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THE 45 TH ANNIVERSARY OF MY ORDINATION.

Pat 1976

Yesterday, June 6 th was the 45th anniversary of my ordination in the cathedral in Waterford on June 6th 1976 by Bishop Michael Russell.

Michael Russell

I can’t believe where the time has gone.

I am very grateful to God for the grace and strength he has given me always, but especially these 45 years. I could not possibly have persevered without God.

By any means, I have not lived the life of an ordinary priest.

I’ve had great times and joys and great challenges.

THE JOYS

1. My ordination day.

2. My mother Jo, my dad Jim, my sisters Margaret and Clare and my brother John.

3. My aunts and uncles especially Phylis and Joan.

4. (My grandmother Kate.

5. The people of St Cadocs, Llanrumney Cardiff as deacon Summer 1975.

6. My partner Eddie.

7. The people of the parish of Bridgend Wales as curate 1976 – 1977.

8. The people of Briton Ferry, Swansea, Wales 1977 – 1978 as curate.

9. The people of St Peter’s Cathedral Belfast as curate 1978 – 1983.

10. The people of Kilkeel parish 1983 – 1984 especially Mary Murphy.

11. The people of Larne parish as curate 1984 – 1986.

12. The people of the Oratory, Larne as priest and bishop – 1986 – present 2021.

13. All the couples I’ve married. All the wonderful people whose funerals I’ve celebrated.

14. The people who have allowed me to minister to them over the years – the sick, the prisoners, the homeless, the gay people, and all those who have accepted from me counselling, support and love.

THE PRIESTS WHO HELPED AND INSPIRED:

Canon John Pierce PP Dublin. RIP

Father Joe Collins CC Dublin. RIP

Archbishop McQuaid. Dublin. RIP

Father John Hyde SJ. RIP

Monsignor John Shine, Waterford. RIP

Father Tony Hayes, Rosminian, Waterford. RIP

Canon Philip Dywer PP. Cardiff. RIP

Canon Eddie Mullins PP Cardiff. RIP

Monsignor Patrick Mulally VG Belfast. RIP

Father Jimmy McCabe CC Cathedral Belfast. RIP

Father Des Wilson. Belfast. RIP

Father Paddy McVeigh PP Larne. RIP

Canon Walter Larkin. PP Kilkeel. RIP

Father Michael Keane. Mayo. RIP

Father Tony McCarthy. Dublin.

THE PRIESTS WHO CRUSHED MY SPIRIT.

Archbishop John Murphy. Cardiff. RIP

Father Bernard Driscoll. Bridgend. RIP.

Canon Patrick Creed. Cardiff. RIP.

Bishop Cahal Daly. Belfast. RIP

Bishop Paddy Walsh. Belfast.

Father / Bishop John McAreavey. Canon lawyer.

Father Vincent McKinley. Cathedral. Belfast. RIP.

Father Joe McGurnaghan. Cathedral. Belfast. RIP.

Canon Sean Rogan. Belfast.

GOOD ONES – 15.

BAD ONES – 9

The good ones win 😁. Sorry Magna!

CONCLUSION

Everyone’s life is a mixture of joys and sorrows, successes and failures, dreams and nightmares.

Mine has been like that too.

But overall I have been very happy, very fulfilled and very blessed and fortunate.

In life, to survive is a great achievement.

And to survive and never to have lost your faith, hope, optomism and joy is an even greater achievement.

I think that my life can be summed up in Ernest Hemingway’s mighty quote:

“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially”.

I have been “broken” but not destroyed. I am a bit like the horse that needs to be “broken” in order to function. But such a horse retains its indomitable spirit to the point where the rider knows not to push it past a certain point. Otherwise the horse’s primal spirit bursts forth and then it is the rider who will be in trouble.

And there is a very important distinction between been “broken” and “destroyed”.

Our brokeness is actually a great strength. It glues us to the broken Christ and also creates within us a great compassion for broken others.

There’s an awful lot to be said for life’s “cracked cups”.

155 replies on “THE 45 TH ANNIVERSARY OF MY ORDINATION.”

Pat, Fr. Tommy who used to comment here. He was found dead in bed. He had a drink problem for years. I’m just letting you know I heard this.

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What was fr tommy username on this blog?
RIP fr tommy. We used to recite on rote memory after CB led their lunch prayers… May the soul of the faithful departed through mercy of God rest in peace.
We never understood their words cos lack of proper education until then.

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12:35
DG, I think it was simply Tommy. Rip.
Tommy had identified as a priest. He acknowledged having an issue with drink
but was refreshingly open and honest in his posts.

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Hello.
What Dioceses was Father Tommy from and we could maybe go to His Requiem or watch it online and burn a candle.
I am quite surprised Bishop Pat has not offered to say a Mass for poor Tommy.

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Congratulations Pat. 45 years is a good celebration moment. I’m glad that many Roman Catholic Priests inspired you for the short time you were part of the fraternity and I’ve no doubt that had you stayed within the fold, you’d have met many others who’d have inspired you. Every walk of life contains awkward and nasty types. You’ve survived. Magna will be disappointed but forget about his craziness and silly shenanigans. After almost as many years I too can name many priests and religious who inspired and some still doing so, T. God. I can also name “bullies” but I outsmarted them. Such moments of remembering anniversaries also provide a time to truthfully accept our own shortcomings, flaws and hurts we may have inflicted on others but more importantly, for you and I and others who have reached these moments, gratitude to GOD is paramount. May he give you the grace to live more meditatively and reflectively and minister caringly. This way of living is a blessing in later years and assures a contentment within.

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12.50
No, priest, Magna is not disappointed that Pat Buckley survived his time as a romanist cleric. On the contrary, he is happy Pat survived the superstition that is romanist priesthood and that he matured to the point where his is an authoritative moral voice holding priests like you to public account and helping to curb your natural excesses.

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9.45: More vile, silly, caca comnentary from Magna. Clutching at straws commentary. Same old, same old: stuff from an impoverished soul. Magna, you’ll never ever attain contentment of spirit in remaining so full of jealous rage. At least Pat responded to and responds to his truths, principles and convictions, however some may dislike him, but you, on the other hand, remain a hidden, nasty, laptop fool and hater. Well done Pat. Keep your truth alive. I’m not sure why Marge is allowed to repeat, ad nauseam, the same hate speech every day. Incidentally Mags, despite the many horrendously, dangerous narratives you spout, they make me give even greater gratitude to God for the gift of priesthood. And, after almost 42 years, I am contented and fulfilled in a way you could never visualise. God is Good to those who trust Him. May you be blessed Pat on a great milestone. Marge, parishioners have always held me in great esteem, affection and forever appreciate my committed ministry. I could write books about the wonderful moments of accompanying people who are salt of the earth, light of the world….Sadly, I also met your ugly types…Pat, I shall drink a glass of prosecco for your honour.

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11.10
You are quite gifted, priest: comedy and tragedy in one post. You have created a new literary genre.
The comedy? That you should call, without qualification, romanist priesthood a gift when Jesus did not institute it and when so many defenceless children were hurt by it.
The tragedy? That you fail to recognise the comedy.
By the way, toasts are made IN honour of someone, not ‘for’ their honour.

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Maggie, every time you write “priest” there immediately comes to mind the demon possessed girl in The Exorcist movie – as in “your mother sucks xxxxx in hell priest” 😳😂😂😂😂 Happy Anniversary Pat!

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Every time I think of the word priest I think of the little girl in the Exorcist and am so glad to be safe from them.

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It’s not all about you, MC, you awful egotist. Why can’t you let Pat have his moment without taking it over? What’s wrong with you? You give alkies a bad name but we don’t judge them all because of you.

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1.25

What are you on about? 🤔

I did give Pat his moment: I congratulated him at 9.12am and, even though opposed to the very idea of priesthood, I acknowledged the honour and dignity he had brought to his priesthood.

Methinks you’re more pissed off at my revelations of romanist priesthood than anything else, aren’t you, priest?

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OMG, Pat….when I look at photos of almost 40 years ago, like your photo…all I can say is – life is a bitch!! It wreaks havoc on our once youthful looks.. Stay going.

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11.35: Dear Marge: the literary genre of hate narratives exists par excellence in your words. It’s always interesting to study your responses to very astute and truthful comments re: your crazy, dangerous, psychotic symptoms as evidenced here so often. We learn a great deal about dysfunctional personalities by your writings. There’s a permanent undercurrent of irrational rage, jealousy and moral aberrations playing havoc with your mind. Thanks Mags for the compliment….a gifted priest!! Just love it. Mybhead iscswelling slready!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏…. And I do BELIEVE that priesthood is a gift – one I try to honour and appreciate. As for being a mixture of comedy and tragedy – now, that I can live with. Sadly, in your case, It’s all TRAGEDY!! And that is a real tragedy..🤣😂🤣😘😈😈😈….Yes, hundreds of priests, like Pat, try to honour the gift given – priesthood. God is good….

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Pat you should make a pastoral visit to Maynooth. Possibly lead a seminar for the lads on pastoral ministry.

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You have also found fame as an internet celebrity, Bp Pat, as probably the most widely read blogger in Ireland plus a global audience.

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Bishop Pat, I recently discovered a ‘professional’ who was grossly and negligently incompetent professionally, is now involved in Safeguarding for the Church.
What should I do, if anything?
Should I inform my Bishop or the Bishop of the Diocese where this individual is working?
It crossed my mind; it is possible Bishops already know of this individuals ‘professional track record’. Any suggestions?

Congrats on your ordination anniversary. Thank you for your ministry.

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9.02
Pat’s advice is correct you should inform the Bishop even if he may already know as your better to know twice than not at all.
All it would be good if you also inform Teresa Devlin as she is the CEO for safeguarding the Roman Catholic Dioceses in Ireland teresa.devlin@safeguarding.ie and they will treat it strictly confidential but they must be told.

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9:46 am

Thank you for commenting.
As I mentioned to Bishop Pat, I have very strong reasons to believe Bishops already
know of this individuals ‘professional track record’.(If they don’t know or the CEO for Safeguarding in England/ Northern Ireland/ Ireland, or elsewhere, don’t know the professional track records of those they employ, then I respectively suggest they are
also negligent.)

This concerns a very complicated situation which could very easily cause serious damage to the Church on several fronts.

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I think you should certainly make the bishop aware of the situation. And if you dont get a satisfactory reply let us know…..

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It’s a tricky one, Bishop Pat. I mentioned, Bishops might already know this individuals track record, for good strong reasons.

If Bishops don’t know, questions could very easily be asked as to why they don’t or didn’t know, especially if a situation goes pear-shaped involving Safeguarding in the particular Diocese. etc.

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11.29
Please do not take it the Current Bishops know about everything as many Bishop Emeritus’s have shredded many files.
Bishop Fintan Monahan did not know the half of it till it was featured on this Blog.
Safeguarding CEO is based in Maynooth for Ireland.
So there is an important issue here and that you have information that maybe the diocesan Bishop does not have.
And lets not forget people can do anything to references online and some Bishops are gullible and believe their clergy.
in the Diocese of Killaloe it was a big learning curve for bishop Monahan.
So please either send the info in or give it to Bishop Pat and he will deal with it.

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Can I add something to the advice here. If this professional is negligent and incompetent and they are registered with a professional body (rather than being professional because they are paid) you must also tell their registering body about their incompetence. These bodies exist to protect the public from dangerous professionals and losing their registration will stop this person.
Also if there is imminent danger to a child or adult at risk as a result of this incompetence you must inform the police at once.

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12:43 am

Thank you for commenting.
Indeed, I’m fully aware of the issues you raised.
As mentioned, it is a tricky situation. Thanks again.

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4:51 pm

Thank you for commenting. Your genuine concern is almost palpable.
Rest assured no Bishop Emeritus shredded a file on this matter.
This particular matter is a potential ‘can of worms’.
You see, cover up not only occurs in the Church, but also occurs in State agencies.
There’s a big clue. As I said, it’s a tricky situation. I’ll make sure its handled appropriately.

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Even though there is no biblical evidence whatever that Christ instituted another priesthood, I won’t be churlish about yours since you, personally, have brought so much moral honour and dignity to it over the years (unlike the vast majority of romanist priests) :
CONRATULATIONS ON THE 45th ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR ORDINATION. 🎉🎊
Magna

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9.12: The raving fool is up early. Spouting the usual hate speech. What a truly sad and pitiable human being…Pat, well done on your 45th. A great moment…rejoice and be glad for the Lord God is eternally good. This time of anniversary is for you to reflect with gratitude to GOD for all he gas given you as I will do for a significant anniversary too. And – I won’t be allowing the merchant of jealousy, angst, hatred and ugly vitriol (Magna) to darken my days. God bless all priests at this time. What a great gift to be given and to live – priesthood. AMDG…

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9:49, you use a derogatory term and feel you are in a position to speak of bullying? Secondly, how is the fair criticism of 8:53 and 9:45 bullying exactly?! Pot. Kettle. Black.

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@Seamusviii not derogatory, dear, merely descriptive.
Your comment, however, is racist

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12:32,
Many years ago, people used to cook over an open flame using copper kettles and iron pots. The copper kettles were usually polished after every use whereas the iron pots were not and remained blackened from the soot from previous cookings. Well someone got the idea that if the iron pot were alive and it looked at a nearby copper kettle, it would see a black image. The iron pot believes it sees the image of the copper kettle when in reality, because the copper kettle was polished, what the iron pot was seeing was a reflection of itself. This symbolic phrase became associated with hypocrisy. An accuser blames someone else for having a fault when the accuser has the same fault.

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9.12am: Of course, Mags, what orher narrative would we expect from the most deranged, dysfunctional and pathologically sick person to cast a shadow over this blog. Pat, with great graciousness, has the kindness of heart to acknowledge the many priests who inspired him. You, Mags, on Pat’s 45th should try to be gracious, for once and desist from your penchant for ugly, hate inciting words. It’s Pat’s moment, not yours to abuse in ugliness of mind. Well done Pat and if ever Magna reaches out to you, perhaps you might teach him kindness of heart. You have carved out a worthwhile ministry to the disenfranchised, the broken and excluded – well done. It was the many priests, religious and parishioners whose commitment to these same groups in parishes and society who engendered the thought of priesthood for me. Some are still working away – in their 80’s and I thank God for their ministry. I cannot imagine Maggie Cats ever accomplishing a role as ENCOURAGER or INSPIRER…Well done Pat and to all Catholic Priests on special anniversaries. God bless us all and you too Pat.

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“No biblical evidence”??? So what! Are you a sola scriptura-ist then Maggie? Sola scriptura very selectively of course and when it suits your poisonous outlook.
Sola scriptura is unbiblical. It’s BOTH scripture AND tradition. And the ordained ministry developed immediately in our tradition.
Jesus Himself IN THE SCRIPTURES set certain of His disciples apart as apostles. Not all of His disciples were apostles.
And you seriously need to build a bridge and get over yourself love😘

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11.53

Even you must acknowledge that the Word of God trumps all else, even ‘Tradition’, when there is conflict between the two. And conflict there most certainly is on priesthood, since, for one, Jesus instructed ALL his followers, including women, to ‘do this in memory of me’, and since Hebrews points out the redundancy, in light of Jesus’ death and resurrection, of priesthood as a means of mediation and atonement between God and humankind.

Priesthood did not develop ; it was imposed on Jesus’ followers by those of a more worldly mindset seeking elitism, and power over others to the exclusion of women. And the rest is history. And what a shameful history it is, the inevitable consequence of infidelity to God’s will.

Read Old Testament history; it will confirm that social tragedy always follows wilful deviation from God’s clear instructions. The evidence of such tragedy is strewn across and throughout the timeline of Roman Catholicism, in particular, from its perverse priesthood.

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I could laugh at “MC” and “biblical evidence” when he has cast doubt on the veracity of so much of the Bible that he doesn’t agree with 😁. Happy Anniversary Bishop Pat🙂.

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I’m not Magna Carta but would just like to say that my opinion is that if you begin reading the NT at Ephesians you come out with Catholicism and if you begin at Romans you come out with Protestantism.
I think both can be read into the NT.

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12.31
Did I? Cast ‘so much’ doubt on the alleged veracity of Scripture?
When and how?
(We shan’t hear from you again, shall we?)

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MC at 10.40am
Not only young, in my abuse experience, they often and repeatedly pick very handsome ones. Oh gawd, I remember seeing some young handsome deaf kids which they ended up with drink problem, anger issues, womanising, depression, pdt
Ptsd issues et al. I didn’t understand it at first until many years later when they admitted freely that they were abused sexually in bed and outside bed… ex class mate of mine was abused pre puberty in bed cos he was quite handsome.
Nothing to do being young but handsome at the same time, their handsome faces that attracts the abusers quite easily. My ex lay supervisor now is on sex offenders list.
Best to bring own kids to day schools instead of boarding school.
Never invite a priest to your home when kids are v young. Best to wait until they are 18.
Teach kids re rcc ways of abusing so they could see a mile of them if they were approached by a priest or seminarian. This is about teaching and protecting themselves if it came to themselves.

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A wise post, DG.

In my opinion, absolutely no child, especially the more vulnerable and exploitable, should ever be in the care of any priest or religious. NEVER!

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11:59, are you using language which is the manifestation of an attitude, stereotype, or an outright offensive behaviour towards others you might not agree with?

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Keep prodding the rotten bits of the institutional Church and the clerical caste....says:

+ Pat, I don’t always agree with you, but I do admire the fearless way in which you stand up to the institution of the Church and its clerical stormtroopers – priests and bishops – who have shown themselves, individually and collectively, to be unworthy of the trust that they have automatically been given over the decades. It is right that someone like you keeps an eye on what they do and get up to, and calls out their hypocrisy, double standards, lying and coverup. Yes, some of the stuff is a bit titillating, but this is the stuff that they like to do and get away with in the shadows, and it is the stuff that shows them for what they really are, particularly the duplicity and secret parallel lives that so many of them lead – the Roreeees, the Barebacking Abbot Purcell, the Masturbating Beach Priest, the Philandering Ger and so on. Their peccadillos are in themselves insignificant but are indicative of a life that is essentially and lie and which they show us that their promise to live good and holy lives is just a myth. You are in the fortunate position – although it has come with pain, I know – of having been broken and laid bare, so that we all know who you are and what your faults are. That is a strength because you do not need to be afraid of anyone or anything that might be said about you or done to you. They have no hold over you. So, please do carry on pointing out and prodding the rotten bits of the institutional Church and the clerical caste. Make life uncomfortable for them. Until such time as they live up to what they profess.

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12:16 pm
Seamus, you conveniently avoided questions I put to you a few days ago.
Why did the Church not take seriously Jesus imperative not to harm little ones ?
How can systemic cover up of abuse by Bishops under instructions from Rome
be considered a flaw? Finally, is there another version of the Gospel used by
Church personnel when the occasions suit?

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Hi 12:52,
I missed your questions from a few days ago. Thanks for coming back for answers.
They should have taken seriously the imperative not to harm the little ones.
Cover up is wrong. Abuse is wrong. There should be no abuse whatsoever.
Mercy is not a blank cheque to carry out evil. Cover up is not atonement. Words alone are not atonement.
Words that are not backed up by action are hollow words. The best apology is changed behaviour.
Is mise le meas,
Seamus
PAX

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1.05
I discuss my “secrets” all the time with appropriate individuals and groups and with my confessor / spiritual director.

However, I am not prepared to discuss them with anonymous comment makers with a questionable agenda 👎

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By Post Author

Hi Bishop Pat 2:24,
Your response to 1:05 has touched on something I wanted to say;
That’s fair enough that you discuss your “secrets” with the appropriate individuals and groups and with your confessor / spiritual director.
It is also fair enough that you are not prepared to discuss them with anonymous comment makers with a questionable agenda.
There are flaws and there is corruption. Some people get rubbed up the wrong way when clergy with flaws, but not evil doing abuse or corruption, are crucified by the blog.
Flawed clergy would also say that they wish to discuss their “secrets” with the appropriate individuals and groups and with their confessor / spiritual director.
Flawed clergy might also not be prepared to discuss them with blog story makers. They might ask is there a questionable and double standards agenda? You get to discuss with the appropriate individuals but they are not granted the same level of understanding?
You are right to ring the alarm bell on evil wrongdoing.
Is mise le meas,
Séamus
PAX

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2:00pm
Seamus, thank you for replying to my questions.
I agree with you.
Regarding changed behavior, I would also include Bishops must show survivors respect,
dignity and a little concern, rather than trying to discredit by gas-lighting, re-traumatising
and telling porkies if they think they can get away with it. I could add much more.
I’ll leave it at that for now.
Pax.

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Responding to both Pat and Seamus –
I think Pat will agree that if he were still a RC priest vowed to celibacy and living his current lifestyle it would be a matter of interest or scandal?
Whereas in his current position his lifestyle is fine because it is not illegal, not immoral and not directly opposed to his public profession
I think that is the real distinction and not between crime and flaws.

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Pat you are also modelling here the right way to behave when someone points out a mistake.

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The only rational way to behave after your mistake has been brought to your attention is to admit it and correct it.

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By Post Author

Last night I watched, on Amazon Prime, the movie, We Were Children. You can probably guess the gist of it: children raped and tortured, physically, psychologically, and spiritually, by romanist priests protected, and subsequently enabled to rape and torture again, by ‘Holy Mother Church’. The victims, some as young as five years of age? Aboriginal children in Canada, legally required to be educated in ‘christian’ schools to suppress their native spirit and culture.

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And so it goes on and on. I have actually stopped watching these things because it is always the same.
The haters here occasionally (not often, because they’re not interested) ask what we would expect to know that things have changed. This in itself shows they are not listening.
Frankly publishing (with personal details redacted as appropriate) each diocese or order’s alleged abuses would be a start.
This would actually show what they are recording as opposed to outsiders – for example Collegeville’s published list is much shorter than those made by people outside the abbey.
The C of E actually went through all their clergy records for the slightest hint of abuse.
Whereas what we get here is ‘nobody I’d covering up’.
Bollocks.

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9.38am MC
there are other movies or documentaries to watch.
1. Mea maxima cupla.. Powerful and hard hitting re role of Ratzinger and jpii.
2. Sleeper (1996 version remake of 1st version 1973).
3. The boys of St Vincent’s as I heard about it from others cos similar experiences to that documentary.
4. States of fear by Mary rafferty. Ex boarder of mine was on it.

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Thanks, DG. I think I’ve seen most of those.
They are important narratives, reminding us all that evil does indeed cloak itself, for a while at least, in priestly righteousness.
It is an absolute wonder to me that some people, even today, will self-assuredly argue that such a manifestation of base evil as romanist priesthood was intended by Jesus.
Jesus does not will evil.

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Pat, congratulations and best wishes on the 45th anniversary of your ordination.
Blessings for the future.
No prophet is accepted in his own country… (Luke 4:24)

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Congratulations Pat and thank you for your hard work exposing the horrors in Armagh. Not all Armagh Clergy are predators.

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Thomas has never said a bad word about Bishop Pat as Thomas knows he made a mistake so there is no Bad feelings.
As for Ryan there are two different stories so hopefully Bishop pat will get the correct story soon on Ryan.

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Ryan is conflicted with his inner exotic deamons. I hope Ryan can reach out and seek help.

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10.37

Not all Armagh clergy are predators? Hmm? 🤔 Maybe not. MAYbe.

But predator protectors? I should very much think so.

In my book, there is very little difference, morally speaking.

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“In keeping silent about evil, in burying it so deep within us that no sign of it appears on the surface, we are implanting it, and it will rise up a thousand fold in the future. When we neither punish nor reproach evildoers, we are not simply protecting their trivial old age, we are thereby ripping the foundations of justice from beneath new generations.”
― Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956.

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Magna Carta
Take off the rose tinted glasses and for once agree that not all Priests are bad.
I am not going to try and convince you however there are some Good Holy Bishops and Priests and they do not want this filth in the Church.
No one is covering up for NO one as it is not in their interests.
And recently because of the Blog and the Good work Bishop Pat does two clergy in Killaloe are c/o and I am sure Fintan Monahan does not want them back.
But give credit to Priests like Bishop Pat who do sterling work to get the rot out.

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11.40
Wise words. Proven words. Their telling the moral sludge that rose in institutional Roman Catholicism, across the generations, from the silence of those oddly named ‘good’ priests, who knew that children were being raped, sodomised and tortured by fellow priests.
And yet, these quiet men have the moral effrontery to insist that they are… good? 🤔

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10:37; “Not all Almighty Clergy are…”
11:09; “there is very little difference…”
MC 11:09, have you been the fly on the wall for discussions that the good priests you have written of recently have had about those who should not be there?

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@ 11:47 am
I have two questions for you as you seem so au fait with matters concerning cover up:
1) Are there any historical unresolved cases of RCC abuse in Ireland?
2) Are any Bishops who inherited problematic cases still covering up for the sake of the Church, finances, as well as the reputation of their predecessors?

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Have you been paying attention to the news for the past few decades? If you have you will know the answer is yes and yes.

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Anon at 12.23pm

In response to your questions although I’m not 11.47am poster.

1. Yes
2. Yes they will cover up to protect and preserve their own institution’s reputation at the expense of abused victims.

Snippets from link :https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/child-sexual-abuse-in-catholic-church-swept-under-the-carpet-inquiry-finds

It is clear that the church’s reputation was valued above the welfare of victims, with allegations ignored and perpetrators protected.

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12.33
Q 1 Yes there are many cases unresolved and most bishops is trying to deal with them as well as they can also I can inform you some bishops are broken when they read the reports and then the lying clergy make it worse.
Q 2 I am not that naive to say some Bishops are still not economical with the truth as that is the case however the younger Bishops will cover up for no one and that is a fact.
The Catholic Church is not short of money the real estate is worth millions so there is no need to cover up abuse because of money or reputation.
There is no getting away from the truth and that is theses Bishops who in the past covered up for filth will need to face God.
People are missing the role of Safeguarding it is not just Bishops and Clergy that are responsible for Safeguarding there is many lay people involved at Parish level right up till it goes to Rome.
Bishop Fintan Monahan was broken when he found out clergy lie to him and he did get abuse and rightly so but the buck stops with him in Killaloe and it really was a wake up call for him and likewise for many other Bishops.
Ger and Gerry from Killaloe think they will just walk straight into a parish they will be in for a shock if they stay in the Priesthood.

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No but this is a public blog on the internet so you can only expect other people to answer. You won’t get an answer from 11:47 btw.

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@ 1:37 pm
You, don’t say! A public blog on the internet, no less!
Now, buddy, a phenomenon of abuse, abusers and matters pertaining
to abuse, is a very very poor sense of boundaries on various levels.
Don’t you dare presume to answer for anyone btw, and MYOB.

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1.37
You are wrong I have answered the questions.
but will likely get accused of being a company man now.
No one was any abuse in any parochial settings and that is a fact.
The PP will not be responsible for Safeguarding as in 2021 he should have a team assisting him with all the government checks applied on everyone.

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@4:18 pm

Sunshine, you’re seem a bit juvenile, a Fr. Dougal type,… ROLF!
If you happen to be a priest your Bishop needs to keep a close an eye on you, buddy.
Learn to respect boundaries, Dougal- it’s a basic.

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11.40: Apart from quoting the great Solzhenitsyn and others about evil and wrong doing, which we are all against and abhor totally, what do you personally do to redress the wrongs you see in Church or society? Actions always speak louder than words. Give us your blueprint. I know what I do and it’s not just quoting the greats…don’t believe the supreme hater, Magna. Jesus gives a fantastic template….

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Ah, the ‘we’re not talking about it because we’re out doing it’ fallacy used by abusers and cover-up merchants to manipulate others into shutting up.
I won’t bother to ask what you actually do because it will be ‘follow what the church tells me’. 🐑

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Yes Magna. And bizarrely that loyalty extends to parents. For example at Ampleforth there is a fence which is supposed to keep the children safe by stopping the monks going into the school.
What responsible parent would send their child to a school where there has to be a fence to stop the people who own the school entering it?
Sending your child to those hell holes should be an automatic safeguarding.

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12.47

Precisely.

The first question these ‘good’ priests ask themselves in a moral crisis is not what would Jesus do, but what does Canon Law say I must do. It is the inevitable, predictable consequence of substituting, for conscience, obedience to an institution ‘corrupt, and riddled with corruption’.

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You claim, we are all against and abhor totally evil and wrongdoing. Is that so?
Ah, so that explains the culture of corruption in Church…
The wrongs in the Church are primarily due to, brought on by, and thanks to, the
clerical fraternity, with their elevated notions of themselves enshrined in canon law, protecting fellow Brothers. Covering up occurred to ostensibly protect the reputation
of the Church, but in reality it was to protect the variety of interests of the clerical fraternity.
Go sort out for yourselves!

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Magna Carta you have it totally wrong as the first question is not canon law and I sincerely mean that because these abusers have it in their thick brains they are doing it in Jesus name or they have a problem.
So firstly it is about the care of the VICTIM not the priest, religious or the Church it is about the unfortunate victim so it is the Police first and foremost and hopefully the Prison for them.
Canon Law only kicks in if there is going to be a canonical trial and hopefully that is to kick them out.
If you look at the two recent priests on this blog Gerry he thinks he just needs some counselling but really he now has a sexual criminal conviction and really should resign but no a long canonical trial will have to take place.
Then poor Ger still in denial thinking a wee bit of leave of absence then back into ministry well he will be going through a canonical trial once he comes back off his leave of absence.
So to finish first the Police and civil / criminal action then canon law kicks in not the other way about.

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@5:32 You have conveniently forgotten that Gerry remained in place as a school chaplain long after being charged with public masturbation and went to court under the title Mr. He should have been suspended immediately but even after conviction was only suspended after he appeared on here.
And Ger went honourably despite dipping his sausage in the parish.
Don’t give us your bullshit about all being well.

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Every Ecumenical Council except Vatican II was held to condemn error – error has no rights – the perception of the church as the conscience of the state/world is a one bishops/Cardinals/Popes are happy with and they have striven with every fibre of their being since the time of St Peter Damian to maintain this perception whilst at the same time covering up the awful dreadful secret of the Roman Catholic priesthood which is that celibacy is a cloak for hiding homosexuality and the clerical state attracts men whose preference is sex with pre-pubescent children (mainly boys) and this isn’t a few bad apples – this is a wicked and corrupt global system – it’s a pandemic and we all know that pandemics lead to lockdowns!
Pope Francis is part of the problem (coverer upper in chief) and Bishop Buckley part of the solution – expose, expose, bring into the light.
It’s a case of FUBAR!!

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Speaking of Dromore. I hear Eamonn wants to offload Router to there. Router has as much charisma as a bag of monkey nuts.

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Anon at 2.13pm

Speaking of Router, he was in the news last week re towards healing. Given the pandemic, everything was shut down even counselling services, why did rcc bring up this ‘good feel’ factor in the news last week, given the pandemic?

To me, it smacks of their deflection or a distraction tactic.

Finally, hasn’t he sorted out the issue of Purcell as a chairman of towards healing? Is Purcell from killaloe dicocese?

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Purcell is a Dubliner but he was a monk and abbot at a monastery on the diocese of Killaloe.

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By Post Author

Ah, yes, Towards Healing, the supposedly independent organization providing professional support for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland, whose Board of Directors includes, a Bishop, an Abbot, a priest, a religious sister and two lay professionals. The service is funded by way of a budget provided by the Catholic Church in Ireland. Yeah, couldn’t get more independent than that, now, could you…

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Yes Router is a boring import thanks to his other Cavan mate the wounded healer. It’s true there have been differences between him and Amy. Not surprised he wants rid.

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Router is as useless as tits on a bull. The fact that you are appointed an RC bishop is testament to your uselessness.

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By Post Author

You heard it wrong Eamon does not want to off load Michael Router as Michael Router will be going to Derry & Raphoe or Down and Conner.
Dromore is supposed to be getting split once Eamon gets his act together.
A Vacant see with an apostolic administrator should not have a VG as the curia goes in a vacant see but maybe Father Tony was Eamon’s delegate for the vacant see and should be the same in Ossory.

Very sad they do not even have it on Dromore Diocesan web site about Father tony Corr RIP he was only 57.

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5.44
Derry and Raphoe are separate dioceses in the RC dispensation. In the CofI they are united.
Are you posting from abroad? From Scotland? You seem as if you think you have the inside story in every diocese in these islands.

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I am very wary when an organization or individuals within it say anything which approaches ‘our safeguarding is up to scratch and it can’t happen here’.
The right attitude towards safeguarding would be more along the lines of, we can never do enough to keep children and at risk adults safe and we are aware that abuse happens surreptitiously.
I am quite disturbed by the comment above saying nobody is covering up because it shows a total lack of awareness of how abuse and cover-up happens. It is not unknown for abusers even to be working in safeguarding.
I would be much more reassured by an attitude that it could happen here.

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3.04
Eamon Martin wanted Michael Router he pleaded with Charlie Brown for him.
Remember an Archbishop has a big say on Auxiliaries.
Michael is known in Armagh as the plus one.
Michael Router will be Pat’s landlord in four years time and you never know Michael may get an invite to Bishop Pat’s Golden Jubilee.

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Excuse me but is it Charlie Brown from the peanuts gang ?
Thanks in advance.

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Congratulations, Pat, enjoy the memories of a long ministry, still going strong.

You certainly helped me at a difficult, out of control time in my life. You advice and counsel was very Catholic and more orthodox than many people who don’t know you would expect. I was grateful and I’m a better person because of you.

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The Safeguarding and Whistleblowing staff at both diocesan and parish level are the kind of people you wouldn’t employ in an equivalent secular role – clueless, v loyal to their paymasters and the system, low EQs, etc. They say don’t they that if you work for a diocese you become virtually unemployable.
The Plymouth Safeguarding debacle is not just a one off – Bede Walsh was on the Marriage Tribunal and Joe Quigley was National Education Advisor to Bishops Conference with a penchant for sex education!! Both now serving lengthy prison sentences for child sexual abuse. Go figure.
Abusers of money, power and sex gravitate to the RCC clerical system like bees to honey or pigs in muck.

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@1:51 yes, it’s because these people benefit from the church’s culture of low expectations and cover up.
At one point I worked in an NHS trust which was horrendous – in 18 months I blew the whistle twice and sent a long email to the care quality commission after I left. What I learned applies to the church and any other organization that does not seek the highest standards – it would be better, less hassle, and cheaper in the long run to do things properly to start off with. Making do with low standards creates problems that wouldn’t otherwise happen, and that you then can’t deal with, which perpetuates a culture of cover up.
Also if an organization is just getting by in one area, nothing else will be right.
I wouldn’t employ a builder who had an attitude of getting away with things because I wouldn’t get a good job, and that is the church’s situation writ small.

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The bishop of Plymouth would know all about cover up and is well used to it. He was after all the Secretary to the big cover upper Murphy-O’Connor.

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Ampleforth used to a by word for brains, privilege, wealth, old boys network etc now it’s a by word for disgrace, abuse, sexually perverted monks – Hume would be so proud – mind you if he had lived a bit longer I don’t think he’d be quite the National Treasure – he covered up for his monk mates and had a penchant for pretty clergy (few and far between) and treated them as his favs – droit du signeur so to speak.

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I disliked Hume, and found him charmless. I think his legacy has been disastrous. Far too many were taken in by the Ampleforth mythology – like Downside, another ruined city. What kind of place needs a fence to keep the monks away from the boys? And what then is the point of it?

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At least the carry-on in the Maynooth dark room has stopped due to Covid19. No more rape or grooming.

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This is the best version I know of the song “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring” (BWV Cantata 147) (with lyrics too) by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was performed by the New London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski, with the Norman Luboff Choir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6OgZCCoXWc
Best Version of Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring by Bach (With Lyrics)

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Aww, that picture of you there, Bishop Pat. Butter wouldn’t melt 😇
People say the same when they go into my mum’s dining room and look at the pictures on the wall of me, my brother and my cousins– but specially so of me lol 🤣
“Where were did all go wrong with him?” they say to my poor mother, to which she replies, with a big smile: “I haven’t a clue, he’s a pain in the arse, but he’s got a heart of gold and he loves his mum; he’s protective over his younger brother and friends.” 😂 x
_______
I rewired my our family home when I was 14 years of age; fuse box / RCDs, lights, ring-main / sockets and new professional alarm system. My dad was good at plastering and decorating. I was always curious to learn as a child, absolutely loved electronics, still do.
Was always wanting to interconnect one system or technology up to another (that has a name now: hybrid).
I remember my shed, The Tool Den it was called back then, had been broken into so I alarmed the shed and connected it to a 900Watt magnetron via a 12vdc/240vac 15Amp “slave relay”. The relay would “go active” upon activation of the shed alarm being triggered.
I got the magnetron out of an old 1980s microwave… 🙄 (All this health and safety lark didn’t come in til about the end of the 90’s so I guess it was OK. Back then…).
I hung a handful of scrumpled up balls of tinfoil, with string, from the ceiling — for effect more than anything… (We’ve all seen what happens when you put tin-metal or other certain reflective objects in the microwave 🙄).
Anyway, during the Summer holidays, and for fun, me and my mates would stand at the very bottom of the back garden; the shed door wide open, and via the assistance of a 433MHz remote control—for reasons of safety—we would watch the most spectacular “Firework display”, for want of a better word… 🙄
It was fantastic! * * Totally harmless and totally safe: under correct and safe conditions! — DO NOT try at home * *
The scrumpled up balls of tinfoil, hanging from the ceiling of the shed, would become energised and, given their individual mass/density/resistative qualities– their states of “energisation” and “discharge” would become magnificently apparent. And made for a very fun and exciting “Display”.
At no point were myself, or my friends, put in any danger because I knew what was safe and what was not safe: I knew what I was doing and I had a very good understanding of Non-Ionizing radio frequencies in conjunction with wattage and electricity.
My understanding of electricity and the principles of electricity were, are, just the same!
Things aren’t the same, these days. Rules and regulations make fun almost impossible. Almost…
………
Then there are Human Rights, rules and regulations, laws; and those who complain when their Human Rights are breached or abused. it’s all nonsense and just “nit picking”. Where’s the forgiveness and “just let things go” gone?
… Well, those who preach can put into practice all that they preach!
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the beautiful sunshine 🌞 X

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4.16

A-hah! 😂

Your tale reminds me of the Home Alone stuff, particularly the part where that lovable, squeezable rascal, Kevin, wires up the place and electrocutes the thieves. But not to death. Heaven’s, no! 😨 Zaps them in a comedic sort of way.

I don’t have your passion for electronics, but had I, and wired to my natural psychopathy (no; sociopathy) I’d have been more like Kevin: I’d have caught a few … not thieves, but Romanists by strategically planting a few cardboard cut-outs of pretty boys around my shed and just waiting for the flies to be drawn (no pun intended, I assure you).

Ohhh! The comedic joy of watching them all dance as the sparks flew. And then we would all have a jolly good laugh afterwards, with mutual, manly backslapping, and roaring guffaws.

No one harmed at all. Like in the cartoons. 😀

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Pat, you have deservedly received many good wishes today. You can indeed be applauded for your independent spirit which gives you a platform for speaking fearlessly. I think many priests agree with some of your analysis and share your outrage. Many likewise do what they can to remedy the hurt of so many who have been failed by a church from which much was and is expected. Perhaps my sense of moral shame for so many abuses committed against children and vulnerable people ought to spur me to leave. I have thought of that prospect often but haven’t done so. To be honest I stay because I chose this way of life after college as I encountered many very inspiring priests and religious and was very impacted by the church’s social teachings, its missionary zeal in Africa and South America about which I read much from the missionary groups my grandmother supported. Having trained as a teacher, it seemed natural for me in the 70’s to follow my inner conviction. I stay with my original ideals and trust that they remain my foundation always. Were it not for steady spiritual guidance, prayer, retreats, affirmation from family, friends and parishioners, I’m not sure that I could survive in this broken, damaged and in many ways, discredited church. Yet, in the midst of the chaos new opportunities keep presenting themselves to assure me that my daily decision is the correct one for my life. I believe if your blog wasn’t a forum for very nasty, unkind and ugly narratives, many more clerics would probably look to you more favourably without you having to compromise your ideals and principles. For now, enjoy your 45th…May you have many more…

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MC at 9.23pm

What makes you say that it’s phonsie?

Phonsie, if you are reading this, please do us a favour on Purcell case in Roma tribunal? Speed it up or issue a lacisation.

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9.23: Magna, I am a simple, humble priest in a busy suburban parish. You are correct: trained as a teacher then for priesthood in the 70’s. I wouldn’t ever want to be a bishop – not that I was ever a contender or would want to be – you’d need your kind of madness to accept such a position!! I will remain strong enough in spirit to survive all chaos and focus on my daily work. God is my strength. Your comment incidentally and surprisingly was very calm and balanced. Thanks….

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Ad. multos annos Pat. Priesthood is a joy a challenge and a cross. It only makes sense as part of a believing community. This is how I see it Diaconate is a tree and everything else is variation on a theme

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+ Pat, I agree with you, there is a very important distinction between been “broken” and “destroyed” and our brokenness is actually a great strength which glues us to the broken Christ and also creates within us a great compassion for broken others. I also think our brokenness must not be squandered but used authentically in a positive creative healthy way. However, there are survivors of abuse who have experienced brokenness plus lives destroyed or ruined as a consequence of interfacing with the Church. Fact.
It is appallingly disgustingly shamefully scandalous how Bishops continue to treat survivors who come forward.

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6.19
Fintan said he did not know until the week before Gerry’s case and yes only after this blog run the story Gerry was removed from post and went c/o Westbourne however Gerry thinks he can just walk straight back into a parish so he is deluded.
Ger did NOT go honourably he went and lied to the Bishop and then again due to this blog he had to go back and admit the truth and asked for a leave of absence which has been granted.
Ger is in cloud nine and should realise the damage he has done to Yvonne, The Bishop, Fellow Clergy and the Diocese of Killaloe so you are dreaming if you think Ger went honourably.

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Lol so Gerry should have acted like a grown up and told the bishop he’d been arrested.
Oh, no sorry, he’s a priest.

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