Yesterday a reader questioned me:
@+Pat 3.02pm
Thank you for your honest reply. I suppose what I meant was if Ger had remained on good terms with you would he be the example pulled out of the hat today, as opposed to another.
To be honest I felt worse when he came out about Maynooth being great when he was there. I know from many sources that it was not – but I sometimes wonder was his arm twisted by someone to make the statement. I honestly think that ministry will never get the best out of him as long as celibacy is required.
He is also a member of a class that appears here regularly. One of the Kalendariums on my shelf records him as having joined with Fergal O’Neill, (mentioned here earlier today), Thomas McHugh, Ryan McAlear… and others. Not many went on to be ordained from that class; and it appears several have already left. Some made it to deaconate but that was all. Their dean that year was newly appointed, and followed them into the role as senior dean before leaving priesthood himself. A bleak time for ‘return on investment’ under Archbishop Farrell & Hughy Connolly.
PAT REPLIES:
My Dear Friend,
I had another blog ready to go.
The Ger story arrived into my inbox from a concerned person.
My first thought was NOT to do a blog about it because it was a story about someone I knew and liked.
I also know members of his family.
But if I handled it that way would I not be as bad as some of the bishops and religious superiors I criticise?
Ignoring a story because I knew or liked the central character who was at fault?
I blogged about it with a heavy heart.
But you see this is not really all about Ger. Its about the priesthood and the state it’s in.
The Church wrongly imposes universal celibacy. And in return some priests decide “I am not bound to obey an unjust law”.
But the problem is that on the day of his ordination the priest makes a public profession that he is not ever going to engage in sex with anyone, for the rest of his life.
In return the Church gives him a position, a prestige, a pedestal to stand on – and a house and salary etc.
Its a contract. The priest promises celibacy and the Church in return offers him prestige and his keep.
But if the priest breaks his promise he is breaking a solemn contract – like a married man who commits adultery. In the married mans case it leads to divorce.
In the priests case it leads to a double life. The priest continues to enjoy all the benefits of the contract but refuses to adhere to the obligations of the contract.
This is unjust, dysfunctional and destructive.
Inevitably it leads to collapse and exposure.
Let’s remember that there are two women whose lives and emotions caught up in this too.
Plus there is the important aspect of scandal causing people to lose faith.
YOUR OTHER POINTS
I do not know why Ger gave such a public defence of Maynooth in 2016.
He knew things were not right there.
He knew he was challenged, albeit in different ways.
GER’S CLASS
You are right about Ger’s class.
There is Ryan McAleer 😬
And indeed Thomas.
PATS SERMON 21.3.21
I published my new episode Mar 21, 2021 CRUELTY, EVIL AND THE OPTION TO LIVE., please check it out
https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-dt5qi-fe5f86
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 
197 replies on “WAS I RIGHT TO BLOG ABOUT FR GER FITZGERALD YESTERDAY.”
Buckkey, you should have a heavy heart. Absolutely. YOU ARE NOT GOD. Thankfully. YOU ARE A CRUSHER of people. You couldn’t give the proverbial f**k about anyone’s feelings, family, etc…You’d hang your granny if it benefited your mucky, in moral and hate inspired, vengeful agenda. I hope no one in your family may never experience a public fall because you’ll be of no use to them. I couldn’t care about you: you’ve had a public humiliation before!!! God opposes the kind of nasty viciousness like what you display. You pretend to be kinda “sorry” but you are pure fake, nasty and poisonous.
LikeLike
All Fr Ger (what sort of name is that – is he Gerard or Gerald?) needs to do is mount his pulpit today and say that it’s all lies and that, as an unmarried man he lives chately and re-affirms the promise of celibacy he made at diaconate.
LikeLike
Familiarity breeds contempt, why can’t the just call him Father or Father Fitzgerald. Of course that wont suit the Father Tom,Dick or Harry Brigade.
LikeLike
Mr Fitzgerald isn’t ANYONE’S Father… as far as we know.
There is no legal requirement to call these men anything.
I refuse to call a priest ‘Father’ . If you and he don’t like that, TOUGH.
LikeLike
This folksy “Fr Tom” crap is another bad import from the Anglicans. Why do we copy that failed denomination?
LikeLike
10.12
Failed denomination? Anglicanism?
I suppose Romanism is an unqualified success (if you ignore the sex criminality, financial fraud, drop in Mass attendance, Catholics leaving the Church, homosexual cabals at the Vatican, etc).
LikeLike
He’s Gervase.
LikeLike
10:12
Chauvinism is not a biblical virtue.
LikeLike
11:04pm
OK – what then is the correct approach? Do we completely ignore public falls? It seems to me that you are blaming Pat when the actual blame is with the person who has fallen. Do you want a return to the world where Priests are a special breed and their errors are hidden and covered up?
LikeLike
I coudn’t care less what a nasty individual like you calls anyone. I am sure neither does anyone else.
LikeLike
Absolutely!
The Romanists would prefer it if you kept quiet about their (alledged?) misdemeanours. Wasn’t it always so?
LikeLike
Hate speech from the usual individual @ 11.04.
LikeLike
So you’d rather facilitate further clerical cover-ups?
The sexual-abuse criminality in the Church has taught you nothing. It is why such blogs as this are essential: you are unwilling to self-police; therefore others must do it for you.
Suck it up, babe! 😡
LikeLike
11.04pm needs psychological intervention asap
LikeLike
11:37 Well, if he needs psychological intervention asap, he’s not alone, is he ?
LikeLike
It is strange that those who vilify + Pat for exposing double standards seems to absolve the culprit from any wrongdoing. Nobody forced these men to make solemn promises of celibacy, they made them of their own free will. If they break their promise then they should be invited to leave ministry. I don’t want to receive the consecrated host from a priest who was in the gay sauna last night liberally applying KY jelly to his butt. These men are vile.
LikeLike
11.45
Agreed.
LikeLike
11.45
Is there something dirty about sex? Are you expecting lay ministers of HC to abstain from sex to suit your neuroses?
LikeLike
9.51
No.
But there is about treachery.
LikeLike
Yes, 1145, unless they are married to a person of the opposite sex and they get jiggy only with them and don’t use artificial contraception. Any other sexual activity means they are in mortal sin and shouldn’t distribute Holy Communion.
LikeLike
10:16
Then that excludes the 99% of Catholics who vote with their feet when it comes to artificial contraception.
Alternatively, they have followed their conscience on the matter. As you follow yours. However, don’t expect others to live according to your light.
LikeLike
10:54
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207%3A13-14&version=NKJV
LikeLike
11:10
Cutting and pasting a biblical passage and taking it out of its conext is probably the most useless contribution you can make to a discussion. You can do that without engaging your brain.
Do you think that the author of those texts was thinking about artificial contraception when he was committing them to writing?
LikeLike
12:39
It’s about sin and its consequences.
https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/9-16.htm
LikeLike
11:10
I’m not hear to tell you that sin is ok.
https://biblehub.com/2_timothy/4-2.htm
LikeLike
The sciptures say nothing about artificial contraception and the sensus fidelium has rejected the ban outright.
LikeLike
Sensus fedei does not mean that truth is dependent on what a majority of leave people do or think. It refers to the entire Church, including the bishops and guided by the teaching authority of the Church. It is set out admirably in articles 92 & 93, which in turn quote from Lumen Gentium, of the much misunderstood and little read Vatican II.
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__PM.HTM#-2K
LikeLike
I meant articles 92 and 93 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and lay people (not leave people).
LikeLike
2.25 & 2.34
All of which means that there is NOT universal consent in the Church about episcopal teaching on artificial contraception.
Absence of this universality on any matter (especially when, in respect of artificial contraception, a highly significant majority of the Faithful are in dissent) at the very least calls into question the authority and reliability of episcopal teaching.
LikeLike
The sciptures say nothing about artificial contraception and the sensus fidelium has rejected the ban outright.
LikeLike
Ger never had any relations with 2 women. Therefore your comment about 2 womens lives and emotions caught up was false! Fr Ger and Tina are just good friends, its 2021 can man and woman not just be friends anymore?
LikeLike
12.05
You must be the proverbial fly on the wall to be so sure of your view on this matter.
Mr Fitzgerald hasn’t publicly denied these allegations, has he?
LikeLike
12.05
So why would Bishop Fintan be involved.
The only reason one of the women must have complained.
Be assured it is the last thing a Bishop wants on his desk.
LikeLike
Bishop Fintan is involved because of Yvonne making up sick lies.
LikeLike
Totally agree, pity they wouldn’t ask the people involved first rather than believe a deranged shit stirrer
LikeLike
No you were not right to blog about Fr Ger yesterday! Theres always 2 sides to every story you shouldn’t blog about what you hear. That’s gossip! Being a man of God and all that I’d think you’d know better. Not only are you destroying this poor mans reputation think about his life. Priesthood is his life, the community here in Ennis know Fr Ger and will stand beside him no matter what the outcome. Not only is he a good priest here in Ennis he is also an icon to the younger generation here. He doesn’t get praised enough for all he does, so on behalf of Ennis Town we stand by Fr Ger and we appreciate everything he does for each and everyone of us here.
LikeLike
Dear +Pat,
Thank you for your insight here. I might add one query.
You compare a ‘priest having an affair’ with a ‘married man having an affair’. For the most part I agree – except with the conclusion that it results in divorce. In many cases it results in a wife, although hurt, quietly forgiving her cheating husband and tryin to get on with the damaged marriage. In many a case it is successful afterwards, although stained. Husbands also find themselves in positions to forgive cheating wives.
Is it possible for a bishop (on behalf of the church) to quietly forgive a priest who cheats and try to make the most of the ongoing relationship? Need it be as final as a divorce. Would you damn an alcoholic who drinks once but could try being sober again?
Yes there are the emotions of the two women that have been hurt. Yet they too need to accept the fact that if they had sexual relations with a priest that public scandal was a risk? In any affair all parties share some blame (assuming they are aware of the other party’s vows).
I recall one lady declaring her love for me one day about ten years ago. We were ministering together, not I to her. I have to say I was tempted for a moment but I had the cop on to explain to her that our working relationship had capacity to give a sense of closeness which might resemble emotional connection, but we needed to be mindful that professional friendship is just that. Sometimes I wonder if it had been another day, or my hormones been on another balance would I have been tempted on a weak day. Celibacy is hard – but the things that come easy in life are not worth getting.
LikeLike
A leopard never changes its spots
LikeLike
@9.39
No they do not. Fr. Ger will always be a heterosexual male. He will always have human desires and drives of passion. This will always enable him to connect better with the laity. There is nothing worse than an emotional-less priest who while physically present in a parish does not know how to be actually present. Fr. Ger does by all accounts.
If you mean would he break vows again;
1. Did he break vows already? Nobody here knows – despite beliefs.
2. Even if he did already, and did again – it is for his spousal Church to determine how much forgiveness will be dished out to him.
It’s like AstraZeneca – do the benefits outweigh the risks?
LikeLike
The Holy Goat – an excellent post.
LikeLike
Pat Buckely you are a fake! What kind of priest makes a blog, it’s for the gossip is it? How would you feel to be publically humiliated and put all over social media? Shame on you Pat Buckley, and you call yourself a bishop. If its gossip your looking for maybe you should start working for the news papers.
LikeLike
…..Says the person who comes on to read Pat’s Blog after midnight and comments.
No doubt this ain’t the first time you have popped in for a little Nosey either .
Simple- don’t come back to read any more “gossip”. The truth might keep
You awake at night and not help Your insomnia .
LikeLike
No you were wrong to blog about Fr Ger yesterday, and to bring Tina Whelan into it aswel, a mother of 3 who does nothing but good for the community of Ennis Town. How do you think her kids will feel having to go into school or work and people gossiping about their mother because you felt it was ok to spread rumours you heard about online. Shame on you.
LikeLike
A House divided cannot stand.😲
LikeLike
Our current situation is best described by a term, coined by the late CJH, as GUBU. 👹😎👺
LikeLike
Spiritual Warfare! Combat! Fight the Good Fight! 😷😇😎📜🙏
LikeLike
Will Fr Ger be publicly celebrating Mass today? Or has he been whisked away? An innocent man would be ascending the altar with truth and grace surrounding him.
LikeLike
No doubt someone connected will answer than question soon
LikeLike
A sabbatical, further studies, or c/o Bishop’s House seems more likely in this sad case.
LikeLike
Fr Ger is still saying mass as normal. Hes an innocent man so why should he hide away when he has done nothing wrong.
LikeLike
3.11
So why is Father Ger not on Facebook for the parishioners of Clougleigh to view as he has not said mass as yet.
Well Father Ger should come on here or phone Bishop Buckley to say he is innocent. a simple phone call
his fan club have no respect for him Father Ger it should be Father Gerard
Stuck in an oratory at his age when is he not in a PARISH.
LikeLike
Salve, Regina
Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
R. Ut digni efficamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui gloriosae Virginis Matris Mariae corpus et animam, ut dignum Filii tui habitaculum effici mereretur, Spiritu Sancto cooperante, praeparasti, da, ut cuius commemoratione laetamur; eius pia intercessione, ab instantibus malis et a morte perpetua liberemur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
LikeLike
I bet Ger’s in the ACP.
LikeLike
The National Anti-Catholic Distorter has taken a rare swipe at Francis, dubbing him a “hypocrite”.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/editorial-vaticans-decree-gay-unions-risks-making-francis-hypocrite
LikeLike
8.19
So? It is right. Francis Is being hypocritical here.
Don’t you want the truth to come out here?
LikeLike
8:19
You obviously don’t read very carefully. NCR doesn’t do anything of the sort. It claims that the CDF document risks turning Francis into a hypocrite. The discrepancy is between Francis’ approach and the tenor and tone of the document. It’s clear this will be resolved before long.
However, your prejudice was evident in your opening sentence.
LikeLike
The bishops want the NCR to drop “Catholic” from its name, because it clearly isn’t. Its aged readership is up in arms.
LikeLike
12.57
Not surprising that that’s what some US bishops want. NCR calls out the cultural warriors among them. Thankfully, they don’t own the epithet. Where’s your evidence for your claim?
LikeLike
Here’s the evidence. The NCR is not Catholic.
https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=16911
LikeLike
8:31
You haven’t checked your sources.
Is that the same bishop as this one?
Bishop Robert Finn was compelled to resign on April 21, 2015. Finn is the only U.S. bishop to be convicted of the crime of failure to report a priest suspected of child sex abuse to government authorities. Wikipedia
LikeLike
Of course you were perfectly right to blog about this man yesterday. There are two possible truths here, and only one of them can be true. Is he / has he been celibate ? Or is he / has he not been celibate ? My money is on the latter. All this talk of what a wonderful man he is, a man of service to the community, and just good friends with some of these women, is just rubbish. The man has been shagging away. If that is not the cases, then as another commentator has said, let him come out publicly in the pulpit or in print and deny it, let him go to his bishop and deny it, let him write to + Pat and deny it, let him send a lawyer’s letter to + Pat denying it and demanding that he desists from further comment. I guarantee that he will do none of those, he will just disappear for a while and lick his wounds and hurt pride at having been caught out, and then he will quietly reappear after a supposed period of prayer and penance (at our expense), only to carry on with his ways, just more cautiously, until he is caught out again. The simple fact is that he has and will continue to break his vows, to live a parallel and duplicitous lie of a life, and to think that he is pulling the wall over our eyes. So, the best solution is for him and for us to move out and on and go and do something else, and to cut the ties (including financial) with the Church. At least have enough respect for us to do that, Ger !
LikeLike
Father Ger is just not going to walk away he will be backed by his cronies in the ACP and the Bishop and the women will be all bad.
if he wins this case through lies saying he has not broken his vows then his life will be like living in hell as he will be watched like a hawk.
Time to move on Ger.
LikeLike
There cannot be two possible truths.
The sad reality is that it’s possible for men and women to be a great of great service to the community and still be shagging for all they are work – consenting adults and all that.
The truth is that the RC teaching on celibacy and sexuality is intrinsically disordered. Now, where have I heard those words before.
LikeLike
At 8:36
Your unconventional approach: guilty until proven guilty.
I doubt very much that you personally are at a financial loss from any expense incurred by church personnel anywhere in the world.
LikeLike
The bishop of Killaleo has the means to put your mind at rest, Bp Pat.
LikeLike
8:41 What means, go on, tell us?
LikeLike
8:41 am
Evidence?
LikeLike
9:32, what evidence would suffice for a bishop to be convinced an affair was taking place?
LikeLike
Forensic tests on presbytery bed linen?
LikeLike
Mobile phones are a great source of evidence, as are laptops, which was handy for the ex-PP of Pomeroy when he reported that his notorious laptop had been stolen.
LikeLike
8:41 am Are you privy to particular information? Can you explain?
LikeLike
“Report suggests Government ‘poised’ to take over the running of Liverpool.”
. httpss://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-council-braced-worst-ahead-20219716 Liverpool Echo 20 -21 March 2021
– https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/report-suggests-government-poised-take-20222926
The Telegraph has been involved in various investigations into corruption and other failings.
LikeLike
“History made as Merseyside Police set for first female chief constable.”
(((((
“Current Deputy Chief Constable Serena Kennedy will take on Merseyside Police’s top job in April taking over from Andy Cooke”
. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/history-made-merseyside-police-set-20202973
– Does The Telegraph even have an office in Liverpool? How bizarre. No?
LikeLike
Being Chief Constable of Merseyside is definitely a full-time job.
LikeLike
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire…
LikeLike
9:34 God, help us.
LikeLike
… and where there’s a willy, there’s a way.
LikeLike
So it seems
Maybe more ways than one
LikeLike
Pat, a question: if a priest in trouble came to your door for help would you comfort him or use him for the blog?
LikeLike
Priests “in trouble” have and do come to my door.
I would try to comfort and advise him.
I would advise him to take the bull by the horn and not live a double life which would inevitably lead to more unhappiness for him and others.
I would not blog about him.
LikeLike
Thank you. I thought as much. Just wanted to check.
LikeLike
What a load of bulls##t pat Buckley. Donkey loving prick 🐴🐎,probably shouldn’t have posted the emojis, your probably turned on now…
LikeLike
Pat a rat would not trust you, you are not an honest or genuine man and you still have the audacity and ignorance to call yourself a man of God!
LikeLike
In trouble? What kind of trouble? Raping a child?
LikeLike
Cop on man
LikeLike
9:50am Don’t get me started. And, no. I’m not a Gombeen.
LikeLike
9.56
Cop on? 🤔 So priests are not infamous for raping children?
It’s you who needs to cop on, you fool.
LikeLike
2:39
Now Father!
LikeLike
Bishop Pat is a Professional Priest and therefore he would comfort the Priest and offer him help even accommodation.
+ Pat has helped many through his decades of his priestly Ministry even although let down by the Catholic Church and now puts some clergy to great shame.
It is Pat’s door they go to in Larne not the parishes.
The blog is to show the hypocrisy in the Catholic church
LikeLike
Well said….exactly my thoughts. At 9.55
Pat has done more to help clerical people than any bishop.
He points out the hypocrisy of swearing to remain celibate and yet indulging in constant sexual activity.
He has revealed the terrible damage it does to the individual and others around him. Why can’t these guys find the courage to walk away when they know they can’t live a lie? Gay or straight consensual sex is fine…consenting adults….none of my business.
But don’t pretend to be the good little boy,best in class, while ignoring colleagues and others struggling.
At least Pat has offered help and practical advice from the get go. Get out and stop supporting mandatory celibacy. Stop being a hypocrite. The truth will set you free.
LikeLike
Alan,
Thr reception of the church’s teaching on any issues is what’s playing out here.
Most straight people attracted to priesthood have declined the reception of the canonical norm of obligatory celibacy as a requirement for ordination. It’’s not an absolute norm since some priests may be married.
Many same-sex attracted people attracted to priesthood have also declined the reception for the same reason.
Some in both camps have declined the reception and continue in ministry.
The number of people of all orientations who gladly opt to retain a link between ordination and celibacy – a decidedly second millennium phenomenon is minute. Which is as it should be. Those genuinely called to celibacy are much fewer than those called to ordination.
LikeLike
Just how many such priests ACTUALLY DO go to Pat’s door in Larne? Very few and far between I’d say.
LikeLike
Priests make the best lovers ❤️❤️❤️
LikeLike
Bishops are better 😈
LikeLike
Buzz off buster or I’ll sting
LikeLike
Oh, it takes one to know one.
LikeLike
10:13 All sorted. All done and dusted. I don’t think!!
LikeLike
Loved my time at a certain Seminary in Scotland. Most Sundays after lunch after lunch, a few of us would have wanking competitions. Not sure any of us were gay, young late teens men with hormones all over the place.
LikeLike
Scotsman are known for being well hung. Hope you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
It’s all the Irn Bru.
LikeLike
1103. I had many a visit to Buchlivie on retreat. Met lots of handsome Scottish Priests and Seminarians and I can concur, none of them were left short or the trouser department!
LikeLike
Anon@ 6.20. Was that the Kiltegan SPS seminary near Aberfoyle? If yes were SPS guys involved or was it those on retreat from elsewhere?
LikeLike
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
(Joel 2:28).
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies,
(John 11:25)
(Revelation 22:20)
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.”
Amen.
Maranatha.
Come, Lord Jesus…
LikeLike
Plea to the Master for no Evidence at the Scene:
Master whatever might befall us
Please let there be no evidence at the scene to incriminate us.
Hail Master.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ryan McAleer and Thomas McHugh bring seminarians on holiday to Spain. Shhh 🤫
LikeLike
Paid for by……….
THE SHEEP!
Baaaaaaaa🐑
LikeLike
Yours are paid for by the DHSS.
LikeLike
It’s a refreshing change to have a real man featured on the blog and not one of those Maynooth soy boys.
LikeLike
Stephen Wilson is awfully jealous with all the attention directed towards Ger.🤣👥
LikeLike
The attention will be on Stephen Wilson soon with his Ordination.
And will continue to be after his Ordination.
As Pope Francis has said naughty clergy are a mortgage on the Church so is Eammon Martin.
LikeLike
Is Eamon compromised at all with (sniff) you-know?
Just wonderin’, like. 😀
LikeLike
Pat has Fintan Monaghan responded to your concerns or Iggy.
LikeLike
No.
LikeLike
Pat have you even contacted Fintan Monaghan and given him a chance to reply.Bishop@killaloediocese.ie
LikeLike
Fintan Monahan has been contacted and is following civil and canonical procedures in the case, according to him.
LikeLike
why would there be a civil case? consenting adults. are you saying a crime has been committed?
LikeLike
Iggy is drowning in scandal over Aidan O’Brien and David Dysky.
LikeLike
Who is Iggy? The athiest Augustinian in the ACP?
LikeLike
Who else !
LikeLike
So did he celebrate Mass in Ennis today? If not how was his absence explained?
LikeLike
Father Ger is a c-o PP and he is based in the Oratory in Cloughleigh.
He has Mass everyday and other services usually live streamed but has not live streamed since Thursday.
LikeLike
A source told me he celebrated Mass today 15 minutes late but did not save it on Facebook.
LikeLike
He has been saying mass..He said it all weekend and it was live on the Parish Facebook page, they just weren’t recorded.
LikeLike
He celebrated Mass 15 minutes late it’s true. He seemed very rattled and careful.
LikeLike
Yesterday some defenders of Fr Gervase popped up on the blog, after a few proseccos too many, I suspect.
Their defence was that he’s very popular (ahem) and does great things in the parish and is probably the best priest ever. He’s also great craic and has a nice way with people, we are told, and there’s no evidence to the contrary.
These are all admirable characteristics, but the point is being missed. In the current discipline in most of the Church, priests make a life-long commitment to celibacy/chastity and do so freely, as grown adults of at last 25 years of age and after years of formation. Priests are also subject to the moral law, including the Decalogue. These are basic requirements and if not met, certain consequences occur. That’s just the way it is.
LikeLike
Not necessarily just the way it is. The bigger picture is the celibacy requirement isn’t working. So, change it. These changes don’t happen overnight but hradually.
LikeLike
Just cos people put their hand on the plough and then look backwards does not mean we should get rid of the plough.
LikeLike
What’s Pat having for the dinner? We’re having roast lamb, vegetables, flowery potatoes, gravy and crochets. Rice pudding and strawberry syrup for dessert.
LikeLike
I doing a pot roast wild pheasant
LikeLike
Very posh 😉
LikeLike
I’m having cock o van
LikeLike
Where did you get the van?
LikeLike
You Divil haha
LikeLike
I’ve had goat curry. It’s gorgeous.
LikeLike
I think you were right to blog about two women having a catfight over a priest for the sheer novelty if nothing else.
LikeLike
Shure I have often found that those who go for the female of the species often really try and fulfil the old celibacy as I call it. But those who prefer the males often don’t really see the old celibacy as applying. I think there is some logic in that when you try and understand it like. In terms of the psychology. Marriage is for the female and the male. Not the male and the male. I remember doing a course on electrics as a young thing. I was embarrassed putting the male plug into the female. Something similar in that sense with the psychology of it all.
LikeLike
4.53: Tommy, what the hell are you trying to say? This is utter gibberish and unintelligent. Tell us….it’s embarrassing if you are an adult…
LikeLike
Shure everyone likes to bully me on this site. Apart from Pat.
LikeLike
https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/41796
LikeLike
5.02
That was on the blog days ago
Just Saying 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
5:58 pm Tommy, I don’t bully you. I like your honesty.
LikeLike
I note that the new rector at the VEC in Rome spent 4 years at Cambridge studying for a PhD in human happiness.
A quick phone call to Cairan Dallat , Dick Purcell or Ger Fitzgerald could have told him what contributes to their happiness and saved him all that scholarship and his diocese all the money.
That said could either Stephen Wang or his bishop explain the usefulness in a real and practical sense of having that doctorate.
I’m sure if he called oul MMM up the mountain or Dalriada Dick in his chair with his tipple he would have been told what makes humans happy.
LikeLike
The departing rector Mgr Whitmore succeeded Nicky Hudson. Elsie says she is looking forward to welcoming Philip back to Westminster eventually. So he may return as a PP or auxiliary.
Lovely vacant post for someone as Senior University Chaplain at Newman House. A young ambitious priest would be great.
LikeLike
And a stone’s throw away from the Vault 139 gay cruise bar on Whitfield St. Plenty of dark rooms and glory holes for use by the new incumbent…
LikeLike
Lovely Fr Bazz could get the Newman House gig. He lived there when he was on that Catholic Parliamentary scheme racket where, as an intern, he displaced a student by taking one of the coveted rooms in Newman House that are really meant for students.
LikeLike
5.28pm
You really do not understand, do you. His doctorate was a theological study of the notion of human happiness, which is a popular, misleading contemporary idea. Get a grip before commenting on things of which you have no knowledge.
LikeLike
7:10 I thought human happiness came from intimacy with God ?
LikeLike
5::28: I value a sense of lasting contentment more than happiness. So often, the latter is ephemeral and dependent on passing circumstances.
And, all things considered, I’m very content.
MMM
LikeLike
Pat buckley with the big blue bolls i remember being down in larne in the north 2 days before my wedding i met you in a night clue and you wer with a blonde hair girl you wer twice her age and you around partying their no talk about that was it blue bolls going around with young girls so stop the shite talking about ger fitgerald he is a good priest good man big bolls under age girls pat buckley under age girls
LikeLike
5.47
You missing the point Pat Buckley would likely be doing clerical work.
Pat Buckley is GAY and been out for a long time.
Not living a double life like Gerard Fitzgerald.
LikeLike
5.47pm. I think you need English lessons. What are you on about?
LikeLike
5:47 Keep digging
LikeLike
5.28: You certainly are no comedian! You silly, infantilic thick…Interestingly the government in Nepal have a minister for happiness. If you experienced the culture, life and lives of the Nepalese you’d wish for their serene, joyful and spiritual happiness. You are obviously limited in a wider, philosophical, spiritual psychological and anthropological vision of life!
LikeLike
Pray tell the usefulness of this degree. Please cite one example of the practical application of a person with this doctorate in any diocese…………….thought not!
Now off you go and trot along like a good person. Live long and be happy!
LikeLike
6:33
Well, he could teach diocesan choirs to sing along to..’Always Look on the Bright Side of Life…’with vibrant enthusiasm and gusto….!
LikeLike
@5:48pm Are you not thinking of Bhutan? I remember from Michael Palin’s “Himalaya” they concern themselves with “Gross National Happiness” rather than “Gross National Product”
LikeLike
7:59 ” Gross National Happiness” as in… “HI HI HI..”?
LikeLike
And then rely on other countries for aid, you know the boring countries interested in GDP.
LikeLike
Ennis and surrounding areas what’s in the water???? Because there is nothing holy coming out of this Catheral town 😁 C’mon loyal followers of the clergy, tell me 🤔
LikeLike
5:28 Was it a PhD in positive psychology? If so, I think you’re dead right. Always look on the bright side of life.😅
LikeLike
Can some one tell me where in canon law is provision made for ‘co’ parish priests? Is it peculiar to Ennis. Surely it can’t be canon 517 section 1 as that is an extraordinary provision and Ennis seems to have loads of them.
LikeLike
6.63
Because of the shortage of clergy in nearly every dioceses there has been a need to form pastoral areas usually five or six priests so they will be c/o PP.
Like Pastoral area 5 (Abbey) has 7 co and 1 suspended with 1 curate and 3 AP and serves 12 churches so someone will always be available.
Canon Law as you state is being used in most dioceses now so the day of one PP is quickly disappearing.
Some dioceses have officially used canon 517 but Archbishop Martin is a law into himself and just unofficially joined parishes together.
Most dioceses are in extraordinary provision as if was not for older clergy and overseas clergy a lot of parish would be gone.
LikeLike
Ffs. You are as happy as you make up your mind to be. You ( or the RCC) doesn’t need to spend or waste megabucks on this bloody nonsense. If Fr Wang had spent his time in a parish living the Gospel as he was ordained to do he could have been as happy as a goat a bucking instead of wasting good people’s good money. Bahbahbah!
LikeLike
Oh get over yourself. Fr Wang is a good priest, he’s a great evangelist, has been an excellent university chaplain. Someone with pastoral experience being Rector of the VEC will make a difference. Shame he wasn’t made a bishop.
LikeLike
Tommy is an alcoholic priest. It is sad that no one in his diocese has clocked this. The times he writes are always late at night. The stuff he says is jibber-ish. If he is retired, I can’t blame him. That’s his life. But if he is not, what the hell is going on.
LikeLike
6.08
Pastoral support is there for any Genuine Priest.
However people with problems of alcohol, gambling or drugs need to admit they need help first.
Tommy will still have capacity for his own decisions if not the Bishop or even his family could help.
LikeLike
The sad truth is there are many alcoholic priests. They start drinking with the evening meal, and are mostly sober by morning mass. Or at least get through morning mass. Tommy does reach out via the blog. I hope he gets help.
LikeLike
If I were the blog owner and had Tommy’s email address or any idea where he is I would visit him and try my Christian duty.
Not to judge but to help.
I would be surprised if Tommy is in active Ministry now.
Sadly Tommy will just disappear of the blog.
Tommy give Bishop Pat a call 07488 374364
LikeLike
Very important clergy news about appointments. Fr Stephen Wang has been appointed Rector of the Venerable English College. He will remain there for 5 or so years and then return as a Bishop. Mgr. Whitmore will soon be either Bishop of East Anglia or Auxiliary in Westminster. Fascinating news.
LikeLike
6.46
Never released on a Sunday.
John Sherrington is suppose to be going to East Anglia.
Also Southwark is first for Auxiliary Bishops two in fact.
They may make no new appointments to Westminster till Vinnie goes.
LikeLike
7.46pm
Oh dear. You know so little about how appointments are made. I would accept what you say if I thought you were on the inside track. You are not and what you have said is simply wrong.
LikeLike
Not exactly breaking news – it was out on Friday about Fr Wang
LikeLike
7.51pm
You are a smarty pants trying to be one up, are you not? ‘Ner ner de ner ner. I knew before you’. Well, actually you did not.
LikeLike
7.51pm Not trying to get one up. Just stating fact. It was on Twitter, Facebook, the Bishops’ Conference website and even this blog. Do you not even read posts before you comment?
LikeLike
Fascinating? Why, so?
LikeLike
Philip Whitmore has as much personality as a tin of beans. He shouldn’t be a bishop or even a PP.
LikeLike
Who the f**k would want to be a rector of a seminary. When I was in Wonersh, they were all f**king weirdos and arse bandits.
LikeLike
Pat stop being so lazy and publish comments
LikeLike
Idle gossip is all it is, created by a known shit stirrer here in Ennis. Don’t believe everything you read on Facebook, some crazy people out there.
LikeLike
8.28
This crazy shit stirrer to use your revolting talk must have contacted the Bishop.
Bishops do not listen to Idle gossip that would be a foolish Bishop in 2021.
Father Ger is struggling with his passion for women so he would be better to seek happiness and leave now his cards are marked CORRECT.
He is so common Father Ger disgusting be as well to call him Father plonker.
A disgrace to the Sacred Priesthood.
LikeLike
I ask you why? Why did Miss Drake make such a statement. Its hardly something you say off the cuff on social media.
LikeLike
I am an alcoholic. But I am also priest. I have never been drunk saying Mass in the morning.
LikeLike
The blog is now the work of Satan. It’s full of darkness, pornography, darkness and ugliness of spirit, bereft of human decency and spiritually bankrupt. The blog is commandeered by a misfit, deeply dysfunctional hater.
LikeLike
Hail @ 9:24 pm. Pray tell, who told you?
LikeLike
Hi, Ger.
LikeLike
Hail, and who might you be?
LikeLike
Ger the work of Satan is clerk leading double lives and trying to fool the Bishops and the Lay Faithful.
Sad for you Ger the Irish Lay Faithful understand people like you too well and want rid of the gay double life clergy and the womanising clergy.as their days are numbered.
Sweet dreams
LikeLike
9.24
The blog is the work of Satan?😕
I thought that was the institutional Roman Catholic Church.😅
LikeLike
9.24👍👍👍👍👍👍👍..I agree….Pat is indeed chief in command.
LikeLike
7.51pm Not trying to get one up. Just stating fact. It was on Twitter, Facebook, the Bishops’ Conference website and even this blog. Do you not even read posts before you comment?
LikeLike
At 9.24 pm I am sure Satan has no need of this blog. He does far more of his work through his priests as they molest children, and have sex on altars in the presence of the most blessed sacrament, celebrate mass whilst not in a state of grace… Satan has no need of black masses – his work is done by have these pustules of impurity minister on his behalf.
LikeLike
So sad.
LikeLike
Ger is a reserved individual and has no interest in certain erotic clubs in Munich unlike naughty Ryan.👯♂️👄
LikeLike
More bean spilling
LikeLike
Armagh is a minefield of sexual scandal. Thomas is incident he just watched and never participated in any exotic ritual.
LikeLike
Courtesy of the Baaa Baaas !!
LikeLike
Fr ger time is over, he should be facing jail all them girls he was with its all coming out now, the shame he had to going for a priest and being a pure farce for the people of ireland, cumminity must be sick to know what he is now a smiling fraud in a uniform with commitment. Yet alot of the parish are blaming these girls because a conman is exactly what we have here. Take ur holy communion off him and by God and only God knows where his hands have been. Mutton dressed as lamb. This case is going cause a ripple effect but worse jimmy Saville did have a vowe to God this man did that’s the killer. He is a fraud and a ordinary every day criminal. I hope the women he snared in with his smiles and bullshit will be OK and as a parish we should pray for the victims of this filthy deeds this man has done.
LikeLike