Dear Bishop Tom,
It has been a little bit of time since the Bishop at Larne sent an e-mail asking some questions of the Ordinary of Meath about Silverstream Priory; however, good things come to those who wait.
Recently, it was brought to my attention that in the 2023 edition of the Irish Catholic Directory, none of the priests of Silverstream Priory are listed as clerics of the Diocese of Meath. The only cleric mentioned is the current superior Fr Basil MacCabe who is on loan from a French Abbey, and I am led to understand that is a priest of the Archdiocese of Dijon, due to the somewhat novel arrangement between Abbey of Saint-Joseph de Clairval and the Archdiocese of Dijon.
Who in canon law is responsible for the increase of Silverstream Priory?
It is, of course, you Bishop Deenihan because you are the Ordinary of the diocese! I am reliably informed that a monastery sui juris of diocesan right is unable to incardinate clerics. I am further reliably informed that you have actively dealt with jurisdictional matters concerning the Priory.
Why is the Diocese of Meath obsessed about refusing to acknowledge its canonical and juridical responsibilities for the clerics of Silverstream Priory? What are you hiding?
Why are you so afraid of taking responsibility for the clerics of Silverstream Priory?
Are you concerned about potential liabilities emanating from for the notorious past acts of Fr Mark Daniel Kirby the disgraced founder of Silverstream Priory?
Do you deny that your predecessor Bishop Michael Smith incardinated by Decree Fr Kirby into the Diocese of Meath.
Speaking of Fr Kirby, where is he at the moment? Is he still in the Netherlands with the nuns? If so — is he there with your written permission?
I am sure readers of my blog will be delighted to see that you were attending the scandal-ridden Silverstream Priory for the first profession of vows of Columba Ryan. Were you hoping that your presence would ameliorate some of the scandal? It is a massive vote of confidence.
However, it would have been better if you had stayed away.
I am delighted to see that Elijah “porn again” Carroll is still a member of the community.
Are you planning to ordain him a Deacon any time soon? If so, I am sure the people of God in the Diocese of Meath might want to be apprised and they might not be too happy.
Looking at some of the photographs, some of the older members of the community look stressed and haggard and the naïveté and zealotry of the younger members is very much in evidence.
I look forward to receiving your reply about responsibility for the clerics of Silverstream, soon.
With an assurance of prayers in this grace-filled season of Easter
+ Pat
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 