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A YOUNG MAN WITH A VOCATION.

Question from a young man

Pat, and indeed readers, what advice would give to a genuine young man seeking to enter the seminary. I’m convinced that God is calling me to serve as a priest. Please only give genuine and constructive feedback as this is an honest, well-intentioned question. Please, no flippant or hurtful remarks.

PATS ANSWER

My Dear Young Friend,

I am going to speak from my heart and try and give you genuine and constructive and genuine feedback.

It is 100 % certain that God put you into the world to do something special for him. He puts every man and woman into the world in the same way.

I refer you to what Cardinal Newman wrote:

“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me, which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him. In perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about. “

So, make this meditation your own and use it in prayer when considering your vocation.

You think God is calling you to be a priest.

What is a priest, especially today?

Without being too precious, hopefully , a genuine priest is a man (?) who is possessed by a burning passion to love and serve God and a burning passion to touch all those he comes into contact with the healing touch of Jesus.

His “toolbox” will contain the Scriptures, the Sacraments, prayer, compassion, intelligent common sense, a knowledge and understanding of human nature, a small ego, a non judgemental spirit, and an exceptional courage.

He must be authentic, but not perfect, in every aspect of his life.

He must prefer spirit filled spontaneity to life–destroying legalism and juridicism.

He must be able to be fully in touch with all the aspects and contradictions of his own humanity and integrate them fully into his spirituality in such a way that his parishioners and others will be attracted to use him as an advisor, a guide and a friend of their soul.

BUT

No young man starts out with all those qualities. However, he must have the potential to evolve into such a man. He must be made of that ‘clay’ that the “Potter” can use to that end.

AND

So far, we have been speaking of the IDEAL.

THE REALITY

My Young Friend,

The Church in which you want to be a priest lies in ruins 😞

It is the byword for the sexual abuse and the rape of children, women, and men.

It is the byword for the coverup of every heinous crime you can think of.

Is is far worse than the mafia, the triads and the Russian mobs all joined together.

Instead of being the Bride of Christ, it is Satan’s Chief Harlot.

And you are faced with bringing your unsullied innocence and idealism into this dark arena 😞

When you enter, if you are physically attractive, you will be the immediate target of those who will want to ravage and deflower you absolutely.

They will not only ravage your young body. They will want to ravage your very soul.

And, how can you be expected to cope with such an anhialation?

You need to reflect very deeply on all these things.

My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal” (Sirach 2:1)

I think I have said all I can, for now.

I cannot tell you what to do. That would be wrong and presumptuous of me.

But, I am here to listen and help if you need ne.

245 replies on “A YOUNG MAN WITH A VOCATION.”

10:08 Excellently bringing out how priesthood is about seeking respect and esteem, rather than being a suffering servant. Without that esteem there’s no point to it.

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When were they ever suffering servants? More like lords and masters especially hierarchs.

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Hello
It appears inevitable that you’d be targeted by the dominant and aggressive gay mafia in the seminaries and that you’d be thrown to the wolves by the wolves in sheep’s clothing if you lived to report the physical and psychological attacks it seems likely you’d experience in daily seminary life. Ask yourself seriously and realistically if you already possess the essential internal resilience to deal with & hopefully recover from what has been done to many to date. Is having to circumvent abuse really what anyone should be wasting their talent and energy on? I think not. Go online, speak to others, read about seminarians who’ve died or had their lives destroyed. and to recent seminarians who stayed the course and are now priests in good standing. Talk to the priests who are not in good standing as well, try to analyse how and why they’ve arrived to where they are. Bring a chaperone! There are 2 sides to every story. Maybe take a year out to travel, do some serious research and thinking. Speak to others who’ve had both positive and negative experiences of seminary life. Be extremely careful, don’t jump in. Your need to serve others and do good can be fulfilled in many different ways in this big wonderful wide open world which as a young man starting out in life is all yours for the taking. Be very selective, choose well and be happy and all will be good. I wish you the very very best in whatever you decide to do. Mind yourself.
A parent

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Horses for courses. He could chance his arm and take a punt on it, he’d never know his luck & might even get away with it! They don’t rape “everyone” you know! It’s all about “careful selection” & “opportunities”!

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Pat, completely off topic, but I am in a parish in the south of Ireland that’s trying to kick start the charasmaric renewal again. What can one do to prevent the spread of this protestantism in the Church?
Let’s just say, the diocese – you could put a Cork in it 😉

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Do not grieve the Holy Spirit . . . Do not quench the Spirit . . . Insulting the Spirit of grace (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Hebrews 10:29).

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Proverbs 3:5-6 : Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straightsays:

So, rebel parishioners in the real republic are trying to kick start the charasmaric renewal?? Is the charasmaric renewal unique to Cork!! Charismatic renewal, contrary to popular opinion, particularly the opinion of those in the latin and lace brigade, is NOT Protestantism in the Church, unless you are including not only St. Paul as Protestant but even the Holy Spirit!!! Charismatics (Happy Clappy Praise The Lord Brigade) promote Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Scriptural) the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit (Scriptural) and is promoted and endorsed by Pope Francis. Pope Francis was actively involved with Catholic charismatics in Argentina by celebrating Mass for them and serving as the representative of the bishops of his country to the movement. Read Psalm 150 for more on Praising the Lord. Was the Psalmist drunk on new wine? Of course, it is possible, however highly unlikely, the Psalmist managed to import Poitín (Poteen) manufactured in a still in Castletownbere Haven Co. Cork, way back when……. The Holy Spirit will kick start any form of renewal, if and when, it pleases the Lord….
https://www.charis.international/en/

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7:23 The entire episcopate did just that for decades, on the ground that it was what the pope wanted.
If you’re going to try to use hyperbole, try to make it one that hasn’t actually happened.

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Is the Charismatic Renewal still a thing? Last time I saw it in action was in the late 90s and even then most of its followers seemed to be in their late 90s. It’s a post-Vatican II, 1970s-era phenomenon that, like most of the things from then, failed the Gamaliel test and didnt endure.

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OMG! not the happy clappy brigade raising its heretical head again! We had hoped that lot had died an unnatural death years ago. The fact that we are told that the oul Argentinian promotes and endorses them says it all. “Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” May these pernicious influences soon depart.

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The spirit makes even RCs seek Christianity, which their pastors put down for being, of course, Protestantism.

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You cannot be convinced that God is calling you to be a priest until his church agrees it. This is the nature of Catholic priesthood.
My personal advice would be to approach some other church, one of the Old Catholic or Orthodox churches or even Pat Buckley and discern with them.
If you insist on remaining in the Roman communion the only sensible advice is not to pursue priesthood but to do some tangible work for human rights and justice, such as safeguarding or social work.

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7:57 RC dogma is they have a vocation.
They didn’t think that one through very well, did they? 😂

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7:57 name any priest or their sponsoring cover up merchants in Ireland currently serving a prison sentence?

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I’m not sure it’s a dogma, but it is definitely a teaching of the Catholic Church that those men, paedophiles, we’re called by God to become priests.
You know, I sometimes think Satan must be laughing his horns off at God’s stupidity. God calls paedoes into the priesthood so that they can wreck the church. What a hoot! And hell is merry.

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7:57
No they didn’t.
It was half baked swallowed whole but now being vomited up by the chosen ones.

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1:24 no prizes for knowing who gave U a phone for texting from your prison cell? G’wan spill da beanz!

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9:13 I’m not sure how far I would like to push this line of thought, but let’s assume for a moment that God exists and wants to ruin the RC church. Calling paedophiles to his priesthood would certainly be one way to do that, wouldn’t it?

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6:55
Maybe Satan is trying to destroy God’s Church. Paedophiles ordained
to priesthood would certainly be one way, amongst others, to do that, wouldn’t it?

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8:00 Maybe God is trying to destroy Satan’s church which pretends it’s his?
When you stop believing the cover story it all looks a lot different.

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7:05 Thank you. Disgraceful that RCC isn’t forced by the policing authorities to update this list at least every 6 months. Criminals only do what they are allowed to get away with by the authorities. Then they all scatter like rats heading for the hills throwing the hot potato in the air when yet another crime is reported that could have been avoided if clergy weren’t being facilitated by church hierarchy and policing authorities.

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Are you serious, 11.16? Encouraging someone to be a social worker, after all that we’ve heard about them on these pages and seen reported about social workers in the media?

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11:16
Safeguarding and social work! Are you joking?
From the frying pan into the fire. It’s full of caca.

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11:16
God can call men and probably many women to priesthood. Just because the church doesn’t agree it doesn’t mean a person has no vocation to priesthood from God.

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I deliberately picked safeguarding and social workers as examples knowing it would wind up the blog’s readers who still aren’t allowed near schools.

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2:57
“If you insist on remaining in the Roman communion…. do some tangible work for human rights and justice…”
Rev: the Roman communion is incapable of providing justice and ensuring human rights of survivors-victims of clerical abuse corruption and crime. Did you ever perpetrate an abusive act, I wonder.

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3:35 I obviously didn’t communicate something: which is that far from being a Rev of any sort I have nothing but contempt for the Roman communion; I intended my comment to be a flat statement of their teaching before going on to make the cathbots call me a unionist ex-seminarian.
Just sayin’, like. 😉

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3.35
No need to wonder. Your posts on here for years from your pseudonym days are acts of abuse.

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Vocation is a funny one.. the sense of a ‘personal call from God’. I always struggled with that. Such arrogance to assume that the omniscient, omnipresent, all powerful God we have constructed in our teaching of philosophy and theology could call a mere mortal to be a priest in ‘persona Christi’. I could never at heart believe it. I kept going on though, with the naive belief that God gave you the skill set and talents and desire to be a priest. If the seminary, Bishop, Christian community affirmed this then that constituted a vocation. It saw me through to diaconate and after major struggles to ordination. It didn’t take long after ordination to realise that all this was an illusion a sham. I struggled so much with funerals because I don’t think I believed a word of what I was saying. I came to hate my role in primary schools.. school boms.. First confessions, communions and confirmations. The demands on ‘Father’ in the community became too much.. bullying sacristans, toxic staff rooms, managing CE schemes, parish halls, graveyards, feuding and power struggles around small isolated churches . I asked for time out, yes I was an MIA. I never went back and it was the best decision I ever made I am enjoying exploring sexuality now . Yes male and female. It’s such a liberation. I am coming to it later in life.. my heart is so far away now. I rarely go to Mass.. funerals and anniversaries. I don’t miss it at all. I am a less judgemental, more tolerant person.. I got work after priesthood. I enjoy Sunday mornings with a paper and leisurely cup of coffee. No sermons anymore. Bliss. So to your correspondant about vocation. Unless you have a totally overwhelming sense of calling and are blessed with clarity of interpretation and response don’t do it..

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11:24, so you believe an omniscient omnipresent all-powerful God could not condescend to call mere mortals to act “in persona Christi’? Hadn’t you better pass that on to Jesus, then? He started the trend, with The Twelve.

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8.45, we have no way of knowing, for certain, that Jesus was aware that Judas would betray him before he called him. Michael Voris might claim so, but this could not be based on any conclusive scriptural evidence, but soley on the assumption that, because Jesus was God, he therefore must have known. This is a logical fallacy.
Voris, in my opinion, tends to play up Jesus’ divinity, and play down the natural limitations of his humanity. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Voris believed that Jesus knew the winner of the 1983 Grand National.

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8.45
Oh, priesthood is definitely modelled on Judas. It isn’t modelled on Jesus; that’s for sure.
Jesus betrayed no-one.

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11:24 Thank you for sharing. Your insight is very interesting. I am delighted to read that you made a new and happier life for yourself and I wishing you ongoing happiness. I think that many roles where an initial genuine care and empathy for others and a genuine desire to help is the primary motivation for embarking in nursing, teaching, social work, priesthood and other such roles, it turns out that the overwhelming demands to also be financial managers and administrators kills the very core and spirit of the good people who start out with the best of intentions. The RC is a business these days and it seems that only those clergy who can successfully move and shake with the business set and bring in the most financial benefit are the ones respected by Bishops. It sounds like you made the right decision. Continue to enjoy life and be happy.

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In response to 8:15pm on yesterday’s blog, it was wee Fr. Raymond in Enniskillen that got dog’s abuse from the woman in the church on Christmas eve, not the Monsignor. He said nothing in response to her, a perfect wee gentleman is Fr. Raymond. He’s such a busy priest God bless him.

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11:40 foolish woman, she should have stayed at home & waited for Santa. No point in giving out to RC priests, they are beyond redemption. Wee Fr Raymond kept his mouth shut because he knows the score. It’ll do for his day. No point in trying to defend the indefensible.

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Wee Fr Raymond is a wise aul owl allright. Say nothing and keep saying it is the best policy unless you want to fall fowl of the system.

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12:32
Continue being a selfish greedy parasitic narcissist sponging of ba baas while living an inauthentic life. Not a penny more to the likes of you Rua.

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@ 9:36am
The congregation should have turned on the mad bitch and removed her by the hair and battered her, for that act of sacrilege during The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass. Wee Raymond doesn’t know the score, he should have put a curse on her, that’s the only way to deal with dross like that who are beyond redemption.

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4:11 G’wan let out all your vile bile ya vicious aul catlick, ya like summat from da Dark Ages imaging you can put a curse on anyone. You are a curse on your own self with that attitude!

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1 – God will kick start it, not any parish organisation, and it will be in the lives of those involved, (mainly) outside church.
2 – The young gent in the OP: if you don’t get targetted for your looks, and if your diocese doesn’t have festering scandals, nonetheless bishops and their hangers on and their minders are the agents of a worldly conglomerate that has negated the benefits of sacraments in its context. You increasingly won’t be allowed to do anything genuinely spiritual. Minister insights into God’s word to those around you. Fortunately “christian” isn’t a vocation!

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There are many ways to live a good Christian life where you can help others. Sadly it appears that a high proportion of RC clergy have other ideas and priorities. Be careful & understand that you will be thrown to the wolves by the holy ones if it suits their agendas. Hope whatever you decide to do works out for you.

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Priest who administered Diocese of Limburg resigns over handling of abuse claims
April 26, 2023
Msgr. Wolfgang Rösch, who once administered the Diocese of Limburg (Germany), has resigned from his position as diocesan vicar general over the mishandling of an abuse complaints against the future diocesan seminary rector, who later committed suicide.
The Diocese of Limburg is led by Bishop Georg Bätzing, the chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference.
In October 2013, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had determined Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, Limburg’s bishop since 2008, could no longer exercise his episcopal ministry. The prelate’s association with lavish spending gave rise to the nickname “bishop of bling.” According to the announcement, Msgr. Rösch, “by decision of the Holy See,” would immediately become vicar general and administer the diocese.
In 2014, Pope Francis accepted Bishop Tebartz-van Elst’s resignation, and the Pontiff later named him an official of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. In 2016, Pope Francis named then-Father Bätzing the new bishop of Limburg, and Bishop Bätzing named Msgr. Rösch his vicar general.
In 2018, Bishop Bätzing appointed Father Christof May as rector of the diocesan seminary. Father May later became known for his support of women’s ordination, the blessing of homosexual unions, and the sharing of Holy Communion with Protestants.
In June 2022, Bishop Bätzing confronted the rector with abuse allegations and relieved him of his position. Father May committed suicide, and the local prosecutor said that Bishop Bätzing had not informed him of any allegations against Father May.
On April 25, the Diocese of Limburg announced that Bishop Bätzing had accepted Msgr. Rösch’s resignation from his position as diocesan vicar general. Msgr. Rösch said that in 2015, he had become aware of abuse allegations by an adult against Father May.
Msgr. Rösch said that he met with Father May and the alleged victim at the same time, determined that Father May was innocent, and never informed Bätzing of the allegations. Msgr. Rösch characterized his decisions as “errors” and tendered his resignation.

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Germany & Irish Bishops of Bling - what about the victims & survivors & whistleblowers??????????says:

Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst must get on like a house on fire with Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath, the Irish Bishop of Bling himself.
Any update on the plight of Bishop Deenihans victim, Dom Benedict Andersen or on the plight of the women in Killaloe or indeed on the plight of any Irish citizens impacted by RC related abuse and victimisation????
It all stinks to high heaven

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11:35 there is also a very bad smell indeed coming from the parish of xxx xxxx xxxxx…………. We are keeping a very close eye on this………

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“Father May later became known for his support of women’s ordination, the blessing of homosexual unions, and the sharing of Holy Communion with Protestants.”
Is it any wonder he turned out to be a bad one? Liberal in dogma invariably means they are liberal in moral theology too.

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Young man, I quit the seminary just before ordination over 50 years ago. Only about a third initial entrants were ordained. Over the years I’ve met lots of them. Like me, they’ve had no regrets, and now regard the ‘clerical life’ with derision. And of those ordained, half of them quit within five years.
WHY? Well just continue to read Pat’s blog to see the reality of priesthood. There’s sufficient evidence there of its corrupt nature without me saying anything more here.

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And now, having read the comment by Anon @ 11:24, I can add that this sums up the “priesthood” facade exactly.
Thanks @ 11:24.

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@4:54: Thanks. You’ve just confirmed my impressions: professional dodgers, all of you.

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@ 6.34: some ‘other Dennis’ @ 12:33? Or maybe your ability to retain info is suspect?………
How can we make it easier for you to keep up?

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To any man considering priesthood, I would argue that you reflect deeply, pray constantly, seek wise spiritual guidance – and there are such guides available – you should also go to college first, if you are academically inclined or work for some time in the world of commerce or business. It would be good to be involved with some justice outreach group, be part of your parish community and seek the company of other potential students. I would encourage you to take your time in deciding. Despite many crises, disillusionment and great challenges, there are moments as a priest when you simply feel you’re doing the right thing with your life. There are many good, kind and caring priests in our parishes with many worthwhile initiatives taking place. There are some very vibrant parishes, thankfully but with an ageing priesthood, the building of partnership with the lay faithful is very difficult but yields its dividends. If you feel a conviction about priesthood, go and talk with a vocation director, speak with your family, talk with your local priest and religious and other men who are like yourself. Be involved in a prayer support group. To be a priest today is a hugely difficult and challenging way of life but has its moments of fulfilment. I would imagine you’re aware of various crises and other events which have ruptured the priesthood and church, but if you are genuine and serious, have courage and follow your dream. After 43 years, despite the awful darknesses at times, the good Lord always brings us to better places and helps us to focus on what truly matters in his eyes. AND – this means being focused on CHRIST ALONE..which is POSSIBLE. Keep positive but be realistic. I wish you well and undoubtedly you’ll be told by many that you’re foolish….Follow your dreams with hope, courage and a deep trust in God. Discern wisely with people who care for you.

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I don’t know what impression you intend to give with the way you keep saying that there are some good parishes or priests but the impression you’re actually giving is that amongst the morass they’re few and far between. A pretty accurate one, then.

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If you want to be celibate become a diocesan priest. If you don’t want to be celibate become a religious order priest.

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As another reader said- world wide experts like Sipe and 53 years inside knowledge.

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By Post Author

8:53 What a stupid question. EVERY honest commentator, people like Doyle, Sype, etc, have reached the same conclusion. Sype estimated only 5% were celibate through their life.
Remember celibacy means no sexual activity at all, not even masturbation – if you think more than a minority who happen to have a low sex drive achieve it, you really are a fool or possibly a clerical confidence trickster yourself.
If anyone on the island of Ireland is in a position to know it’s Pat Buckley.

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9.07
You are wrong. You are confusing celibacy and chastity. Celibacy means remaining unmarried. Period.

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How can anyone today whatever his age, given what is now universally known about the terrible and destructive moral behaviour of Roman Catholic priests, reasonably believe that God has even the remotest connection with the Roman Catholic institutional church, much less is calling him to serve it as a priest?
Jesus was as clear as he was stark: a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.
To believe that God is calling anyone to Roman Catholic priesthood is to imply that God is a self-conflicted fool, lesser even than the Devil, who is single-minded, and united in his malevolent purpose: the destuction of human souls, and endless grief for God at their irretrievable loss.
The Roman Catholic institutional church is nothing if not deeply divided, with its priests and its system of governance (based on Canon Law), all demonstrably working against the self-declared evangelisation of the Gospel.
The moral corruption of this institution has now seeped into every corner of the Church and is saturating all with an evil whose stench is repelling, quite literally, hundreds of thousands of ordinary Catholics throughout the world. Their ‘sensus fidelium’ knows, instinctively, that this is not the ‘odour of sanctity’, and that Christ is neither present in, nor approving of, this institution’s spirit. This institution is not the Promised Land, and the mass exodus, in recent years, of Catholics from the Church attests the fact. For this institution has not the spirit of love that unites Jesus and his father in an unbreakable bond with a single goal, the direct opposite of the Devil’s: the salvation of human souls.
Is this institution drawing people TO Jesus, or is it driving them AWAY from him? Answer this, and do so honestly. If you have the integrity for such an answer (and the humility to accept it), you’ll know whether it is Jesus’ who is calling you to priesthood. Or another.

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Purple prose early in the morning just before he pops out to Winemark for breakfast. As if anyone would listen to him on the subject of Christianity or how to be one. Laughable (or should that be howlable, like?).

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12:04
Have you nothing to contribute to today’s topic? You sound like an envious adolescent.

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At last your Padre goes out & buys his own grape juice, our cleans out the altar wine 🍷 cheapskate he is.

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Humans are not cut out for everything
Nobody is perfect
Neither is life
So make the most
And be happy

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9:14 Negotiating some parishes is akin to being dropped from a helicopter into Jurassic Park. The holy dinosaurs and their members running about growling and baring their teeth at any hint of constructive criticism.

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8:43 keep your nose out of their business. It’s not like you subscribe anyway.

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Wrong @ 11.40. Dinosaurs DID exist.
God has NEVER existed.
RELIGION
“Mythological smoke and mirrors,
created, …. by past shit stirrers.
Perpetuated by indoctrination,
’tis pie in sky, a human creation.
Piggy backed, by parasites,
the Roman Church, load of …..err!

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Fr Richard is gay and to my knowledge, I never broke his celibacy promise.

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By Post Author
Stand with Fr Richard Geoghegan, Dom Benedict Andersen & all victims of Roman Catholic Church related abuse and victimisation.says:

Fr Richard Geoghegan and all the other Richard Geoghegan’s and Dom. Benedict Andersen’s have been abused by the Roman Catholic Church they gave their lives to. Suicide is worryingly high amongst clergy who whistle blow. It’s obviously safer to keep stum but it’s soul destroying. The bullying church management and their lay & voluntary staff are vile, experts in destroying any complaining victims or survivors that they perceive may threaten their greedy interests.

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The older way (before the nineteenth century) to discern a vocation was simply whether the person was able to live the life. So there are a couple of simple ways to tell if you have a vocation to priesthood.
Are you homosexual? If you are you don’t have a vocation.
Can you be celibate? The only way to tell this is to be celibate. If you can do this without masturbation and without it driving you up the wall, indications are favourable.
If you’re Ordinariate or Byzantine rite get married.

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9:39, Ordinariate priests can only be married if they came married from Anglicanism. Catholics of the Ordinariate who enter formation as Catholics must be celibate just like any other Latin Rite Catholic.

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Young friend – get out. As a young man I slept with ugly seniors and encouraged the junior ‘seminarians’ to get involved.
Disgusting behaviour. I did fall in love with one senior, but he didn’t even like himself in order to like me

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I am a priest for the last 35 years. I would have no hesitation is counselling this young man NOT TO OFFER HIMSELF FOR PRIESTHOOD. Simple. The edifice of priesthood is crumbling and has been for a long time. It is constructed on flimsy and badly designed foundations. Forget all about the priesthood of Christ. It is more to do with the institution of the Church, about authority and power, and control. This has degraded the priesthood as originally conceived and led it to being an unhappy, dysfunctional, toxic and damaging way of life and ministry. I see it every day in my brother priests and in the bishops, and in the way the diocese I minister in does not support, appreciate, value, or rightly help and direct priests. It will be a very unhappy life, I’m afraid, if this young man offered himself and was ordained. He will be required to make huge dishonest compromises in his personal life and his ministry. Actually, the system and the clerical culture almost encourage that. It will damage his health. It will damage those around him. So, a person who is called to ministry and to a life of giving and sacrifice should find other, healthier, more integrated and honest way of doing that. There are lots of ways of being of service. The priesthood is not a vehicle for a life of giving and sacrifice. It is not a life that leads you closer to God. And before anybody asks, yes, I am in the process of extricating myself from my situation. It is taking time, but I have made it very clear that I am leaving ministry and it is my intention to retain only minimal links of some friendships with some other priests. I will not miss being an active priest, and I look forward to a future where I can think, act, and move freely, happily and healthily. So, young man, do not go to seminary, do not be ordained. Go and live another life.

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9:48 Bishops are making it very difficult for priests in good standing who are trying to leave ministry whilst still young enough to make a new life. Bishops are retaining priests, friends and others who are not in good standing in non public roles and are maliciously making very good use of their “non-Christian” skills sets. Consequences are being recorded by those genuinely affected.

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I think @ 8:48 is spot on. But, in the interests of balance, I would say that there have been some wonderful times as a priest, and I hope some good done. For the most part, though, I agree that priesthood is something to be avoided these days. I could reference the damaging and self-vaunting clerical culture, the increasing burden of work as numbers decline and priests are asked to do more and more, the broken relationships between priests and bishops, the clearly discriminatory and prejudicial misogyny that dominates the Church and ministry. And much more. Chief amongst the difficulties is intimacy. The Church has not worked out a way for priests to be able to enjoy intimacy, which is basic to human happiness and wholeness, in a life that is dominated by a muscular christianity and celibacy. Celibacy only works for a very small minority, who are called to it, have a special charism, or are (and I think this is the case mostly) asexual. For all others it is hobbling and damaging, and the compensations that happen are hurtful, demeaning, and sometimes criminal and abusive, as we have seen. Until the Church works out a proper theology of priesthood that encompasses the human need for intimacy and relationships which is balanced and healthy, priesthood as presently conceived it to be avoided.

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You’re leaving the priesthood at 60 mate? Doubt it. And if you have made it so clear and already out there, then why not put your name to it?

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Because people like you would troll me. That’s what happens here if somebody is honest and puts a name to themselves. Wish it were different. I can already detect the resentment and anger in your response. Why give you the pleasure ?

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12:46 they gang together to try & intimidate victims into silence. I’m sure that’s illegal. Horrible and unethical and immoral of the so called holy ones anyway. Its none of there business who anyone is, even Jonathan Dowdall was provided with a witness protection package by the Irish police, Will they soon have to do this if the holy ones want your guts for garters for objecting to being abused by them. The Roman Catholic Church seems to be a Mafia organisation and above the law.

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Very disingenuous of you to say that, Pat. Your commenter was rightly challenged to reveal his identity- which should not have been a problem as he stated that his circumstances were known anyway. Personally I actually think he himself has made a troll comment

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Exactly, 12:40. You would start getting phantom phone calls, insinuations about your own life would be made here, false allegations would be made to your bishop and attempts would be made to sabotage your future life and happiness.
Once again, we are talking about a criminal cult and this is what it does.
You embody the definition of a good priest, in that you are getting out.

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9.48: A very honest and thought provoking piece of writing. I believe that you and a couple of other, similar comnenters, are speaking for many of us. You reach a point in priesthood where you just feel empty and tired of inner conviction, dedication, spirituality, prayer, administration, chaplaincy to schools, always expected to be strong, committed, creative, the overseer, to be CHRIST every moment – all of which, over many long years – are impossible to sustain. I’ve foolishly not reported worrying health issues because I feel I’ll disappoint everyone if I’ve to take time out or that certain areas will fall apart, even though I’ve a great team. Today’s context for priesthood is totally unsupportive, disinterested and indifferent. We are basically being reduced to baptising, marrying (not as much) confirming and burying the dead along with sick calls to the housebound. Most of us are now the only priest in a parish and this fact alone is disheartening and worrying. The daily administering of a parish can be problematic with awkward sacristans, secretaries, leaders of groups…Then there’s the constant expectation that more must be done for the parish…and usually it’s the priest who is the worrier!! There is scant regard by our Bishops about the health or well being of priests. There is a hierarchy of psychophants in all Dioceses who are power hungry but who are dangerously Machiavellian. The need for real, helpful, substantive change in the theology of church and priesthood and ministry is met with opposition from head quarters. I’ve often thought that a contract for 10/15/25 years as a priest would be a good template to consider. It might ensure proper working conditions, rights, transparency, openness and greater accountability. Often the “being on your own” mindset causes damage, destruction and laziness. I would be loathe to encourage any man to opt for priesthood today unless he has thought it through in a very deep way. Despite the disillusionment and unfulfilment at times, I’m also grateful to God for the many blessings I’ve received. But, if I had the courage now, I’d probably leave ministry but not my deep Catholic faith, prayer and spirituality.

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The only reason I became a
Priest, and I am being honest and open, was because I didn’t want to join the IRA and I didn’t feel comfortable enough being a homosexual.
I am still trapped – don’t trap yourself just be happy

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Well I will be honest also ~ I joined because I thought it was prestigious and I would be held in high regard, and I am, and am gifted many a thing as a result, I joined because of my inflated past ego and me being unacceptable of my homosexuality

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They released the IRA & Loyalist prisoners after the Good Friday Agreement. I’m unsure if they also received compensation for wrongful incarceration. You clearly made the wrong call Father. Commiserations.

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If you were my son I would be heartbroken to see you enter the Roman Catholic seminary, you appear so genuine, so trusting, so young, and presumably religious. Those are very admirable qualities, however today even outside the priesthood, such characteristics would be seen as a sign of weakness. However, it is very sensible and smart of you to ask others their opinion, before you take the plunge.
I don’t know your sexuality, but from what I have read on this blog and, the wider press, unless you are homosexual you will not be happy, nor thrive in either the seminary nor, the priesthood, in fact it is said if your heterosexual you will be ostracised.
How young is young? If you are in you are late teens, or early 20’s, with very little experience of life, work, or are going straight from school, do not enter the seminary. I think ideally you should go into the world, into employment, which can be difficult too, but, a learning process, hopefully you won’t be raped and, psychologically abused, if you are approached or sexually assaulted in secular life, there will be some solution, I wish I could assure you of the same, if that scene played out in a Catholic seminary.
It would appear not only would you have to contend with other seminarians, but many of the rectors and, vice rectors are sexually predators, Google Sex abuse rectors and vice rector in Catholic seminaries, you will gain a little insight.
Have a look at this article; Ex-seminarian’s lawsuit resurrects ‘orgy’ allegation against Omaha Archbishop George Lucas
Hannah Brockhaus/CNA August 12, 2021 at 1:37 pm

As someone else has suggested speak to former seminarians, former priests, priests who have left to marry.
Even if you do make it through seminary and, ordained, will you continue to be overlooked because you are not one of the boys? Or will you by that stage be one of them.
Consider a lifetime of being celibate, although it seems many, both homosexual and heterosexual Roman Catholic priests are not,
Be aware the Roman Catholic church is a financial business, with a front of religiosity.
If you do decide to join seminary formation, and, you are unhappy have the courage to leave, never exclude your family of any concerns, if you get through and, finish be realistic, be aware you are joining a grossly dysfunctional business, it will coverup all it’s ills, as it did and, most likely is still continuing, the the rapes and of it’s own children who should have been seen as the future of the church, instead they became/become the sacrificial lamb, which is a complete travesty.
If like many of us, you ignore all advice, and enter, good luck to you in your future life.

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Was on a mission with a group of Redemptorists and what a nastier bunch of bitchy men I could not wish to meet.

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Here’s a conumdrum, an amusing one.
An English priest (Cambridge-educated, and also a clinical psychologist) who once wrote inspiring articles for the St Martin de Porres magazine (and who claimed that God sometimes healed the sick through him), wrote to me and said that God had given me a vocation to the priesthood. He was quite emphatic about it, and said that God himself had told him so ‘in the silent hours of the night’. So far, so intriguing. But on the same page, he had written something else, which turned my intrigue into utter bewilderment: he said that God had given me a ‘penance’ as well, and that I was to accept it. ‘Remember Christ accepted the crown of thorns.’
I had written to the priest about this matter, and, fair play to him, he was good enough to write back. Problem was the advice he offered seemed to contradict his claim that God had given me a vocation: the ‘penance’, an illness, was actually keeping me from studies for the priesthood; in fact, it had forced me out of seminary.
So, on the one hand, God was calling me TO the priesthood, but, on the other, was deliberately barring my way.
Did I miss something?

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9.59

No; it was you who missed ‘something’ : I didn’t say I had a vocation; the priest did.

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11:29
Nonsense. We now know individuals can be ordained to priesthood who have no more a vocation to priesthood than Beavis and Butt-head.

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6:41 Maybe the church teaching needs updating in the light of endless scandals. Duh!!

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8:18 That would make perfect sense but they’ve boxed themselves in there as well by making out it was all in the original deposit of faith.

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So tell us, then 6.41. What does the Church teach on that matter. (Bet you don’t know and were just trying to impress.)

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9.27

And the classic avoidance, again.

When you find your balls, do let us know, like.

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8:39 & 10:22
He knows but has to find his unmentionables (in polite company) before replying.

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Ronan Mullen a member of the irish government lives a celibate life and he would be in a very good position to talk about celibacy and why he did not join the priest hood. He is very good debator about womens reproduction and end of life. He may have the answer in saving the RCC and understanding celibacy.

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Go for it – but 1) lock your bedroom door at night in the seminary and 2) get a lock on your laundry basket so your pants are not stolen.

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Keep on running
You will find many more options for living a happy and peaceful life helping others.
The RC is no longer a safe or positive place.

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Join the Anglican Communion?
* Just 3 years at theological college
* You can choose which parish you’d like to apply for ministry in
* better pay and pension
* if you fall in love you can marry be it with a man or woman
* you can join the Anglo Catholic wing of the church and live as a Catholic

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3.00
Didn’t Rev Richard Cole (of Bronski Beat fame) live this way in the C of E with his beloved, but now decreased male partner? In sexual continence?
A good man. And a good priest, Rev Cole.

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I think Rev Cole and his partner said what was required in order for them not to be challenged. I heard him on the radio speaking about it, and it was clear that he just said he right words to his bishop when required. The reality will have been very different. But, if the bishop was told one thing, then that was deemed okay. Very Anglican !

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I wish more people went off and joined the Anglicans, though as Fr John Osman pointed out to Cardinal Hume, Anglo-Catholicism is like one of those artificial, “living flame” gas fires people have in their houses as a simulacrum of a coal fire: it looks real, but it isn’t.

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You have to wonder why Romanists all foam at the mouth at the mere mention of something which, according to them, isn’t real. They were letting off about it yesterday as well.
You would think they would be more secure about their own (checks notes) ?beliefs.

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5.32
And THAT sectarian remark shows the true nature of Romanism, apart from the endless kiddie-fiddling, and its cover-up.

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At least the grand old Anglo-Catholic parishes continues to look the part. Roman Catholicism barely differs from a bad Lutheran service these days.

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Is Osman still in Dorchester on Thames ? Old flame of Couve’s and given Dorchester as a grace and favour. Lovely Georgian river side residence. Osman just plays at being posh, erudite, and oh so Catholic. Surely he should be put out to retirement by now ?

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The Portsmouth situation would make me cautious of encouraging any young man to consider the priesthood. Granted, PORTSMOUTH is an extreme case, but it could happen to any diocese. We all know that there have been real scumbags ordained priests, but I have to honest and say the priests that have been in my life have been good, faithful and decent men and they’ve been good to me and my family.
What is happening in PORTSMOUTH is unjust and is unchecked and that worries me for all concerned.
Would I like to see my son promise ‘respect and obedience’ to Egan? No.

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I got out- albeit not of my own free will- but God works in mysterious ways. It was the best thing for me as I am earning a fortune and living my best life

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You have edited my comment quite shamelessly Pat. It will be the time time I comment. So disappointed in you

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Were you insulting or threatening someone or spouting lies about things that you shouldn’t know about AGAIN? 😒

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Don’t go near the vocations director in Ballyhaunis, he doesn’t want no new recruits even diaconate. He was intoxicated when I went there, I had interview for diaconate as I don’t want celebrate Mass. His position should be reviewed immediately.

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1:46 don’t be going around now knocking down Ballyhaunis. It’s a fine town, great crack altogether, you won’t find better crack anywhere else in Ireland and the pubs are ticking time bombs for merriment so they are.

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The comments on this blog accurately reflect the culture and atmosphere of priesthood and religious life. Would you really want to spend your life among such a bunch of bitchy deviants making excuses for kiddy fiddlers?

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2:55 So true. Well said, unfit to mix with they are. Pong of deceit & treachery off ‘em & their types.

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Happy Birthday Bishop Pat! 🥳🎉🎂!!! Ad Multos Annos! Wishing you a year full of blessings and good health. Best wishes and Slainte 🥂

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Tell us you don’t understand how the liturgical books in the Church of England have always worked, without realizing you don’t understand it and trying to troll the blog and failing to draw comparisons with your own limited field of understanding. 🤣

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If you truly believe you have been called by God then you should avoid the RCC like the plague.
You may well be sexually assaulted in a seminary, never mind constantly being constantly propositioned and harrassed by pervy arse bandits. If you dont put out you will be bullied and annoyed relentlessly. Avoid

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5.51: A nonsense comment. What, may we ask have you done with your “calling”.. Tried and tested and FAILED.. A disgruntled ex of some genre? Totally OTT and perverse.

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This comment is written in church speak so will require some translation. Of course we’re all reaching fluency now and know the translation is:
‘5:51 has hit the nail on the head.’

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I read a comment on Twitter yesterday from someone describing himself as young who was fed up because he was discerning a Dominican vocation and he said it was costing a lot of money. When asked what he meant he said it was the expense of travelling to various vocations events (which I see) but then in his tweets he was bemoaning that he’d been invited to be a Eucharistic minister in his parish despite identifying as a traddie. I hope the Dominicans will dodge that particular bullet coming their way.

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It’s time the Church set adrift these heretics. In the past, they’d have been roasted alive, and rightly so. 😏

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Hog Roast for the pain and suffering they’ve never acknowledged or apologised for.

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I don’t know if you take ‘The Times’, Bishop Pat. I do, but only in the print version. I read an astonishing report in today’s paper. There may be an online link to the report but it’s probably behind a paywall. Anyway, today’s law report concerns a ruling by the UK Supreme Court that the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation was not vicariously liable when an elder appointed by one of its congregations raped an adult member of the congregation at his house. Although the elder had a relationship akin to employment with the trustees of the congregation, the Supreme Court held that there was no sufficiently close connection between the rape and the performance of his duties in the congregation so as to establish vicarious liability.
I wonder what the blog’s readers make of that?

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I suppose the elder wasn’t exercising ministry (or whatever the JWs call it) when that adult member was in his home. In which case, the Supreme Court made the right ruling.

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Cardinal Roche is in Westminster but not staying at the cathedral. It’s amusing how his presence in London creates great anxiety among some Westminster clergy. Squeaky bum time!!

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Pat, many happy returns of the day, happy birthday. Good health and, contentment in the year ahead.

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7.20pm
Where is Cock Roche staying?
Why doesn’t he stay with Elsie and Caramel?
Is he here for the Coronation?
Is Elsie involved in the Coronation?

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Many happy returns Bishop Pat
What do you like to do for your birthday?
What’s your favourite food and wine?
Have you a memoir in store?

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I was the original writer. So sorry for not seeing this and writing back sooner. One of the disadvantages of this blog style is that you have to keep checking if there’s an update on your question… so needless to say when I just checked and saw an entire blog entry dedicated to my question I was quite taken aback! Thank you sincerely, Pat, for your touching response. You offered me some invaluable and wise advice – I know that remarkable insight only comes after years of active priestly ministry. Your response was equally comforting yet challenging to hear. There is great peace when I think of my life in ministry – much more peace than when I think of life as a married man with a family or as a man caught up in climbing the corporate ladder. This to me is a sure sing that God is calling me to the priesthood. However, I am totally aware of human failings (even, and I hate to say this, demonic influences) in the Church I want to serve as a priest. The next step (i.e. seminary) scares me. Not only as I will have to “come out” to my parents and friends and tell them I want to be a priest (which petrifies me), but also because I know Maynooth (where I’ll likely be sent as I hear Irish College in Rome is no longer accepting new recruits) is, and forgive the expression Bishop Pat, a hellhole. A friend of a close friend of mine (a pious and well-intentioned young man with a lifelong dream of being a priest) very recently entered Maynooth to live out his priesthood dream and within months left because of the atmosphere there. Maynooth killed his vocation. How are we meant to have priests (and God knows we need them…) if their very house of formation is eliminating them one by one? That scares me. I don’t want my vocation to be the next victim. Anyway… Pat, with your permission, can I email you and we can talk further? Thanks so much again for your help and non-judgemental and constructive advice (I know you probably had to bite your tongue for a lot of it lol) – I appreciate it more than you can imagine.

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