WHY DOWN & CONNOR IS STUCK WITH NOEL TREANOR
Bishop Noel Treanor
When Noel Treanor was made Bishop of Down and Connor in 2008 the Vatican plan was that after a few years experience in Down and Connor he would be transferred to Armagh to replace Cardinal Sean Brady who has made such a mess of the Church's handing of the sexual abuse of children by priests.
Cardinal Brady interviewed abused children
Cardinal Brady, as the younger Father Sean Brady, had interviewed children in secret, with their parents locked out of the interview room about their abuse by Father Brendan Smyth, Ireland's most notorious paedophile priest.
Father Brendan Smyth
But Bishop Treanor dropped a clanger when he attacked Ian Elliott - the highly respected head of the Nationan Board For Safeguarding Children - a body set up by the Irish Bishops and Religious Superiors.
Bishop Treanor very foolishly accused Mr Eliott of "spinning" against the Irish Bishops - something that could not be further from the truth. Mr Elliott is a professional to his finger tips.
Bishop Treanor's complaint against Mr Elliott was investigated by Judge Catherine McGuinness the head of Ireland's Supreme Court and she found Bishop Treanor's allegations without foundation.
Bishop Treanor had to issue a humiliating and public apology to Mr Elliott. What a blunder for a man like Treanor who had spent years being a Vatican "diplomat" in Europe.
And with one fell swoop Bishop Treanor scuttled his chances of being promoted to Armagh and being made an archbishop and a cardinal.
This week it has emerged that Bishop Treanor has had another go at the National Board for Safeguarding Children. The Board had conducted an investigation into clerical sexual abuse in Down & Connor and is soon to publish its findings.
But Bishop Treanor launched his own enquiry - without informing the Board - which was conducted by Dr John Devanney of Queen's University, Belfast.
Over the weekend the National Board has expressed "surprise" about Bishop Treanor's private enquiry and said it knew nothing about it !
It looks as if Bishop Treanor - wounded by his failed attack on Mr Elliott - is continuing his fight with the National Board. Is that not petty? And why should church goers have to pay for two enquiries?
Not that Bishop Treanor is worried about spending church money. He is currently spending a fortune on renovating his palace - called "Lisbreen" on Belfast's Antrim Road.
Has Bishop Treanor not heard about the Bishop of Limburg in Germany who has recently been sacked by Pope Francis for spending Euro 31 million on his episcopal palace?
Maybe it's time that Treanor changed his palace's name from "Lisbreen" to "Limburg"?
Maybe its time Pope Francis had a work with Noel for spending so much money on his palace?
The thing about Bishop Noel Treanor is that there is a strong rumour that he does not even like being in Down and Connor.
Rumours in Europe and Rome says that Treanor finds Down and Connor difficult, its priests "problematic" and his palace at Lisbreen "cold and damp".
But unless the Vatican can find a desk job for poor Noel in Rome or back in Europe it looks as he is stuck with Down & Connor and Down & Connor is stuck with him.
Can anything really good and happy come from such an unfortunate marriage?
Bishop Pat Buckley
18.11.13
Bishop Treanor's complaint against Mr Elliott was investigated by Judge Catherine McGuinness the head of Ireland's Supreme Court and she found Bishop Treanor's allegations without foundation.
Judge Catherine McGuinness
Bishop Treanor had to issue a humiliating and public apology to Mr Elliott. What a blunder for a man like Treanor who had spent years being a Vatican "diplomat" in Europe.
And with one fell swoop Bishop Treanor scuttled his chances of being promoted to Armagh and being made an archbishop and a cardinal.
This week it has emerged that Bishop Treanor has had another go at the National Board for Safeguarding Children. The Board had conducted an investigation into clerical sexual abuse in Down & Connor and is soon to publish its findings.
But Bishop Treanor launched his own enquiry - without informing the Board - which was conducted by Dr John Devanney of Queen's University, Belfast.
Over the weekend the National Board has expressed "surprise" about Bishop Treanor's private enquiry and said it knew nothing about it !
It looks as if Bishop Treanor - wounded by his failed attack on Mr Elliott - is continuing his fight with the National Board. Is that not petty? And why should church goers have to pay for two enquiries?
Not that Bishop Treanor is worried about spending church money. He is currently spending a fortune on renovating his palace - called "Lisbreen" on Belfast's Antrim Road.
Has Bishop Treanor not heard about the Bishop of Limburg in Germany who has recently been sacked by Pope Francis for spending Euro 31 million on his episcopal palace?
Bishop of Limburg
Maybe it's time that Treanor changed his palace's name from "Lisbreen" to "Limburg"?
Maybe its time Pope Francis had a work with Noel for spending so much money on his palace?
Bishop of Limburg and Pope Francis
The thing about Bishop Noel Treanor is that there is a strong rumour that he does not even like being in Down and Connor.
Rumours in Europe and Rome says that Treanor finds Down and Connor difficult, its priests "problematic" and his palace at Lisbreen "cold and damp".
But unless the Vatican can find a desk job for poor Noel in Rome or back in Europe it looks as he is stuck with Down & Connor and Down & Connor is stuck with him.
Can anything really good and happy come from such an unfortunate marriage?
Bishop Pat Buckley
18.11.13
Bishop Treanor's spat with Ian Elliot was ill-advised. However, he is a good bishop and has the loyalty of the priests of this diocese (except for whatever few malcontents are feeding Rev. Buckley with dis/misinformation. Furthermore, to compare him with the Bishop of Limburg is grossly unjust. The Bishop is rightly maintaining diocesan property and will save the diocese money in the long-term. Our Bishop does not live a lavish lifestyle. He is a decent man and very approachable. We are grateful for his ministry. Down and Connor pastor.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you accept that Bishop Treanor's insult of Ian Elliott was wrong.
ReplyDeleteWhat has "maintaining diocesan property" to do with furnishing his palace with items from Ballinderry antiques?
I am glad that you find him approachable. You're not his sister by any chance?
Bishop Pat
I'm not his sister. I am a priest of the diocese. He is very approachable and kind. Lots of people visit antique shops. I realise that what I have said does not suit your agenda Fr Buckley.
DeleteFather,
DeleteThank you for your replay.
I am glad that you find him approachable. But not every priest does - priests like Father John McManus and Father Paul Symonds for instance?
Why do you not put your name to your comment? I put mine to everything I say on here and else where.
Bishop Pat
Most commentators here don't put their names on. John McManus and Paul Symonds are as guilty as sin. Many predators are not convicted by the courts but they are guilty as charged. Why are you defending these two?
ReplyDeleteDear Father,
DeleteI agree with you that most commentators do not put their names on - and that is your choice - and I published your comments without any censorship.
I have always put my name to everything I say.
I am not "defending"n John McManus or Paul Symonds really. In fact John McManus has done all he could do to make life as hard as possible for me.
I think poor Paul Symonds is just a very human and I really do not feel that there is any malice in him?
But we must all be regarded and treated as innocent until PROVEN guilty. And I would want that for my enemies as much as for my friends.
In any event thank you for making your points and disagreeing with me without being nasty.
Pat
Thank you, Fr Pat. Respect to you. Frs McManus and Symonds are accused of sexually assaulting young males in St Malachy's College, Belfast. The Bishop cannot possibly reinstate them - ever.
DeleteI knew Noel Treanor when I was a Deacon in Rome, He was sort of involved in my educational development. He put me in touch with the Salesian Uni and we dreamed up some courses I could do. Above that I was left to my own devices. It seems all one has to do to be a bisahop is keep yr head down, Get a load of qualifications and hibernate in rome for a set period-Sean
ReplyDeleteWhy is he still here? He does not want to be here!
ReplyDeletePP
I'm a gay man in my 20's. I have seen more clergy willies up in shaws bridge than any other lol. That bishop must know lol. One in particular scared me, he needs help lol. Its funny when I go to mass and they r up there. Nice willies though lol.
ReplyDeleteI thought only Jews were circumcised, is it part of our religion?
DeletePat can I talkj to u about it. I don't want to name names on this.
ReplyDeleteOf course you can.
Delete07900 287283
Pat
Or you can email me on
Deletebishoppatbuckley@hotmail.com
Thank you, Fr Pat. Respect to you. Frs. McManus and Symonds are accused of sexually assaulting young male adults in St Malachy's College, Belfast. The Bishop cannot possibly reinstate them - ever.
ReplyDeleteAs a priest of this diocese I do not find our Bishop easy to talk to. Malcontents!!!!! the info I and others put on here is Nothing, in true terms . I do not put my name on this, Lisbreen would summon the hit squad!!! If I were describe malcontents I'd name others.
ReplyDeleteMalcontents?? Put your fucking money where your mouth is, you despicable lying scumbag! Hit squad?? Yeah right. You may crave martyrdom but you are too much of a wanker to be deserving.
ReplyDeleteYou are a very sick person
DeleteBishop Pat
Dear malcontent!!!!!, Would you ever get over yourself? Bishop Treanor is a kind and good man. Thank God we have him after previous incumbents. If you find him hard to talk to, maybe its you has the problem? I find him to be a very normal decent human being and I am glad he is our bishop.
ReplyDeleteNot half as sick as you, Buckley, you fantasist!
ReplyDeleteIf that is true about Shaw's Bridge, I, as a priest am horrified. I hope the police catch these men. We don't need them in our diocese or the Church, We would be better served with a few priests who are faithful to the Lord than with dozens who don't seem to believe in God at all.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that the police is the answer.
DeleteI think those priests need to talk to someone they can trust - and stop taking such big risks.
Bishop Pat
I have had sex with a parish priest of Down and Connor at Shaw's Bridge. At the time I did not realise he was a priest and as a Catholic I felt guilty about it afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI have also seen Down and Connor priests in the Belfast gay sauna and in a Dublin gay sauna but did not personally have sex with them there.
Non Practising Catholic in his 30's
I had a sexual encounter with a D&C priest in a toilet in Coleraine.
ReplyDeleteI only knew he was a priest when I saw him saying Mass in a church - not my own parish church.
Practising Catholic - North Antrim.
As a former seminarian for Down & C I had regular gay sex while in The Wing and also on visits to Maynooth. And I was not the only one enjoying the so called "sins of the flesh". I could name quite a few D&C priests who are gay and sexually active. In fact if they were all arrested/dismissed there would not be a priest for every parish. I am now working in a different profession - but still for the Catholic Church - and have a full time partner.
ReplyDelete"former seminarian", grow a pair and report them. I cannot believe what is being said online, same goes for North Antrim Catholic and that other gay sauna lad. Do us all a favour. Am I an innocent abroad?
ReplyDeleteReport them to who? And for what? Consensual sex between two consenting (and happily pleasured) adults? Why should I grow another pair? What would I do with 4?
DeleteI studied in The Irish College in Rome. The seminarians there were "at it" too - in each others rooms, in Rome's gay clubs and at cruising areas including Rome's main train station. Most of the gays ones I knew, including myself, were ordained and are in parishes around the country now and still "at it". Its not only a D&C thing. Munster priest.
ReplyDeleteI studies in Clonliffe in Dublin from 1970 to 1973 and homosexuality was common there. I was in St John's Waterford from 1973 to 1976 and it happened a little there but was not as commonplace as in Clonliffe.
DeleteBishop Pat
Lads I am an English priest who studied in Rome. The English College and the Beda was full of queens. I was sexually active in Rome with other seminarians, priests and guys from the Vatican. Let's call a spade a spade - the Catholic priesthood is now a predominantly gay profession. My spiritual director was gay. He told Cardinal Basil Hume (RIP) and Hume smiled and asked him just to be "discreet". I also know past and present gay bishops. So what - once they don't frighten the horses. Londoner.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only straight in the clerical village :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are not the only straight, brother. There are still some of us left and we are able to keep our mickies in our trousers!
DeleteThank God we are "stuck" with +Noel. Far better than the clown we had before him and Cackle Daily!!
ReplyDeleteAre you serious? You like this man - he dislikes everything about us! Perhaps you are in the inner circle, I am too busy in Miltown to be running to Lisbreen or too Lisbreen.
DeleteWhat is our Bishop at with his one-man stand with the National Board, we must comply with the Board!! He is arrogant with us and he is arrogant with the professional employed to bring credability back to the Church.
DeleteCrazy - PP
I'm glad to see the comments returning to the original thought in this blog - and away from sex - straight and gay/
ReplyDeletePat