In a novel in-air press conference with the head of the Church of England and the head of the Church of Scotland, Pope Francis repeated his remarks first made on January 25 about the need for an end to anti-sodomy laws.
Noting that some 50 countries have anti-sodomy laws, Francis said as he was returning from a six-day trip to Africa, “The criminalization of homosexuality is a problem that cannot be ignored.”
Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, which permits homosexual “marriage” in their churches, praised Francis for his remarks, as did the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the lead bishop of the Church of England, which permits homosexual blessings in their churches. “I entirely agree with every word he said there… I shall certainly quote the Holy Father. He said it so beautifully and accurately,” Welby said.
PAT SAYS
Francis, Greenshields,and Welbyare 100 % correct.
Prosecuting, punishing, and killing people for homosexual acts in the 21st century is atrocious and, in fact, a great evil.
In this day and age, there is absolutely no need to be using the word sodomy. It is a loaded word.
AND, many “straight” couples practice anal sex. If they are honest, they will admit it.
LGBT+ human rights are as valid as any other human rights.
GLASGOW UNDERTAKER MAKES SECOND COURT APPEARANCE
DESMOND MAGUIRE
The South Glasgow undertaker with widespread RC clerical connections,Desmond Maguire, made his second court appearance in Glasgow yesterday in connections with domestic matters.
As the matter is before the courts, we can not comment on the details.
In the pastoral letter published on 29th January Archbishop McMahon said this:
Finally, I offer a word to my fellow priests in this Diocese. I will be meeting you all soon and look forward to listening to you and hearing from you. I know that you the priests of the diocese are suffering along with your people. But I urge you to stand up for what is right even if that may bring painful consequences.
This meeting will take place as follows:
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon would like to meet with priests on Thursday 9th February. The meeting will be held at the Mercure George Washington Hotel, Stone Cellar Road, High Usworth, Washington, NE37 1PH.
MERCURE GEORGE WASHINGTON
Lunch will be served at 12.30pm followed by the meeting at 2.00 pm until 5.00 pm (latest).
Archbishop Malcolm has offered to meet with priests on a one-to-one basis on the afternoon of Friday 10th February at St Hilda’s. If you would like to meet with Archbishop Malcolm please contact his Private Secretary, Fr John Poland, on abpsec@rcaol.org.uk or telephone him at Archbishop’s House on 0151 494 0686 to arrange a time.
PAT SAYS
One of Byrne’s biggestcock up in H&N was his total contempt for the priests of the diocese.
He ran the diocese like a bull on a China shop and thought he did not need any help, guidance, or advice from anyone.
He even ignored and trampled on vital issues like safeguarding.
For a start, he wanted to bring a convicted paedophile priest to live with him in bishops house!
I hope the priests let Archbishop Mc Mahon know the full extent of Byrne’s disastrous reign of foolishness and terror.
WHILE GEORGE PELL is firing up downstairs, so to speak, up here in Purgatory, we’re being tortured by Australian media outlets telling us he was a ‘polarising figure’. The Sydney Morning Herald first described him that way and the rest of mainstream media has since followed suit.
I understand prestige media’s pressure to present as impartial — the phrase serves a diplomatic purpose that at least alludes to Pell’s monstrous life and deeds. And it runs better in print than, say, “near-universally reviled figure” or “paedophile champion”.
If there really are two “poles” of reflection on Pell’s life, let it be known that I am on whatever pole the paedophile champions aren’t on.
I acknowledge as a layperson that this moment must be conflicting and painful for the many victims of Catholic Church abuse in Australia. It must be hard to tune in to the cheering of so many others, given everything this evil man meant to them. But I hope they take solace from the fact that 99% of us are on their side, rather than the meagre – if powerful and very loud – other faction.
On that other “pole”, a small army of the elite is running desperate cover for Pell’s legacy. They’re being very high-pitched about how great Pell was.
WHILE GEORGE PELL is firing up downstairs, so to speak, up here in Purgatory, we’re being tortured by Australian media outlets telling us he was a ‘polarising figure’. The Sydney Morning Herald first described him that way and the rest of mainstream media has since followed suit.
I understand prestige media’s pressure to present as impartial — the phrase serves a diplomatic purpose that at least alludes to Pell’s monstrous life and deeds. And it runs better in print than, say, “near-universally reviled figure” or “paedophile champion”.
If there really are two “poles” of reflection on Pell’s life, let it be known that I am on whatever pole the paedophile champions aren’t on.
I acknowledge as a layperson that this moment must be conflicting and painful for the many victims of Catholic Church abuse in Australia. It must be hard to tune in to the cheering of so many others, given everything this evil man meant to them. But I hope they take solace from the fact that 99% of us are on their side, rather than the meagre – if powerful and very loud – other faction.
On that other “pole”, a small army of the elite is running desperate cover for Pell’s legacy. They’re being very high-pitched about how great Pell was.
I know he spent much of his career either ignoring or deliberately obfuscating complaints of child sexual abuse. I know he ignored paedophilia while working in the same building as several of Australia’s most notorious paedophile priests, even as they actively passed little boys amongst themselves.
I’m aware he was more preoccupied with “evil” abortion, evil contraception, evil homosexuality and evil Marxism. And that he instigated a church response to these many claims of abuse which was not only inadequate but which prioritised underpaying and silencing victims. He supported paedophile priests more than victims. Many victims of church sexual abuse died under his watch. I know, even as a layperson, Pell did a lot of evil.
So it’s astounding to watch an army of media outlets – many of which are ordinarily defined by their disingenuous populism and political slipperiness – decide that defending a dead paedophile champion is the hill worth dying on.
Australia led the way in bringing church abuse to mainstream conversation when Julia Gillard announced the Royal Commission. Pell’s “Melbourne response”, as terrible as its effect on victims was, at least appeared to ratify that it was time for everybody to consider the claims — and that put Australia on the map in a worldwide conversation about Catholic child abuse.
But Australia is also notorious for having dropped the ball on victims – High Court technicalities, measly $50,000 church payouts and a legacy of silenced victims meant Pell got away with so much, as did the church. It was devastating for victims and their loved ones.
Some of us might have turned to fantasy and conspiracy to resolve these tensions, but, for most of us, we’ve only been able to wait — whether for civil action against Pell to conclude or some other tangible outcome.
Now he’s dead and in hell. It’s imperfect, but it feels like an outcome — 99 % of us are overjoyed.
PAT SAYS
George Pell should have been given a very private funeral with no fuss.
He may have been cleared by the High Court on a technicality – but he was waa previously convicted by a jury of his peers.
PLUS He covered up abuse for decades as a priest, bishop, an archbishop, and a cardinal.
He was an RC PROTECTOR, and the RC protected him in life and in death.
To my mind, there is a massive difference between a priest who falls in love with another individual and a priest who is on the orgy circuit.
It is the most natural ( and beautiful) thing for two people to fall in love.
This has been the basis of marriage and family for a very long time.
Secular / Diocesan priests do not take a vow of CHASTITY.
They take a promise to be celibate – not to marry. Of course, chastity is implied in this promise.
Is it possible and moral to make a promise at 23 that implies going against nature for the rest of your life?
Surely, this is only possible for the very small minority of human beings that have the “charism” for celibacy.
The very first book of the Bible says: “it’s not good for a man to be alone.”
And that’s God talking !!!
To my mind, it is morallyevil for the RCC to impose on every priest a burden for which only the rarest are given the grace.
What does a priest who genuinely falls in love with another do?
Does he declare his love to his people, his fellow priests, and bishop and suffer dismissal and exile?
Or does he live a double life ?
Double and secret lives are destructive of mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
I think that such a priest should, as Shakespeare and Lady Macbethsay – “Screw his courage to the sticking place”; tell his people, fellow priests, and bishop of his love and deal with the consequences.
Such honesty and authenticity ALWAYS bears fruit.
ORGY PRIESTS
The Church’s orgy priests are mainly of the antique disposition.
They are not seeking love, friendship, or companionship.
They are seeking orgasmic thrills, sexual conquests, and drug – or chemically sourced and mind-blowing experiences.
They are predatory monsters seeking self and mutual disintegration and are hiding behind ecclesiastical structures.
To me, these are “lost souls.” And while that is terribly sad in itself, they are targeting innocent young seminarians and other “lambs” and creating havoc in the House of the Lord.
For 36 years now, I have been celebratingmarriages and blessings for those whose first marriage had failed irretrievably.
THE IDEAL
I believe in the Christian IDEAL that marriage should be for life, and as Christians, we should always do what we can to heal and save a marriage that is in trouble.
WHEN THE IDEAL IS UNACHIEVABLE
But, sadly, there are marriages that can never be healed or saved.
So, what do we do in such cases?
Do we cast people out forever and tell them they can never have love and companionshipagain?
Or do we find a “pastoralsolution” to their dilemma.
ST BASIL
Bishop Basil of Caesera allowed second marriages on the grounds of compassion but pointed out that the second marriage was not as perfect spiritually as the first.
Other Church Fathers allowed second marriages – but for men and not for women !!!
Separated couples were in a very bad situation in Ireland, right up to 1996. The RCC had made sure there was no divorce in Ireland.
Couples wanted their new relationships recognised, and very many of them were seeking God’s blessingon their lives.
Before I began marrying and blessing couples in second relationships, I asked God to give me a sign that to so so was ok with him. He gave me that sign.
Here is a letter that arrived yesterday from a couple I encountered in 1995:
“Dear Fr Pat,
I’m sure you are wondering what prompted me to write to you after all these years. But I never got to thank you for your kindness when my partner and I went to see you in 1995.
A long time ago, surely, but going through some photos recently, I realised that I never filled you in on what happened afterwards.
I had been married to a very abusive husband with a serious drink problem. At that time, there was no getting away. We had two children and so we were trapped.
I finally had to go back home to my parents. It wasn’t easy. I took a job to get some money, and through it, I met my partner.
He was a widower with his own children. He and his children were so good to us – asked us to their houses, fed us, took us on holidays with them, and always checked in on us to see were ok, accepted us so much. I never had so much kindness.
I never left home or lived with them as my two kids were very damaged by my husband’s abuse and what they saw and heard in the early years.
My mother died in 1998. She loved my partner for his goodness to me, my children, and her. I only found out years later that she had asked my partner to look after us when she was gone. I only had to go to the phone box and he came.
When my husband died eight years ago, we had a civil marriage ceremony.
But I know what kept us together was the lovely blessing you gave us in 1995. We have been so happy and often used to think about you untilfinally I thought it was time to say “Thank you Father”.
I am enclosing some photos.
I am sorry for the shaky writing. My eyesight is failing, and the doctors say there is nothing more they can do. Please include me in your prayers. You helped us so much in the past when no one else would.
I hope you are happy with yourself? God knows you deserve it. You helped so many like us in the past, who had nowhere else to turn to.
It’s great that times have changed for people but you led the way for everyone.
For all you do and have done, we are truly thankful.
Always grateful to you,
Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xx Xxxxxx
PAT SAYS
I am grateful and touched when I receive letters like the above.
Jesus is right. We must use LOVE to determine what Scripture means – even on questions like divorce and remarriage.
I have seen so much LOVE and GOODcome put of marriages where people got a second chance.
By all means, let us keep lifelong marriage as the Christian IDEAL.
But let us also, with God’s help, find a way to give people who have failed or who have been failed, a bridge over that River of Failure.
And let us remember that Jesus was and is the bridge between God’s perfection and our imperfection.
It is alleged that Mr Maguire assaulted his wife just before Christmas. He was arrested, brought before Glasgow Sherrif Court, remanded on bail with restrictions. Not allowed near the house, etc
His case is listed for Wednesday next at 2pm.
*** IMPORTANT
We can not make any comment on the case itself as it is now in court, and of course, we must remember that everyone is presumed innocent until a court says otherwise.
HOT TUB?
Des Maguire installed a large hot tubin his back gardensome time ago. It is believed that it was a regular party place for many clergy.
It appears that clergy members of the ScottishDaisy chain are very worried about what will come out.
And maybe MISTER KEENAN should stop hanging about with undertakers and estate agents?
There are still outstanding questions about the financial bankruptcy of Portsmouth Diocese and Bishop Egan’s craving to transfer the funds from the Priests’ Retirement Fund to be absorbed by the Diocese.
Several priests and some lay people too are now asking if the Diocese of Portsmouth bought the Lawside Academy and Convent of Mercy in Dundee, so that the Franciscan Sisters and Friars from Gosport and Bridgemary could be housed.
Did Portsmouth Diocese buy this site? If so, we need an honest answer.
Is that the main reason why the Retirement Fund valued at least 10 million pounds in real estate is being transferred?
Bishop Egan and his Trustees, (we need a bona fide word to describe the Portsmouth Trustees) claim that one reason why the Sisters and Friars were transferred to Scotland was their lease on the properties had run out, but the leases for both places belong to the Diocese of Portsmouth!
Why was the official name of the Friars changed twice since they came to Portsmouth? Was it because this community was disbanded by the Vatican?
The Friars are still incardinated in Portsmouth Diocese and they have retained occupancy of St. Joseph’s Church and Presbytery, Copnor, Portsmouth. Does that mean they receive their salary from Portsmouth Diocese?
And finally, why did Bishop Stephen Robson, the Bishop of Dunkeld, suddenly announce his early retirement on the feast of Holy Innocents, December 28th 2022?
Did he suddenly realise what a horrible mistake he had made in allowing these two communities into the Diocese of Dunkeld three months prior?
RESIGNATIONS OF TWO MEMBERS OF THE PORTSMOUTH PRIESTS RETIREMENT FUND MANAGEMENT BOARD.
“Dear Fathers,
It is with regret that AS and SB had to resign from the Priests Retirement Fund Management Board earlier today, and we wanted to explain the circumstances.
The PRF Management Board has been in a difficult disagreement with the Diocese for some months regarding its and the Diocesan financial difficulties. Both are short of capital for different reasons. The PRF also has a short-term cash flow problem forthis year only, created by several trustee decisions about the CLOSER TO CHRIST fundraising receipts and loan payments. The Diocese has a significant structural deficit over a number of years.
We are unhappy that a number of decisions were taken by PRF trustees, advised by the Curia without any involvement of the PRF Management Board, and when they knewthey were conflicted ( as trustees of both the PRF and the Diocesan Trust.
These decisions have been to the detriment of the PRF. We have reported the matter to the Charity Commission and have also complained to the Moderator of the Curia who brought the complaint to the full Ttustees meeting earlier today. We await their findings on our complaint.
At the same meeting, the trustees agreedto a proposal from te Curia, advised by several solicitors for the merger of the two charities, subject to the approval of the Charity Commission.
The Fund itself will be transferred into a Special Trust within the Diocesan Charity. We have been advised that the two solicitors that the Fund is then secure from civil litigation but, of course, will be controlled by a new Diocesan arrangement still to be specified, but not an independent charity.
In addition, no work has been produced to the PRF Management Board or to the Department for Clergy by the Curia on a transition plan, a business case or an operational model for the new arrangements.
The Trustees have taken the decision to merge, not knowing how it will be done and whether it will be effective, confidential, or safe.
Unfortunately, the decisions taken are, in our opinion, so detrimental to the PRF and against the foundation document setting up the PRF that we can not remain to try and assist with the new arrangements whenever they are proposed. We will, of course, cooperate with any timely handover. “
PAT SAYS
The situation is not hard to understand.
Egan is a dictator and is determined to have his way.
Any mere lay person, even if a professional, who gets in his way will be run over by a coach and four.
Certain people have said that Egan is ruining the diocese every way, including financially.
Egan believes himself to be the supreme authority in Portsmouth, and he will do what HE WANTS and spends what HE WANTS
The outcome will be DISASTER and RUIN.
AND, where do these monks and nuns fit into all of this?
THE MADNESS OF TRYING TO ATTRACT YOUNG MENINTO SEMINARIES WHICH ARE GAY KNOCKING SHOPS – WHERE THEY WILL BE SEXUALLY PURSUED, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND RISK LOSING THEIR FAITH, THEIR SANITY, THEIR MORAL COMPASSAND THEIR PEACE OF MIND.
“In several seminaries, homosexual clubs operate more or less openly“ (Pope Benedict)
PAT SAYS
The RC priesthood is now a gay profession.
And most of these gay seminarians, priests, and bishops are actively gay.
Seminaries are gay “knocking shops or gay saunas” and seminary staff and visiting bishops and priests use seminarians and each other for gay sex.
Many seminarians evolve into “holy rent boys” for senior clerics.
Seminarians have told me that in return for sex and silence, bishops and clergy give them large sums of money, expensive gifts like watches and cars and bring them on 5 * holidays and cruises.
Do I know of such situations in the British Isles – the UK and Ireland ?
Yes, I do.But to date, I do not have the permission of my sources to make the details public.
But I will make these situations public.
And when I do, it will lead to episcopal scandals and resignations.
There are ex Irish seminarians out there whose lives have been ruined by predatory senior clerics.
PHONSIE CULLINAN
Phonsie Cullinan, in my mind, is a very scary and creepy character.
He exudes suppression and repression, and I am quite certain that Phonsieis not emotionally and sexually mature and integrated.
I think he has a sadistic personality.
I would be very surprised if he did not self flagalate at least once a day.
For him to be chairman of the Irish bishop’s vocations, the body ismind-boggling.
That he invites young people to live with him in his house is concerning.
I am very suspicious of Phonsie’s foundation for young people in Tipperary.
And Phonsie is now the leader of vocations in Ireland !
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 