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A JOYOUS WEDDING MASS FOR BRENDAN AND STEVEN.

On Friday I had the most wonderful privilege of celebrating a wedding Mass for Brendan and Steven with my colleague Father Paul concelerating.

The Congregation consisted of the couple’s family and friends including parents, grandparents, siblings and friends.

It was a wonderful celebration of love.

And I have always marvelled on these occasions at how very diverse generations – from the youngest to the oldest, throw themselves wholeheartedly into the occasion.

The occasion becomes all about love, celebration, acceptance and the desire to recognise love in all its forms and rejoice over that love.

I have been celebrating same sex blessings for 36 years.

Now, with the legislation changed North and South I can preside over such weddings as both a priest and a state officiant – making the ceremony complete – a marriage in the eyes of the Good Lord and fully legal from the point of view of the state.

I reminded all present of the words of John:

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love“.

Wherever there is LOVE, God is there.

Today I give thanks to God that we live in wonderful new times of love and acceptance and that love of all kinds can be recognised, embraced and celebrated.

166 replies on “A JOYOUS WEDDING MASS FOR BRENDAN AND STEVEN.”

Excellent +Pat. Good to see happy involvement of older generation relatives recognising mutual love and respect is the priority, not the diktat of religious prescriptions they may have been brought up in. That’s wisdom and maturity all round.
I attended a lovely wedding ceremony of a niece a few years back in local N. IRE registry office. Afterwards I overheard two sour crabby looking oul maiden aunt types talking outside on lawns where photos were taken. Their conversation had all the hallmarks of narrow minded cathbot criticism of “that get-up” of a wedding. But they didn’t hold back stuffing their faces at the meal afterwards. On enquiry I later learned they were nuns “in civvies.”
Oh the things that religion does to people!
MMM

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Extra ecclesiam nulla salus, MMM.

Your number is almost up.

They say that one of the rewards of the elect will be watching the damned roast in hell. Can’t wait!

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+Pat @ 9:42: Indeed! If this is the mark of a “Christian” it certainly begs questions.

If religion is all about loving a loving God, what is it within the practice of religion that entails voicing such venom and hatred against those who do not share their beliefs?
I have no religious beliefs and question their validity and the systems that perpetuate them. In doing so I try to avoid personal criticisms and ad hominem arguments. I value sensible intelligent replies.
Consistently however, my observations seem to bring about an outpouring of aggressive anger such as Christian @ 8.37 above. These tend to simply confirm the negative damaging aspects of the religious shibboleth.
It’s all very interesting, …..and revealing.
MMM

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MMM, at the core of this problem is the fact that those of us who believe should have a SPIRITUALITY and not a RELIGION.

Spirituality at its best is open, questioning, searching.

Religion is basically about brainwashing those who either cannot think or refuse to think.

“There is more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds”.

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9.32
You must admit, Mmm, that your bumptious tone, coupled with attempts to sound educated (Simplicity of style always wins out.) is tedious and prone to provoke the negative reactions you frequently receive here. So lighten up and write the way you speak if you want to persuade readers of the merits of your arguments.

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“MMM, at the core of this problem is the fact that those of us who believe should have a SPIRITUALITY and not a RELIGION.”
Yes we should have a spirituality. Our religious attitudes, beliefs and practices however are a natural human structure. We have traditional rituals. (Even the humanists/secularists are adopting rituals.) Through our Christian rituals and beliefs, we nurture the faith and we pass on the faith. Without a structure, things fall away.
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.”
Some man made ivy is good. Some not so good. The Christian Lenten season is a wonderful gift to society. The evolution of the Lenten season is there for all to study for themselves. The tradition and rituals have built up over time. That does not invalidate the rituals we practice.

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Anon@ 10:23: I don’t “seek to persuade”. I say it as I see it while acknowledging that many cannot be “persuaded” even if I thought it worth trying. That however may entail more “acceptable wording”, or, “lightening up” :….. for whose benefit?
MMM

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MMM at 9.32, there was no anger or aggression in my previous comment. There was just eager anticipation of what is traditionally taught to Christians: that one of their rewards in Heaven will be watching the damned writhe in Hell. What’s wrong with that?
The damned punish themselves. They actually want to be in Hell, and Christians will delight in their stupidity. If you like, a form of eternal entertainment.

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No Christian could ever take please in any form of suffering either in the here or here after.

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8.37am what a nasty person you are – Christian!!!!!!! some christian you are. what a nasty person – you are not worthy of a comment – I will let others judge you and we’ll see who will roast before this day is out. 😡👿

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12.08
I am indeed a Christian which is in fact the reason I ask.
I suspect the views you are putting forward are a caricature of Christianity.
Your reply is a feeble effort at deflection. And the challenge still stands: put up or shut up.

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Quit gurning, MMM. You opened up the comments with your usual negative, blog bore, single transferable speech and then you reach for the smelling salts if anyone takes you up on it.

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To the person at 1.32, precedent for this belief is ‘Dives’, at Luke 16: 19.
You are not a Christian at all, otherwise you’d have known this, and the fact that the saved will enjoy the spectacle of the damned for eternity, so they can marvel at their stupidity.

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To the person at 1.20, oh, my! You do sound excited. All those exclamations. Not good for your blood pressure.
No, I’m not nasty, but I am honest Read Luke 16:19. Lazarus was enjoying the spectacle of the rich man in hell, the man who had treated Lazarus so badly on Earth.
Doesn’t God say ‘vengeance’ is his? He does take revenge, then, on the unrepentant wicked, and the pleasure of this he shares with us, the elect.

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Christian @ 3.36
I will assume you are sincere in what you say. I wish to make two comments by way of reply:
1. Luke 19:31 is a parable. It’s important you understand what that means. The characters are composed by the author, literary creations, like those in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The fact that one is called Abraham doesn’t change this. A parable is a teaching device and not an account of anything. It’s an inspired exercise of the imagination of the author. It’s value lies in its power to make a reader pause and think, not in the accuracy of its description of an earthly or in this case, a heavenly scene.
2. If you look closely at the words of the parable, you’ll find there’s no gloating on the part of those in heaven. With respect, that is your reading something into the text which is not there. Your final paragraph at 8.37 is a perfect example. There is no sense in the parable in which watching a person suffer is one of the rewards of the characters Abraham and the poor man. If anything, there is a sense of saddness on their part – as characters in a short story.
I hope this helps.

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@ 9:44pm

Oh! the things atheism does to people Minnie being a good example. I don’t agree with these so called “weddings” it’s just not right at all. I’m sure she was right about ‘the nuns’ who shouldn’t have been at a register office in the first place. No doubt they were members of the short back and sides brigade being in ‘civvies’ we all know what that lot are like. The world has truly gone mad.

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Anon @ 9.25, being a highly intelligent perceptive individual, you’re no doubt aware of previous criticism of the clerical practice of using feminine names for their fellow clerics. In that respect, since you’ve regularly referred to MournemanMichael, an obviously male individual, by referring to him as “Minnie”.I’m just wondering if you too, (whoever you are since you don’t have the courtesy of using a pseudonym to ID yourself), are another disgruntled cleric of the type who regularly show themselves up on this blog by infantile comments? 🤔
Just wondering….like. No need to respond. Your silence will speak volumes.

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9.44: MMM – When are you heading for a blessing to the Oratory and with whom? Can I be your bridesmaid? Leave the nuns alone. They probably gave you your education…

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9.42: But Pat, didn’t Jesus speak about such scenarios in the parable of the Last Judgment…We must never be presumptuous Catholics…..The goats and the sheep…..We all trust in God’s mercy…Maybe MMM will have the beautifully landscaped Italian gardens in heaven while I have the meadowlands of thorns and thistles and the smell if the goats!! …God allows the rain and the sun fall on honest and dishonest alike…

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9.25: I think MMM is beyond such noble acts of expressing love but should he walk the Oratory aisle, I’ll sing “What a friend We have in Jesus”…..

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I think Jesus will respect MMM’s sticking to his principles and the truth as he sees it.

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I doubt that Pat at 9.59. There is only one truth, and Jesus will tell MMM that he was wrong all along, and that there are consequences.

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Surely it’s perfectly obvious by now that Christianity is actually about power so the murders abuse and genocide are the real deal and any pretense to be about love is merely that.

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I’m a Religious who had the real honour to ‘pray a blessing’ when my brother and his partner got married. I place it in inverted commas because I wasn’t allowed to mention God. But, with the blessing of my Pastor General (I worked for him at the time in Rome) I had free reign to push the boundary as far as possible. The humanist celebrant was very obliging and really left space for what everyone in the congregation knew was a sermon and kind of nuptial blessing (although I’m not a priest so it wasn’t a formal one).
I had been my brother’s youth worker growing up. I saw his pain as he on the one hand experienced the all embracing love of God, and in the other the judgement of what you very accurately describe as Cathbot criticism. To be able to reaffirm God’s unconditional love, witnessed to in their marriage, has been one of the most privileged acts of faith the Lord has graced me with the opportunity to share.

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@1.20 pm

I think Cristian must have got out of the bed the wrong side!

MMM. I hope you live to be 100 years old.

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Thank you @ 3:23. Maybe he has a hangover and didn’t sleep well at all! He well demonstrates the traits I referred earlier to when asking how or why religion seems to induce this kind of behaviour. There’s a concerning gleefulness about it, similar to bible thumping “hell and damnation” Sunday afternoon promenade preachers who tell us we’re bound for the flames unless we repent, be “saved”, ………and join their club.
All very interesting.
MMM

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Pat, well done for celebrating this special occasion for these men. True love should be celebrated in God’s presence if requested by any couple. Always. Even if not through the Eucharist, certainly in an appropriate religious setting and ceremony. The church has a long road to travel. Maybe one day. MMM’s anti nun jibe is surely a makey up…Oh what atheism can do to your human sensitivities…

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9.39
If my experience of religious women is anything to go by, they would be the cheerleaders in wishing the happy couple well. Mmm hears what he wants to.

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Lovely Photos – Congratulations & Blessings to Brendan & Steven for a very long & happy life together.
❤️❤️ 💒❤️❤️

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Your best ever post Bishop Pat. I have been following your blog for some time since getting a nasty swipe from a nasty padre which was brought to my attention. But I have been intrigued by all the gossip of this blog. Today you excelled in the WWJD stakes. As has been pointed out ad nauseum Catholic priests can bless any THING under the sun: pets, houses, cars etc but has a real problem blessing humans, especially humans who fall in love.. all this from following the Son of God who told us. GOD is love and where TRUE LOVE is God is present. Since I left priesthood my life is less conformed to the appalling Canon Law but to seeing love and affection and sex in my own life ( to other men and women and both) and the joy of seeing others live lives freed from the shackles of the appalling legacies of JPII and B16 and the ambivalent frankie. I wish I had your courage. AD MULTUS ANNOS BISHOP PAT. keep up the good work. If you need any floating ex priests in the Oratory…

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9.23: Lovely Crucifix in the picture. Where did you get it….I recognise the style…Just wondering Pat if this couple are Catholic or just Christians who have a religious belief system…or are they part of your congregation?

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They are Catholic and desired a Mass and Holy Communion. They intend joining us for Sunday Mass when their work allows.

Have had crucifix for years. Italian.

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Thank you Pat for confirming the comment made to Philomena recently. Hope she reads this.

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9.23
Pat, be careful about accepting supply from someone who makes two grammatical mistakes in five words of elementary Latin.

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San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone has instructed Speaker Nanci Pelosi not to receive Holy Communion over her support for abortion.
As apostles of the last times, you must announce with COURAGE all the truths of the Catholic faith.
~Our Lady to the Priests – Message 451.

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Will he also refuse the eucharist to those that covered up sex abuse and transferred people where they abused more victims . Many victms lost their right to life when driven to suicide by such actions.

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That Bas—d has a bloody cheek, he still has not put together a list of sexual abuser Roman Catholic priest paedophiles in Sn Francisco dioceses, when nearly so many other Roman Catholic dioceses in U.S have done, be it, some have been less than honest.
Fortunately SNAP haven’t been sitting back on it’s haunches, waiting for San Francisco to respond with it’s own Catholic sex abuser clergy list and have name at least 312 sex abuser clergy laity and “religious” Brothers, which they have delivered to Cordioleone.
See below.
1)SF NEWS JOE KUKURAt with the true numbers.
29 SEPTEMBER 2022
Guess Who’s California’s Only Archbishop Who Won’t Name the Priests Accused of Sexually Abusing Children?
2) SNAP Communication Manager- Mike McDonnell September 29, 2022
SNAP’s researched list of accused-
312 clergymen, brothers, and laity accused of sexual abuse and who have a connection to the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
3) Predator Priest Index > California > Archdiocese of San Francisco
ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO ACCUSED PRIESTS
HERMANLAW
4)DUI charge for future SF archbishop
He tells of ‘shame’ after San Diego arrest
Kevin Fagan Aug. 27, 2012

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Pat you are wearing a Westminster cathedral vestment. Where did you manage to get that? Elsie will probably have a secret smile over that one. Elsie’s Irish counterparts may not.

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Where are they on sale? They are used by Westminster clergy for all big events at the Cathedral?

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The real problem is that marriages don’t belong to any religions at all. A parson who was the only person capable of keeping a register, or a tribal elder or bard, or other designated official (in some countries a mayor), plus statutory witnesses, plus whatever couple, those are the people it belongs to. People who are marrying who want to get a blessing should have friends to a blessing occasion – which some clergy off duty might attend among fellow believers. This would have saved the churches a whole lot of argy bargy all along, and lots more in the future.

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That, Alvin, was instigated without fault on the side of any rendition.

On a more personal level, it was in danger of being mistaken for a loose gordian knot tied tightly and left for wilful abandonment. And who could blame them? I, for one, wouldn’t have factored in any appeasement.

On the balance of probabilities, there is likely to be a schism of sorts, a unity beyond the grandiose.

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There’s actually a lot of talk believe it or not that rather like covid, this is affecting ginger people more than others due to some aspect of pigmentation in the skin cells. It’s very worrying

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I wish the happy couple every success, but… My God! That blue checked suit is awful. Really ageing. And they say gays have superior fashion sense?

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Yes. Isn’t it awful? Thats what i was thinking. Would be much better if their clothes matched instead of clashing.

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12.11 pm and 1.25 pm

Very rude both of you and most unnecessary. I wonder what people say about your choice of clothes!!!!!

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Don’t be so critical of the newlywed’s clothes. I think the suit is beautiful. I work in fashion and i can assure you that checked suits work really well for the larger gentleman.

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Reply to;Petersays:
May 22, 2022 at 12:11 pm
I, on the contrary loved the suit, that you state you hate, I thought the both looked love, they are obviously very happy. You too Pat looked good in your smart chasuble.
I wish the Brendan and Steven my best wishes for a contented, happy life, and perseverance during the up and, downs that life will throw at them.

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Reply to;Kaidensays:
May 22, 2022 at 1:25 pm
You sound sooo childish, maybe you are a child. People wear what they like on their wedding day, as long as they are happy, we should be happy for them.

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Reply to;Kensays:
May 22, 2022 at 12:26 pm
It seems you can see far more than I can, the photos with the couple, the Bishop and priest, they all seemed to be either laughing or, smiling.
If you are suggesting the photos with the back of the guests heads showing, they are not smiling, your obviously blessed to be able to see more than I can, as I have not got X-ray vision, I can’t tell.

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I am absolutely blocked Bishop Pat, have had a weekend bender like none before. Hope you are having a nice weekend and it was lovely to see the wedding photographs of B and S.

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Eamon you must be a priest to be drinking so heavy, or in love with one? Be happy, trim the bushes in your garden while it’s a good day.

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Eamon it seems you are never out of the bar. Life is a party but live in the inbetweens and be happy friend.

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I disagree. Many of my couples spend 10 to 20 thousand on a wedding and a honeymoon.

Remember it is my income. I have no other salary.

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Sacraments are free sure. There is no charge in any other parish and I’m sure Pat is the same so get your facts right.

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Sacraments are indeed free. But there are charges in most churches and parishes.

University Church in Dublin charges 800 for the use of the building AND you have to bring your ownn priest with you.

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That’s interesting to know, pat. And it makes sense. Everything had a cost of course. Do you have a set fee for weddings and funerals or is it discretionary?

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I have a set free for weddings – £ 300. If people cannot afford that they give what they can afford. There are no fees for funerals.

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5.09: Our parish fee for weddings is €250…funerals are by agreement with undertakers and family…baptisms – at the discretion of family. You’re doing ok Pat..

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5.33: Pat, you are entitled to your meagre salary. Michelle is misinformed. Couples do indeed spend way OTT on their wedding day. It’s a day to be celebrated and cherished, so some expenditure is necessary but some just go way beyond normal. Recently the flowers at a wedding I officiated at in our church must have cost 1000’s.There were flowers everywhere…trees, lanterns, archways…I thought I’d arrived for a horse show!!! …Photography, videoing, limousines, pre reception drinks… and printing of booklets – all extravagant. Yet Michelle begrudges you and other clerics £300. It is miniscule compared to the fee asked. Some couples are very generous in donations and if any couple is struggling, the “fee” is considerably less, usually within their budget. Same principle for baptisms and funerals. Michelle, get a reality check…

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The Oratory is lovely but there should be NO pictures above the Blessed Tabernacle as their focus should be on the tabernacle and certainly not pictures above.
Thankfully Pope Francis has it correct and in Churches and Cathedrals the World over they have been removing the Cathedra to the side an example St. Peter’s Belfast.

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Anonymoussays:
May 22, 2022 at 1:33 pm
I have to disagree with you that no images should be behind the tabernacle.
During the introduction of Vatican 2, ignorant philistine Roman Catholic parish priests, tore some beautiful churches asunder, destroyed some of the most beautiful church, which in fact has not inveigled, more attendee at Mass, quite the opposite.(unforgivable!!) Thankfully the one piece of beauty, and if you are religious, the stories of Christ, Holy Ghost, Apostles etc, remained untouched, is the stained glass window behind most altered.
Keep your image Pat ,who knows one day someone will present you with some beautiful stained glass.

EXCERPT FROM
Wrecking Churches: Iconoclasm or Continuity?
Fr. Dwight Longenecker January 2015
The “wreckovation” as conservatives refer to it, continued into the 1990s. In parish after parish the pastor simply ripped out the artwork and furniture—destroying the buildings that had served their Catholic community for generations. The wholesale destruction was an act of mindless vandalism that always accompanies progressive ideologies.

Progressive ideologies can always be spotted because their devotees destroy the past rather than renew it. By definition, revolutionaries revolve, they do not evolve. To create their brave new world they must destroy the old one. Their new age is fueled by rage and the smiling revolutionaries cannot create anything without destroying everything.

The changes in churches were never loved because they were derived in destruction.

1)Wrecking Churches: Iconoclasm or Continuity?
Fr. Dwight Longenecker January 2015

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I am not keeping this to myself, I have information and photographs of a priest and his boyfriend, how can I contact you Bishop?

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I am a married man of many years but me and my husband have not been happy for many years.
We lead separate lives.
I wish them both well, and I hope no Priest or Doctor comes between them.

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1.57: Tony, that wouldn’t be the fault of the priest or doctor!! Generally, it’s others who fall for them!!! Watch your husband’s wandering eyes, Tony!!

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Pat even though I don’t agree with Gary’s tone I’m glad you’ve binned Shannon today. I live near her and its a nightmare. She starts rows with everybody and our street isnt the same as it used to be. I remember yiu from St. Peter’s years ago. God bless.

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Yes maura. If its the girl I’m thinking of she started an almighty row in the felons the other week. My daughter was traumatised when she got home x

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Pat, why did you bin my comment about Paul the Apostle? I made you a well-reasoned reply to your statement that no Christian should take pleasure in the suffering of others. Paul certainly did when he wished that the circumcision advocates would mutilate themselves.

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2.02
Dear Christian, for the second time today your i terpretation of scripture is to miss the point. It’s good you are teading the Bible but you ought to find an adult scripture group or theology course. If there are none in your area, you may find one online.

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I don’t know about the rest of the blog, but it’s great to have a Shannon free day. Maybe she is taking her children who are alive to the park?

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Gary you are one hateful man that is trying to incite a reaction from Shanon. I do not agree with her at all, but she is valid. You are very pompous with your posts.

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But Tim what reason would he have to meet Pat? Pat claims to no longer be part of the RCC so he is no concern of Bishop Treanor

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I am in absolute love with a priest. My heart bursts with joy. But my close friend tells me it will end in disaster. I don’t think it will. I am in such mental anguish.

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Anyone thinking about going to Mass in St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham don’t bother. YOU ARE NOT WELCOME – SEE UNDER FROM THEIR NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK. OUT OF STEP WITH EVERY OTHER CHURCH IN THE ARCHDIOCESE.
The Bishops of England and Wales wish to make it clear that there remains no obligation for your attendance at Mass on Sunday. Therefore, you are most welcome at Mass on any day of the week.
Please come to Mass if you wish to and feel safe to. For the purposes of Safety for all concerned, the Cathedral directive is that everybody coming to Mass in the Cathedral wear a face covering which you bring yourself. We accept that this is not required in all churches, but it remains our standard here and if you choose to come here, we respectfully ask you to abide by this standard. If you do not have recognisable lanyard that says you are medically exempt, then please do not be offended if you are asked more than once to wear a face covering. Our stewards and volunteers are simply doing what has been asked of them to keep this standard of safety in the Cathedral. Please be respectful of their role.
If you feel that what we are asking is unreasonable, then you are welcome to choose a church that is more in keeping with your own wishes. We ask that you do not seek to change what we have established here for good reason and which is reviewed regularly….It is important that people continue to observe social distancing in terms of not gathering in large groups either inside or outside the Cathedral. We will close soon after the conclusion of Mass….Holy Communion – Due to the prevailing risk, the norm for receiving Communion remains on the hand. For those who wish to receive Communion on the tongue, please come to the altar as the end of the congregational procession has received communion, as the Minister of Holy Communion will need to sanitise his/her hands after every person receiving on the tongue.

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St Chad’s is a model of prudence and common sense, as the British people may soon discover to their discomfiture…

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The clergy at St Chad’s are barking mad and nursey is fat and clearly worried she might get the covid.

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Oh the irony of not seeing the only person not welcome is a bumbaclart like yourself who won’t follow the rules. 😂

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2.28
The problem is yours. Your reactionary comment says more about you and your antipathy to safety and health than about St Chad’s team. Your conclusions are a series of non sequitur errors.

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3.30: Why are you so nosey and bothered? Get away from behind your net curtains, Miss Minnie Trouble Maker.

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Where there is Love God is there.
Congratulations to the couple on their wedding.
There is no need for your rudenrss and spreading disharmony. Thete is enough of that in thr world already. Perhaps you meed to fall in love.

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4:36 You may not agree with Pat but to say that he is an “embarrassment” is pure balderdash. Pat stands up for what he believes in and his actions are in the light. I salute you Pat. Don’t listen to the haters. Congratulations to the newly married couple!

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“They say that one of the rewards of the elect will be watching the damned roast in hell. Can’t wait!”

I suspect that this quote finds its origins in Lucretius’ depiction of a reaction to a shipwreck in Book II of his De rerum natura. A learned preacher inspired by the Latinity of Lucretius may have tried to stir up his listeners by applying that story to their lives.

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Reply to;Seraphimsays:
May 22, 2022 at 5:01 pm
I damn well wish, someone would come back and tell us……….

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6.56: You’re obviously not fearful of monkeypox out cruising around for gay sex…perve. Catch yourself on…

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No. All that has happened with Maynooth and Paul Prior has brought closure to many.

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bishoppatsays:
May 22, 2022 at 7:38 pm
By now Pat you should know, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

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