Thursday 19 May 2016

FATHER RORY COYLE - IRISH NEWS EXPLAINS ITSELF.

FATHER RORY COYLE 

THE IRISH NEWS EXPLAINS ITSELF 

In today's IRISH NEWS the author of the original Irish News article on Father Rory Coyle Alison Morrison, explains why they carried the story and their thinking behind carrying the story.
Allison Morrison of The Irish News

THE vow of celibacy for Catholic clergy is a topic that divides the churchgoing faithful.There's a clear argument that dwindling numbers of people following a vocation and an ageing population of priests and nuns means that reform is inevitable.
It had always seemed odd to me that people would seek marital advice from a man who had never been married, never had to pay bills, deal with the pressures of raising children or the pain of a relationship breakdown or infidelity.
The Church argues that a person doesn't need to be an adulterer to counsel other adulterers.
They would say that priests understand the sacrifices and sanctity of marriage in a way that few others do. ``Who better to counsel a person in the ways of keeping the marital vow of fidelity than one who keeps the vow of celibacy?'' claimed a recent article on the subject in a faith publication.
But the fact remains that there are priests who aren't keeping that vow and those priests, many of whom are much loved by their parishioners, are being left with a terrible dilemma.
Many men have entered the priesthood and then felt torn at having to choose between the Church and a family and not having children is often too big a sacrifice to make.
Priests who are gay find themselves wrestling not just with a vow of celibacy but feeling stigmatised as 'sinful' by a Church that preaches against homosexuality.
Imagine the turmoil of those men and women who are forced to preach against same sex marriage while trying to conceal their own sexuality.
And it doesn't have to be like that because, as the last few days have shown, parishioners when faced with choosing between a priest that keeps his vows or one that shows kindness and compassion almost always choose the latter.
The Irish News editorial staff debated long and hard as to whether or not to publish the details of the departure from duties of Armagh priest Fr Rory Coyle.
Irish News editor Noel Doran

And in fact a decision was only made to publicise a much more sanitised explanation for his sabbatical when details started to appear on an online blog and it became clear were also likely to be made public in a much more lurid manner than this paper would ever contemplate.
The editorial team and indeed the Catholic Church spokesman we contacted for comment were immediately concerned with Fr Coyle's welfare and how we would report on a matter of public interest without causing him further distress.
And just as we have reported on previous incidents where priests have temporarily left their posts, such as Fr Ciaran Dallat in west Belfast who was accused of having an affair with a female parishioner, we did so in what I believe was a responsible manner. I am and always will be proud to work for a responsible publication such as the Irish News.

I've read the explicit messages Fr Coyle posted on gay dating site Grindr and have seen the pictures he sent to a young man he was trying to meet over several weeks.
Only scant details of the messages and none of the pictures were carried in this paper.
That didn't stop an online barrage of messages from people who thought that a priest breaching his vows or having a gay relationship was his personal business.
And that heartened me, for I have long believed clerical celibacy to be an unnatural state. Leaving aside the physical side of things, the lack of affection, human interaction and a life companion to talk to at the end of a day's work must make for a very lonely and isolated existence.
Irish News readers, well those who use social media at least, seem to agree with me on that point.
If they like and respect a priest they don't seem to care about whether or not he is adhering to his vows or the fact he's dating either men or women.
That alone should be a reason to reopen the debate into the future of the Catholic Church and whether to survive it needs to change.
Alas, while I forsee a time when heterosexual married men might be permitted in the priesthood, I'm unconvinced that an institution that is against same sex marriage and released a statement prior to the election urging Catholics to question their candidates at the door about their position on the subject, will ever allow openly gay men in the priesthood.
The Church stands politically allied with the DUP on this subject, if a high ranking member of that party who supported its position on same sex marriage was then found posting messages and arranging to meet men on a gay dating site would we cover that story?
Bishop Noel Treanor and DUP leader Peter Robinson

Well, yes we would because that would be a matter of public interest, not least to the gay community who feel victimised by the repressive views of state, right wing politicians and Church.
It's time for real debate about the subject, to look at how the Catholic Church can evolve and survive the pressures of modern society.

And finally I send my support and thoughts to Fr Rory Coyle, he is a man with a lot of hard decisions to make but the support of the parishioners who clearly love him gives me hope that he'll do well in whatever path he chooses.
PAT SAYS:
The Irish News obviously felt the need to publish an explanation of its Father Coyle story after many people expressed anger with The Irish News on social media.

Is it a coincidence that The Irish News explains itself 2 days after Archbishop Eamon Martin arrived back from Lourdes? Of course it is. 

As I had originally said The Irish News also says that it decided on a sanitised version of the story after it had spoken with Catholic Church spokesman. 

In any event the Rory Coyle story will serve as another chapter in the debate about official Catholic teaching that gay people are "INTRINSICALLY DISORDERED" and that the Church is alligned in Northern Ireland on this topic with the right wing unionist and Protestant DUP. 

VISITORS TO THIS BLOG OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS HAVE BEEN SUGGESTING THAT THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME IN THE FATHER COYLE STORY

FATHER CIARAN  DALLAT:



I had to inform Bishop Noel Treanor last Friday that a second woman has come forward in the case of FATHER CIARAN DALLAT. Bishop Treanor is currently trying to convince the Department of Justice to allow the appointment of Ciaran Dallat as chaplain to Maghaberry Prison.

41 comments:

  1. Old news. When are you going to reveal the full extent of the story?

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    Replies
    1. Is there another prominent church person involved in the Father Coyle saga?

      PP Armagh.

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    2. Now that, Very Reverend Father, is a most interesting question.

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    3. Surely it is all contained in the text/images that you got from the non-Irish News journalist. Isn't having the actual text/images enough evidence?

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    4. They contain the information of the contact between Rory and the young man - but not proof of others persons involved.

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    5. So when you were so critical of the Irish News for not publishing the full facts, and even when Tony Adams said the full facts should be known, it would seem odd you claim to have the information but prefer to speculate about what the story might be instead of publishing what evidence you say you actually possess. You were lambasting the Irish News for not showing the photos- but you refuse to do it yourself? Something doesn't add up here !!!

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  2. Why oh Why would Treanor send Dallat to Chaplin vulnerable women...
    The other woman who has come forward should be commended for her bravery and Dallat should not be permitted anywhere near Maghaberry!

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  3. Any news Bishop Pat on the Father Murray and Rasharkin situation? His month off must nearly be up? Or will he be setting up home somewhere else?

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    Replies
    1. No. We are all awaiting developments.

      There is a lot of "movement" in the NI Catholic Church at the moment.

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    2. Murray is bound to be ready for retirement by now ?

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  4. Well I just have to say that the hit comedy TV show Fr. Ted was waaaaaaay ahead of it's time.....
    The whole DC mumblings, rumours and breaking stories could script a whole Fr. Ted series!
    Honestly DC and it's 'chosen' are just comical

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    Replies
    1. FATHER TED was a fiction.

      Down and Connor / Armagh etc is a reality.

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    2. 19 May 14:37 All fiction is rooted in Reality. I'm sure the writers of Ted had their finger on some pulse even though their starting point was the superficial. Good man Ted-I still love the show

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  5. You sure have a lot to say about a subject that, let’s face it, has nothing in this world to do with you, rather than annoy parishioners who are active members of the Saint Marys Parish with your views, Please get on your judgemental bike and go back to where you belong (Lapsed La La Land)

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    1. MourneManMichael19 May 2016 at 20:11

      Disagree entirely. Why should he? Is it not only right to expose the shenanigans going on among your clergy? Or do you and the 'active members' you refer to, just prefer to live in the darkness of cloud cuckoo land?

      I suppose it could depend on what you mean by 'active'? Actively avoiding reality?
      MMM

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  6. Yes it was a comedy and ran originally some 20 years ago but there were aspects running through it which definitely were below the belt but the writers were on to something!!

    Priest chat phonelines (similar to late night ads on the TV at the time for gay chat)
    The Clergy living it up in the Vatican!
    Bishops who had women and children!

    That is only some of the topics but did they have an insight!?!

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  7. Reading the article in today's Irish News I felt that I really must be missing some important point. Surely to God if celibacy was not required of priests and sex between consenting adults was not considered a big deal the alleged behaviour of the likes of Coyle and Dallat would still be regarded as completely outrageous and would rightly result in exclusion from priesthood and any other profession involving contact with vulnerable people?

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  8. Timo is on the job. He's very busy bandaging up the latest batch of wounded healers.

    The chemist shops on the Antrim Rd can't keep up with the demand for bandages, splints, crutches and plaster casts. The casualty at the RVH has been called in.

    Timo is run off his feet between thermometers and bed pans. He's been wearing the same nurses uniform now for a week and not a minute's rest. Luckily, Nurse Timo has a bladder like a camel.

    Spare a thought and a prayer for Timo - dashing from bed to bed - frantically nursing those wounded healers back on their feet so that, once again, they will serve with credibility.

    Somerton Sandra.

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    1. I don't think that Timo is nursing the Armagh wounded. He fell on Sean Brady's sword with poor Sean.

      Maybe he is nursing the D&C wounded. In fact the ways its going D&C will need their own Sick Bay.

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    2. How could he fall on the same sword as Sean Brady, when he wasn't even born when the incidents in question took place.

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    3. I meant he went when Brady went.

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    4. Somerton Sandra, Dundalk Dan, Norglen Nora, Collegegreen Clare. You may be overdoing the alliteration Pat.

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    5. Not mine I'm afraid. But it does help to differentiate between anonymous correspondents.

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    6. MourneManMichael19 May 2016 at 20:37

      I have to 'correct' you Anon @ 18:03.
      The alliteration arises from my suggestion a couple of months ago that it would be helpful if comments had some sort of 'handle' attached, as it was becoming very difficult to differentiate between all the 'anonymous' when making a response to a comment.
      Others seem to have followed my own alliterative practice in choosing a handle, and indeed as a regular reader/contributor it's been helpful.
      You refer to 'Collegegreen Clare'. Could you say where that comes from as I don't recall seeing that handle anywhere on this site. The nearest example to it was Collegelands Cathy.
      In fact since the practice of 'handles' started there have been 98 different ones from a very wide variety of locations. Many have been very thought provoking and others wonderfully satirical. Bully McIlhagga from Sandy Row take a bow!
      It's been noticeable though that many of the hypercritical rantlike comments of little substance have been 'Anons'. while regulars with handles, like eg, Dalriada Dick, invariably make a useful contribution to the debate.
      MMM

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    7. I'm MourneManMichael and I am a Moron. MMM

      You're right. Adding a name to the comment adds to its credibility.

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    8. MourneManMichael20 May 2016 at 00:44

      Thank you Anon @22:46.
      You make the point most aptly.
      MMM

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  9. I imagine that Armagh will be looking after Rory very well - given the amount of info he has on others - especially one special other.

    PP Armagh.

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    Replies
    1. PP Armagh, are you referring to the same issues / personality that I have been made aware of by one of your clerical colleagues? I think you are.

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  10. Oh this just got a lot more interesting... Spill the beans boys!! Is it who we're all thinking?

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    Replies
    1. ALAS. THERE IS A VAST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THINKING, AND KNOWING.

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    2. And a difference between knowing and definitively proving.

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  11. AGREED PAT. IT MAKES IT THEREFORE A BIT POINTLESS TO WASTE TIME ON ENDLESS SPECULATION WITHOUT SUBSTANCE. SHAME. THIS BLOCK GOT A BIT INTERESTING FOR A FEW DAYS. BUT IT'S GONE BACK TO THE SAME OLD INSINUATIONS WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANCE.

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    1. I see your point. But very big loads need moved inch by inch and a large pot takes longer to boil.

      In my journalist experience big stories are inclined to leak drip by drip.

      But I can assure you that I never put anything on this Blog without some substance.

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  12. The supply vs demand argument is not a valid argument to scrap celibacy in my view-mob rule does not constitute an argument. Neither does the argument that a celibate can not counsel a person in relationship-does a Doctor have to experience every illness in order to prescribe appropriately. To me the argument against celibacy is that the old Plato/Aristotle notion of Heaven Good Earth Bad is severely outdated as are some notions of how body/soul relate to each other within the human psyche. Optional celibacy entered into through informed choice may still be appropriate choice for some. Count me out though. I am still a valid though some would say illicit ordained priest

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    1. Maybe Catholic priests should actually try celibacy for a change and we might not have all these seemingly never ending scandals.

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  13. Gay or straight partners are called to be faithful

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    Replies
    1. Who says? Called by whom? Faithful for how long and how much? Let's have a bit of God-talk on all this.

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  14. Ok Folks talk has to finish, action needs to take place
    I believe all we want is a decent Priest to lead a good Parish
    I so want the last rites, poor Patsy who gave so much to everyone to our Parish, our Choir and Clergy, The computer says no, Does work in Sharkin Bishop NOEL.

    Get us a priest or we the sharkin easy going church going fstolk will take action, WATCH this space...You have have your Temple of Glamour on the Sommerton Road, build to your Paluouse Glory, just give us one of you slave Priest whom you need to assist you, You thought you had Problems, I suggest, you breace yourself, I I have to return home to get what we deserve/ a Priest, you will get the hearth of my newspaper editoring career

    PS Fr Murray, nite nite on this story can we please move mon, he was a boring fart, self centured, but doent need this publicy, we the Sharkin Folk are tired of the Name, please can we give up and wish him well on what ever Golf course he is on, he deserves Retirement, sadly not as feckin much as we deserve his retirement , Good Luck

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  15. MourneManMichael20 May 2016 at 13:38

    Pat, this comment does not relate to current blog. Timewise it follows up on my previous comment on 6th May on C Dallat concerning clerics financial dealings. Feel free to insert it where you think most appropriate, ...or bin it! Your perogative.
    My comment arose from an instance where it seemed likely a cleric had taken financial advantage of an elderly parishoner.

    The following paraphrases/summarises that 6th May comment:
    "Given the inverse 'power' relationship of priests with frail, aged, sometimes highly vulnerable (to financial manipulation) parishoners, it is unacceptable and unquestionably immoral that no clear protocols appear to exist in relation to 'gifts and donations' from parishoners to RC priests."
    I welcomed views on this asking if any such protocols existed.
    The following day Pat led with an excellant blog highlighting the issues. I then commented, with this direct quote: "I would go so far as to say that if the D&C diocesan establishment fails to make a sensible and reasonable acceptable public response within two weeks it will further demonstrate its inept, corrupt and mercenary nature".
    Now unless I've missed it, or Pat has blocked it, there has been no clarification or comment whatsoever concerning D&C priests' responsibilities or behaviour with respect to financial gifts or donations from parishoners, either from the diocese, or from any individual, priest or otherwise.
    I also asked in another comment if anybody could shed light on the diocese's financial accounts, which, as a public charity, I believe they are obliged to make public just like other charities. I cannot find them online in the normal manner. Again, no response.
    So is it to continue to be the case where the ordinary parishoner "pays up and shuts up", meanwhile the clergy maintain a free for all of every man for himself?
    Dare I say that since there has been no response in the two week period it simply confirms the inept, mercenary nature of the RC establishment. As somebody else commented, "They won't listen until 'the faithful' stop donating".

    [Pat I don't include you in this comment on diocesan clerical practices. I regard you as an independent professional practitioner providing services on demand without the security umbrella of diocesan back-up. As such therefore financial arrangements are matters entirely between you and those you provide services for.]
    MMM

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