https://www.independent.ie/news/new-poll-shows-majority-of-people-in-northern-ireland-would-vote-against-united-ireland-42192775.html

The majority of people in Northern Ireland would vote against a united Ireland if there was a border poll, according to a new poll.

The latest Ipsos opinion poll from The Irish Times found that half of all northern respondents said they would vote against Irish unity.

Just over a quarter of people at 27pc said they would vote for unity, including 55pc of those from a Catholic background while 18pc said they didn’t know how they would vote and 5pc said they would not vote.

A majority of people in the Republic, at 66pc, said they would vote for Irish unity while 16pc were against the idea and 13pc were undecided.

The highest percentage of people who said they don’t know how they would vote was among the “others” category — those who do not identify as being from a Catholic or Protestant background — where 31pc are undecided.

PAT SAYS

I am an Irish man with an Irish passport, living in N. Ireland for 44 years now and CURRENTLY I would not vote for a united Ireland.

First of all there are economic reasons.

In N. Ireland the cost of living is less expensive than in the Republic.

For example I don’t pay anything for GP visits or prescriptions.

My brother in the Republic has to hand out € 60 everything he sees his doctor and then even more for his prescribed drugs. His visit can cost him anything up to € 150.

Car tax and car insurance is cheaper in the North.

Alcohol and eating out is cheaper.

Even food is cheaper.

Who in their right mind would vote to have a more expensive cost of living – especially in these times of severe austerity?

It was different in the past when we had Protestant, Unionist Stormont and Mass discrimination against Catholics in employment, housing and by the RUC / BRITISH ARMY.

I have lived in the North since 1978 when The Troubles were in full flight.

But today, the North has been greatly transformed, especially for Catholics and Nationalists.

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ?

In many ways, Ireland is still run by a number of Old Boy’s Clubs and vested interests.

The politicians, the lawyers, the judiciary, the Garda and the bishops and priests still wink and nod at each other.

Ireland needs quite a political and social shake up and this could very well happen under a Sinn Fein government.

In Northern Ireland I most often voted for Sinn Fein – as a protest vote.

If I live in Ireland I would vote for Sinn Fein in the next general election.

It’s way past time that the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael monopoly was shattered.

The Ireland that emerges from this upheaval might be much more welcoming for Northerners.

And, we don’t need the old “United Ireland”.

We need, if anything, a NEW IRELAND.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/vatican-ap-china-rome-catholic-church-b2208415.html

Vatican and China on Saturday extended their oft-criticized agreement on the appointment of bishops in the Asian country, where the government has waged crackdowns over the years on religious believers.

The Holy See announced the latest, two-year renewal of the 2018 arrangement in a brief statement.

It said the Vatican was committed to “constructive dialogue” with China on implementing the accord and in improving bilateral relations “with a view to fostering the mission of the Catholic Church and the good of the Chinese people.″

The two sides haven’t had diplomatic relations since 1951, in the wake of the the Chinese Communists’ rise to power.

In the past, conservative Catholics slammed the deal in view of China’s persecution of people practicing their religions. The Vatican insists better relations allow for discussions about any human rights abuses.

PAT SAYS

The RCC is supposed to regard the Holy Orders of its bishops, priests and deacons as central to its mission and Sacramental integrity.

And yet it is allowing the Chinese atheistic,communist and torturing and murdering government a veto over its appointment of bishops !!!

In doing so it has ignored the wishes of the faithful and persecuted Catholics in China.

It has also sold Hong Kong’s elderly and highly regarded Cardinal Zen down the river.

Cardinal Zen has been opposing China’s abuse of human rights for decades and was totally opposed to the Vatican / China deal.

What’s the old saying about unscrupulous people – “They would sell their mother”.

In return for the deal large sums of Chinese money has poured into the Vatican.

Mind you, people in Argentina say that Francis was in the hands of the Argentine Junta when he was Jesuit superior and bishop there.

….And that he played a role in the disappearance and deaths of a number of Jesuits who were resisting the cruel regime.

It strikes, in so many ways, that China. Russia and The Vatican are all birds of a feather.

Evidence suggests Pope John Paul II knew about abuse of minors decades before becoming pope

https://nltimes.nl/2022/12/03/evidence-suggests-pope-john-paul-ii-knew-abuse-minors-decades-becoming-pope

A Dutch journalist based in Poland revealed evidence on Friday that Pope John Paul II was involved in covering up the abuse of minors while he was the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Krakow. The journalist, Ekke Overbeek, spent the last two years combing through archives in Poland, where he resides, and found several cases where the prominent Catholic Church figure knew about priests who abused children and helped them evade punishment, including transferring them to other parishes.

He found concrete cases of priests who abused children in the Archdiocese of Krakow, where the future pope was archbishop. The future pope knew about it and nevertheless transferred those men. That led to new victims,” Overbeek said to Nieuwsuur. The journalist studied publicly available documents from the secret services about the future pope from during his time living and working in Poland. He wrote a book about his findings, Maxima Culpa, which will be published next year in Polish.

University of Warsaw professor Stanislaw Obirek, believe the documents to be authentic. So does Tom Doyle, the American priest who wrote the 1985 report. It is said that Pope Francis was warned about the possibility that Pope John Paul II knew about abuse and helped covered it up, but Francis canonized the man as a saint anyway.

“We now know that Wojtyła actively covered up pedophile crimes committed by priests under his jurisdiction,” Professor Obirek told Nieuwsuur. “That is a new chapter, a first step. We will see how the church will react.”

“The reasoning of the church – of the defenders of the pope – boils down to the fact that he could not have known. That he learned of the seriousness of the situation very late and that he first thought it was America’s problem. All those arguments can now be dismissed,” Overbeek said. “They were in a great hurry to canonize John Paul II. And now you see facts emerging from those Polish archives that are very incriminating and can therefore actually cast doubt on his sainthood.”

PAT SAYS

In the Roman Catholic Church EVERYTHING INCLUDING CANONIZATION is political!

To my mind, John Paul II was a fascist clerical bully.

He gave total cover to Macial Maciel the Mexican founder of the Legionaries of Christ who has been exposed as a swindler, drug addict and serial child abuser.

Maciel gave multi millions to JOHN POLE that made its way to Poland.

It is no surprise to learn that THE POLE covered up sex abuse in his own country.

It was for this reason that he became a bishop and climbed to the top.

God Himself only knows what other secrets are in his cupboard?

The RCC used to claim that the popewas the Vicar of Christ on earth.

They will soon claim that God is the Vicar of the Pope in Heaven!

All man made nonsense.

And all to make the Cathbots behave like rabbits caught in headlights!

New Irish Anti-Apartheid Campaign calls on Ireland to take action on Israeli apartheid against Palestinians

The three recognised tests for the crime of apartheid are:

1. an institutionalised regime of systematic racial oppression and discrimination;

2. established with the intent to maintain the domination of one racial group over another; and

3. which consists of inhumane acts as an integral part of the regime.

THE JEWISH VIEW OF TROCAIRE’S POSITION.

https://m.jpost.com/opinion/article-709206/amp

PAT SAYS

In many ways the Israeli / Palestinian problem is like the Irish problem.

You have two sides claiming the same piece of land and no great effort at finding a solution.

In fact, in Northern Ireland Republican areas they fly the Palestinian flag and in Loyalist areas they fly the Israeli flag 🙄

I have been to Jerusalem twice and fell immediately in love with the city. The Jesus connection blew me away.

On both occasions I also travelled to the Galilee area and to Tel Aviv.

I made a point of attending a synagogue ceremony and also visited the Dome of the Rock mosque.

Our tour guide was a Jewish woman and I invited her to put the Jewish position to us.

The driver was Palestinian and I asked him to talk to us about the Palestinian position.

I am not on either side.

I think that both Jews and Palestinians have a right to be there.

And I believe that the solution has to be a TWO NATION SOLUTION.

And I understand that Jerusalem itself is a big issue.

As is the Dome of the Rock mosque on the Temple site.

TROCAIRE ?

Should Trocaire be involving itself in the politics of the conflict?

On the one hand you can say that Trocaire is a charity and should stick to charitable matters like providing food, water, shelter, employment, training, health etc.

On the other hand you can say that JUSTICE is very much the business of a Catholic charity.

Trocaire’s own logo says

WORKING FOR A JUST WORLD.

And the great CND leader, Monsignor Bruce Kent once said

“What is politics except how we organise our daily life. And Christianity must care about about people’s daily lives”.

We Christians should want Justice for both Palestinians and Jews.

But it often hard to get people to agree on what justice is, especially in inflamed situations.

LETTER FROM ISRAEL’S AMBASSADOR TO IRELAND

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2022/12/03/israel-is-not-an-apartheid-state/

YESTERDAY WAS WORLD AIDS DAY. BELOW ARE SOME IMPORTANT STATISTICS.

FROM NHS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease.

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

While AIDS cannot be transmitted from 1 person to another, the HIV virus can.

There’s currently no cure for HIV, but there are very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. 

With an early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses and will live a near-normal lifespan.

PAT

Many people, even some doctors and other medical professionals are ignorant and uneducated when it comes to HIV and AIDS

As said above HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system.

AIDS is the name used to describe potentially life threatening infections in an immune system weakened by HIV.

ANTIRETROVIRALS are the wonder drugs that have been invented and perfected over the years that strengthen the immune system of a person with HIV and prevents them getting AIDS.

When you are diagnosed with HIV and start taking he ANTIRETROVIRALS the amount of HIV decreases in you body and gets to the point where it can be designated as UNDETECTABLE.

If you are UNDETECTABLE you cannot pass on HIV to another person.

HIV is no longer a death sentence and has not been for years.

HIV is now a treatable and manageable health condition.

A particular priest I know has both HIV and diabetes.

Diabetes is a much greater threat to his health and life than his HIV.

WARNING

Everybody out there who has sex with more than one person in a committed relationship should have regular sexual health checks.

There are quite a number of very unpleasant infections that sexually active people can get.

Today, let us mourn the 40.1 million of our brothers and sisters who have perished since the start of the HIV / AIDS pandemic.

Let us pray for all those affected by HIV / AIDS especially in poorer countries where sexual health services are poor and antiretrovirals unavailable.

Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in our own communities who are sexually active that they will look after their health and protect themselves and others.

AND LET EACH OF US – MEN AND WOMEN – LOOK AFTER OURSELVES AND OTHERS.

PLACES TO SEEK HELP.

HIV confidential helpline

Positive Life supports and promotes positive living for people with, and affected by, HIV.

It runs a free phone helpline providing information, advice, and support to people living with, and affected by, HIV.

The helpline operates Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

• Confidential helpline: telephone 0800 137 437
• AND

Home

HSE STI services in Ireland

Using condoms every time you have sex will reduce your risk of contracting an STI.

Carlow

STI Clinic, Carlow District Hospital, Athy Road. Tel: 051 842 646: CLOSED

Clare

STI Clinic, Ennis General Hospital, HSE Ennis OPD, Westpoint Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis V95 D9KW, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 482 382. Email: theclinic@hse.ie

Cork

STI Clinic, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Old Blackrock Road. Tel: 021 496 6844

STI Clinic, Youth Health Service, Penrose House, Penrose Quay, Cork City. Tel: 021-4937250

Donegal

GUM/ STI Clinic, Letterkenny General Hospital, Letterkenny. Tel: 074 912 3715

Dublin

GUIDE Clinic, St. James’s Hospital, James’s Street, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 416 2315/6. Booking available at http://www.guideclinic.ie 

STI Clinic, Mater Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7. Tel: 01 803 2063. Booking information available at https://www.mater.ie/patients/sti/ 

Gay Men’s Health Service, Meath Primary Care Centre, Heytesbury Street, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 921 2730. Booking information is available at https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/sexhealth/gmhs/clinics 

Galway

STI Clinic, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. Tel: 090 964 8372 (ext 676)

University Hospital Galway, Newcastle Road. Tel: 091 525 200

Kerry

STI Clinic, University Hospital Kerry, Tralee. Tel: 021 496 6844

Laois

STI Clinic, Out patients Dept., Midland Regional Hospital, Block Rd., Portlaoise. Tel: 086 859 1273

Limerick

STI Clinic, University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle. Tel: 061 482 382. Email: theclinic@hse.ie

Louth

GUM Clinic, Louth County Hospital, Dublin Road, Dundalk. Tel: 086 824 1847

STI Clinic, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda. Tel: 086 824 1847

Mayo

STI Clinic, Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar. Tel: 094 902 1733 (ext 3501)

Sligo

GUM Clinic, Sligo General Hospital, The Mall. Tel: 071 917 0473

Tipperary

STI Clinic, South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel. Tel: 051 842 646.: CLOSED

STI Clinic, University Hospital Nenagh. Tel: 061 482 382: Email: theclinic@hse.ie

Waterford

STI Clinic, University Hospital Waterford Dunmore Road. Tel: 051 842 646

Westmeath

STI Clinic, Midland Regional Hospital, Longford Road, Mullingar. Tel: 087 710 4152

PRIVATE CLINICS *******

THERE ARE ALSO PRIVATE CLINICS ABD DOCTORS, NORTH AND SOUTH.

A Reader writes

Dear Bishop Pat,

Further to our exchange of WhatsApp messages, I write outlining a sequence of events that took place during my recent visit to Rome because you wish to utilise the correspondence for a blog posting. As a consequence, I am going to be careful, because we are dealing with very sensitive matters. I am mindful of the on-going sectarian divisions in Northern Ireland and the extreme sensitivities surrounding the situation in Iran at the moment.

Following a concelebrated Sunday Eucharist in a church near the Vatican, a number of the priests and pilgrims along with myself had breakfast. Midway through, we were engaged in conversation by a young woman of Middle Eastern appearance. I noted that she wore a crucifix so I presumed she was a Christian. However, as the conversation developed, it transpired that she was from Iran and that she was a Muslim. When we learned this fact all of us were surprised because the wearing of the crucifix by Muslim is akin to apostasy. And as the conversation developed, I was not surprised to learn that the woman in question had cut her hair in an act of solidarity with the protesters in Iran. As the conversation unfolded, I felt sufficiently comfortable to ask about her wearing of the crucifix. She replied that she saw Jesus as a figure of liberation, so for her, the cross did not have any salvific/theological significance, however, wearing it was a profound political statement. We have this opinion of Iran being a deeply religious country, but it seemed to me that secularisation is well-developed, and the younger generation are rejecting the faith/religiosity of their parents.

Some minutes later, the woman in question asked about our countries of origin. When I replied that I was from Ireland, she immediately steered the conversation to Bobby Sands. To my absolute amazement, she told me that Bobby Sands has become a significant almost totemic figure in the political protests currently taking place in Iran. He is seen as somebody who took a principled and ideological stand for the greater good of his community at a terrible personal cost. His willingness to sacrifice his life in the pursuance of the cause of Irish freedom has real resonance with the young people of Iran who are seeking greater liberty in that country. I have been struck by many of the interviews with young people from Iran that have been broadcast on the BBC that they are willing to die to achieve greater personal freedoms. Also, they make no reference to invoking the divine when they make these kinds of statements. And for that reason I can instinctively understand why Bobby Sands has gained such traction in that country, but I appreciate this is possibly pure supposition on my part.

It is, however, the case that Bobby Sands is not an unknown figure in Iran. There is a street dedicated to his memory in the capital, Tehran, where ironically the British Embassy is located. Also, his memory was invoked by the Iranian regime to serve its own political ends, so he is not a remote figure. On the island of Ireland, Bobby Sands is a deeply divisive figure. To some, he is a convicted criminal and a terrorist; to others, he is a martyr for the cause of Irish freedom and unity whose heroic sacrifice will be perennially recorded in the annuals of Irish history. Nevertheless, it is interesting to see how his contested legacy has been transformed to become a positive and inspirational force for good by a younger generation of Iranians. That, too, is a paradox of our age.

Bishop Pat, I am, however, mindful that you have a personal interest in Bobby Sands, because you were one of the priests who ministered to him in prison. Of course, I would never ask you about your relationship with Sands, because I presume you heard his confession. Also, I am sure you also tried to persuade him to end his hunger strike. But I did some research on Google this morning and I was surprised to see an interview with you talking about Sands referring to his hunger strike having a salvific/Christ-like quality. Therefore, I am of the view that you should contact a professional historian to give a detailed account of your interactions with him because we are dealing with a significant and important figure and period in Irish history that should be recorded for posterity. You too, are not going to live forever!

My conversation with the young woman in Rome was all too brief. Rightly or wrongly, I took the inference that Bobby Sands is an important and inspirational figure for young Iranians as they struggle for greater freedom in Iran. I, too, also took the inference that Sands in Iran is a secular Gandhi-like figure devoid of any theological significance.

Enclosing link to your interview below

With best wishes,

INTERVIEW – TOTONTO

https://www.cbc.ca/i/caffeine/syndicate/?mediaId=1506856515781

PAT

Dear Reader,

Thank you for interesting correspondence.

I have never forgotten my encounters with Bobby Sands and his NINE companions.

One Sunday I said Mass in the prison and a prison officer asked me to take Holy Communion to a prisoner in the hospital wing.

It turned out to be Bobby Sands who had the strongest of possible Catholic faith.

After giving him Communion I asked if we could talk.

He replied: “As long as you’re not going to preach at me”.

I reassured him that preaching at people was not my style.

We had a very long conversation and after that I went in to say Mass for the ten of them every Sunday.

I did celebrate the Sacrament of Penance with them and of course I cannot discuss that.

But I am totally convinced that Bobby Sands was morally of a very clear conscience.

He said to me:

“Two seconds after I die I will open my eyes and will be looking into the eyes of the only man who will ever completely understand me”.

I do NOT believe that the Hunger Strikers deaths were suicide.

And Bobbs Sands in particular absolutely believed in the words of Christ:

“No man can have any greater love than to lay his life down for his friends”.

Having used every other means at his disposal to defeat what he saw as his nation’s conquerors and torturers, he was left with only one last weapon – his life.

I did not share all Bobby’s political beliefs but I admired his naked courage.

Afterwards I attended the Hunger Strikers funerals and suffered serious opposition and persecution from my fellow clergy for doing so.

The Northern clergy, with a few exceptions like Des Wilson and Joe McVeigh, were very anti Republican- SDLP supporters.

I was not particularly Republican but was acting totally out of compassion and care for my people.

Where the people are, the priest should be standing with them in solidarity.

From a blog reader

BASEMENT LEVEL

3 store rooms

MEZZANINE LEVEL (HOUSE KEEPER ? )

Sitting room and en suite bedroom

GROUND FLOOR

Reception area

Dining room

Drawing room

3 male toilets

3 female toilets

Disabled toilet

Dinette

Strong room

Laundry room

Ironing room

Kitchen

Food pantry

Utility room

2 offices

Boiler house

Meeting room

Store

Garage

Lift

FIRST FLOOR – BISHOP’S FLOOR

Study

Sitting room

Chapel

Master en suite bedroom

2 en suite bedrooms

Boardroom

In his tribute to Ambassador Treanor the Roman incumbent of Armagh says that Noel Treanor is now embracing THE MINISTRY OF DIPLOMACY“

“At this time, there are many challenges to be faced across Europe and at global level and the ministry of diplomacy within the Church serves to promote the pursuit of justice and peace in the world”.(sick)

How in the name of all that is holy, does living in a Brussels’ mansion, eating caviar hor d’oeuvres, drinking pink champagne, in various embassies and Michelin starred restaurants suddenly become a MINISTRY !!!

Is it based on that piece from the Gospel that says

“I send you out like Princes among the plebs. Carry a full purse of Euros and a Gamarelli haversack. Only salute the rich and famous on the boulevards. Whenever you go into a house, make sure it is a rich man’s house. If Michelin standard, eat what is set before you. Let your first words be: “I’m here to collect Peter’s Pence”. If a man of wealth lives there he will write a big cheque. If not leave that house and shake the shag pile off your feet and say to that house: “It will worse with you than in the Tuam baby home”.

If Noel’s new appointment is a ministry

1. Is burying babies in sewerage tanks a MINISTRY to poor, unwanted children?

2. Is money laundering in the Vatican Bank a MINISTRY to rich con men?

3. Is imprisoning and slaughtering native children a MINISTRY to indigenous people?

4. Is making pregnant girls convent slaves a MINISTRY to women?

5. Is shagging a cleric in a monastery kitchen a MINISTRY to priests?

6. Is sticking your ass out in a Boilerhouse a MINISTRY to bishops?

7. Is sacrificing your wallet and car a MINISTRY to rent boys?

8. Is making an American woman pregnant a MINISTRY to depressed divorcees?

9. Is taking Class A drugs in forest cruising areas a Ministry to young rural males?

10. Is showing your genitalia on the nocturnal Internet a MINISTRY to teenagers?

11. Is having say sex on an altar a MINISTRY to seminarians?

THE RCC CONTINUED INVENTIONS

Amy is one of those in the RCC who invent new notions in order to justify church behaviour that is not of God and not according to the mind of Christ.

Jesus NEVER INTENDED a Vatican State, a Vatican Bank, a Vatican Museum, a King Pope, His church owning trillions and trillions, papal nuncios, bishop’s palaces, etc

All these things are the inventions of men – a minority of men who have hijacked His church and like in the Temple turned it into a den of thieves and robbers.

The RCC is not organised and run according to the mind of Christ and His New Testament teachings.

It is simply an international conglomerate based on money, power, control and corruption of every kind.

On one occasion a man asked me:

Bishop Pat, is it possible that the Anti Christ is an organisation and not an individual”?

My answer:

YES !

JOURNALIST HUGH JORDAN’S THOUGHTS

ANTIQUE DESK

A Belfast priests says he saw Noel looking at a £15,000 desk in Ballinderry Antiques and when he went back to the shop a few days later it was gone?

Did it end up in Lisbreen?

Naturally speculation is now rife as to who might succeed Our Noelle at Lisbreen.

COMMENT FROM YESTERDAY”S BLOG

The candidates are divided into two corrals – within the diocese or without the diocese – with from without the diocese the more likely.

The name of Michael Router, the auxiliary in Armagh has been bandied about.

Word among the clergy is that Our Amy and Router are not the best of pals and Amy might like him gone?

Router is part of the Cavan clerical mafia – one of Seanie Brady’s men.

He was a reputation for having a Cavan temper too ?

Then there is talk of Alan McGuckian being transferred from Raphoe?

Alan is quite a nice man. At an ACP conference a few years ago he was one of the few priests to speak to me.

He seems to have become very serious and somewhat overburdened since he became a bishop.

It can’t be easy dealing with an RC diocese these times with so many problems and scandals.

Alan will be 70 in February.

Mind you, D&C could get a lot worse than Alan. He is sincere and says his prayers.

Of the recent bishops of D&C Philbin. Daly and Walsh were already bishops.

I think that Donal McKeown who will soon be 73 is too old?

Donal was a nice man as a priest. He has changed since becoming a bishop – and not for the better in my view.

A PRIEST OF ANOTHER DIOCESE OR RELIGIOUS ORDER?

That could happen. But D&C is quite a senior diocese?

God save us from Joe McGuinness of Clogher, a long term bishop wannabe

It could be a surprise priest from some other diocese or religious order.

FROM WITHIN D&C

I think a D&C insider is highly unlikely.

Are TIMMY BARTLETT’S and EUGENE O’HAGAN’S HOPES UP?

In fairness, Timmy has proven him to be a very able and popular PP in St. Mary ‘s in Belfast.

In one sense it does not really matter who comes as the job description is – “the management of growing decline”.

NOEL’S LETTER TO D&C PRIESTS

PAT SAYS

This is the job Noel has wanted forever.

He is coming to it late as he turns 72 next month.

But hey! Better late than never.

I’m sure Noel popped a Dom Perignon when he got the news of his new appointment.

Followed by a Chateau Petrus over lunch

Noel should never have been a priest or bishop. He does not have a pastor’s heart.

He is a desk man.

He should have joined the Irish civil service in the department of Foreign Affairs.

He also has an autistic personality which disables his ability to communicate with other people at an ordinary level.

Noel is a very cold fish. I find coldness one of the worst faults in a priest.

Noel covered up for gay and straight misbehaving priests in D&C and was totally lacking in compassion for priests struggling with problems or ill health.

And he was very cold in his meetings with those priest’s victims.

Like the rest of his Irish colleagues Noel has simply presided over decline.

He does leave a very plush palace behind for his successor and a very highly organised set of diocesan offices.

He was and is good at admin.

But bishops, priests and deacons are not called to be admistrators.

They are called to be pastors.

One of the scandals of Roman Catholicism is the number of clerics doing desk jobs – when those jobs should be done by competent lay men women.

In his 14 years in Belfast I have never met Noel Treanor.

He has never done me any harm that I know of?

Noel’s life and career highlights the old expression:

“He went out to do good – and he did well”.

NOEL’S NEW HOUSE IN BRUSSELS