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CARDINAL NICHOLS - THE SOHO MASSES - SAME SEX MARRIAGE

CARDINAL NICHOLS - THE SOHO MASSES - SAME SEX MARRIAGE

Today, in Rome Vincent Nichols - the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, London, was created a cardinal in the Vatican by Pope Francis.

In some respects Cardinal Nichols is "sympathetic" to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

He has asked the Jesuit Order in Farm Street in London to have a special ministry to the gay community and allow them to join in with others at Sunday Masses there. Nichols has also appointed a priest - Monsignor Seamus O'Boyle to be the go-between him and the gay community.

However Nichols has also closed down the "Gay Mass" church in Soho and given it over to high church Anglicans who left the Church of England over the ordination of women.

Nichols has also strongly opposed the British Government's decision to introduce Same Sex Marriage into England and Wales.

I think that Nichols himself is probably sympathetic to the Gay community. As a 68 year old priest, bishop and now cardinal, he must realise that most of the Roman Catholic priests in England today are gay - whether or not they are actively gay is another matter.

Nichols' own diocesan seminary- Allan Hall - has a great name among priests and seminarians for being a very gay friendly establishment :-)

In 2000 the seminarians from Allen Hall visited Ushaw College and sang:

"WE'RE FROM ALLAN HALL AND WE'RE OK"

To which the other seminarians present responded in song:

"YOU'RE FROM ALLAN HALL AND UR ALL GAY"

We do not know what Nichols own sexual orientation is - but hopefully he has a sexuality and is capable of attraction to other human beings - whatever their gender.

However Nichols is also a "professional" Roman Catholic church man and he did not get to where he is today by challenging Catholic Church teaching or laws. To become a cardinal you have to "toe the line" and not be a "revolutionary" in any way.   

I think that Nichols felt under pressure - expressed or unexpressed - to close down the Gay Soho Masses. I think that had he not he would not be receiving his red hat today.

Same Sex Marriage is none of Cardinal Nichols business. If the government and the people of England and Wales want civil Same Sex Marriage - and they do - then Nichols and the Roman Catholic Church should mind their own business.

There are 65 million people in the UK. Only 5 million of them are Roman Catholics. 5 million must not be allowed to dictate to 60 million.

If the Roman Catholic Church wants to preach against homosexuality and same sex marriage in their own buildings on Sundays that is their own business.

If they want to reserve THEIR Sacrament of Marriage for so called Straight people that is their own business also.

But our government is about creating and maintaining CIVIL LAW.

The CIVIL LAW of the UK is none of the business of the Roman Catholic Church.

It would answer that Church better to concentrate on updating their own medieval Canon Law which is one of the most unjust laws in the world.

Even the UN Commission on the Rights of Children condemned the Roman Church recently.

I hope that Vincent Nichols enjoys his new red dress and his new gold ring.

But let him keep out of dabbling in the politics of the UK - which is a modern democracy

Bishop Pat Buckley

22.2.2014

ARE SOME SWISS GUARDS PROVIDING SEX SERVICES TO VATICAN CLERGY?

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A senior Vatican official has urged a former Swiss Guard commander to come forward with details about accusations that the gay culture in the Vatican posed a security threat to the pope.

Elmar Maeder, who headed the Swiss Guards from 2002-2008, told the Swiss newspaper Schweiz am Sonntag that he didn't doubt that predatory gays worked at the Vatican. He was quoted as saying that in his experience, "many homosexuals tend to be more loyal toward each other than toward other people or institutions." He said he wouldn't promote gay guards out of fear they might be disloyal.
In an interview with La Repubblica, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, No. 2 in the Vatican's secretariat of state, urgedMaeder to provide names to back his accusations. His office confirmed his quotes Friday.

A former commander of the Swiss Guard, the small force of men whose job it is to protect the pope, has said there is "a network of homosexuals" within the Vatican, the latest in a series of claims about gay priests working at the heart of the Roman Catholic church.

Elmar Mäder, who was commandant of the Guard from 2002 until 2008, said his time at the heart of the Vatican had given him an insight into certain aspects of life there. "I cannot refute the claim that there is a network of homosexuals. My experiences would indicate the existence of such a thing," he told the Swiss newspaper Schweiz am Sonntag.

Famed for their striking uniforms of blue, red and orange, recruits to the Guard swear to protect the pope and his successors with their lives.

Mäder, 50, from the canton of St Gallen, refused to comment on speculation that he had warned guardsmen about the behaviour of certain priests.

Earlier this month, the same newspaper reported the claims of a former, unnamed member of the Guard that he had been the target of more than 20 "unambiguous sexual requests" from clergy while serving in the force.

Recounting a dinner in a Rome restaurant, the man was quoted as saying: "As the spinach and steak were served, the priest said to me: 'And you are the dessert'."

At the time, spokesman Urs Breitenmoser said the rumoured gay network did not pose a problem to the Swiss Guard, whose members he said were motivated by entirely different interests.

Asked about the claims, Mäder reportedly said stories of this kind "obviously lacking in factual basis" were sometimes told. But the facts remained clear, he added. "

A working environment in which the great majority of men are unmarried is per se a draw for homosexuals, whether they consciously seek it out or unconsciously follow an urge," he said.

"The Roman Curia [the Vatican's bureaucracy] is exactly this kind of environment."

Though it does not condemn gay people, whom it says should be "accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity," the catechism of the Catholic church teaches that homosexual acts are "objectively disordered" and calls gay people to abstinence.Mäder, while he said he did not have a problem with homosexuality, said he feared that a network or secret society of gay people within the Vatican could pose security problems. He added that he would not have promoted a gay man in the Guard – not because of his sexuality but because "the risk of disloyalty would have been too high".

Mäder said: "I also learned that many homosexuals are inclined to be more loyal to each other than to other people or institutions," he said.

"If this loyalty were to go as far as to become a network or even a kind of secret society, I would not tolerate it in my sphere of decision making. Key people in the Vatican now seem to think similarly."

The comments appeared to be referring to a remark made by Pope Francis on the flight home from Brazil last summer. "They say there are some gay people here. I think that when we encounter a gay person, we must make the distinction between the fact of a person being gay and the fact of a lobby, because lobbies are not good," the pontiff told journalists, while at the same time joking that, while there was a lot of talk about a gay lobby, he had never seen it stamped on a Vatican identity card.

While Francis signalled a clear conciliatory tone on the issue, he added: "If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?" Mäder's comments about the supposed threat posed by gay guards and priests drew criticism among rights advocates in Italy.

"Along with all gay people in the armed forces, I would advise Mäder to become better informed," said Aurelio Mancuso, chairman of Equality.

Franco Grillini, chairman of Gaynet, added: "Statistically, gays are the least violent group in human society so if the pope were really surrounded by homosexuals, he could sleep easy."

WHEN THE CONFESSIONAL BECOMES A "GLORY HOLE"

WHEN THE CONFESSIONAL BECOMES A GLORY HOLE

In my 38 years in the priesthood I have heard various stories about how the confessional became a place of "sin".

When I was a curate at St Peter's Cathedral in Belfast we once had a group of monks give a two week long retreat or "mission" - one week for men and one week for women.

During the women's week I was outside the cathedral during a session when the monks were hearing the women's confessions. All of a sudden a young woman ran out of the cathedral screaming and crying. I stopped her and asked what was wrong. She was so upset she couldn't talk so I brought her to the presbytery and gave her a glass of water and a comforting cup of tea. She eventually managed to tell me that during her confession the young monk hearing her confession got her to suck his finger through the wire grill as he masturbated himself. She was deeply upset. 

Later I confronted the monk in question and he blushed deeply. admitted what he had done and promised to get help. 

   

I myself, as a teenager, experienced priests quizzing me about "bad thoughts" and "impure actions" with myself and during the lengthy quizzing there was a distinct sound of the rustling of a habit.

I once had a Cistercian (Trappist) abbot admit to me that he had had a lot of sex with both men and women in the confessional and at other places around the monastery and its grounds. He had a worrying habit of rubbing my leg during confession but at least by the time I knew him he had circulation problems and publicly lamented the fact that he could no longer achieve or sustain an erection. 

  

Recently tow men I know have had very negative and sad experiences in the Cistersian monastery in Portglenone, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.

One young gay professional man who has spent years in a steady, chaste and faithful relationship with another professional man decided to go to confession at Portglenone monastery and was REFUSED ABSOLUTION by one of the monks.

He had not mentioned his partnership or his sexual orientation as part of his confession - why should he - he does not regard his partnership as a "sin" at all - and neither does God.

PORTGLENONE - ANY WONDER ITS SO EMPTY?

But the eager confessor kept asking him questions until he discovered that the man was gay and in a partnership. The arrogant monk then decreed: "I cannot give you absolution. I will give you a blessing". The penitent rightly told the monk to stuff his "blessing" where the monkey stuffed his nuts. 

Another man in his forties went to Portglenone to talk to one of the monks about his transvestism and was told by the monk that he was "an abnormal creature who will burn in hell".

Years ago a very mature parish priest who had a very healthy and exclusive relationship with a lady of his own age said to me: "Pat, they wouldn't let us get rid of our semen - and it went to our heads and made us mad!" He was right.

It seems to me that the only "healthy" priests in the Catholic Church are those who have integrated their sexuality and spirituality - either as celibates or lovers.

The rest of them are going around with very large gatherings of white fluid on their brains - Semenitis  Gravia- refusing people absolution, quizzing people in confession about their sex lives, indulging in covert and serious unhealthy sexual gratification, getting women to suck their fingers or targeting little children.

Bishop Pat Buckley

18.2.2014

  

WHEN A BISHOP DOES A WEDDING

WHEN A BISHOP DOES A WEDDING

BISHOP COX WITH SINEAD O'CONNOR

On two recent occasions Judge Durkan who sits as a judge in Ennis, Co. Clare in Ireland said that Bishop Michael Cox is not a bishop and referred to him as "Mr Cox".

The matter arose because a teenage member of the Irish Travelling Community claimed in court to have been married by Bishop Cox. He produced a marriage certificate containing Bishop Cox's signature and seal.

The judges comments have caused some confusion and people need to be reminded of the huge difference there is between a RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE and a CIVIL MARRIAGE.

In Ireland any clergyman who wants his marriages to be accepted by the state must have his name included on the REGISTER OF SOLEMNISERS in the Republic or Ireland or on the REGISTER OF OFFICIANTS in Northern Ireland.

If a clergyman is not on those registers he is NOT able to celebrate a marriage for a couple that can be registered as a legal marriage in civil law - and such a clergyman should NEVER give any person or couple the impression that he is in a position to celebrate a marriage for them that is register-able with the state. If a clergyman were to do so he would be misleading a couple and could be seen in fact as "defrauding" the couple. 

I have spoken to Bishop Cox on a number of occasions about his marriages - which are purely "spiritual" or "religious" ceremonies and he has reassured me that he does not give the couples the impression that their marriages are LEGAL.

However one of the problems Bishop Cox has is that most, if not all his marriages, are for members of the Irish Travelling Community. The "Travellers" - as we call them - have their own culture and are very religious / superstitious Catholics. In their mind if a priest (a man wearing a clerical collar) marries you - then you are married. The Travellers are not aware of the difference between religious and civil marriages. 

Because of this I think that Bishop Cox is leaving himself open to be misunderstood and accused. 

He should spell it out VERY CLEARLY to people that he can only marry them "spiritually" and not legally. In fact in my opinion he should go further - he should get the couples (and their parents if the couple are under 18) to sign a declaration to the effect that he is only performing a blessing ceremony that has no legal standing.

In Northern Ireland you can be married from the age of 16 - IF - AND ONLY IF - your parents sign a parental consent form.

In one sense this problem is a particular problem for Travellers who have very strict views about sex outside marriage and so called "living in sin". 

Very often two young Travellers experience opposition from their families and then "run away" to be together. Then the parents panic - think that they have had sex - and want to get them married asap so that they will not be "living in sin" or get a bad name in the Travelling Community.

Before the 2004 Irish Marriage Act (promulgated in 2007) people like young travellers could get permission from the courts to marry below 18 - but not any longer. The new legislation, which meant very well, has created a particular problem for those from the Traveller culture.

However this problem will not be solved by people like Judge Durkan going crazy on the bench and calling Bishop Cox names. 

Bishop Cox is NOT a Roman Catholic bishop nor does not claim to be. He was validly consecrated a bishop in a breakaway Latin Tridentine Rite. He is a bishop according to the rules and traditions of what is called Apostolic Succession (succession from the Apostles). 

But that is a religious and theological discussion. As far as I know Judge Durkan is not an expert in Sacramental Theology?  He should therefore refrain from making theological remarks on the bench and stick to his area of expertise - civil law.

However he is entitled to express concerns about people thinking that they are legally married when they are not.

And Bishop Cox should take Judge Durkan's legal concerns seriously.  

And all of us should be conscious of the particular pastoral and cultural needs of Travellers.

Bishop Pat Buckley

14.2.2014

NAMING BELFAST AIRPORT - GEORGE BEST OR PROF PANTRIDGE?

Countries where Frank Pantridge’s mobile defibrillator is saving lives

A person lying prostrate, surrounded by others desperately trying to revive them after a sudden cardiac arrest.

PROF FRANK PANTRIDGE

Sadly, it’s a scenario that’s been brought into sharp focus in various sporting arenas — most recently with the collapse of Premier League football star Fabrice Muamba during a live televised match two years ago.

In Muamba's case — and these days, fortunately, that of many others — there was a happy ending to the frightening drama.

And that’s largely thanks to a Northern Ireland man: Professor Frank Pantridge.

He’s the cardiologist who invented the portable defibrillator; a device that has helped save millions of lives across the world over the last half decade alone.

Known worldwide as the “father of emergency medicine”, Prof Pantridge’s breakthrough creation has transformed emergency medicine and paramedic services since his first version was installed in a Belfast ambulance in 1965.

As a result of the Queen’s University graduate’s invention, the process emergency departments use to treat cardiac arrest is known as ‘ The Belfast Protocol’.

The portable defibrillator became recognised as a key tool in first aid, and the Hillsborough physician’s refinement of the automated external defibrillator (AED) allowed it to be used safely by members of the public.

All front line ambulances in the UK were fitted with the devices by 1990 and the Belfast treatment system, often known as the ‘Pantridge Plan’, became adopted throughout the world by emergency medical services.

His creation has since been deployed around the world.

Conceived by Prof Pantridge, Prof John Anderson, from Belfast, led the biomedical engineering research into the development of the mobile defibrillator.

Prof Anderson later founded HeartSine Technologies in 1997 with the aim of making the technology more widely available.

HeartSine now designs, develops and manufactures automated external defibrillators ( AEDs), which are now used to save lives in 44 countries. And Singapore has been added to the list after a new contract — the firm’s biggest-ever export deal — was announced.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster revealed yesterday that the Belfast-based company has won a major contract to supply its AEDs to the Singapore Ministry of Defence.

Ms Foster, who is in Singapore to support Northern Ireland companies taking part in the Singapore Air Show, said the deal was excellent news.

(Belfast Telegraph - 11th Feb 2014)

BISHOP PAT SAYS:
THE ABOVE PIECE FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH RECALLS THE INVENTION OF THE DEFIBRILLATOR BY PROFESSOR PANTRIDGE OF THE ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL BELFAST. 
IT HAS SAVED THOUSANDS, IF NOT MILLIONS OF LIVES.
AND YET WHEN IT CAME TO NAMING BELFAST CITY AIRPORT THE AUTHORITIES CALLED IT AFTER GEORGE BEST - THE ALCOHOLIC FOOTBALLER!!!

WHY WAS OUR AIRPORT CALLED AFTER AN ALCOHOLIC WHO COULD KICK A LEATHER BAG FULL OF WIND AROUND A FIELD.
WHY WAS IT NOT CALLED AFTER PROFESSOR PANTRIDGE WHO SPENT HIS LIFE SAVING LIVES AND INVENTED THE DEFIBRILLATOR WHICH CONTINUES TO SAVE LIVES?
THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE HYPOCRISY AND SHALLOWNESS OF THE MODERN WORLD. 
BELFAST CITY AIRPORT SHOULD BE CALLED PANTRIDGE AIRPORT
BISHOP PAT11.2.2014

CONTRIBUTOR CONDEMNS MASTURBATION

CONTRIBUTOR CONDEMNS MASTURBATION

How sad when a priest uses "science and psychology" to make a moral argument, instead of Scriptures, tradition, and the Church's teaching. Glad you're not my priest. If I wanted to know what the secular modern's believed I would go to Wikipedia. I want to know the wisdom of the Church. And it isn't difficult to see why masterbation would be a sin. I DON'T CARE IF EVERYBODY DOES IT. Since when did everyone doing it make it okay? Everyone lies at sometime too, and covets, and dishonors their parents. Are you going to tell us how these things are acceptable? 

It's simple: when someone masterbates, they are lusting in their heart. Now it sounds to me like you haven't read the Bible for some time so let me remind you what Jesus said: "If a man looks at another woman and LUSTS AFTER HER IN HIS HEART, he has committed adultery." I got news for you, "father", most people who masterbate aren't thinking about a white wall. The wisdom of the church is to fight the temptation of lust not just to give in.

French masturbation prevention c 1880

I would take your old stern Irish priests that you mock any day over you. I want the religion of Christ and his church, not some modern materialist, progressive. And yes, I'm angry. I'll go confess that to the priest. Hopefully he doesn't tell me its okay.

Isaac Chavez

7.2.2014.

BISHOP PAT REPLIES:

Dear Isaac,

You have very little to "worry" about it seems to me. Do you really think that God is sitting up there in Heaven concerned about masturbation? Is He not more concerned about natural disasters, the dying, the sick, the hungry, the thirsty..........

Christianity in general and Roman Catholicism in particular has an unhealthy preoccupation with sex. 

The OLD STERN IRISH PRIESTS you like were the ones who were sexually abusing children for decades and centuries and their old stern Irish bishops were the ones who were covering it up.

Those same priests, while preaching ABSTINENCE you you were AT IT with women, men, children and even animals. 

Thats why we have names in Ireland like MacAnespie - THE SON OF THE BISHOP; MacEntaggart - THE SON OF THE PRIEST and MacNabb - THE SON OF THE ABBOT.

When the old stern nuns and priests were keeping pregnant young women in concentration camps (Magdalen Laundries) priests, police men and doctors were going into the convent to have sex with them.

If you want to drive yourself around the bend running to confession about your "dirty thoughts" that is your right, Please do not try and impose your denial and frustrations on the rest of us.

Get a life, Isaac.

Bishop Pat

7.2.2014