Friday 7 September 2012

WHERE IS FATHER MATT WALLACE ?

Father Matt Wallace, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Parish, Turf Lodge, Belfast disappeared suddenly on Friday August 24th 2012 having given the Bishop of Down & Connor, Noel Treanor, just a few hours notice.

A few days later Bishop Treanor published his "Clerical Changes" for Autumn and never mentioned Father Wallaces departure. Instead the published changes only mentioned that the Redemptorist curate of Downpatrick parish, Father Brendan Mulhall was becoming the Administrator Ad Interim (temporary administrator) of Turf Lodge.

Father Wallace was originally a priest of the disgraced Diocese of Ferns which has featured greatly in the Irish Catholic Church's clerical sex abuse scandals. However Father Wallace has worked in Down & Connor Diocese for several decades.  

Father Wallace is pictured above after been stabbed in the face by youths some years ago.

Bishop Treanor has said that Father Wallace is on leave due to "ill health".

Father Matt is dearly loved by many in Belfast and in Turf Lodge and everyone is greatly concerned for his welfare.

Please let us know if you hear anything so that we can put at rest the minds of his many followers and admirers.

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FATHER CONLETH BYRNE

Bishop Noel Treanor and the clergy and people of the Diocese of  Down & Connor have suffered another sorrowful blow after one of its highly regarded retired parish priest, Father Conleth Byrne (78) was in court in the past week charged with the disappearance of £145,000 from the rural County Down parish of Loughlinisland.


Details released at Downpatrick Court suggested that Father Byrne had given the money to a lady.

I did not know Father Byrne very well but had met him very occasionally over my 34 year ministry in Down & Connor and always regarded him as a quiet, kind and spiritual man.

Conleth is currently living with the Cistercians in Portglenone, N. Ireland and we keep him in our prayers

Bishop Pat Buckley
7.9.2012


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