Tuesday 3 May 2016

FATHER DALLAT - BY A PRISON CHAPLAIN

FATHER DALLAT
BY
A PRISON CHAPLAIN




I think in a previous post regarding Father Dallat, I spoke of what would happen in any other profession where such behaviour had taken place. The behaviour ? Transgressing every professional boundary between the professional and a client, particularly in engaging in sexual relations. If a GP, a lawyer, a teacher - any professional - did such with somebody with whom he / she had a professional relationship, it would be deemed that such person was not fit to continue in the profession. It appears that Father Dallat has a track record of this kind of behaviour, and I am sure there is much more that has not come to light as of yet. I am dumbfounded that Bishop Treanor has resorted to discredited tactics - namely, sending the priest away for a bit of spiritual R & R, and then quietly trying to reintroduce him. Does he not realise from past experiences in the RC Church that Father Dallat will simply lie low for a while, but will then return to his old ways and continue to inflict damage on those around him, particularly vulnerable women who crave for some attention and affection, whom he will happily take advantage of under the guise of pastoral care and concern and satisfy his own needs at the expense of vulnerable people. This matter should be referred to the Safeguarding people in the Diocese, or in the State, so that Father Dallat will not have any further opportunity to use his profession, his priesthood, his privileged position, in order to take advantage of the vulnerable. Why can Bishop Treanor not see this ?



I am equally flabbergasted at the suggestion that Father Dallat should become a prison chaplain ! I am a prison chaplain in England, lay not ordained, and I know how vulnerable and fragile are so many people in prison. Father Dallat's modus operandi is to take advantage of the vulnerable, albeit under the guise of pastoral care, and I am sure in prison he will take advantage of those who are given in to his care. It may not be sexual advantage - it appears that Father Dallat is rampantly heterosexual and unless he has access to a female establishment there should not be too much sexual temptation. And, I hope people would have the sense to keep him away from the women prisoners with his track record. But....I would put my money on it that there will be lots of other ways that Father will be able to do favours for his charges. That will get him in to trouble in prison, where security and strict boundaries are essential. Father Dallat isn't good at boundaries, it appears.




So, what should happen to Father Dallat ? He should be removed from public ministry, and put in to a position where he has no contact with vulnerable people. Perhaps a position in Treanor Towers ? Shuffling paperwork ? Serving dinner parties ? Saying his prayers ?

68 comments:

  1. Dear Prison Chaplain,

    Thank you for your excellent comment which I have published today as a blog.

    I agree with EVERYTHING you say.

    I do not believe that Leopard Dallat has any intentions of changing his spots.

    As my Dad used to say: "When you are used to wearing shoes its hard to go in your bare feet".

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  2. I too agree with all the English prison chaplain says.

    But as Ciaran Dallat is indeed "rampantly heterosexual" I do not think that he would be good at serving tables in Lisbreen.

    Some of my other gay clerical colleagues are very good at flower arranging, cooking and laying tables.

    When Joe McGuigan was in St Peters the flowers were wonderful and the Duck a l'Orange was a total delight.

    Unfortunately its not tables that Ciaran Dallat is god at laying!

    PP D&C

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    1. MourneManMichael3 May 2016 at 12:13

      "Ciaran Dallat is god at laying"!
      What a marvellous Freudian slip.
      Maybe it was intentional?
      MMM

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  3. MourneManMichael3 May 2016 at 11:15

    Spot on analysis, and moreover, an accurate forecast given all the antecedents.
    And thinking of antecedents, ( his attack on Ian Elliott's professional child protection experience), in matters outside his own limited competence, Trainor appears unable to take advice from other experienced professionals. In common with RC hierarcy, he believes his Roman collar gives his opinion precedence over everybody and everything other than those in the RC hierarchical club pecking order.
    I sometimes wonder if that collar cuts of blood supply to his brain affecting his rational thinking!
    MMM

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    1. MMM, an excellent point.

      Maybe clerical collars should come with a health warning - not to wear them too tightly?

      If worn too tightly maybe they act like a tourniquet - cutting off blood and oxygen to the brain and thereby hindering rational thought?

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  4. I remember one such priest used to cut up a fairy liquid bottle and turn it inside out for is collar....might cause less problems with blood flow to the brain....

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    1. Surely a FAIRY Liquid bottle would not suit a heterosexual cleric?

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    2. I would be very interested indeed to hear Fr Dallatt's own reasons for becoming and remaining a priest. Very interested indeed. Fascinated, in fact. I gather that some priests ordained in the 60s and 70s went into it believing the celibacy rules would be abandoned in the near future but that surely can't be the case now.

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    3. C Dallat was ordained in 1988 I think. His reasons for entering and staying in priesthood would indeed be interesting.

      My own impression is that he does not really think about those things.

      He's too busy doing and thinking other things.

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  5. Dallat's name has been put up to the appropriate board for approval as a suitable person to be prison Chaplin. It hasn't been approved or the appointment confirmed as yet. That said, if the diocesean authorities are worth their salt they would realise the amount of interest there would be in this matter and they would ( or should) have taken soundings from the approving body as to the likelihood of a positive outcome. A refusal would have brought further approbation upon their heads or mitres.So I suppose we can act on the premise that they have been given the nod and Dallat is all but home and dry.
    The big,big difficulty here is the possibility that another skeleton may rattle out of the cupboard.
    On the balance of probabilities I think that would be too big a risk to take. But, hayho, I ain't the bishop.
    The Spin Doctor

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  6. I do hope that the Northern Ireland Office takes a look at this. I am sure that when they do their security / counter terrorism searches, as they will in order for Father Dallat to get the necessary clearances he will require to work in prison, his name will crop up as having a number of question marks about his suitability, integrity, past practice, etc. etc. I would hope then, if not before, that serious questions would be asked about his suitability. Any sensible interpretation of his way of living and ministering should raise big questions. Big enough to put a stop to this ridiculous proposal.

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  7. I say let dallat have the prison job . Give him a few wks to settle in and then some screw can let slip to colin howell that dallat has been giving hazel more than spiritual comfort . Bob's ur uncle and noels ur aunt problem solved !

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  8. I don't know Fr Dallat personally, but i remember him helping out in Toome years ago, there were a few young men who had taken their own lives. Some of these men i knew well. Fr Dallat went out of his way to make himself available if any of us felt like this that he was there. I know for sure he saved some lives. I know he has the support of a lot of people in Toome and Belfast. wish there were more people like him

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    1. Yes indeed I have heard about Fr Dallat's Toome relationships.

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  9. On the breeze I've heard he shall act as relief in quite an affluent parish

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    1. I wonder what kind of "relief" he will be offering.

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  10. Should one assume that his relationships in Toome were not all with the young males of the ancient parish of Duneane.
    Cargin Cathie

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  11. Anon 21.35 After reading your comment and from following these articles on Dallet are there pieces of a jigsaw beginning to fit? Is he now mentored by someone in a similar role?

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  12. Fr Dallat had no relationship it Toome, he is a decent man. Says a lot about people when a priest cannot help someone without there being accusations. If a priest is seen with a man people assume he is gay, with a woman its an affair. If he doesnt bother with anyone he is odd, they cant win. who do we call on if we are in trouble, usually the priest. should we not support them instead of condemning.

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    1. So you DO NOT believe he had an affair with a Belfast parishioner and made her pregnant?

      Its all just a rumour?

      PP D&C

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    2. A man who who gets a woman pregnant and takes all off her then leaves her is no decent man priest or not . By all means priests can have friends of both sexes nobody is saying they can't but when a priest has a person practically living with them then yes people have a right to complain or make comment . We pay for them after all . If a man decides to become a priest then in my opinion he gives up his right to be a private citizen he gives up his life to god and the people , by all means he needs time off but not from his vocation . I don't understand why priests get there knickers in a knot when people complain about them we pay your wages we have every right to complain . At the end of the day you work for us just like any civil servant exept they have a complaints procedure and they don't stick there fingers in there ears til it goes away . I have personal experience in complaining to the bishops office and I'd have got more response from the budgie . I believe if everyone even for 1 day boycotted the collection at mass it wouldn't be long before the bishop would start to listen , money seems to be the only thing that matters in down and goner

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    3. The 8.40 contributor made no such suggestion! How did you manage to make such an assumption?
      I wonder - P.P, D&C - are you a diocesan priest at all.
      Anyone can be anything since you have the facility to put any nom de plume - anonymously!!!
      Pip

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  13. We are all sinners. If it was just the one and he has "firmly resolved etc." We have been waiting for over a year now with bated breath for another skeleton to rattle out of the cupboard. And NOTHING.

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    1. There are more skeletons in the cupboard....I know because I am one of them

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    2. I would like to speak with you ???

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    3. I am not sure that is wise for me

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    4. You are totally free. I will do you no harm. I totally respect your decision. Pat.

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    5. I could write a book no one would believe. ....

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    6. I have a lot more to reveal and speak about - Down and Connors Miami Vice.

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    7. If only trust were so easily restored. This 'church' has knowingly left so many people hurt and unable to unburden themselves for fear of further abuse. What a wonderful way to do God's work. He must be so proud

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    8. Just to add...although broken by these 'men' even a broken and wounded dog will have it's day. God's power at giving strength is greater than any power this church has and it would serve them well to remember that before their arrogance grows further and they breathe yet another sigh of relief and not being found out.

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  14. Percy, There is a degree of truth in what you say and a priest can sometimes find himself between a rock and a hard place. You seem to think that because Fr Dallat went out of his way to assist families during difficult times that that is something special. But is that not what we are ordained to do. Being in a pastrol role is all about supporting and helping.
    The inescapable fact is Fr Dallat got involved in a relationship with a woman. According to reports she became pregnant and lost the baby. There have been various stories and rumours that there may have been others but the bottom line is that broke his vow and he abused his position. Consequently he betrayed the trust of his bishop,his presbyterate and the good people who looked up to him. That, Percy, is his big problem. It doesn't matter how many people look up to you or how highly they may think of you. If you're living a lie then you're living a lie!
    Now going forward he is entitled to a second chance. I thought prudence would have dictated that he re enter active ministry in a low key fashion -not being propelled into a position which would attract so much publicity.
    I detect a certain rashness in that appointment and I can only say that if the whole thing collapses then the hierarchy only have themselves to blame.
    PE Dublin

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  15. Not all priests are bad. Here is a link to the homily given at my brothers funeral in 2012 by his good friend Fr O'Gorman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2I0WP2witc

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  16. Dear Bishop, my son came home from school today and as normal we discuss his day at school. I am a Catholic, I have raised my children in the faith. But why are our priests destroying my work. My son showed me a video on YouTube that he and all his friends were viewing, laughing at and deriding Catholic priests about. On YouTube there is a priest during Mass when the young choir is singing, he is masturbating under the holy vestments. Clearly a parent has videoed the act! My son was so embarrassed he left me to watch it alone. I have cried this evening. Is there something wrong with our priests? Look it up on YouTube, if it is a joke I would be very very pleased.

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    1. Just watched the video . Type priest masterbates it's the first video that comes up . The dirty aul git is clearly havin a wank . Normally I'd have a good laugh at this but how many kids saw this ! . I've no idea who or where this priest is but if this is what he is at in public then god knows how he behaves in private

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    2. Ffs he is not doing that at all. There is enough real evil in this church without us creating stupid headlines and non-stories

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  17. A pot can only be stirred so much until the contents are cooked or thrown out. So where is the response in action boys & girls

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  18. My husband has just viewed this video as I am so annoyed at it. He is in the building trade. He said that he and his mates would have an answer for this priest. My son now insists he isn't going back to Mass. I do not know what to say to my son.

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    1. The priest is doing no such thing. It is clear that he is moving his hands in time with the music. Look closely. To come to the conclusion that he doing anything other than innocently tapping along to the music is twisted and perverse.

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    2. If that's wot you think he's doin then you really need to watch more late night tv . He's clearly havin a wank

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    3. Only a sicko, a pervert, would conclude that the priest is doing anything untoward. FFS wise up!

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    4. Well if I'm a sicko pervert then I should become a priest . With my sicko perviness Ile be a cardinal in no time

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  19. Just watched it....he's either masterbating or his robe is haunted....what's going on with the church.
    I truly am losing my faith in my Religion

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    1. I am no apologists for priests but I think this video may well be innocent.

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    2. Crossed my mind that possibly a doctor or someone with expertise in such matters could give a true interpretation of this incident!
      What about - Innocent until proven guilty???
      Pip

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  20. I just overheared a down and Connor priest tell my elderly grandfather that he doesn't get much of a stipend from the diocese. My grandfather then gave him money. I do t know how much as I wasn't in the room. Out of curiosity, how much does down and Connor priests get per month??

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    1. D&C priests get in excess of £20,000 per year plus expenses like phones, car loans etc.

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    2. Plus for every funeral wedding the average payment is £60 and that's not to mention wot they get for mass cards

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    3. My priest has never taken money for a funeral in his life!!
      Pip

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    4. Codswallop ofcourse he dus the undertakers give it to him it's standard practice

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    5. His first funeral was that of a still-born child - he was shocked - over fifty tears ago when the mother offered him money - he did not accept it on that occasion or ever since!
      And from my own bereavements - three - i know this to be true!
      Pip

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    6. It does seem 21.37 that you are the type of cynic who will never believe anything good about anyone - it looks like you need some "wise up" time - ann in a big way.
      I know who Pip is and what he says about his priest is true - Pip says there is no better priest?
      Armagh Sam

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    7. Any comment - 21.37 - ???
      Sam

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    8. Not lost your voice 21.37??!
      Sam

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    9. Armagh sam I've not lost my voice . I stand by what I said funeral directors pay the priest for funerals directly I was a funeral director I put hundreds of envelopes in hands of priests and never once we're they refused . You call me a cynic cause I don't see the good in people ? You Havnt a clue about me . I believe there are plenty of good priests and plenty of good people . Now I could call you plenty of names and say what I think of you but to be honest you mean as much to me as a fart in a hurricane. You may reply as is ur right but I've better things to do than get into a slaggin match with you

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    10. Golly!!!!
      I do not know Pip or Sam. Undertaker, you have problems -'having added crudity to your disbelief that even ONE such priest exists!

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  21. Many years ago in our home the priest told my mother the same thing. He didn't get much to live on. My mother who was finding things tight enough trying to bring up seven of us on a meagre wage that my dad got went to give him money. My late father stopped her and told the priest that if he drank less he would have more money to get by on! He then told the priest he was nothing but a blood sucker. My mother was upset but my da ploughed on and gave the priest his character.
    Same priest is now a PP in another west Belfast parish and all these years later I still look at him and think about that incident.

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  22. Anon 13.40 I know your in a kind of tricky position as I'm sure ur grandparent is very fond of priest . This is nothing more than manipulation by the priest . If this was a home help or cleaner ect I and many others would have no hesitation in calling the police but as I said this is a tricky one . I'd ask around about this priest it's more than probable your grandparent isn't the only one this guy is praying on instead of praying for

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  23. MourneManMichael6 May 2016 at 00:56

    I disagree Anon @18:17 with your minimisation of the incident by referring to it as "nothing more than manipulation". The only 'trickiness' about it is on the part of the priest. Your second sentence is quite correct, for indeed this was manipulative taking advantage by a 'professional' of an elderly person in a dependent/parishoner relationship.
    I say this having made several assumptions:
    ......who initiated the subject of money, stipends from diocese, ......what was the context of the discussion?
    If indeed the older person initiated it in some way signalling a wish to 'donate/assist' then fair enough the gift could be seen as unsolicited. But I rather think that since the discussion seems to have taken place when the grandson was absent, that it smells very much like the cleric siezing the initiative,....and the advantage.
    MMM

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    1. Mmm point taken thanks for your comment :-)

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  24. MourneManMichael6 May 2016 at 12:45

    Thinking further on the question of 'gifts/donations' to clerics: what protocols, if any, exist both in diocesan and religious orders/societies in respect of gifts and donations?
    Long in the past I heard rumours and stories of 'death bed' donations and alterations to wills etc, in favour of local clergy, and it's highly probable that such occurred, for somehow the RC church as an organisation 'acquired' substantial properties, in addition to individual clerics benefitting.
    When starting in public service employment in the early 70's I signed up to a very clear written statement of my responsibility as a public servant to (among other issues) declare to my managers any and all gifts received in the course of and as a consequence of my employment. That responsibility was referred to as part of my conditions of service in subsequent employment changes.To have failed to declare was considered gross misconduct and grounds for dismissal.
    So does 'anything' of a similar nature apply to clerics?
    If not, then it ought to, and it is clearly a responsibility for clerical managers, the local bishop in diocesan settings, to ensure establishment of clear protocols. To fail to do so, especially given the inverse 'power' relationship of a priest with aged frail sometimes highly vulnerable parishoners is unacceptable and breach of responsibility quite apart from being unquestionably immoral.

    I would welcome views on this, especially from RC clerics both serving and retired: arguement about the nuts and bolts of a sensible implementation of such a protocol can come later.
    MMM

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    1. MMM, I am not shocked by the lack of response to your comment

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  25. Oh dear,MMM, there seems to be a deafening silence. Why can that be?
    Ballymena Barney

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  26. Do priests declare their salary and all the stipends they get to the tax man?

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  27. Do they f*** !!

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