The Blog has learned that Dom Mark Kirby has either fled to the Netherlands or been sent there and has brought two Silverstream novices with him.
The move is reported to be permanent.
One source said: “Dom Mark claims he is very ill and cannot do manual work. How ill he is is hard to work out. It could be a front? He will be able to say Mass there and be looked after:
Another source has claimed that Dom Mark just up and left with two novices.
A source close to Silverstream said: “Sending the two novices with him was mandated so they could look after him”.
THE CONVENT HE IS STAYING AT
PAT SAYS
Now that Dom Mark has left Silverstream the remaining issues to be resolved are:
1. The letter of good standing for Dom Benedict from Tom Deenihan.
2. A heartfelt apology from Silverstream and the bishop of Meath to Dom Benedict for the grave injustices done to him.
3. Compensation to Dom Benedict for the injustices and for all the financial deprivation and losses he suffered.
THE TWO NOVICES
I cannot understand why two novices, young men, went with or were sent to the Netherlands with Dom Kirby given his history of “problems” with young men.
If he needed two companions should those not have been one or two senior or professed monks?
In any event it does bring the Kirby era to an end in Silverstream.
The remaining community members have not been properly formed in the true Benedictine mould. Rather they have been formed in Mark Kirby’s version of what it is to be Benedictine.
If Silverstream is to continue, and that is a big IF, an effort needs to be made to bring a small group of traditional Benedictine monks to reside there for some time to form and reform.
I don’t imagine that Dom Benedict would want to return to Silverstream, but if he did as the co founder he would be the natural prior.
I also fear he would not be welcome back at Silverstream and might meet both resentment and resistance there.
So, hopefully Dom Benedict can now discern where God wants him to go. I do know he is 100% committed to priesthood and discipleship.
It’s a big world out there and I’m sure Dom Benedict will find his niche.
Robert Nugent reminded me yesterday that we should be praying for both Dom Benedict and Dom Kirby.
And that is certainly the Christian thing to do.
PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 