Sunday 26 April 2015

RIGHT WING HERMITS

Black Hermits asked to leave presbytery following controversy over leaflets condemning homosexuality
A group of hermits who have lived in a presbytery in England since 2011 have been given only three months to find a new home.
The Black Hermits, who consist of two Brothers and a Sister and are based in the Diocese of Northampton, were asked to leave following controversy over the leafleting activities of one of their members, Brother Damon Kelly.

Brother Kelly, who has been arrested 10 times, had a bucket of water thrown over him and been pushed over in the street, has travelled the country giving out leaflets condemning homosexuality and abortion.
Despite his arrests he has refused to stop putting leaflets through people’s letterboxes.
He told ChurchMilitant.com: “At first I agreed to do no more leafleting. But I’ve wrestled with it, I’ve sought spiritual counsel. And I’ve decided I have to obey God’s law and not the state’s law.”
Brother Kelly has now been charged with harassment over two pamphlets he handed out to a particular couple. His court hearing is scheduled for May 18 and if convicted he could be jailed. Other police investigations have been dropped, the leaflets deemed not to incite hatred.
Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton, who invited the hermits to live at the presbytery four years ago, said they had “brought the diocese into disrepute”, according to Fr Stephen Joseph de Kerdrel, the group’s founder.
Fr de Kerdrel said: “[The bishop] invited us into the diocese which was very kind of him. It’s all very sad because it started off so well … The last thing we want to do is make the bishop’s life difficult.”
In an appeal on the Black Hermits’ website Sister Colette writes: “We are having to move from our present diocese (Northampton), but we do not have anywhere to go. Does anyone know of anywhere suitable for three hermits and our cats in the British Isles or Ireland?
“All ideas welcome – we have lived in everything from a Church of Scotland manse, farm cottages, presbytery, holiday huts, wayside ex-cafe, to mobile homes and caravans.”
Fr de Kerdrel, a former Capuchin novice-master, founded the group in 1999 to respond to young men seeking “a more primitive form of [religious] life”. The two Brothers were later joined by Sister Colette, a former A&Econsultant surgeon. They have made personal vows to their bishop.
Bishop Doyle could not be reached for comment

13 comments:

  1. I think you should take them in, Pat!

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  2. I'd never heard of the Black Hermits (sounds like the name of an ageing rock band) until I read the above report.

    I'd defend their right to leaflet against homosexuality and abortion, provided they respected everyone else's right to disagree with them if they wish. I'm not sure they would, though. When I visited their website, I found no opportunity to reply to their
    points of view.

    Jesus didn't prevent others from questioning HIS teaching, and he had the assurance of divine certitude about it. Are the Black Hermits a cut above the Master?

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  3. What this chap did is wrong. The Diocese are asking the group to move. In the strange way that prophecy works the gauntlet is now being thrown to the diocese and the church.Do they or do they not condone gay people. Bursting a pimple will not cure the acne and will at the same time leave an unsightly scar

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  4. I hope no one in Ireland takes these creeps in, they've enough with Divine Mercy. The cats would be better off with the Cats Protection League.

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  5. Sorry for my lack of knowledge but who are Divine Mercy when they are at home?

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    1. That fraudster and rip off merchant, Marie Divine Mercy.

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  6. + Niall Sheridan27 April 2015 at 23:54

    They live in Corby, Northamptonshire where they took over an empty presbytery in a roughish neighbourhood after the death of the local priest. They blended in fairly well - until this. I ministered in the next parish to them.

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  7. Thank you Niall. I suppose they are entitled to their opinion as long as it is put forward in a non threatening manner and people are not obliged to agree with every word. However I'm more interested in how the establishment reacts and if they are to stand up and be counted. Is the Diocese being just to these guys......

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    1. +Niall Sheridan.29 April 2015 at 00:47

      Sean, from what I hear from some of the guys still there, yes. The guys and the bishop do not support them in their so called work, many clergy are gay and support gay equality issues. Strikes me personally as these hermits are a few cans short of a six pack.

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  8. Pat I do think that if you have any Christian charity you will offer these good people a home at your Oratory. You certainly have enough bedrooms to house them, and even if these are taken up you could offer to park their caravans in your drive? Come on, show us the colour of your money. D and C Senior Priest close to the Bishop (and proud of it).

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    1. Dear Proud and Senior priest, what about yourself. No doubt with your seniority you are comfortably of, and in a position to show charity also?
      Or perhaps with your "close senior" influence you could surely persuade Noel to find them somewhere in D&C. Perhaps Somerton Rd would welcome them, and be entitled to put up the motto, "Caritas Christi urget nos".
      So put YOUR money where YOUR mouth is, and do please let us know. No lights under bushels in D&C?
      MourneManMichael

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    2. We haven't heard from you yet O Proud and Senior One, but maybe you've been too charitably busy behind the scenes to let us know?
      Has anyone seen any caravans roll up onto the drives or lawns of any D&C parochial houses, or does anyone know what has happened to these fellows?
      MourneManMichael

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  9. I do hope they find a home...surely the Bishop could have left then in there present home and asked the superior to request Bro Kelly refrain from his activities and return to a life of prayer.

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