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“THE NEARER THE CHURCH – THE FURTHER FROM GOD”.

Over my last 46 years as a priest I have met many thousands of people who have become disillusioned with the Church, the hierarchy and the clergy.

I’ve only met a small number who were genuinely disillusioned with God Himself.

And even today, the many Catholics I meet who have stopped going to Mass and the Church still tell me they believe in God and say daily prayers.

So, God, as an entity, has not failed.

But the institution that claims to represent him has failed abysmally.

There are other contributory factors to the demise of religion such as secularism and materialism.

But the ABUSES and SEXUAL AND CORRUPTION SCANDALS have driven far more people away from the RCC than anything else has.

The big mistake people made and were taught to make, was to equate God with the Church institution and hierarchy and clerics.

Because, then, when people saw through the institution, hierarchy and priests, they also felt they saw through God.

The truth is that the Irish People, a people with thousands of years of spirituality, are still as spiritually hungry as they ever were.

But they do not have their spiritual needs met by the Church.

And that has left a massive spiritual vacuum in our land.

Some former RCs are trying to fill that vacuum by turning to the Protestant and Evangelical churches.

But they only attract a minority and they do not provide long term sustinence.

As Jesus said: “What father would give his child a stone when he asked for bread”.

The people of the 21 St century are looking for authenticity and a faith the puts its money where its mouth is.

If DLF & Co gathered all their assets and distributed them to people in the form of homes, food, financial help etc – as Jesus told his disciples to do – people would see an authenticity.

Now they see an epispocate and a clergy who see themselves as an elite, imposing moral norms on everyone else that they themselves are breaching wildly and concentrating on amassing assets to secure their lifestyle.

And, so, they walk away.

In the meantime there is this massive spiritual chasm.

Of course, God will never stop approaching men and women in the recesses of their hearts.

And many of those approached will respond.

But it will not be to organisations like RCC INTERNATIONAL.

The models of the early church and basic Christian communities offer direction.

In the meantime Irish Bishops and priests must pronounce: OUR MISSION HAS FAILED.

There will be priests and others coming on the Blog today talking of great things happening in their parishes.

I’m sorry, Fathers, the Irish Roman Catholic Church is a desert where the countless bones of so many of your various types of victims are strewn.

You need to see that your so called “vibrant parishes” are tiny oases in a global desert where your chosen few have water and shade.

And oases are very often the fruit of mirages.

A CAR I NEVER HEARD OF – KOENIGSEGG  – EACH WORTH MILLIONS.

From childhood I have been a car lover and a “petrol head”.

Why?

My granddad was a chauffeur in Tullamore  Co. Offaly, for the famous Williams family who made Irish Mist and Tullamore Dew.

On his days off he brought me for drives in the William’s Rolls Royces and Bentleys.

As a child I also spent time in our next door neighbour’s car repair garage.

I was smitten with cars as a child.

But this week I learned about a car I had never heard of before – the KOENIGSEGG.

They sell for between 3 and 15 million!

Personally I have no interest in sports cars or Formula One cars.

But I was gobsmacked that a car could cost £ 15 million.

140 replies on ““THE NEARER THE CHURCH – THE FURTHER FROM GOD”.”

I don’t think it is that simple Bishop Pat. As a priest, time and time again people asked me for prayers.. hospitals.. exams.. sympathy mass cards.. house/car blessings, throats, ashes etc.. but after a period of time I have concluded ‘God’ as we have portrayed ‘Him’ is asleep and doesn’t listen and I became disillusioned and wondered about masses sacraments.. prayers and the whole lot. From a Church point of view we need the gullible to pay for mass cards, blessings, candles, St Anthony novena the whole package. Funny that having sent tens of thousands of euros maybe even over a hundred thousand to poor priests in India, Africa.. to celebrate the hundreds of mass cards we send for birthday , funerals..exams Christmas.. the mind boggles. All these African Catholics clearly don’t need all the masses to be said for their souls .. but poor Maggie in Mayo who got 200 mass cards at her passing rip will tie up 4 priests for 50 days each in offerings in Kenya 2 grand for them.. why would they offer masses for their own when the mzungu ones pay better.. ‘god’ will have ‘his’ work cut out allocating the ‘graces’ accurately.. so relieved not yo be involved in hhe salvation rackets anymore.. ‘God’ doesn’t appoach anyone..

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Dear friend,
When we offer masses we adhere to the Church’s needs.
When we explain “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” we unpack hope. Like tonight’s 2nd reading. Suffering, perseverance, hope… sometimes we suffer today because of growth we need for tomorrow. That is how I learned to self-reflect and rooted out the narcissistic elements I inherited from my collat (and unknownst to myself) adapted.

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Pat, we are well aware of the challenges we face. We know. Don’t insult our intelligence. Your comments are so biased and self righteous that you fail to acknowledge the realities all Christian Churches face in the world. I contend that the spiritual hunger you speak of has nothing to do with the concept of GOD. People find themselves in arid places for a myriad of reasons. Spiritual hunger is about deep meaning, purpose in life, contentment and inner peace and healing. We all have this longing. Some find it in religious beliefs and prayer. Some find it in nature, music, art, literature, poetry. Some find it solely in their professed faith, Catholic or otherwise. You make too many judgments, repeatedly again in this piece, about the crises facing the Church. In my 40 years plus, I have witnessed momentous changes. Do I have all the answers? No. If, after 46 years, you are still in Larne with just a small congregation, how do you measure and understand your authenticity, relevance and “success” against the “failures” of the rest of us? I think it’s very disingenuous and offensive of you to make the judgments you make at the end of your piece. Are my insights, understanding and critique of less value because I’m a Catholic priest? Pat, I can name many instances where parish communities, albeit smaller, who display the light of Jesus and his gospel in truly remarkable ways. There are great initiatives taken by priests and parishioners together which create very caring and compassionate parishes. I think we can say that the world we live in is a “spiritual desert”, broken, wounded and in need of healing. Religious faith offers something worthwhile but so do people who don’t have faith. You have a very narrow philosophical, spiritual and theological intuition. Thankfully my faith is strong and meaningful but I see people in our parish who are deeply human and Christ like but who rarely, if ever, attend Church. GOODNESS and COMPASSION of heart are not the preserve of believers of any denomination, including Larne! You are proficient at repeating the same criticisms but lacking in a comprehensive solution. I wish you did provide a restorative vision! Pat, does it ever occur to you that the peoole you “feel” are spiritually hungry, may in fact have simply rejected the concept of God and have moved completely away from a “religious” perspective of life? Let’s not be so presumptuous to think that only religious believers understand people’s human needs and inner hungers. I find that MMM makes great, rational arguments through his comments and articulation and while I don’t accept his philosophy, he has, I believe, a profound “spiritual/human” appreciation of life. Many of us, you included, often fail to answer his excellent questions about GOD! You and I and all who profess Christ do not have sole ownership of “spirituality”. I argue that institutional religion is quickly dying. We are all challenged as Christians to find ways of reconnecting meaningfully with those who desire spiritual nourishment in Christ. When the light of Larne burns brightly, I’ll follow that light! Believe me.

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8.28: A most erudite and brilliant contribution!!! What a brain!! 😄😎🤤😢🤤🤓🤓😭😢🤤…

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Anon@ 11.37. Thanks for that. Yesterday I thanked Anons @ 11:18 & 2:20 for their well articulated intelligent comments. The same thanks is right for Anon @ 11:11 & yourself today. And not just because I agree, but because of your intelligent contribution to a discussion which will have different views. Yours are appreciated as being said without rancour or derision.
The blog has much degraded from 6/7 years ago when I first followed it. There seems very little spirituality in the stridently religious ones.
MMM

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9.55am. MMM, we all knew who ruined the blog – the snarling alkie MC, whom you used to encourage and egg on.

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MMM @9:55am
Mick, the raison d’être for this Blog is to expose abuse corruption and crime in the catholic church. As an observation, I find it rather curious, a former social work team leader, with your extensive knowledge and experience of child abuse, and its prevention, has little or nothing to say on the matter in the context of this Blog. Maybe my comments are not intellectually stimulating or articulated intelligently to merit a response. By the way, you mentioned ‘a wannabe’ yesterday. What did you mean, ‘a wannabe’, what? A point of information- I’m commenting on this blog since 2017- length of time one has contributed is, in my opinion, an irrelevancy.

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Asking a social worker how to tackle abuse would be like asking Hitler how to combat antisemitism.

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@ 11:37
Rev. you use lots of religious rhetoric but make faith in Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and Great Commission sound like an option on an A la carte menu. Is God simply a concept? Did you ever hear of Catholic spirituality? Does metanoia mean anything anymore? Just wondering, like.

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12.28: Mason, i most certainly believe in The GOD of JESUS CHRIST. I understand metanoua: I understand the concept if the Catholic Church, its teachings, moral, canonical, theological, spiritually and ecclesiologically. But – changing times call for a renewed understanding of all these concepts and many of us seek to speak a language that is encouraging, emphatic, caring, welcoming and merciful. As expressed so often, JESUS must be and is the cornerstone of our template for living as God’s people. Thete are many, many people who are “spiritual” but who do not subscribe to the concept of God. Those of us who reflect deeply, honestly and prayerfully are dismissed as “a la carte”. I am a questioning and searching Christian. And I value others who are similar.

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@ 1:38
Rev. what immediately comes to mind is Mk 2:22 “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” Also, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matthew 13:52). Finally, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15;4-8. I believe many are spiritual but not religious while many religious are sadly not spiritual. Some form of bridge needs to be created to connect both as well as a new language, vocabulary or articulation of the Gospel message for the contemporary world. I wish you well in your ministry.

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Sadly, some churches are no longer peaceful places as they are not run by peaceful people, only by vile controlling vultures with an agenda. Pax.

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A very strange juxtaposition Pat. The initial part is a sound comment on the failure of RCC institutional brand of religion, ….as opposed to spirituality.
The second part, concerning gas guzzling pollution producing status symbols….?
Anyway it’s your blog so, …..’nuf said.

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There is actually a connection. The catlicks think they’re driving a Bentley but it’s a clapped out Reliant Robin.

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You can pick up a second hand Bentley for a few grand. A Reliant is a collectors piece,

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Institutional religion injudiciously wielding media power in place of prayer or belief has turned us since 1954 into its product, with devastating effects on the whole world. Say you are not a product any longer. Deprive them of their stolen assets. Stop agreeing to be their weapon.

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Sr Abbie O’Sullivan
formerly of Killarney, Co Kerry &
Philippines, Hong Kong, Croatia, UK & Ireland
Burial took place in Convent Cemetery, Magheramore, Wicklow on Thursday 9th June, 2022
Rest in Peace

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Burial took place in Oldcastle Cemetery on Wednesday 8th June.
Rest in Peace

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Burial will take place in Convent Cemetery, Castleblaney on Monday 13th June after 11am funeral mass
Rest in peace

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What’s the point of posting these nun death notices? Is it to illustrate that the nuns are literally dying out? Sure we all know that. They have renewed themselves out of existence. A Mercy nun wrote in the Furrow years ago that the Sisters were the only part of the Irish Church to fully implement Vatican II. Lol.

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Bishops circled the wagons after the summer of love. A show of solidarity to minimise the scandal. The dogs on the street didn’t believe them. The cat was out of the bag.
DLF’s predecessor was the only man of honour. Once upon a time a bishop walked the length of his diocese, in a pilgrimage of reconciliation. If only his brother bishops would follow in his footsteps.
Opportunities lost to show meaningful leadership.
Pax.

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8.09 The predecessor you mention was a thundering disgrace….he did actually say “f……g c..t.” He definitely was one of those.

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8:09 Willie Walsh in Killaloe had more compassion and humanity in his small toe than his successor has in his whole body. God has left the building. Now occupied by the den of thieves

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The same Willie Walsh, a canon lawyer turned bishop who appointed academics and media savvy men to PP roles so he didn’t have to deal with the day to day stuff. It was a free for all under his leadership and the old boys club he appointed were no better than the lunatics controlling the asylum…

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10:29 unlike the current incumbent Fintan Monahan, at least Willie Walsh engaged with abuse victims & tried to help them in Killaloe

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Why did the bishops circle the wagons unless the sex scandal was true and they had knowledge of it and were allowing it. If this is so it is a very serious matter and the Pius platitudes no longer wash if they are hiding anti Christian actions which they will not discuss. Robert Nugent cannot investigate the death of a young student priest without interference from an unknown source
People asking for prayers for themselves and immediate loved ones forget the message of Jesus as he asked us to show the love of God we have to
the stranger also who is his creation.The clergy instead of arguing theology were
to put pressure on soceity where we could develop to understand God’s love because without God’s love for each other we cannot reach salvation. The Vatican bank for starters instead of investing our
money in posh houses could invest the money in building homes and hospitals which are badly needed instead of pontificating from their luxury buildings with no understanding of the challenges that the common people are facing. Where is the love that Jesus talks about in all this.?

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9:56 well said, there so many empty priests houses and church buildings around Ireland yet clergy make sneering remarks on here challenging the rest of us to declare private information on the number of refugees we house. Yet another shambolic example that they don’t practice what they preach. Selfish and greedy doesn’t begin to describe their self entitled arrogance.

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You’ve mentioned the circling of wagons-summer of love a number of times.
Are you suggesting bishops need to, now, take the initiative through concrete
actions or gestures of reconciliation within their dioceses to demonstrate leadership?
If so, have you any other suggestions apart from walks or pilgrimage?

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11:15, regards the summer of love, I’m highlighting that opportunities have been lost to make courageous decisions. When there is a scandal, the response is to minimise the scandal.
The pope has acknowledged as we speak, there are horrific abuses happening within the church in some parts of the world. It’s a start to acknowledge, instead of deny. A whistleblower will be wrongfully banished to the wilderness, without delay. Abusers must be swiftly dealth with and rooted out.
The walk of reconciliation was a great gesture. Every bishop should do likewise. A week of reconciliation across the country. I’m not going to reinvent the wheel on possible ideas for reconciliation. Others are welcome to respectful ideas forward if they wish.

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1:18 pm
Conas atá tú, Seamus,?
Any recent rendezvous, wining, and dining, with Mathilda?
Fear not, Seamus, discretion is my middle name.
If you think recitation of Psalm;51; Psalm 130; or Psalm 32; is sufficient, think again…
“CROSS”, Seamus, and years of hard graft went into one word.
‘The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love…’
I understand, herself, is on a sticky wicket, walking a tight rope over a barrel, in a little pickle…
Seamus, as the old saying goes; ‘you can bring a horse to water…’
‘Oh come to the water all you who thirst, thought you have no money, come…!’
Slán, Seamus.

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8.09: Seamus, very disappointed that you, of all people, refer to Archbishop Farrell as “DLF”. That is very disappointing of you who frequently asks for respect for others!! Explain.

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5:58 pm it’s important to be truthful – Dermot Farrell is openly pioneering & engaging with the DLF process in laying the foundations to obliterate any further requirement for the Mass going low/average income demographic. Think of it as The Hunt Ball for Bishops & the new lay hierarchy.

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5:58, you are rightly disappointed after an erroneous typewriter malfunction.
My apologies to +DF. It should never have happened.
Give respect get respect. The dioceses of Killaloe and Elphin had a pilgrimage to Dublin today. Galway would have been a more appropriate pilgrimage but the GAA elected Croke Park. A jolly good victory for Killaloe.
Mayo made the pilgrimage as well. The dioceses of Killala and Achonry will be pleased. The promised land looked to be slipping away but is still possible.
Our good rural brethren just want to enjoy our finest Gaelic Games in their free time and to have a few sods of turf to keep the home fires burning through the winter.
Pax.

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St Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan and formerly of
Diocese of Kitui, Kenya
Cliffside Park, New Jersey
Kilmurry, Roscommon &
St Patrick’s, Knock, Co Mayo
Burial took place in Kiltegan Society Cemetery on 3rd June, 2022
Rest in peace

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Funeral will take place in Florida
Memorial Mass in Ennistymon, County Clare date tbc
Rest in peace

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@8:44 Oh, Dear, yes rather unfortunate having such a surname in this day & age but he was a good priest.

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Better than Des Forde the AP in Organ’s home parish of Ennistymon. Des is a Facebook priest who loves the adulation of social media. What is it with priests broadcasting themselves over social media. Is it a coffers filling exercise….

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10:33 we know all about Des Forde! Fitzgerald & Carey were also great social media poster boyz until their self created shit hit the bishops fan so now they run fake accounts.

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Columban Fathers
Burial took place in Columban Community Cemetery on Friday 10th June
Rest in peace

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Yes, the passing from this world of any human being is sad & they deserve to be remembered. What’s your problem with that? Well done to the reader that took the time to do this.
May those mentioned and all deceased rest in peace.

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Will someone remember me after I’ve gone?
Is life just a short pointless game?
If I dissappear like millions before,
will someone remember my name?
From a song heard in Fleetwood 1982
MMM

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Thank you @8:19.
Actually I’m not bothered about longevity milestones, certainly not if it entails the frailty and dependency I regularly see.
But in relation to age, and approaching the 80 yrs perceived drop off zone I have no worries about the “beyond.” I believe the whole farrago of an afterlife is a huge scam believed by a broad sway of the unquestionating indoctrinated and the gullible naive hopeful, and perpetuated by a range of ……….. well, ….the unquestioning indoctrinated and the gullible naive hopeful.
“Get a life: not an afterlife” seems an appropriate quote.
MMM

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1:10 am
Now you’re sounding like a conspiracy theorist. Christianity& Catholicism, with its farrago is a religious scam-a 2,000 year scamdemic- with the Eucharist, a drug to keep the sheep in a trance state. So, where’s the evidence? Did you ever research NDEs?

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Cormac can’t know a mere hundred or so priests, too busy looking for promotion with immunity, and deans are no help, too busy looking for promotion. The A&B pocket handkerchief is thought to be a go-ahead region, don’t you know.

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Lovely photo of Bishop Fintan in Canada with Deacon Ronan. Learning how to go on mission, making Cork and Ross parishes great again.

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Is this the new funeral times now I see. Some religious with too much time on thir hands. Get back into the Chapel dear and say your prayers. While you are at it make sure you wear your proper habit.

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The writer wants to update us every weekend on the deaths of priests and religious.

Are readers interested?

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“I see John ******* has “got away” ” my Dad would say after his morning ritual reading of the Irish News obituaries.
Now I find my brothers making similar remarks!
No Pat, I don’t think it would be a good idea in general, but possibly okay occasionally for someone of significant interest
MMM

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The appropriate website for death notices in Ireland is @ https://rip.ie/. Incidentally, I understand the mortality rate in Ireland from early 2021 up to the present is statistically
significant particularly sudden unexpected deaths among younger aged people.

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@9:55 many victims all ages of various forms of clerical related abuse sadly die suddenly. May they rest in peace.

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9.44: Pat, there is absolutely no need to do what your commenter suggests. I would be totally against this. You know quite well that it will lead to a denigration and mockery and caricaturing of some. It would be a huge injustice to grieving families and relatives. I cannot see any justification for this. The R.I.P. website has all relevant notices. Please, Pat, don’t do this.

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What is the point of listing recent clerical deaths? That’s creepy, offensive and, frankly, boring to read.

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Current & Planned Real Estate Management & Damage Limitation Funding of Irish Roman Catholic Churchsays:

Staff mentioned yesterday were made redundant as their skills were no longer compatible with the revised aims and objectives essential in the changing landscape of the Irish Roman Catholic Church. NAMA & the banking sector will be one of several sources of the highly experienced property, legal, financial & other experts required to enable the RCC in its vision going forward. This will eliminate any reliance on low or average income church goers, the model aim will be based on quality, not quantity. The RCC is no longer a pile them high, sell them cheap entity. Former rugby star, Mr Martin Ridge from NAMA currently handling Maynooth property portfolio is one of the first of these prestigious planned appointments to the stable of property gurus deemed essential to the future of the Irish Roman Catholic Church going forward.

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I realised there was something wrong with RCC when I read a book by Donegal healer. He was probably barred or forced to move to hotel to give his talks as he was reported to bishops by some Catholic laity.
He used to preach in his own parish church but kicked out. Cos he was preaching spiritual things that bishops don’t like to hear.
He called it as ‘faithless’ as it came from, lack of leadership top down. It does include ourselves as well. I learned a bit from him as to where I go from here.
Agree with other poster that rcc is a ‘Brand name’ re products such as sacraments et al.

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Further ado to my previous post:
***
He said there are things that need to be said if you want to be healed. Bishops didn’t like it. He was based in Belfast but came from Donegal.
***
He preached about the dangers of new age therapies such as fortune telling, reiki, mediums, and other related assortments of things that I and many other fell into a trap. Bishops didn’t preach this as they didn’t want to know it.
*****
He preached big time on forgiveness in order to be healed.
*****

Lot of people got healed thru him as he was strict in stating conditions in order to be healed such confession for new age therapies, forgiveness, ancestral problems down the line and watch your mouth when you say it etc.
*****
I realised people didn’t get healed in rcc cos there were faithless bishops mostly gays bishops but he didn’t say that explicitly. But I gleaned that from Martel book. Bishops don’t preach it cos they don’t like it or don’t believe it cos its for the fairies as they would say it.
****
Donegal man passed away in 2018 or 2019 after suffering a stroke. He was doing an excorcism at that time as I heard it which he must have let down his guard. His faith was very very strong hence lots healing came. But I felt his electric current hand on my head before he passed away 8 weeks later.

A bit of pentecostal in him I think cos that was where I started to see that there was something wrong with RCC cos no healing via no faith etc. Faith is personal to each of all of us.

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9:56am church volunteers alert each other on their mobiles in our area if anyone is speaking on religious matters in town centres – senior clerics then appear usually wearing a hat/cap and under an umbrella to observe public identity/level of interest from passing public/audience. Much like all the anonymous clergy on here seeking to identify & harass private citizens who are rightfully entitled to express their legitimate observations and to share their awful life changing abuse at the hands of a wholly unconcerned and unrepentant self interested vicious circle in the RCC. We are grateful to Bishop Pat for his support and for this space for victims and survivors of Roman Catholic related abuse, corruption and criminality. Have a good day, Deaf Guy 👍

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10.22: FFS, the greatest load of shit. written here in a long time. We’re not living in Communist China. You are laughable. You gombeen….come into the real world.

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6:03pm it’s obviously hit a nerve that you were spotted & more than once too by various regular shoppers in town! Thou protest too much FFS, Gombeen Padre Catlicks!

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Anon at 10.24am
His book title was ‘the miracle ship’ by John gillespie with a ghost writer named Brian o Hare.
***
First time I met him in Donegal, he was not that I expected to be. A small man with very stocky body, very unassuming and genuine guy.
Very strong faith in that man at that time when he was alive. I remember when some invisible spirit tapped on my shoulder one early morning to wake up and go to attend his talks.

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Further to my post at 9.56am and other posts of mine.
When I was reading his book back in 2014 or 2015.
I sort of broke down when living near cabra. Every time I go near cabra as I just broke down and cried for no reason. I didn’t understand what’s happening to me at that time. Then I realised that I had no choice but to reach out to John gillespie. When I got in touch with me, he gave me a bible quote that I repeat it all over again. I didn’t understand cos of my RC background plus no RC education.
Then few years later, therapist identified as severe ptsd as he confirmed it re me breaking down for no apparent reason quite close to Cabra.
Without John G, I realised it now that I wasn’t spiritually aware or metaphorically, spiritually dead at that time. Now bit more spiritually aware since 2015 as its my thanks to John.
He explains why some prayers weren’t answered as that’s down to no faith or spiritual block such problems down the ancestral line, or sins not confessed or lack of forgiveness et al. Rcc don’t preach all of this. That’s why he was kicked out of his parish church in Belfast.
All his talks were usually in hotel conference rooms or halls etc.

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DG I think all your troubles were because you involved yourself with all that new age shite. A lot of people at that time would have broke down in Cabra but it’s much more gentrified now and I’m sure you’d be fine

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Why don’t we have an obituary announcement for each deceased Catholic bus driver – they perform a more useful function than the majority of Catholic priests.

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@8:57 Bus Drivers? don’t worry, I’m sure you know who will mention Ger Fitzgerald again one day, not wishing him any harm or anything in the meantime. Hopefully he will go on to live his best life in due course. Pax

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10:06 Cop on padre. Ger Fitzgerald is reaping the fruits of what he sowed. “You know who” doesn’t like being mentioned by you so perhaps you should put a lid on it and go focus on making more dinero for the Mafia you work for.

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Im pretty sure you are correct and most are sick of hearing about him and the plight of two girls with nothing better to do, obsessed much? Done, dusted over with and nothing to see here.

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@12.18pm it will be over when the parishioners and people of Ennis see a full and published account of all the buckets of money collected around Ennis by Mr/Fr Fitzgerald & his teams in the years prior to his exposure. Perhaps the organisations and charities could confirm that they actually received all the money and goods donated. Unlike Jerry Carey, Fitzgerald did not break any bar tables in Europe when he was busy showing off his moves for the college girls but nonetheless, monies and goods, toys etc donated in good faith should be properly accounted for by Fintan Monahan and his team in the interests of best practice in both disclosure and closure of these matters.

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12:18 You people will never be sick of hearing about GF because you thrive on gossip. I have plenty to keep me busy outside of this blog & you probably already know that very well… I am only here to stop the Predator Priest from targeting other women (and men?) while he is still on the Killaloe payroll & to expose his lies & other durty deeds involving €€€ so that his chances of remaining in the RCC will be slim. Get it into that pontifical head of yours that I will not hesitate to defend myself when attacked on this blog: An eye for an eye and an email to Fintan when Gru and his minions slag me. Never play all your cards at once 😉.

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12:18 It ain’t over until the fat man-child sings and Fitzgerald is out of the priesthood for good.

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4:37pm Killaloe certainly is an all round shit show of money fiddling & all manner of sexual deviancy etc. and has been for a very long time.

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Anon at 1.57pm
***
Its part combination of lot of new age rubbish which opened doors to demonic plus abuse trauma as well plus inability to handle it at that time.
****
Now I’m fine, don’t have ptsd issues such as insomnia, nightmares as I’m eating well and sleeping well much so far despite Covid lockdowns. More stable now than I was before and much calmer as well.
Cabra is much quieter as I have heard. I haven’t visited that place except Dublin City and its surroundings since late 1980s. I visited Dublin now and again but not cabra.

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@1:29 actually “you people” are sick of you using this as your personal “gossip” column. There are plenty of gossip colums. There are people here with legitimate concerns and problems with the RCC. You are a disgruntled desperate yank who could not get her leg over a fat disgusting priest.

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6:42 Anon vicious comments from vile minions who don’t want me to speak out will only cause me to speak out more. You won’t silence me with psychological warfare and shaming tactics. You only make me more determined to expose the corruption in the Diocese of Killaloe. Now sod off you piece of 💩.

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6:42 so many priests & their supporters seem to be greedy and disgustingly abusive in various ways, I seem to recall that Fitzgerald initiated contact with this American lady. I hope she does not think too badly of the Irish people as a consequence of the appalling way he treated her. I seem to remember that the other American lady who bore a child to Bishop Eamon Casey was similarly vilified by the Irish media and others when she was forced to take desperate measures to secure child support for their son. Your comment to this lady is disgusting and you should apologise.

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10:21 Thank you for your comment. The trolls have been out in full force lately but I won’t let them deter me from speaking out. With much appreciation ☘️.

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Can anyone love someone very much, but not get enough, on their terms? And, if so, how do they deal with that?

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11:53 Email/screenshots about Fr Ger breaking 5 km. lockdown rules in March 2021 sent tonight to Fintan. How far is it from Ennis to Clonlara? Promises made, promises kept.

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Funny weather, if you are at a loose end today, a day with Jacques Brel can be very rewarding, the english translations are incredible poetry.

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Fr Thady did not allow the suspected arson attackers to win, in addition to Gods Cottage, he has now added a wonderful new Bible Chapel & during Covid, Mass was celebrated outside at the Mass Rock. Rock on Fr Thady 🙏👍

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The future:
Selling off real estate
Redundancies (lay)
Low Sunday Mass attendance
More historic and contemporary sexual child abuse
Homosexuality rife in the priesthood
Priesthood a homosexual profession
Few Seminarians (homosexual)
The solution- God know, so ask him.

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After a lifetime as a practising Catholic, dutiful, faithful etc, the best I can describe myself as now is a cultural Catholic. That does not phase me, and I feel quite comfortable with where I find myself. Pretty much my situation is as + Pat describes above – having a relationship with God / The Creator, but doing so pretty much outside the walls of the RCC and Catholic theology and morality. And why has this happened ? Why have I developed like this ? Well, I guess in part it is a function of getting older, and feeling freer to explore and re-imagine and to think outside the box I found myself in for so many decades. From some people as they get older they double down on what they are familiar with and have believed and don’t like to be too speculative. I’ve found with me that in many things in life – food, interests, how I dress, what interests me – as I have got older I have become more relaxed and willing to explore new things and take new directions. It’s the same with my faith. Why not explore ? Why not question what I have been told over the decades ? Who says that the RCC has all the answers, as I have been told since a child ? In addition, the egregious and abusive culture of the the RCC, particularly in its clerical ranks, has shocked me and millions of others, after having been told by them that they had all the answers and were the ones whom we were to listen to. They have lost all respect and right to teach and lead. So, I teach myself, I explore, and I find my own way. I reckon I am not alone. All those people who are no longer in the pews are making their own journey without priests and bishops telling them what to do and what to think. What’s not liberatingly healthy about that ? The clerical ranks of bishops and priests and the institution of the Church, for the most part, are now redundant to most people and their lives. How refreshing !

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An excellent comment 11:37. Thanks for sharing. Questioning is part of an intelligent logical approach to life. If some allegedly supremely powerful God bestowed such qualities on us surely we are expected to use them? Humankind has only progressed by an ongoing quest for truth and knowledge. Why should matters concerning the basis of our existence be excluded from analysis?
MMM

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1.33: MMM: I have listened to some wonderful debates between atheists and believers on You Tube, all fascinating. Both sides of the arguments about the reality or non reality of GOD and about the relevance or non relevance of religious belief are very persuasive, calm and rational in thought, analysis and philosophy. It’s all too easy for atheists and believers to be in contempt of each other when I believe all view points and belief systems have something worthwhile to offer about how we can live more justly, compassionately and caringly. All of us have a shared humanity which we can utilise for a better society and a better world. I take my values from Christ and his gospel. Others, not professing a faith are equally inspired by their beliefs, humanism or philosophy. As we grow, life changes our perspectives, our inherited beliefs and our way of believing in God. I very often ask, where is God? Who is God? But primarily for me, our true contentment is found through a spirit of giving to others, caring for those who struggle, putting ourselves out, lifting people up from distress and trying to make a difference to all by living a reasonably “good” life. I would suspect that most of us share this same vision but the gospel of Christ provides my beliefs and convictions. What distresses me most are the extremists and fundamentalists, both religious and atheistic/non religious, the screamers without respect or tolerance for differing opinions. They are bad for our well being. While a fervent believer, I can understand the thoughts of 11.37 and those of yourself, MMM.

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Anon@ 6:43 Excellent comment a d well expressed. Thanks.
We all wear different clothing. Most of them keep us warm.
MMM

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I rem a comment from John from Donegal that rcc Catholic were brainwashed. He tried to teach them (rcc Catholics) re faith and it connected to healing if done right.
He said he found lot of healings in non rcc Catholics people cos they weren’t brainwashed. To be honest with you, I didn’t believe it until I did it myself re his way as I was astonished. He then said to me, your faith healed you when I reported my experience.

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Pat has other plans. I look forward to finally meeting his good self in person 😊. Ger is more than welcome to meet up with Pat to tell his side of the “story” but I am sure that he already has other plans in place for tomorrow—Sunday is chipper day in Limerick.

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2.01: Carole, surely you’ve had enough exposure on this blog to display your rage, anger and hurt re: Her. Isn’t it time to work out your learned insights in private and refind your contentment. I sense lingering anger, resentments and hurt. They may yet destroy you – all these negative emotions.

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6:23 You don’t fool me for a second. I don’t need your fake concern. If you were referring to Y. , she and I are the best of friends so you’ll have to try better 🤣.

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6:23 Message for GF: I will NEVER be quiet on this blog until you are out of the Diocese of Killaloe for good. Y. has taken a break from the blog but don’t think for a minute that she has forgotten what you have done. We will make sure you don’t do it again.

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6:23 Don’t f-in patronise me. Another email to Fintan on the way this evening. Enjoy your chips.

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8:56 the more these catlick clergy & their minions come on here trying to censor comments via any means possible ranging from fake concern to outright nasty vile intimidation, the more curious one becomes because it’s as if there is a whole lot more we don’t yet know about in Killaloe & elsewhere.

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Dear Bishop Pat, I have a genuine question for you and any of your readers who are experts on this. I would like to have private counselling/therapy for anxiety/depression caused by an unhappy childhood and subsequent life events. I can pay for it, but how do you pick a therapist? How do you know their qualifications, approach or that they are safe to use? Is there a register? I live in county Down.

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I have been seeing psychiatrists for 20 years and I’m only 38. Some good, some great, some I don’t get with. It’s like picking the right golf club. But I do tell you, it does help me incredibly to stay alive. I have tried to go it alone and it always leads my to dark places in my life. So go out there, find the right one and do what these amazing professionals tell you to do. And if needed some meds. Best of luck.

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To be honest you’ve got an advantage if you’re paying for it because you get more choice.
The main thing to stress is that the evidence based therapy for anxiety and depression (if you want to hit those primarily) is cognitive behavioral therapy. You can find self help books and resources online to get a feel for it.
The evidence is actually that in some ways self help works better than therapy with a professional! I think it’s because you don’t get embarrassed to explore things on your own if you feel they might be embarrassing with someone else.
So there’s CBT and you mentioned an unhappy childhood. You might want to talk through what’s happened, and that’s what counselling is.
To find a therapist or counsellor my advice would always be to have a look at some local to you – literally google ‘therapy’ and your address. You can get a feel on their website and see if you connect. You might find some specialize in your own experience, or you just like the approach they take. You can approach one you’ve selected for an assessment and see what they suggest.
Don’t beat yourself up if it’s difficult to get any or get anywhere, you only notice the change in the mid to long term.
Best wishes

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Thank you, 12.54 and 2.11. Much appreciated and I’ll look into what you both said. Thanks again.

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I do have ro pay for it but I found a great one and agreed to a maximum of 200 per month with multiple appointments if needed. He does prescribe meds per month, but limits them to been dispensed weekly given the medication type, which is not unusual.

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There is a big difference between psychiatry and psychotherapy. Be very careful in choosing a psychotherapist. Make sure the therapist is professionally fully accredited,
very experienced and therapeutic approach can be of help for your particular issues.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions in any initial contact with a therapist regarding the above.
Try the following sites: http://www.psychotherapycouncil.ie/find/ or https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/county/northern-ireland. All the best.

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2.11: Finding a good therapist is vital. My doctor recommended one for me and I was very fortunate to be assigned a most wonderful therapist. He engaged with me in the most empathetic, kind, caring and compassionate way. He brought me on an amazing, though painful journey, through CBT…After 6 years availing of his support, I felt I was too dependent on him and stopped seeing him. I got on with my life. The insights, knowledge and resources I discovered through therapy are now a deep well spring in my life. While some days are awful, I know if I am ever in an abyss of darkness again, all I have to do is phone him. There’s a sneering disdain given to priests on this blog who claim they are in need of professional therapy. This kind of attitude can lead some to self harm or making fatal decisions, as has happened. None of us knows how each person’s mind acts. Any of us at any time can fall into a darkness of despair and depression. Let’s practise charity. One of the benefits of therapy is the incredible awareness it gives you about the pain and suffering of others. The insights I gained gave enriched my understanding for all who struggle. I wish 12.37 and 12.54 and anyone else in inner turmoil God’s blessings. May all refind inner healing and remain strong.

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@6:19. Thank you for your wishes and I also pass along wishes to whose struggling. Along with a psychiatrist and counsellor, which and I never miss my appointments. I also attend AA as an ex user and alcoholic. I need to, I live way too close to the edge of Irelands west coast. 🤔 one day at a time and today is a good day. 🙂

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I gave you total trauma and condensed in two pages my experience for your solicotoe on holidays on holy week for advice, what was he’s name again

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https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2022/06/not-letting-go-sticking-with-the-stories-that-matter-2/
Not letting go: Sticking with the stories that matter
QUINCY (MA)
National Catholic Reporter [Kansas City MO] June 10, 2022
By Bill Mitchell
” Survivors of clergy sexual abuse gathered with supporters June 4 to mark an important anniversary and, even more importantly, to reenergize their solidarity. It was 20 years ago that the Boston Globe exposed the cover-up of predatory priests by the Boston Archdiocese, journalism that earned a Pulitzer Prize and inspired the Oscar-winning film, “Spotlight.”

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Carole your emails to Bishop Fintan just go straight to junk as they have all got you and Yvonne’s hurt.
Yes you both were treated badly but that happens when you fall for a Priest.
Both of you have been jilted the will be no more visits to the chipper so it is time to move on.
Ger is now not wanting back but wants a resettlement payment but Bishop Fintan has said NO.
It will be up to the tribunal someday to make a judgement on Ger and Jerry however in the meantime they stay on the payroll with clergy benefits.

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11:01 After I told Fintan that I was going on this blog, he told me that all communication from his side was over and that I should contact him if there was any further evidence so I don’t buy what you said about the mails going to junk. Since I am under continuous attack by Ger and his minions on the blog, I will continue (for as long as I deem necessary) to send Fintan emails with facts/screenshots that can be used as evidence. Nice try but I’m not falling for any of it.

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TRY Anne Sheridan. DAILY MAIL,
anne.sheridan@dailymail.ie
they would publish anything
Irish Daily Mail
3rd Floor Embassy House Ballsbridge Dublin 4
+353 1 637 5800
But, she will tell you there is no story other than a woman scorned, and really, who wants to read that, there are millions of them in Ireland.

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Resettlement payment? Oh the sense of entitlement. Fair play if you can pull it off. Sail through life without ever having worked a day.

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11:01 how can Fitzgerald expect a payment from Killaloe when there are outstanding queries on monies and goods donated on schemes run by him and his teams in Ennis over the past number of years? We parishioners expect the accounts for all of this to be published in Ennis Parish Newsletter as soon as possible. No more cover ups please, we require immediate transparency.

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I don’t think he could even win an unfair dismissal case as he broke a contract. I know its awful but he could possibly win a civil case against the 2 ladies and perhaps Fr Pat for inflicting emotional distress. These are our crooked laws in Eire unfortunately.

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@11:01 Your attempt to try and get me and Y. to “move on” has failed. I am not fooled by you or your cronies. You all look out for each other. You are like a pack of wolves trying to devour any victim who has the misfortune of falling into your den of iniquity. The buck stops here. I will not be dictated to by the RCC mafia. You are thick as thieves. The only way you will silence me is by putting a bullet through my head…and I wouldn’t put it past you mafiosos to do that. In the end, DIVINE JUSTICE will prevail.

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