Wednesday 31 July 2013

THE PRIEST WHO TRIED TO REFUSE ME COMMUNION!

THE PRIEST WHO TRIED TO REFUSE ME HOLY COMMUNION!

FATHER EDDIE MC GEE


THE PRIEST PICTURED ABOVE - FATHER EDDIE MC GEE - THE PRESS OFFICER FOR THE DIOCESE OF DOWN AND CONNOR ONCE TRIED TO REFUSE ME HOLY COMMUNION!

IT HAPPENED AT THE PARISH CHURCH IN LARNE IN COUNTY ANTRIM WHERE I LIVE. A FUNERAL MASS WAS BEING HELD FOR THE DECEASED CURATE OF LARNE - A VERY YOUNG PRIEST CALLED FATHER BRIAN MC NULTY. 

POOR FATHER BRIAN, A VERY YOUNG PRIEST, HAD A VERY SERIOUS HEART CONDITION AND HE DIED ON THE OPERATING TABLE WHILE UNDERGOING SURGERY. 

HE HAD BEEN VERY KIND TO ME WHEN HE WAS IN LARNE AND OF COURSE i WANTED TO PAY MY RESPECTS BY ATTENDING HIS FUNERAL MASS.

THE MASS WAS CELEBRATED BY THE THEN BISHOP - PADDY WALSH.

PADDY WALSH

FATHER EDDIE MC GEE WAS ASSISTING BISHOP WALSH.

AT COMMUNION TIME I WENT UP TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION AND FATHER MC GEE RAISED HIS HANDS AS IF TO GIVE ME A BLESSING RATHER THAN GIVE ME COMMUNION.

I CAUGHT HIS ARM IN MID AIR AND SAID TO HIM: "SONNY, I TAKE COMMUNION - NOT BLESSINGS". I THEN PUT MY HAND INTO THE CIBORIUM AND HELPED MYSELF TO THE BODY OF CHRIST.

AFTER THE MASS I SPOKE TO BISHOP WALSH AT THE PARISH PRIEST'S HOUSE AND TOLD HIM THAT IF ANY PRIEST EVER TRIED TO DO THAT TO ME AGAIN - THE PRIEST - ME - AND THE SACRED HOSTS WOULD BE ALL OVER THE FLOOR.

WALSH REPLIED: "THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN"

THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST IS CHRIST'S GIFT TO US - HIS CHURCH.

PRIESTS, BISHOP AND POPES DO NOT "OWN" THE BODY OF CHRIST.

CHRIST WILL ALWAYS REFUSE TO BE A "PRISONER OF THE TABERNACLE"

ALL OF US ARE SINNERS. ALL US PRIESTS ARE SINNERS. SOMETIMES PRIESTS ARE GREATER SINNERS THAN ANYONE ELSE. 

HOW CAN ONE "SINNER" HAVE THE PRIDE OR ARROGANCE TO REFUSE ANOTHER "SINNER" THE EUCHARIST OR THE SACRAMENTS.

EVEN THIS WEEK POPE FRANCIS SAID IT WAS NOT HIS ROLE TO JUDGE PEOPLE.
POPE FRANCIS
 
I HOPE THAT THE WORLD'S PRIESTS AND BISHOPS WERE LISTENING TO HIM.

I HOPE EDDIE MC GEE WAS LISTENING TOO.

Bishop Pat Buckley 31.7.2013

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO FATHER JOHN MC MANUS?

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO FATHER JOHN McMANUS?
FATHER JOHN MC MANUS OF BELFAST / PORTAFERRY

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO FATHER JOHN McMANUS - THE FORMER CHANCELLOR OF THE DIOCESE OF DOWN & CONNOR IN BELFAST?

McMANUS WAS A LATE VOCATION - HAVING FIRST OF ALL BEING A PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER AND SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.

HE THEN BECAME A PRIEST AND ACTED AS THE PARISH PRIEST OF WHITEHOUSE, BELFAST. HE WAS ALSO THE PRESS OFFICER FOR THE DIOCESE OF DOWN AND CONNOR AND THE RECTOR OF "THE WING" - THAT PART OF SAINT MALACHY'S COLLEGE IN BELFAST THAT HOUSED SOME OF THE SEMINARIANS FOR THE DIOCESE.

EVENTUALLY HE WAS MADE THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DIOCESE OF DOWN AND CONNOR.

AND THEN HE DISAPPEARED ???????

HE HAS BEEN REPLACED AT CHANCELLOR BY ONE OF THE SINGING PRIEST - FATHER EUGENE O'HAGAN - ONE OF THE SO CALLED "SINGING PRIESTS" - ALTHOUGH FATHER O'HAGAN'S OFFICIAL TITLE IS CHANCELLOR AS INTERIM - TEMPORARY CHANCELLOR


FATHER EUGENE O HAGAN





FATHER McMANUS HAD PLAYED SOME ROLE IN THE CASE OF FATHER HAMES DONAGHY - THE DOWN AND CONNOR PRIEST CURRENTLY IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING A NUMBER OF YOUNG BOYS AND MEN DURING HIS TIME AS A CURATE AND PARISH PRIEST.
FATHER JAMES DONAGHY



I WAS VERY INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING ONE ONE OF FATHER DONAGHY VICTIMS. IN FACT IT TOOK THE VICTIM'S FAMILY AND MYSELF 10 YEARS TO GET HIM JUSTICE. SOME PEOPLE CALL HIM "VICTIM A". I PREFER TO CALL HIM "SURVIVOR A" BECAUSE THANK GOD HE IS NOW MAKING A GREAT SUCCESS OF HIS LIFE. 

SURVIVOR A AND ANOTHER OF DONAGHY'S VICTIMS HAD MOVED TO LIVE IN ENGLAND. SURVIVOR A'S FAMILY AND I BROUGHT A GREAT DEAL OF EVIDENCE TO THE THEN BISHOP OF BELFAST, PADDY WALSH ABOUT DONAGHY. 
PADDY WALSH

BISHOP WALSH SENT FATHER McMANUS TO GO TO ENGLAND AND INTERVIEW THE TWO YOUNG MEN. BOTH YOUNG MEN WERE VERY UNHAPPY WITH FATHER McMANUS' ATTITUDE TOWARDS THEM. 

FATHER DONAGHY HAD ALWAYS TOLD SURVIVOR A'S FAMILY THAT BISHOP WALSH WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING TO HIM BECAUSE HE "HAD SOMETHING" ON BISHOP WALSH. DURING A MEETING WITH BISHOP WALSH SURVIVOR A'S FAMILY AND MYSELF PUT THIS TO BISHOP WALSH. BISHOP WALSH DENIED IT COMPLETELY.

ANYWAY IF A PRIEST CAN ABUSE YOUNG BOYS OF COURSE HE CAN TELL LIES ON BISHOP WALSH. FATHER DONAGHY HAD A SEXUAL FETISH FOR FEET AND SOCKS. HE TOLD ONE EIGHT YEARS OLD BOY THAT IF THE BOY LET HIM ABUSE HIM HE WOULD GET HIS RECENTLY DECEASED GRANDFATHER INTO HEAVEN.

ANYWHERE - TO GET BACK TO FATHER McMANUS:

WHERE IS HE?

WHY DID HE LEAVE HIS POST AS CHANCELLOR?

WHY DOES HE CURRENTLY HAVE NO PRIESTLY APPOINTMENT IN THE DIOCESE?

IS HE ON THE FAMILY FARM IN PORTAFERRY IN COUNTY DOWN?

IT IS CERTAINLY "UNUSUAL" FOR SUCH A PROMINENT PRIEST TO DISAPPEAR INTO THIN AIR

Bishop Pat Buckley 31.7.2013


Tuesday 30 July 2013

CATHOLIC CHURCH ABUSE IN SCOTLAND EXPLODING?

CATHOLIC CHURCH ABUSE IN SCOTLAND EXPLODING?
CARDINAL KEITH O'BRIEN - SEXUAL ABUSER
LAST NIGHT, MONDAY 29TH JULY 2013, BBC SCOTLAND AIRED A VERY SAD HOUR LONG PROGRAM ABOUT THE ABUSE OF A NUMBER OF YOUNG BOYS AT THE BENEDICTINE BOARDING SCHOOL OF FORT AUGUSTUS ON LOUGH NESS IN SCOTLAND.

MARK DALY BBC SCOTLAND
SEVERAL OF THE MONKS WERE ACCUSED OF MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY AND SEXUALLY ABUSING BOYS OVER DECADES.
ABUSING MONKS DENIS CHRYSOSTOM ALEXANDER; GREGORY BRUSEY; AIDAN DUGGAN AND EDWARD DELEPINE


THE ABUSE TOOK PLACE AT FORT AUGUSTUS - A BENEDICTINE ABBEY AND SCHOOL THAT HAS SINCE BEEN CLOSED DOWN

MANY BOYS WERE MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY AND SEXUALLY ABUSED AT FORT AUGUSTUS AND IT'S SISTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL.

SOME BOYS WERE ACTUALLY ANALLY RAPED.

FATHER DENIS CHRYSTOSTOM ALEXANDER AND FATHER AIDAN DUGGIN RETURNED TO SYDNEY IN AUSTRALIA AND CONTINUED WORKING AS PRIESTS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY.

THE ENGLISH BENEDICTINES HAD NOT WARMED THE SYDNEY AUTHORITIES THAT THESE MONKS WERE SERIAL PAEDOPHILES AND THEY CONTINUED TO ABUSE IN SYDNEY.

NO VICTIMS HAVE EVEN RECEIVED A DECENT APOLOGY BUT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY HAS SPENT $ 750,000 ON LAWYERS TO STOP THEM BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

SCOTTISB BISHOPS KNEW ABOUT THE ABUSE AND DIS NOTHING - BISHOPS LIKE ARCHBISHOP CONTI; BISHOP JOHN CUNNINGHAM AND BISHOP MAURICE TAYLOR






THE ABBOT GENERAL OF THE ENGLISH BENEDICTINES HAS ALSO BEEN FOUND WANTING



ALL OF THIS COMES IN THE WAKE OF CARDINAL KEITH O'BRIEN BEING ACCUSED OF THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF SEMINARIANS AND PRIESTS.

THE QUESTION MUST BE ASKED IF THERE IS A MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE SCOTTISH CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH SEXUAL ABUSE AND THE COVER UP OF SEXUAL ABUSE ?

JUST APPOINTING NEW BISHOPS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

THERE MUST BE A ROOT AND BRANCH INVESTIGATION.

THERE MUST BE A ROOT AND BRANCH PUBLICATION OF THE FINDINGS OF THAT INVESTIGATION.

Bishop Pat Buckley 30.7.2013

Monday 29 July 2013

I KNEW A SAINT PERSONALLY

I KNEW A SAINT PERSONALLY

FATHER JOHN HYDE SJ

FATHER JOHN HYDE -A JESUIT PRIEST - WAS A REGULAR VISIT TO MY CHILDHOOD HOME.

I WAS BORN IN TULLAMORE, CO. OFFALY, IRELAND AND THE JESUITS HAD A HOUSE OF STUDIES AND A RETREAT HOUSE JUST OUTSIDE TULLAMORE IN A PLACE CALLED RAHAN. THE HOUSE WAS CALLED "TULLABEG".


FATHER HYDE WAS A PHILOSOPHER AND THEOLOGIAN. HE WAS ALSO A VERY SAINTLY MAN WITH A REPUTATION TO BEING ABLE TO HEAL THE SICK.

THE PEOPLE AROUND RAHAN AND TULLAMORE EVEN BELIEVE THAT HE RAISED A YOUNG MAN FROM THE DEAD WHO HAD DROWNED IN THE CANAL.

HE USED TO TRAVEL AROUND OFFALY AND EVENTUALLY DUBLIN ON HIS BIG BLACK PUSH BIKE VISITING HOMES AND HOSPITALS.

HE OFTEN VISITED MY GRANDMOTHER KATE BUCKLEY (BRACKEN) WHO LIVE IN NORTH STRAND DUBLIN. MY GRANNY HAD A TREMENDOUS DEVOTION TO FATHER HYDE. 

HE WOULD PLACE HIS HAT ON HER HEAD TO WARD OFF HEADACHES AND SHE WOULD DRINK THE REMAINS OF HIS CUP OF TEA.

FATHER HYDE PRACTICED POVERTY TO THE LIMIT. HIS BLACK SUIT WAS GREEN WITH AGE AND THAT SUIT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN WORN BY ANOTHER SAINTLY JESUIT IRISH PRIEST CALLED FATHER JOHN SULLIVAN WHO ALSO HAD A REPUTATION FOR HEALING AND MIRACLES.

FATHER JOHN SULLIVAN
ONE ONE OCCASION A YOUNG BROTHER OF MINE WAS GRAVELY ILL AND IN DANGER OF DEATH FROM MENINGITIS. FATHER HYDE WAS SENT FOR TO BLESS HIM. MY MOTHER SAID TO FATHER HYDE: "THE DOCTORS DON'T HOLD OUT MUCH HOPE FOR HIM". FATHER HYDE REPLIED: "LET'S SEE WHAT DOCTOR GOD SAYS" AFTER FATHER HYDE'S VISIT AND PRAYERS MY BROTHER MADE AN IMMEDIATE RECOVERY.

AFTER MY ORDINATION I USED TO VISIT FATHER HYDE AT THE JESUIT HOUSE OF STUDIES IN MILLTOWN IN DUBLIN. ON ONE OCCASION I MISCHIEVOUSLY SAID TO HIM: "WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HANS KUNG"

FATHER HYDE REPLIED: "EVERY TIME I HEAR THE NAME HANS KUNG I GET AN AWFUL PAIN IN ME BELLY. HE'S ALMOST A PROTESTANT".

FATHER HYDE WAS A VERY DEVOUT AND CONSERVATIVE CATHOLIC. BUT I AM QUITE SURE THAT FROM HIS HIGH PLACE IN HEAVEN HE UNDERSTANDS MY CURRENT LIFE AND I AM ALSO SURE I HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HIS PRAYERS AND OVERSIGHT.

Bishop Pat Buckley 29.7.2013 


Sunday 28 July 2013

IS THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN NORTHERN IRELAND CORRUPT?

IS THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN NORTHERN CORRUPT?

I BELIEVE THAT THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS CORRUPT.

IF YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER IN A NORTHERN IRELAND CATHOLIC SCHOOL THE FOLLOWING IS A BIG HELP:

1. YOUR UNCLES IS A PRIEST OR BETTER STILL A CANON OR A MONSIGNOR.



2. YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE GAA - (GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION)

3. YOU HAVE NO BACKBONE OR BALLS AND KEEP IN WITH THE CLERGY AND THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL CLIQUE.

4. YOU GO TO MASS AT LEAST EVERY SUNDAY AND MAKE SURE YOUR PARISH PRIEST SEES YOU THERE.

5. IF YOU ARE GAY OR SINGLE AND HAVING SEX YOU PRETEND YOU ARE CHASTE.

6. YOU MUST NEVER HAVE WORKED IN A STATE OR INTEGRATED SCHOOL.

I WAS A SCHOOL SECRETARY IN THE DIOCESE OF DOWN AND CONNOR. WHEN I STARTED BEING A SECRETARY MY PARISH PRIEST SHARED A "BLACK LIST" WITH ME OF TEACHERS I SHOULD NEVER GIVE A JOB TO.

I FOUGHT MY PARISH PRIEST AND COMMITTEE TOOTH AND NAIL AND I APPOINTED SEVERAL PEOPLE TO VACANCIES.

FOR DOING SO I WAS AS WELCOME AT COMMITTEE MEETING AS A PIN IN A CONDOM FACTORY.

IN THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM PEOPLE DO NOT GET APPOINTED ON MERIT OR EXPERIENCE.

THEY GET APPOINTED ON THE BASIS OF WHO THEY KNOW AND IF THEIR FACE FITS.

I KNOW ONE TEACHER AT THE MOMENT WHOSE JOB IN UNDER THREAT BECAUSE THEIR FACE DOES NOT FIT.

THANKFULLY THIS TEACHER IS VERY BRAVE AND HAS STRONG BACKING AND WILL FIGHT THEIR CASE ALL THE WAY TO EUROPE IF THEY SUFFER AN INJUSTICE.

IN THIS TEACHER'S CASE CLERGY AND OTHERS HAVE HAD SECRET MEETINGS TO PLAN THEIR DOWNFALL.


THANKFULLY ONE OF THE PEOPLE CONSULTED HAS GIVEN THIS TEACHER VERY EXPLOSIVE INFORMATION WHICH THEY WILL USE IF THEY HAVE TO.

I'M SURE THERE IS CORRUPTION IN STATE AND INTEGRATED EDUCATION TOO.

BUT THERE IS SOMETHING ESPECIALLY WRONG ABOUT CORRUPTION IN THE CATHOLIC SECTOR BECAUSE WE CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT LOVE, CHARITY AND JUSTICE.

IF I WAS IN CHARGE OF POLITICS IN NORTHERN IRELAND THERE WOULD ONLY BE ONE EDUCATION SYSTEM - A STATE ONE.

ANY CHURCH OR RELIGION WHO WANTED TO RUN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO - BUT LIKE IN THE USA THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES.

"CATHOLIC" AND "PROTESTANT" EDUCATION IS PART OF WHAT CREATES CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT BIGOTRY.

IF YOU SIT BESIDE SOMEONE IN SCHOOL FOR 14 YEARS YOU WILL KNOW THEM A LOT BETTER AND BE A LOT SLOWER TO MISUNDERSTAND OR HATE THEM.


Bishop Pat Buckley. 28.7.2013.

Saturday 27 July 2013

IS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH "THE ONE TRUE CHURCH" ?

IS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH "THE ONE TRUE CHURCH" ?


WHEN I WAS GOING TO SCHOOL IN THE 1950'S AND 1960'S I WAS TAUGHT THAT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS THE "ONE TRUE CHURCH".

I WAS ALSO TAUGHT THAT ALL NON ROMAN CATHOLICS WOULD NEVER GET INTO HEAVEN.

I WAS ALSO TAUGHT THAT IT WAS A "MORTAL SIN" TO GO INTO A PROTESTANT CHURCH.

THE ALONG CAME THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH DID NOT WANT TO BE OFFENSIVE TO PEOPLE OF OTHER CHURCHES.

SO THEN I WAS TOLD THAT "THE ONE TRUE CHURCH SUBSISTS IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH".


PROTESTANT CHURCHES:

THERE ARE OF COURSE MANY RIGHT WING AND FUNDAMENTALIST "PROTESTANT" CHURCH WHO HAVE TAUGHT, AND STILL TEACH, THE SAME MESSAGE.

MANY DINOSAUR PROTESTANTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND BELIEVE AND PREACH THAT "ROMAN CATHOLICS WILL NEVER GET INTO HEAVEN.

THEY ALSO CALL THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH: "THE WHORE OF BABYLON" AND THEY CALL THE POPE "THE ANTI-CHRIST". THIS WAS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE REVEREND IAN PAISLEY'S HATE FILLED MESSAGES.
PAISLEY
I THINK TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION "WHICH CHURCH IS THE TRUE CHURCH" YOU HAVE TO TURN TO JESUS AND ASK HIM.

WHAT DID HE SAY ABOUT HIS "CHURCH" AND HIS DISCIPLES?

HE SAID: "IT IS BY THEIR FRUITS THAT YE SHALL KNOW MY DISCIPLES".


WHAT ARE THE FRUITS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH?

WELL I THINK THERE ARE "GOOD" FRUITS AND BAD "FRUITS". THE GOOD FRUITS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE IN MY OPINION:

1. THE PRESERVATION OF THE WORD OF GOD IN THE BIBLE.
2. THE PRESERVATION OF AND THE PRACTICE OF THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS.
3. THE MANY HOLY MEN AND WOMEN OF EVERY TIME AND PLACE WHO HAVE 
     LIVED OR WHO ARE LIVING.
4. THE MANY THOUSANDS OF GOOD CATHOLIC PRIESTS, NUN AND RELIGIOUS
    WHO GAVE UP THEIR LIVES TO SERVE THEIR FELLOW MEN AND WOMEN IN 
    THEIR OWN OR ABROAD IN AREAS LIKE TEACHING AND NURSING AND
    COMMUNITY BUILDING.
5. THE PRESERVATION OF THE LIVES AND WRITINGS OF THE SAINTS.
6. ANY ACT OF LOVE AND SERVICE THE CHURCH OR ONE OF ITS MEMBERS DOES
    TO A FELLOW MAN OR WOMAN.

WHAT ARE THE "BAD FRUITS" OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH?

1. ITS ALIGNMENT WITH THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE.
2. ITS POPE KINGS FIGHTING BATTLES AND MURDERING THOUSANDS / MILLIONS.
3. THE CRUSADES TO THE HOLY LAND AND THE SLAUGHTER OF MUSLIMS.
4. THE CORRUPT MIDDLE AGES PAPACY.
5. THE INQUISITION.
6. 2000 YEARS OF NEGATIVE ATTITUDE TO WOMEN AND SEXUALITY.
7. ITS FAILURE TO FACE UP TO HITLER.
8. THE ABUSE OF THE VULNERABLE - ESPECIALLY CHILDREN.
9. ITS ALIGNMENT WITH THE WORLD'S ESTABLISHMENTS AND DICTATORS.
10. THE MONARCHIAL PAPACY AND THE VATICAN STATE.
11. THE IMPOSITION OF OBLIGATORY CELIBACY ON PRIESTS.
12. ITS LOVE OF RICHES AND POWER AND THE VATICAN BANK.

THE CHURCH IS TWO THINGS - ONE THE ONE HAND ITS THE BEAUTIFUL FAMILY OF GOD.

ON THE OTHER HAND ITS A CORRUPT HUMAN EMPIRE.

ITS LIKE WHEAT AND CHAFF GROWING TOGETHER.

JESUS HAS TOLD US THAT ON THE LAST DAY HE WILL BURN THE CHAFF AND HARVEST THE WHEAT.
DIVIDING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF


ANY DECENT CATHOLIC MUST ASPIRE TO BE AMONG THE WHEAT.

Bishop Pat Buckley


Friday 26 July 2013

FATHER TIMOTHY BARTLETT TO BE BISHOP ?

FATHER TIMOTHY BARTLETT TO BE BISHOP ?

FATHER TIMOTHY BARTLETT
RECENTLY I WROTE TO THE PAPAL NUNCIO TO IRELAND, ARCHBISHOP CHARLES BROWN, ADVISING HIM THAT FATHER TIMOTHY BARTLETT SHOULD BE APPOINTED A BISHOP TO FILL ONE OF THE VACANT EPISCOPAL SEES IN IRELAND.

I SUGGESTED TO ARCHBISHOP CHARLES THAT TIMMY MIGHT BE SUITABLE FOR THE DIOCESE OF KILDARE AND LEIGHLIN.

BUT OF COURSE THE DIOCESE OF DERRY IS ALSO AVAILABLE AND NEEDS A GOOD BISHOP.

TIMMY HAS ALL THE RIGHT QUALITIES TO BE A BISHOP. HE IS LONG ENOUGH ORDAINED. HE HAS TAUGHT MORAL THEOLOGY IN ST MARY'S TRAINING COLLEGE IN BELFAST.

HIS STUDENTS IN BELFAST LOVED HIM. HE WAS NOT A DIE HARD CONSERVATIVE OR REACTIONARY BUT IN FACT HE ENCOURAGED HIS STUDENTS TO ENGAGE DEEPLY IN THEOLOGICAL DEBATE AND TO BE INTELLIGENT AND THINKING CATHOLICS.

HE ALSO HAS EXPERIENCE IN OTHER BRANCHES OF EDUCATION - AND EDUCATION WILL BE A BIG ISSUE FOR THE CHURCH IN THE FUTURE - NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE BORDER

HE IS VERY LOYAL TO THE CHURCH AND HAS ALWAYS SHOWN GREAT RESPECT FOR HIS BISHOPS AND THE HOLY FATHER AND ROME.

WHEN CARDINAL BRADY FIRST TOOK OVER AT ARMAGH HE HAD A TERRIBLE MEDIA PRESENCE. BUT THEN HE APPOINTED FATHER TIMMY TO BE HIS MEDIA ADVISER AND SINCE THAT TIME SEAN BRADY HAS ACQUITTED HIMSELF VERY WELL BEFORE THE CAMERA.
HIS EMINENCE DR BRADY - FATHER TIMMY MEDIA STUDENT

I ALSO THINK THAT TIMMY WOULD BE VERY GOOD WITH ORDINARY PEOPLE. SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE GAY COMMUNITY IN BELFAST HAVE TOLD ME THAT WHILE THEY KNOW WHERE TIMMY STANDS DOCTRINALLY ON HOMOSEXUALITY THAT NEVERTHELESS THEY FEEL THAT HE WOULD ADOPT A VERY SYMPATHETIC PASTORAL POSITION. 

ARCHBISHOP BROWN HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ME PERSONALLY ABOUT TIMMY'S POSSIBLE FUTURE AS A BISHOP. BUT RELIABLE SOURCES HAVE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS NOTED MY VIEWS AND THAT THEY WILL CERTAINLY BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

I AM EXPECTING AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE MATTER IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.

Bishop Pat Buckley. 26.7.2013


REVISITING MY HUMAN AND SPIRITUAL ROOTS

REVISITING MY HUMAN AND SPIRITUAL ROOTS
THE FONT IN WHICH I WAS BAPTISED 61 YEARS AGO
I SPENT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY OF THIS WEEK REVISITING TULLAMORE, CO. OFFALY, IRELAND - THE PLACE OF MY BIRTH.

ABOVE IS A PICTURE OF ME STANDING AT THE BAPTISM FONT IN THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION IN TULLAMORE - THE FONT AT WHICH I WAS BAPTISED AND BEGAN MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY 61 YEARS AGO.



MY GRANDAD'S HOUSE IN WHICH I WAS BORN


ITS QUITE AN AMAZING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING EXPERIENCE TO STAND WHERE YOUR JOURNEY STARTED AND REFLECT ON THE PATHS YOU HAVE COME AND WHERE YOU ARE AT NOW. 

I WAS BORN IN 1952. IT WAS A TIME WHEN:

1. GOOD PRIESTS WERE PRAYING AND MINISTERING TO THE PEOPLE.
2. GOOD NUNS WERE TEACHING CHILDREN AND NURSING THE SICK.
3. GOOD CHRISTIAN BROTHERS WERE TEACHING THE POOR AND THE RICH.

IT WAS ALSO A TIME, WHEN BEHIND THE SCENES:

1. PRIESTS WERE SEXUALLY ABUSING ALTAR BOYS AND OTHER CHILDREN.
2. NUNS, IN THEIR FRUSTRATION WERE BEATING AND ABUSING CHILDREN.
3. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS WERE SEXUALLY ABUSING BOYS AND OCCASIONALLY
     KILLING THEM AND BURYING THEM IN SECRET GRAVES.
4. NUNS WERE INCARCERATING GIRLS AND WOMEN IN MAGDALENE LAUNDRIES
    AND PROFESSIONALSS, INCLUDING PRIESTS, DOCTORS AND POLICEMEN, WERE 
    GOING INTO THE LAUNDRIES TO RAPE AND MOLEST THEM.

I WAS NEVER MOLESTED BY A PRIEST, NUN OR CHRISTIAN BROTHER. MAYBE I WAS NOT GOOD LOOKING ENOUGH?

THE NUNS TAUGHT ME. SOME OF THEM WERE LOVELY AND SOME OF THEM WERE HORRIFIC.

I WENT TO A CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SCHOOL. I HAD SOME VERY KIND CHRISTIAN BROTHER TEACHERS. I HAD ONE OR TWO OTHERS WHO BEAT ME BADLY. 

BUT FROM MY EARLIEST YEARS I LOVED MY CATHOLIC FAITH AND FROM THE AGE OF 2 OR 3 I WAS BROUGHT TO MASS DAILY BY MY GRANDMOTHER AND PARENTS.

AT THE AGE OF 4 I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A PRIEST.

I WENT INTO THE SEMINARY AT 18 AND WAS ORDAINED AT 24 - 37 YEARS AGO.

EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITHIN THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH I LOVE BEING A PRIEST EVERY SINGLE DAY AND HOPE TO BE A PRIEST AS LONG AS I LIVE.

THIS WEEK I WENT BACK TO KINNITY CASTLE IN COUNTY OFFALY TO CELEBRATE A WEDDING MASS FOR A LOVELY COUPLE AND THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
KINNITY CASTLE IN COUNTY OFFALY

THE ROOM IN WHICH WE HAD THE WEDDING MASS


AFTER THE WEDDING I VISITED THE CHURCH IN TULLAMORE IN OFFALY WHERE I HAD BEEN BAPTISED AND WHERE I FIRST STARTED ATTENDING MASS.

I THANKED GOD FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE, THE GIFT OF FAITH AND THE GIFT OF THE PRIESTHOOD.

Bishop Pat Buckley. 26.7.2013 


Wednesday 24 July 2013

LIVING AT YOUR CATHEDRAL- AN OPEN LETTER FROM BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY TO BISHOP NOEL TREANOR

LIVING AT YOUR CATHEDRAL - AN OPEN LETTER FROM BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY TO BISHOP NOEL TREANOR
DEAR NOEL,


I WENT AS A CURATE TO ST PETER'S CATHEDRAL BELFAST IN 1978 - EXACTLY 30 YEARS BEFORE YOU WERE CONSECRATED A BISHOP THERE IN JUNE 2008.


FATHER VINCENT MC KINLEY (RIP) HAD JUST BEEN MADE THE ADMINISTRATOR BUT HE WAS ILL AND OFF DUTY. I WAS GREETED BY MY FELLOW CURATE FR JIMMY MC CABE (RIP) A DERRY MAN WHO LATER BECAME PARISH PRIEST OF LIGONEIL.  FATHER MC CABE WAS A GOOD PRIEST - PRAYERFUL, OLD-FASHIONED AND A CHAIN SMOKER.

I ARRIVED WITH NO FURNITURE AND MY BEDROOM AND SITTING ROOMS WERE EMPTY. FATHER MC CABE, THE HOUSEKEEPER AND MYSELF RESCUED A BED AND A FEW CHAIRS FROM THE ATTIC AND I BEGAN MY CURACY WHICH WAS TO LAST 5 YEARS UNTIL 1983.

THE SENIOR CURATE, FATHER JOE MC GURNAGHAN WAS ON HOLIDAYS. WHEN HE ARRIVED BACK HE HAD SOME ADVICE FOR ME:

"YOU'VE COME TO ONE OF THE WORSE PARISHES IN THE DIOCESE. THE PEOPLE HERE ARE AS THICK AS BOTTLED PIG SHIT. SAY YOUR MASS, DO AS LITTLE AS YOU CAN, HAVE A DRINK AND A WANK AND WAIT TO BE MOVED TO A BETTER PARISH".

AS A RELATIVELY NEWLY ORDAINED PRIEST I WAS SHOCKED BY THE CYNICISM :-(

I BEGAN MY MINISTRY IN A PARISH WAS WAS INDEED SUFFERING. DIVIS FLATS HAD AN 83% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND WAS ONE OF THE WORST HOUSING IN EUROPE. THE "WAR" WAS IN FULL FLOW. ALCOHOLISM WAS A MASSIVE PROBLEM AS WAS THE TAKING OF PRESCRIBED DRUGS - MAINLY BY THE POOR WOMEN. SOME WOMEN HAD SEVERAL CHILDREN BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT ABSENT MEN. 

I SPENT THE FIRST YEAR TRYING TO FIND MY FEET. I QUICKLY REALISED THAT THE WORLD OF THE CATHEDRAL PRESBYTERY WAS A WORLD APART FROM OUR PARISHIONERS. AT THAT TIME THE PRESBYTERY WAS NOT POSH BUT VERY COMFORTABLE. WE HAD WINE EVERYDAY WITH OUR LUNCH. WE HAD SHERRY IN OUR VEGETABLE BROTH EVERYDAY AND EVERYDAY WE HAD BRANDY IN OUR AFTER LUNCH COFFEE.

AT CONFIRMATIONS AND OTHER TIMES WE HAD FEATS FIT FOR A ROYAL FAMILY - STARTERS, MEATS, DESERTS, WINES, SHERRIES, WHISKEYS, BRANDIES, LIQUERS. 

AT THE END OF MY FIRST YEAR IN ST PETER'S I HAD A VERY PAINFUL DECISION TO MAKE - WOULD I BE A CLERGY PRIEST OR A PEOPLE'S PRIEST? 

I DECIDED TO BE A PEOPLE'S PRIEST.

AT THE TIME ST PETER'S AREA AND DIVIS FLATS WAS LIKE A THIRD WORLD SHANTY TOWN- ABSOLUTELY FILTHY IN EVERY RESPECT AND CRAWLING WITH RATS.

I DECIDED TO FORM A DIVIS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AND ORGANISE A CLEAN UP OF THE AREA.

ON A MONDAY MORNING MORNING I PUT ON AN OVERALL AND WENT OUT ON THE STREET OPPOSITE THE PRESBYTER AND STARTED TO SWEEP UP THE DIRT. A LADY CAME UP TO ME AND SAID: "YOU CAN'T DO THAT. YOU ARE A PRIEST.YOUR HANDS ARE ANOINTED. I SAID "SOMEONE HAS TO START IT".

SHE JOINED ME AND BY THE END OF THE DAY THERE WERE 500 OF US SWEEPING  AND CLEANING THE STREETS.
CLEANING UP ST PETERS


FOR WEEKS WE WORKED HARD - CLEANING THE STREETS,PAINTING OVER GRAFITTI, FILLING HUNDREDS OF SKIPS WITH FILTH. THE PLACE BEGAN TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.   A MAN FROM THE GAS COMPANY DROVE IN TO DO A CALL, THOUGHT HE WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AND DROVE BACK OUT :-)

WHEN WE HAD THE PLACE CLEANED UP WE HAD A WEEK LONG FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND PARTYING.
DIVIS FESTIVAL

EVERYBODY'S SPIRITS WERE LIFTED.

DURING THE CLEAN UP FATHER MC KINLEY AND FATHER MC GURNAGHAN STOOD WATCHING IN THE PRESBYTERY WINDOWS MOCKING US AND GIVING US THE TWO FINGER SALUTE.

I WAS BANNED FROM EATING IN THE PRIEST'S DINING ROOM AND HAD TO EAT WITH THE HOUSEKEEPER IN THE KITCHEN.

ONE NIGHT I WAS PHYSICALLY BEATEN UP IN THE PRIEST'S DINING ROOM.

I WAS NO LONGER WELCOME IN THE PRESBYTERY.

FATHER MC KINLEY AND MC GURNAGHAN REPORTED ME TO BISHOP DALY FOR BEING "DISOBEDIENT" AND "DISRUPTIVE".

I WAS MOVED OUT OF SAINT PETERS.

TWO YEARS LATER I WAS "SACKED" FROM THE DIOCESE.

AND THAT, NOEL, IS WHY YOU AND I - AND THE DIOCESE AND I, ARE ESTRANGED UNTIL THIS VERY DAY. OF COURSE, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT SAYS IN THE FILE ON ME THAT YOU INHERITED.

YOUR BROTHER BISHOP

PAT 

Tuesday 23 July 2013

FATHER DES WILSON - A MODEL FOR PRIESTS?

FATHER DES WILSON - A MODEL FOR PRIESTS?


FATHER DES WILSON - BELFAST





RECENTLY POPE FRANCIS HAS BEEN SPEAKING TO PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS ABOUT WHAT KIND OF PRIESTS THEY SHOULD BE AND WHAT KIND OF LIFESTYLE THEY SHOULD HAVE.


IT STRIKES ME THAT HER IN NORTHERN IRELAND WE HAVE A PRIEST WHO IS A MODEL FOR PRIESTS TO EMULATE - FATHER DES WILSON.

I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING FATHER DES FOR 35 YEARS SINCE COMING TO THE DIOCESE OF DOWN AND CONNOR. 

I CANNOT DESCRIBE MYSELF AS ONE OF FATHER DES' CLOSEST FRIENDS. I WOULD NOT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE CLOSE FRIEND OF THIS MAN. BUT HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME AND HAS NEVER BEEN AFRAID TO BE SEEN WITH ME IN PRIVATE OR IN PUBLIC.

DES AND I HAVE TWO VERY DIFFERENT "MISSIONS" IN LIFE.  MY MISSION IS TO BE A KIND OF A MINI CHURCH REFORMER / CRITIC - EXPRESSING ITSELF IN A DAILY MINISTRY TO "OUTSIDERS" - THE DIVORCED; THE GAY COMMUNITY; PRISONERS AND EVEN OCCASIONALLY TO MODERN DAY "LEPERS" LIKE PAEDOPHILES.

DES' MISSION HAS BEEN VERY DIFFERENT. HIS MISSION IS ABOUT FACILITATING AND BUILDING UP COMMUNITY - IN A PLACE WHERE COMMUNITY WAS VERY DIFFICULT THING TO CREATE OR MAINTAIN. HIS OTHER GREAT PASSION HAS BEEN EDUCATION - ESPECIALLY ADULT EDUCATION AND ON GOING EDUCATION.

I SUPPOSE DES IS ALSO MORE "POLITICAL" THAN I AM. BUT HIS POLITICS IS LIKE A LIBERATION THEOLOGY. HE IS INVOLVED IN POLITICS SO THAT INJUSTICE CAN BE CHALLENGED AND THE SO CALLED "UNDER-CLASS" ENABLED

DES IS NOT REALLY FIRED BY THE ISSUE OF CHURCH REFORM. I THINK THAT A PART OF HIM FEELS THAT THE CHURCH HE AND I BOTH COME FROM IS IRREFORMABLE? I ALSO FEEL THAT HE IS MORE INTERESTED IN ORDINARY STRUGGLING PEOPLE ON A DAILY BASIS RATHER THAN ON STRUCTURES.

BUT HIS "GIVING" IS ASTOUNDING. I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST CAME TO BELFAST I CALLED TO SEE HIM IN HIS BALLYMURPHY HOUSING EXECUTIVE HOME. I HAD BEEN INVITED FOR LUNCH. THE KITCHEN WAS PACKED. LUNCH WAS MASHED POTATO AND BEANS. AFTER LUNCH WE WENT TO THE SITTING ROOM FOR A CHAT. WE HAD TO LEAVE THERE BECAUSE THE SITTING ROOM WAS NEEDED FOR A CLASS. WE THEN WENT TO DES' TINY BEDROOM AND SAT ON HIS BED. SOONE WE HAD TO LEAVE THERE BECAUSE THE BEDROOM AND VIDEO PLAYED WAS NEEDED FOR ANOTHER CLASS. WE FINISHED OUR CHAT SITTING ON THE WALL OUTSIDE THE HOUSE.


I MARVELLED AT DES' CAPACITY TO SHARE HIS LIFE SO TOTALLY. NOT EVEN HIS BO BEDROOM WAS PRIVATE.

I WOULD NOT HAVE THAT GENEROUSITY IN ME. A PRIEST WHO DOES IS SO VERY SPECIAL.

AND DES HAS SUCH A CAPACITY FOR CHARITY. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO HE AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT BISHOP NOEL TREANOR. I WAS BEING MU USUAL CRITICAL SELF. DES SPOKE KINDLY ABOUT NOEL - QUITE A REPRIMAND FOR ME.

DES WOULD BE EMBARRASSED IF HE KNEW I WAS WRITING THIS BLOG. IT WOULD BE BETTER IF HE DIDN'T READ IT.

I COULD NOT BE THE SELF-SACRIFICING PRIEST IS. GOD FORGIVE ME - I DON'T KNOW IF I EVEN WANT TO BE.  

Bishop Pat Buckley 23.7.2013.


Monday 22 July 2013

WHY I CLAIMED "ADVERSE POSSESSION" OF THE CHURCH HOUSE I LIVE IN

WHY I CLAIMED "ADVERSE POSSESSION" OF THE CHURCH HOUSE I LIVE IN

THE ORATORY, LARNE
PEOPLE CONSTANTLY ASK ME WHY I CLAIMED "ADVERSE POSSESSION" OR "SQUATTERS RIGHTS" OVER THE CHURCH HOUSE I LIVE IN - A HOUSE I HAVE NOW LIVED IN FOR 29 YEARS SINCE 1984.

I WENT TO THE CATHOLIC PARISH OF MARNE AS A CURATE IN 1984. THERE WERE THREE CHURCH HOUSES IN LARNE - ONE FOR THE PARISH PRIEST AND ONE FOR EACH OF THE TWO CURATES.

WHEN BISHOP CAHAL DALY "SACKED" AS CURATE IN 1985 I CONTINUED LIVING IN THE HOUSE. HE ASKED ME TO VACATE THE PROPERTY IN 1986 AND I REFUSED - SAYING THAT AFTER 16 YEARS IN THE CHURCH I FELT THAT I HAD A MORAL RIGHT TO A ROOF OVER MY HEAD. I WAS VERY SAD THAT THE SITUATION BETWEEN MYSELF AND BISHOP DALY HAD ARISEN. WHEN HE BECAME BISHOP OF DOWN AND CONNOR IN 1982 I WAS A CURATE AT HIS CATHEDRAL IN BELFAST AND I WARMLY WELCOMED HIM TO THE DIOCESE AND THOUGHT HE WOULD BE A GREAT POSITIVECHANGE FOR THE DIOCESE.
BISHOP CAHAL DALY

BISHOP DALY AND HIS SUCCESSOR BISHOP PADDY WALSH LEFT ME IN THAT HOUSE - WHILE MAKING THEIR DISAGREEMENT WITH MY POSITION CLEAR.
BISHOP PADDY WALSH
BISHOP WALSH INHERITED THE BUCKLEY / DALY DISPUTE - THAT IN FAIRNESS TO BISHOP WALSH WAS NOT OF HIS MAKING. WHEN BISHOP WALSH HAD BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF SAINT MALACHY'S COLLEGE IN BELFAST HE AND I HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP. HE EVEN PAID ME THE COMPLIMENT OF ASKING ME TO CONDUCT STUDENT RETREATS IN SAINT MALACHY'S.

IT IS NOT GENERALLY KNOW THAT THROUGH THE GOOD OFFICES OF THE DIOCESAN CHANCELLOR CANON RAYMUND FITZPATRICK BISHOP WALSH AND I ENGAGED IN A LONG PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION. THAT PROCESS WENT ON FOR MANY MONTHS AND CONCLUDED IN ME DRAWING UP A 14 PAGE PLAN OF RECONCILIATION. IN THAT PLAN I OFFERED BISHOP WALSH THE 4 CONCESSIONS FROM ME THAT HE HAD DEMANDED. I THEN WENT FURTHER AND OFFERED HIM 3 MORE CONCESSIONS THAT HE HAD DEMANDED. HE WAS VERY HAPPY WITH MY OFFER.

I ONLY ASKED BISHOP WALSH FOR 3 CONCESSIONS: 1. THAT HE WOULD FORMALLY INCARDINATE ME INTO DOWN AND CONNOR; 2. THAT HE WOULD GIVE ME A MINISTRY - OF HIS CHOICE - IN THE DIOCESE AND 3. THAT HE WOULD GUIDE ME AS TO HOW I COULD RECONCILE SOME OF MY VIEWS WITH CHURCH TEACHING AND CANON LAW.

THIS DOCUMENT OF RECONCILIATION REMAINS IN THE BISHOP'S HOUSE TO THIS DAY.

ALL SEEMED TO BE GOING WELL AND THEN BISHOP WALSH, UNDER PRESSURE FROM SOMEONE - WITHDREW FROM THE PROCESS. MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE CAHAL DALY WAS STILL ALIVE AND BY THEN A CARDINAL?

ANYWAY THE ESTRANGEMENT CONTINUED.

AS FOR THE HOUSE - IT WAS BUILT IN 1904 AND BY 2008 IT WAS 104 YEARS OLD AND BADLY IN NEED OF STRUCTURAL REPAIR.

THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE DILEMMA WAS FOR ME TO APPLY  TO THE LAND REGISTRY IN BELFAST FOR THE DEEDS OF THE PROPERTY SO THAT I COULD RAISE FUNDS FOR THE MUCH NEEDED REPAIR.

THIS APPLICATION WAS LODGED ON JUNE 3RD 2008 - 26 DAYS BEFORE BISHOP NOEL TREANOR BECAME BISHOP OF DOWN AND CONNOR.

SUCH APPLICATIONS PROCEED EXCEEDINGLY SLOWLY. 

I COULD NOT AFFORD LEGAL REPRESENTATION - SO I HAD TO FAMILIARISE MYSELF WITH LAND LAW AND REPRESENT MYSELF AT THE LAND REGISTRY AT AT BELFAST HIGH COURT.

THE DIOCESE WERE REPRESENTED BY THEIR SOLICITORS AND BY BELFAST BARRISTER HENRY TONER QC.

EVENTUALLY THE MATTER MADE ITS WAY TO THE BELFAST HIGH COURT AND THE CASE WAS HEARD BY HIGH COURT JUDGE HIS LORDSHIP SIR DONNELL DEENEY 
SIR DONNELL DEENEY
IN HIS WISDOM JUDGE DEENEY SENT THE MATTER FOR MEDIATION. BOTH THE DIOCESE AND MYSELF ENTERED INTO THE SPIRIT OF MEDIATION AND A SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED IN JANUARY OF 2012.

THE TERMS OF THAT SETTLEMENT ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND MUST REMAIN SO.

THE DIOCESE WAS THEN FREE TO RENOVATE THE PROPERTY AND PROTECT IT'S ASSETS AS REQUIRED TO BY CANON LAW. 

I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME AND INDEED IT WAS A GREAT LESSON TO ALL INVOLVED AS TO THE GREAT BENEFITS OF MEDIATION AS OPPOSED TO THE PROSPECT OF OF AN ANTAGONISTIC BATTLE IN OPEN COURT.

Bishop Pat Buckley. 22.7.2013  




Sunday 21 July 2013

CAN ANY MAN OR WOMAN - ORDAINED OR NOT - CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST?

CAN ANY MAN OR WOMAN - ORDAINED OR NOT - CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST?

THIS QUESTION ARISES IN THIS BLOG TODAY BECAUSE ONE OF THOSE WHO COMMENTED ON YESTERDAY'S BLOG WAS AN IRISH NUN WHO SAYS THAT SHE CELEBRATES THE EUCHARIST WITH HER PARTNER - AN IRISH PRIEST. SHE ALSO SAYS SHE HAS CELEBRATED THE EUCHARIST FOR HER FELLOW RELIGIOUS SISTERS.

SHE ASKS THE QUESTION: "IS JESUS CHRIST LESS PRESENT WHEN I CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST THAN WHEN A MAN CELEBRATES IT"?

LET'S TAKE THIS ONE A STEP AT A TIME.

1. WHAT IS THE EUCHARIST?

AT THE "LAST SUPPER" JESUS, HAVING PRAYED BROKE BREAD AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES. HE ALSO, HAVING PRAYED OVER THE CUP GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES. AND THEN HE SAID: DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

WE ARE LATER TOLD THAT AFTER CHRIST'S DEATH THE DISCIPLES CONTINUED TO WORSHIP IN THE JEWISH JERUSALEM TEMPLE AND TO MEET IN EACH OTHER'S HOUSES TO BREAK BREAD. THEY PARTICULARLY MET TO BREAK BREAD ON A SUNDAY - THE DAY THE LORD HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD.

THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT WE CALL "EUCHARIST; HOLY COMMUNION; MASS" ETC.

THE LANGUAGE THAT JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES SPOKE WAS ARAMAIC. SO THE FIRST LANGUAGE OF THE EUCHARIST WAS ARAMAIC.


2. EARLY DEVELOPMENTS:


AS THE EARLY CHURCH SPREAD AND PEOPLE LIKE SAINT PAUL BECAME INVOLVED THE GREEK LANGUAGE CAME TO THE FORE. GREEK WAS THE LANGUAGE OF GOVERNANCE AND TRADE. BUT THE JEWS HAD LONG SINCE STOPPED USING HEBREW IN DAILY LIFE - HEBREW WAS MAINLY CONFINED TO THE LITURGIES OF THE SYNAGOGUES AND THE TEMPLE.

AND AS THE CHURCH SPREAD AROUND THE THEN KNOWN WORLD PEOPLE BROKE THE BREAD IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGES. LATIN WAS THE LANGUAGE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.
PASTORAL SERVANT OF PEOPLE - OR ROMAN EMPEROR MK 11


3. THE EARLY CHURCH

THE EARLY CHURCH WAS VERY DEMOCRATIC AND NON-HIERARCHIAL. DIFFERENT PEOPLE PRESIDED AT THE EUCHARIST. EVENTUALLY THE MINISTERIES OF DEACONS, PRIESTS (PRESBYTERS) AND BISHOPS (OVERSEERS) EMERGED. THE PEOPLE APPOINTED THE PRESBYTERS AND THEY BECAME THE CELEBRANTS OF THE EUCHARIST UPON APPOINTMENT BY THE PEOPLE. THE BISHOP WAS REALLY THE SENIOR PRESBYTER. HE/SHE WAS NOT A RULER - BUT RATHER A FACILITATOR.
WOMAN PRESIDING AT EUCHARIST


4. THE ROMAN EMPIRE:

WITH THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH BECOMING THE OFFICIAL RELIGION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE  THE CHURCH BECAME MORE MILITARISTIC AND HIERARCHIAL. GRADUALLY BISHOPS BECAME "RULERS" RATHER THAN SERVANTS. THE PRESBYTERS ALSO TOOK ON A "RULING" ROLE.


5. "APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION":

NOWADAYS WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT "APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION". OUR BISHOPS SAYS THAT THEY AS "SUCCESSORS OF THE APOSTLES". IN FACT THEY ARE NOT!

THE APOSTLES WERE NOT TIED TO ANY PARTICULAR CHURCH. THEY HAD A MORE ROVING AND EVANGELISING ROLE. THEY DID NOT CONFINE THEMSELVES TO ANY ONE CHURCH. OF COURSE THEY SPENT TIME IN LOCAL CHURCHES TEACHING, PREACHING AND EVANGELISING. BUT THEY WERE NOT THE PRIESTS (PRESBYTERS) OR BISHOPS (EPISCOPI) OF ANY PARTICULAR PLACE. SAINT PETER WAS NOT THE FIRST BISHOP OF ROME. THERE WAS NO "POPE" IN PETER'S TIME. THAT WAS A MUCH LATER ADDITION.

WE DO BELIEVE THAT THE EARLY CHURCH DEACONS, PRIESTS AND BISHOPS WERE PRAYED OVER THE SOME OF THE APOSTLES. THAT BEGAN A LINE OF THE "LAYING ON OF HANDS" THAT WE ROMAN CATHOLICS IN PARTICULAR REGARD AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ORDINATION. BUT THAT LAYING ON OF HANDS WAS NOT AN EXERCISE OF BRUTE FORCE, UNABRIDGED POWER. IT DOES NOT GIVE THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY OF TODAY AN EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION OF THE GIFT OF PRIESTHOOD AND MINISTRY. SUCH A MATHEMATICAL VIEW OF PRIESTHOOD IS BAD THEOLOGY. IT MAKES BISHOPS INTO "SACRAMENTAL" PLUMBERS IN WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED A PIPELINE THEOLOGY.

6 A CHRIST-CENTRED AND GENUINELY SACRAMENTAL VIEW OF ORDINATION:

JESUS CALLED 12 APOSTLES. HE FURTHERMORE APPOINTED 70 "DISCIPLES". HUNDREDS OF OTHERS - MANY OF THEM WOMEN - WERE DISCIPLES OF THE LORD.

IN THE EARLY CHURCH THERE ARE SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES TO WOMEN AS CHURCH LEADERS.

A MODERN CHURCH COMMUNITY NEEDS MINISTERS. THE CALL TO MINISTRY IS A CALL FROM THE PEOPLE. CHURCH LEADERS SIMPLY VOICE THAT CALL OF THE PEOPLE AND ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE PERFORM THE LAYING ON OF HANDS - WHICH IF DONE PROPERLY - ATTRACTS THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IMPARTS THE GIFTS OF MINISTRY TO THE COMMUNITY'S CHOSEN.

THE MODERN PEOPLE OF GOD ARE QUITE HAPPY TO CALL WOMEN TO THAT ROLE - AS WERE THE PEOPLES OF THE EARLY CHURCH.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS WELL USED TO ENDOWING WOMEN WITH HIS/HER GIFTS - SEE MARY BEING CALLED TO BE THE MOTHER OF THE CHRIST.

IN THE ROMAN CHURCH THE HIERARCHY HAS HI-JACKED THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WILL ONLY CALL MEN - AND MOSTLY CELIBATE MEN.  THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OR REVELATION THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE LIMITED IN THAT FASHION. 

BUT WE DO NOT CALL OURSELVES TO PRIESTHOOD. THE PEOPLE OF GOD - INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT CALL US. THE BISHOP LAYS ON HANDS AS THE SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD ON THOSE WHO FEEL CALLED. THE COMMUNITY CAN OF COURSE - AND SHOULD - DISCERN WHO IS AND WHO IS NOT CALLED. 

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING CALLED BY THE PEOPLE OF GOD AND BEING CALLED BY EGO OR INDEED BY SOME NEUROTIC OR PSYCHOTIC NEED OF OUR OWN. 


THE STEPS ARE VOCATION (FEELING CALLED BY GOD) - COMMUNITY ASSENT OR CALL (BEING CALLED AFTER DISCERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE OF GOD) - AND HAVING HANDS LAID ON BY THE SENIOR PRESBYTER (BISHOP) IN OBEDIENCE TO THE WISHES OF GOD'S PEOPLE. 

I WOULD BE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT SOMEONE APPOINTING THEMSELVES A PRIEST OUTSIDE THE CONTEXT OF A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. 

A PRIEST WITHOUT A COMMUNITY IS LIKE A BIKE WITHOUT WHEELS. IT MIGHT LOOK GOOD - BUT ITS NOT GOING ANYWHERE.




WHATS THE POINT OF A PRIEST WITHOUT A COMMUNITY? WHATS THE POINT OF A DOCTOR WITHOUT PATIENTS? 

PRIESTHOOD IS PRIMARILY ABOUT SERVICE. 

Bishop Pat Buckley. 21.7.2013