were these bishops aware of Purcell’s behaviour? Did any of them make it known to Bishop Cullinan? Was Bishop Cullinan alerted that there were “issues” surrounding Dom Richard Purcell, by Dom Eamon Fitzgerald that might impact his leadership of Mount Melleray Abbey, and by extension the reputation of the diocese of Waterford & Lismore? Was the whole thing covered-up? In any event, Bishop Cullinan, will be receiving communication over the next few days that will make him aware of these issues. He will have no choice but to remove the faculties of Dom Richard Purcell by a Decree.
Of course, if Dom Richard Purcell had any integrity; he would resign immediately as Abbot, but what will unfold over the next fortnight will be ugly. And, it will expose “the filth of the church”, exposing it to the legitimate charge of institutional hypocrisy.

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Pat any comment from Iggy regarding his mishandling of the Cover up of the abuse of his two former seminarians.

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