Day: Nov 1, 2022

FROM IRISH TIMES

“The Bishop of Kerry Dr Ray Browne on Tuesday apologised over a controversial homily delivered to parishioners in Listowel on Sunday, saying the views expressed were not representative of Christianity.

Bishop Browne, in a statement posted on the diocesan website, said he was aware of “the deep upset and hurt” caused. He apologised to all who were offended.

“The views expressed do not represent the Christian position. The homily at a regular weekend parish Mass is not appropriate for such issues to be spoken of in such terms. I regret that this has occurred while a parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land is taking place,” the bishop said, in an apparent reference to the fact that the parish priest, Canon Declan O’Connor, is away on pilgrimage.

The controversial homily was delivered by retired priest Fr Seán Sheehy at the 11.30am Mass on Sunday. Locals said there had also been a similar homily, though not as forceful, by Fr Sheehy at the Saturday vigil Mass”.

PRIEST PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED SEX OFFENDEE IN COURT

From The Kerryman

“Father Sean Sheehy was born in Listowel, has spent most of his ministry in the United States. He is a lifelong friend of the Foley family and has known Danny Foley since the Listowel bouncer was 15 years of age.

Castlegregory

Residents who spoke to The Kerryman were unwilling to go on the record about their controversial former priest but several expressed anger at his actions in Tralee Circuit Court where he gave evidence as a character witness for Foley, describing him as ‘a man with the highest respect for women and someone who does not have an abusive bone in his body’

Despite the anger there was also some sympathy for the priest who was praised especially for his involvement in community groups, charities and the GAA.Danny Foley, 35, of Meen, outside Listowel, was convicted on December 4 at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court — after a unanimous verdict from a jury of 10 men and two women — of sexually assaulting a 22-year-old female on the morning of June 16, 2008, in a car park at the back of Mermaids night club”.

PAT SAYS

Ray Browne has apologised for the words spoken by Sean Sheehy as Mass in Listowel!

But Father Sheehy was only proclaiming the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

And he was proclaiming those teachings during his homily at Mass – the exact place his Church requires him to do so.

Ray Browne says that Father Sheehy’s views were ” not representative of Christianity”.

And that is true. Father Sheehy’s views do not represent my views as a Christian, a priest and a bishop.

But Ray Browne and Sean Sheehy are not merely “Christians”. They are Christians of the Roman Catholic variety.

If Sheehy is preaching RCC doctrine at Mass how can he be in the wrong and why does the bishop have to apologise for Sheehy doing the right thing?

And in apologising for Sheehy is Browne not also apologising for RCC teaching and saying that RCC teaching in not representative of Christianity?

And if that’s the case what is Browne doing as RCC Bishop of Kerry?

Or is Browne simply concerned about the OPTICS and his COLLECTIONS,?

AND

Why does Sheehy condemn two people living together in a committed loving relationship and yet offer supportive evidence in court for a man who sexually assaulted a woman in a car park?

Me thinks that Browne, Sheehy and the RCC in general need to get their act together.

WE’RE JUST WAITING FOR THE FAT NUN TO COME ON AND SING!

THE IRISH CATHOLIC CHURCH as we have known it (1922 – 1970s) is in decline and on the way out.

And that is a very good thing.

The Irish state that emerged post 1922 was a confessional Catholic state where politicians and others did what the bishops ordered.

The image of Eamon de Valera going down on one knee to kiss John Charles McQuaid’s ring says it all.

The real parliament of that state was the Purple Parliament of Maynooth.

The archbishop of Dublin could “sack” the health minister Dr Noel Browne.

And Dr Browne’s boss, the taoiseach proclaimed: “I am a Catholic first and a politician second”.

We must recognise that the RCC filled important roles in the early Ireland when it came to health, education and social care.

At the time the governments did not have the resources to deal with all these needs and were quite happy for the Church, with all its resources, wealth and free labour to fill these gaps.

It suited the Church too. It gave the Church enormous power and control.

And the governments paid the Church bodies well and facilitated a huge rise in the Church’s wealth.

It was church and state paradise.

But what about the poor people on the bottom – the poor children and parents, the unmarried mothers, the orphans etc.

They were at the mercy of Church and State.

And the bad fruits ripened over time – child sexual abuse by priests, brothers and nuns.

The emergence of the Magdalen laundries.

The horrors of the orphanages – violence, starvation, death and secret graves.

THE NEW IRELAND

A new Ireland has gradually emerged. The population as a whole are more educated.

The media has published the horrors of the past.

The Catholic Doctrines that defined and ran everyhing are now questioned and rejected.

The priest is no longer feared but rather suspected and even despised.

The Church’s wholesale hypocrisy is recognised.

It’s pious proclamations about giving to the poor are viewed alongside its massive wealth.

The people who once tried to control our sexuality are now seen as the most promiscuous and lecherous of all.