Sunday 10 July 2016

FATHER PAUL PRIOR - MAYNOOTH PROBLEM?

FATHER PAUL PRIOR - MAYNOOTH PROBLEM ?

PAUL PRIOR
TWENTY FOUR HOURS AGO I sent the email below to Mr Martin Long who is the media officer for the Irish Catholic bishops:

9th July 2016

Mr Martin Long
Press Officer
Irish Catholic Conference of Bishops.

Dear Mr Long,

Can I ask you if in 2008 / 2009 Monsignor Hugh Connolly - President and Father Michael Mullaney - Vice President of St Patrick's Seminary Maynooth received a complaint from a seminarian accusing Father Paul Prior - Director of Formation - of inappropriate sexual attention and conducted an enquiry into that complaint?

Can I ask you what was the outcome of that investigation? 

Sincerely yours,
MARTIN LONG -NO ANSWER
He promised me on the telephone that if I put my questions to him in writing he would get back to me with answers. He has failed to do so!

 This week I had a long conversation with the former seminarian who says that he made that 2009 complaint.

In his 2009 complaint he accuses Father Prior of:

1. Having inappropriate conversations in Father Prior's room with him about his sexual orientation, his sexual history, whether or not he masturbated and how often etc. The seminarian told Father Prior that these were inappropriate conversations for them to be having as they were matters that should properly be discussed with spiritual directors and counsellors.  

2. Inappropriate touching while he was serving Mass for Father Prior when both he and Father Prior were dressed / vested for Mass. 

3. Inappropriate touching in the Maynooth grounds when Father Prior put his hand on the seminarians backside in front of another seminarian. 

4. Father Prior using very foul language and telling shocking sexual lewd jokes on nights out with the seminarians, when he, Father Prior, had taken alcohol. The seminarian who had worked on building sites before entering seminary said that this language and these jokes were worse than anything he had ever heard on a construction site.

5. Father Prior sitting directly opposite the seminarian during prayer in St Mary's Chapel Maynooth using his mouth and tongue to convey sexually explicit signs and staring at the seminarian for long periods.

As he could take no more of Father Prior's sexual harassment and intimidation he reported the matter to the college president Monsignor Hugh Connolly. 


CONNOLLY - PRESIDENT
At the seminarian's request Monsignor Connolly set up an enquiry into Father Prior that was conducted by a nun and a lay man. 

At the first meeting with Monsignor Connolly the seminarian was accompanied by his father as he had been advised by a priest not to go alone.

A second meeting took place with Monsignor Connolly and the college Vice President - Father Michael Mullaney at which the seminarian was accompanied by his mother.

MULLANEY - VICE PRESIDENT / CANON LAWYER

At this second meeting Connolly told the seminarian and his mother that nothing had been "proven" against Prior. Monsignor Connolly then invited the seminarian to: "forget all about it and come back to the seminary".

The seminarian was too broken and too afraid to return to Maynooth.

The seminarian's mother left the meeting crying!

The seminarian then had a meeting with his bishop - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin. Martin listened to him and invited him to return to priestly training in another seminary - possibly in the United States.


DIARMUID MARTIN


Diarmuid Martin did nothing THEN and SINCE about Father Paul Prior who is still in place in Maynooth! 

The seminarian then sought a meeting with the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown and told him the whole story. 


BROWN
Brown promised the seminarian that he would write to him. That was FOUR YEARS ago and the seminarian has heard NOTHING FROM BROWN!

The seminarian believes that Father Prior is being protected by someone of influence in the Church - possibly Cardinal Sean Brady who like Prior is from the Diocese of Kilmore and who taught Prior in Rome. 
BRADY
In the meantime Father Paul Prior is still in place in Maynooth as the Director of Formation and will be welcoming 18 year old males into Maynooth in September !

Prospective Seminarians - will you go there under these circumstances?

Mothers and Fathers - will you allow your sons to go there under these circumstances.

Over to you !!!


184 comments:

  1. Scumbags. The whole lot of them including these bishops. All involved should be investigated by the Gardai. Has the church learned nothing from the abuse crisis. All these men involved must step down immediately for the good of the church.

    Also what about that poor seminarian who was expelled for catching two other seminarians engaged in sexual acts.He should be brought back immediately and the other two must be removed now and not be ordained. This is revolting. Words can not describe how disgusting these men are. Everyone of them including the bishops. God help them at their judgement. They need to repent now and seek Gods mercy. He will forgive them, but they still have to be removed.

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  3. This is absolutely abhorrent. The rumours I have heard about this cleric are all true. I do not believe a solitary word from any bishop about reform of the Church and "listening to people". They are mendacious, malignant cowardly men.

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  4. Listening to the complaints of the seminarian do raise two issues. Firstly, those wanting to be priests and pastors should be older and more mature than is currently permitted. Is it the Greek church that requires priests to be a minimum of 30 years of age? Secondly, the seminarian seems a bit of a damp squib. Is fending off the advances of someone who doesn't understand no means no cause for such a crisis when a kick in the tackle of the offender might have worked more effectively? If this taunting(which is entirely uncalled for) provoked such a crisis, would the seminarian be better off, not as a cure of souls, but in a career in an office? He doesn't seem to have the mettle for pastoral work.

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    2. That said, if you're going to get thrown out anyway you might as well take the law into your own hands. If the scumbag presses charges for assault, just plead not guilty which will make sure it goes to court and I can promise you that the press gallery will be heaving. If he doesn't press charges he'll have a nice injury as a souvenir of the incident and you won’t be any worse off anyway.

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  5. There were known issues with PP in Rome and he was then sent to Maynooth????

    He must have big stuff on some big names.....

    This is appalling. Heads should roll over this and not just PP's.

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  6. Of course he has stuff on some of the big boys. Pat, I think you are going to cause a bigger spike on the Richter Scale than happened when that other old creepy pervert Cardinal Keith O Brien got the bums rush ( npi) out of Scotland!!
    Hell slap it into the lot of them.

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  7. 14:09 has no understanding of seminary dynamics. I heard about the guy who made this complaint and by all accounts he was a tough and disciplined seminarian when in Maynooth, and a Latin scholar to boot. He also rode race horses and worked in construction before entering Maynooth, so I am sure he is the type of guy who would have kicked Prior in the balls if his advances had occurred in the "outside world". And anyway a formation director of future priests can't carry on like this.

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    1. Yet he gets his mammy and daddy to come with him to lodge a complaint? Shocked at dirty jokes told in a pub? Of course this doesn't detract from the main point of the article about a sleazy director of formation but the seminarian doesn't inspire much confidence in me. Competency in Latin doesn't make up for the ability to be a pastor.

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    2. I wonder are you one of the foot soldiers of the "Evil Empire"?

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    3. In fairness the complainant was told by a priest not to go and meet Connolly alone. No priest or seminarian would go with him - out of fear. He did what we all do in a crisis - we fall back on those who love us most and are always there for us ie: Mary at the foot of the cross.

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    4. There are quite a few evil empires out there. You would need to be more specific.

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    5. Sorry Pat, I am referring to the current evil empire in Maynooth.

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    6. I reckon 15:51 is one of Prior's little rent boys.

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    7. Anonymous 15:51. I think that the fact that the Seminarian is standing up to the evil being perpetrated on him makes him excellent priest material. And if this was my young son he'd have a job stopping his 'mammy' going in to lodge a complaint and some! Do you not have children? +Pat is right - he turned to people that love and care for him and together they went to face this disgrace of a priest. Sadly I'm sure there are some 'mammies' out there who also turned a deaf ear on hearing such things from their son, not believing a priest could behave in such a way so I think it shows even more that this young lad comes from the sort of loving family fabric that is required for a good priest. I doubt it was the rude jokes that tipped him over the edge but if he was offended or made to feel uncomfortable - as with harassment in a workplace - then it is not acceptable. And before you start on about putting up with a little banter blah blah blah, I have endured my fair share of inappropriate talk and sexual harassment and said nothing because back then it wasn't the 'done thing' but I would never accept for my children to go through it.

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  8. It's no wonder that the most recent Maynooth allegation allegedly involving seven seminarians and two members of staff has been made anonymously. The current seminarians have obviously heard about the above incident along with Prior's previous antics in Rome and are therefore rightly most fearful about their own vocations should they come forward openly. They are also justified in fearing that they would be castigated as liars and trouble makers by the bishops and hierarchy in Maynooth. Haven't we far too many precedents in the modern history of the Irish Church to disagree with my line of reasoning?

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    1. 16:03 You couldn't have put it more finely! It really does just boil down to your 3 sentences.

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  11. I have fallen away from the catholic church since the sexual abuse scandals. This crap further justifies my decision.

    I hope to God Pat that you can take on these cunts and win.

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  12. Pat, do you think anything will actually come from this? The men with all the power will use that power to cover up again. Maynooth and these Bishops have been curropt for years. Can we really expect action.God bless you for trying to expose this evil.

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    1. I do not really know? We must simply plant the seeds of renewal and reform and leaving the sun, the rain and the growth to a higher power.

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  13. Was one of the seminarians who protested and left Maynooth over these issues a Down and Connor seminarian?

    PP D&C

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  14. 15:51's comments typify the thinking that allowed the sexual abuse monsters to persist and proliferate in the Irish Church for years unabated. It was false cowardly "prudence" and a misapplication of "judge not" which provided fertile ground for these monsters to destroy mainly TEENAGE BOYS. The vast majority of sexual abuse cases in the Church were actually pederasty and not pedophilia. If you don't know what pederasty means - it is sex between a grown man and post-pubescent boys.

    15:51 is an utter moron!

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    1. The morons are those who resort to personal abuse when they fail to make their point clear and who try to shout down opposition or ambivalence, thinking that the braying of a donkey or bleating of a sheep can somehow intimidate those who do not agree with them. Regarding the seminarian in question, Fr Pat has tried to give a few more details about the man and the need for his parents to accompany him. I don't understand how this guy is a race horse rider, a builder and a latinist to boot but then is described as a teenage boy by 16:54. The clear thing that emerges from all this, asides from cleaning out the Augean stables of Catholicism, is the need to defer applications to the priesthood until one is in their late twenties. By then, one's sexuality should have settled and become more apparent. Issues of personal confidence will also have been confronted and in many cases, resolved. Of course, such pastors should be allowed to be married or in partnerships and likewise such pastors should have the chance to be female as well as male.

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    2. I wasn't describing the former seminarian as a teenage boy. I was making the connection between a particular way of thinking and a culture of silence and "grinning and bearing it" that allowed scumbags like Prior to wreak havoc unchallenged for years.

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  15. I know the ex-seminarian in question. The ex jockey!!! He is a nut case. Accused everyone and anyone who even looked at him of being homosexual. The guy has psychological issues. One lay woman once told me she 'would never let him around her children' - tells you all you need to know about how strange he is.

    The truth is he was not suitable. When the ship starts to sink they try to pull others under. Maybe Fr. Prior just done his job and got rid of someone who should never be a priest? Even religious orders and other countries turned the ex jockey down. You conspiracy theorists out there cannot except the truth.

    It is the same old story:
    Person joins seminary, person is told they are not suitable. Person accuses everyone of being homosexual as that can be the only reason they could not make it through. They are not suitable and cannot except it so they spend their lives (with no proof at all) trying to drag others down.

    The truth is - like the person who wrote the anonymous letter recently - they are probably homosexual themselves and project onto others as a way of dealing with their own feelings. They fantasize about everyone being homosexual in the Church. Its on the brain. They are the ones with the issues but they project on to innocent good christ loving people because they cannot deal with themselves.

    It is a sad reality but as someone who has been through seminary this seems to be the common theme that i have witnessed.

    There is nothing worse than repressed homosexuals who have been hurt. The hurt turns to hate, hate festers in their hearts which leaves no room for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us in todays gospel to love our neighbour, loving our neighbour includes not writing anonymous letters with no proof or accusing people of being homosexual with no proof or accusing people of being inappropriate with no proof.


    May God have mercy on all you divisive people.

    Miles Christi

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    1. If this complainant was a "nut case" as you say why was he invited to forget everything and return to Maynooth after he made his complaint?

      Why did Diarmuid Martin offer him a new seminary in the US?

      Is it not true that:

      a. He was so highly thought of in Maynooth that Father Prior made him church sacristan and maintenance officer?

      b. He was granted an award / scholarship for Latin?

      c. He is now happily married to a WOMAN?

      I think that you have a white stick and a blind penmsion.

      Maybe worse - maybe you want to justify what is happening in Maynooth?

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  16. The Fr. Jack comments definitely someone who is from the gay camp. Everyone knows it's a gay hell hole ruining good vocations. Total faculty clear out only answer.

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  17. ****IMPORTANT******

    I ran this story past the media man for the Irish Catholic Bishops and gave him 24 hours to comment.

    Now, 27 hours later he has not got back to me.

    ****ALSO****

    I have emailed Paul Prior and invited him to submit a refutation of this story to this Blog - which I promised I would publish IN FULL and without any EDITING.

    He has not yet chosen to do so.

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    1. Cheers Pat.

      This Fr "Jack" is a keen blogger.

      Very pro Maynooth. We should pray for such.

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  18. Fr Jack's comments are a carbon copy of reactions of vicious clerics who held power in seminaries in the US to similar situations. The book "Good Bye, Good Men" by Michael Rose (Former US Seminarian) recounts how vindictive clergy classified and vilified seminarians - who spoke out against sexual misconduct in US seminaries - as "psychologically unstable" or "emotionally immature" and would use such as pretexts to expel seminarians.

    It is sick and depraved that the same is still happening here in little Ireland. The American Church is being slowly but surely purified of filth. I am praying hard that the only seminary in the Republic of Ireland will soon and finally be delivered of these wicked priests who actually hate the Catholic Church.

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  19. He was not invited back to Maynooth. Does he have that in writing? He was clearly asked to leave after his 'complaint' had no basis. You cannot accuse people of such things without proof and not face consequences.

    Archbishop Diarmaid Martin would not ever send an Irish seminarian to america. The reason for this is he wants all men formed in Ireland so that they can be formed with pastoral workers and permanent deacons as this is his goal for collaborative ministry for future ministry. He only start sending men recently to Rome because of the pressure put on him with the lack of numbers. When the jockey was asked to leave, it was the 'jockey' who requested to go to a particular seminary in america and it was denied.

    A. At some point everyone in the Maynooth receives a job in the house. You do not have to be 'thought highly of'. The jobs are given as a challenge and also as a way for people to give back to the house in which they live.

    B. Just because he was good at latin does not mean he was suitable for priesthood. Knowing latin does not indicate someone has a calling from God.

    C. Being married does not mean someone is not a homosexual. As a priest I have encountered it many times in families and it very challenging.

    Calling him a 'nut case' is my observation of a very troubled individual. It might not be very respectful but I am trying to show that he is not a credible source. Which he is not!

    I am not here to justify Maynooth. I am giving my opinion on an individual who in my opinion is deeply troubled and frankly someone who should have never become a priest. He 'found' his vocation in marriage and i wish him the very best with that.

    In terms of your readers saying i am in the 'gay camp' and a 'rent boy'. They are both untrue. I have given very reasoned arguments while setting out observations of a person i know. There is no need to attack me because i do not fall in with your view of Maynooth. I am only telling the truth from my point of view as someone who studied there. I never seen or became aware of anything untoward. What i did see is pent up ex seminarians slander people because they were angry that they were found to be unsuitable. If you knew the people found to be unsuitable over the years you would see that the Church is the better for it.

    Some are called to the priesthood and some are not. Pride gets in the way and makes people very bitter and unchristian when they realise God is not calling them but rather they are calling themselves.

    I would never stand for any homosexual behavior in seminary. I am not protecting anyone or trying to justify anyone. I am just offering the truth from my observations.

    I will pray for you all in my evening office.

    Miles Christi

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    1. Miles, When you were going through seminary you must have missed out on the Logic classes.

      You have a very strange way of arguing.

      Apart from that - there is more than ONE EX SEMINARIAN in touch with us and they confirm his story.

      Are you going to lock them all up in some unit or other?

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    2. PS: Miles, this is only the BEGINNING of this story.

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    3. Fr Jack. We know who you are. You should not tell lies. You are a recently ordained Priest for an Arch Diocese. You are pro Maynooth, pro gay. I remember you giving a pro gay homily as a deacon.

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    4. I would under no circumstances allow this Fr Jack dude to christen any of my future children. I am a Catholic becoming more lapsed by the day. I am strongly considering attending a Protestant denomination, where I have witnessed real spirit-filled services and men with a real passion for God who fill your belly with fire after listening to their preaching. These are married men who didn't go into seminary to run away from their sexuality. Also, the likes of Prior and Jack wouldn't even get in the door as a preacher in these christian communities as they have to be chosen by the people who attend the services.

      Fair play Pat for exposing all this shite. Unfortunately it ain't exactly new news.

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    5. Fr Jack, search engines are algorithms - cold, calculating machines - they don't tell lies like you. Anyone here can just enter Maynooth Seminary Gay on their phone/laptop and see reams of results. Go figure Jack.

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    6. In response to "Anonymous 10 July 2016 at 19:32", as someone who fits most of your criteria, I assure you that I am not this "Fr. Jack" character you claim me to be. If you think you know who I am, then please do contact me directly - you know how to do this.

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  20. "Fr Jack" is an apt moniker for this "priest" with a charitable and kind heart, as can be inferred from his ugly comments about a brave seminarian who stood up for truth and justice.

    I'd say you will be meeting some of your buddies in The George tonight to pray your Divine Office. You are just another sicko in a collar who got through the seminary on your knees when your superiors dropped their pants. Maybe Fr Prior was one of them!

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  22. Head of liturgy calls seminarians "Pet" and "Darling"

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    1. All designed to femanise. They are terrified of masculinity. That is why men don't want to become priests, they don't see masculinity only sissys who gossip.

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    2. Maybe he's just being nice, acting in loco parentis. Yes?

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    3. He is best friends with all the sissys. They give him names of any orthodox seminarians.

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    4. "Orthodox seminarians"? You mean the anally retentive, theologically conservative students who would have less trouble passing a constipated stool than an original thought. Good. This kind of weak character typifies the failed episcopacy that has wracked the Body of Christ through its loyalty to Rome rather than God

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    5. Hey 23:49, just google maynooth seminary gay and see all the results that are returned. Nuff said. And after reading fr jack's diatribe, well that puts the tin hat on it.

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    6. I googled what you suggested...and all that came up was unsubstantiated, sensationalised speculation. Those who made these allegations hadn't the moral backbone to do so by name: they did so anonymously.

      So far the only "evidence" I've seen for these allegations is everyone's desire that they be true; that is not evidence. To be honest, I can't help thinking that some of the commenters on this blog are getting a not-so-secret, sexual frisson from these sensationalised allegations, so much so that they almost insist they be true. Whether or not they are doesn't matter
      to them.

      If (IF) there is a so-called "gay sub-culture" at Maynooth, then provide the evidence. Put up, or shut up.

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    7. What would constitute as evidence to you 13:31? "To be honest, I can't help thinking that some of the commenters on this blog are getting a not-so-secret, sexual frisson from these sensationalised allegations". Now there's an aggressive comment if I ever saw one! Isn't it funny that when a sexual abuse claim is made, one of the first things certain people will say is 'provide the evidence' or else 'shut up'. Absolutely ridiculous response to such an issue!

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    8. What would constitute evidence to me? Certainly not anonymous and unsubstantiated allegation. Obviously it does for you.

      You would have found your niche during the period of Papal Inquisition, when people were very often accused anonymously...without a shred of
      substantiation...and were not allowed any representation. I hope you're not
      a High Court judge.

      As for my criticism of sexual frisson, what is so 'aggressive' about this? Does truth really bother you so much? Or do you prefer the more rarified word of salacious prejudice?

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  23. Sick anti catholic environment. It has a rotten reputation throughout Europe.

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  24. The homiletic classes used to be called "homoletics" when I was in Maynooth. The Professor was as bent as an S Hook!

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    2. Who was he? I remember the homiletics prof from my time at Maynooth, Ronan Drury.

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    3. No wonder all the preaching you hear in Irish catholic churches is so bland and insipid. The people are lulled to sleep with nice little stories from Fr Watery which have usually no connection with the Gospel. When I leave Mass I can hardly remember one word from the homily because it was so boring. Homoletics and its professor are the reason why. Well at least I know now. I am definitely bringing my iPod to Mass next time as a proxy for Fr Watery's ramblings about nothing.

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    4. Fr "Dreary" = Dreary Homilies

      Drury, indeed, is the granddaddy of the Lavender Lodge and Prior is his precocious protege. Followed by "Fanny" Mullaney and Connolly and the "Liturgy Loving Pet", they put the "Gay" into "Gaynooth"!

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    5. What?! Drury is still lecturing at Maynooth?! He must be as old as Abraham by now.

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  26. Fr Jack is a finished product of Maynooth. That says it all! He has condemned himself and that den of iniquity by his own words.

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  27. Yeah, Fr Paul is most definitely being groomed as Professor Drury's successor. They are alike in many ways.

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  28. As was said about David Moyes from Man U..

    Prior OUT!!

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  29. What a farce. Connolly coming back as Moral Prof and PP Homoletics, Fanny Mullaney President and Collins who is just twisted and thinks he is a pyschologist

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  30. Pat, what do you mean "this is only the begining" what else is to come?

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    2. May God give them the strength and courage. Bishop Pat, you are a credit. The only one with a set of b***s to tackle this.

      Maynooth need a total clear out. possibly closure is the only answer. It is riddled with demonic spirits

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    3. Why didn't they follow through and close the cesspool in 2011 as reported in the media? Did Dolan get a brown envelope or maybe a "favour" from Prior?

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  31. The end is near. Time is short. 2017 will put an end to this - Fatima 100 years. Watch this space.

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    1. What the heck has Fatima 1917 to do with Maynooth 2017? Are you trying to join up historical dots?

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    2. Was predicted that this would happen. Humanity turning against the Lord, even his priests

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    3. And Maynooth was mentioned by name? Get a grip, you apocalyptic twerp!

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    4. Maynooth is a manhole whose sewer leads directly to hell. If God does decide to start hitting the world with thunder bolts, "Gaynooth" will be the first place to be lined up in His cross hairs.

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    5. You need an urgent appointment with a 'shrink', preferably one with more than the usual complement of letters after his name.

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    6. I think that if the "worst" problem we har in the Church was Fatima fans we would be in a much better place. Do you not agree?

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    7. Fatima fans? Yes, sane ones.

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  32. It is a farce but it is soul destroying as well. I am most saddened and appalled at this "Fr Jack's" ferocious comments. If he is a priest - and I sincerely hope he is not - well all I can say is God help his flock.

    I have been monitoring reports re sexual allegations in Maynooth in the Irish Catholic, Catholic Voice, this Blog and other sources on the Internet since they broke out in May. I am truly disgusted and can't believe that seminarians do not have the confidence in their superiors or bishops to discuss concerns in an open, confidential, protected and frank manner such as happens in any business and working environment. It is hard to believe that this is the case in 2016.

    The Church in Ireland is in serious trouble with these men in charge of priestly formation.

    A Very Concerned Catholic.

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    1. You are right. The RC church in Ireland is currently putting all its resources into managing the Gaynooth Scandal. But in spite of that the truth is being born.

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    2. Is "Fr Jack" Fr Thomas McHugh of Armagh?

      Mrs Coyle.

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    3. Are you blind? You can't believe that seminarians haven't the confidence to confide in their 'superiors' and 'bishops'? Are you from Alice's Wonderland? I can't believe your naivety and ignorance.

      Seminarians (and not just seminarians) can't confide in bishops because these men have made the institutional Church their God rather than the God
      of the Church. They worship the golden calf of self preservation; this includes
      popes as well.

      If Jesus were to walk the Earth again, these hypocrites, like their forefathers, would have him slaughtered, murdered as a blasphemer and heretic.

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    4. I completely agree with you 20:32. I am a business owner myself and manage over 40 employees. If there are any issues concerning members of staff and managers, I have a process in place where an employee can freely discuss any problems they may have with other staff members, whether they be of the same rank or at management level. Open lines of communication are key if you want to have a happy and harmonious crew. It beggars belief that with all that has happened in the Irish church, unsavoury characters can still act with impunity because they know how to play the system.

      Mad stuff!

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  33. I have exactly the same thoughts as 20:32 and 20:53. Why aren't the bishops seriously querying why men feel they can't make complaints without fear of losing their position? This does not happen in any other walk of life in this day and age.

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    1. Are you blind as well?

      The bishops don't give a fig for these seminarians because the scandals they report further threaten the sanctity of the image the bishops self-promote to
      the world. Image is everything to these men because they have nothing else
      to value. In order to rise to the episcopacy they had to give up something very precious in return for such advancement: truth, justice, compassion, mercy...in a word, love. In yet another word, Christ himself.

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    2. If this is so 21:50, it is truly a sad and very frustrating situation...

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    3. Until the laity have a major say in choosing bishops and in dismissing them should they show incompetence on several levels (most especially, justice, truth and courage), these betrayals and scandals will continue.

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  34. I have just spent three hours crafting a comment. My first to a blog, ever. Published and thought it was uploaded but it seems to have been gobbled up by the system.(Sigh.)
    May try to re-compose it again... Or maybe it is being reviewed before appearing? Either way, just wanted to say, again, this situation could only evoke sadness, compassion, and righteous anger!

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    1. Sorry. No sign of your thoughtful comment? All comments published. Hope you can retrieve it for us. Pat.

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  36. This is an obvious failure of leadership!

    The Irish Church is poorly served by its leaders. They may be good and holy men but I wonder do they really understand what this means? I dare say that they can preach, teach, about goodness and holiness. They may be able to cite the Catechism, the theology books and the Scriptures.

    But reflect on the Gospel today. . . The legal scholar cited scripture; he could read the texts. Yet, Jesus challenged him to 'go and do "!

    Leadership is not about expressing the theology, citing the scriptures, important as they are to enlighten faith. Leadership requires action... by their good works are we known to be Christian. Silence and inaction in the face of injustice,abuse,etc., are not Christian virtues. They are the hallmark of those who avoid truth and the faith that calls for action and good works. Those who cultivate these expedient virtues are not faith leaders but 'cute whores.' (No smell of the sheep here!)

    This human tragedy has victims aplenty. The seminarians first and foremost; their families and friends; those who expression of sexuality is based on lust and sexual stalking and harassment rather than the healthy, mature, expression of God's sacrament; Bishops whose lust for naked power distorts their understanding of leadership and allows their attraction to "power over" rather than "power for", others be their guide; and the pilgrims who strive to follow Jesus on their journey.

    How many silent tears must we weep? For how long more?

    Recently Pope Francis issued directives dealing with the removal from office of Bishops who were negligent in their exercise of their ministry vulnerable victims. we need to pray that .... he will now... "Go and Do."

    Jesus encountered victims and those who were abandoned during his ministry. And he was always moved to compassion. This moves me to compassion and righteous!
    anger!

    I do not always agree with the sentiments published here.... but I could not allow this situation pass without expression my thoughts.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You, too, are blind.

      Rome will continue to protect erring and negligent bishops; it has always
      done so.

      Francis' new guidelines for handling negligent bishops will be operated and overseen by the Curia: by Vatican clerics. These are not impartial. They are men whose very spirit is the same as that of the bishops they will "investigate": worldly, and bound first and foremost to the institutional
      Church, not to God.

      Pope Francis is not the reforming leader many believe. He has dazzled
      countless numbers with his warm, apparently off-the-cuff soundbites. But he is, like those in the Curia, loyal to the institution Church; he has even described himself as its "loyal son". And he will do whatever it takes to serve and preserve it.

      Delete
  37. Oh yes, I know I am blind... and thank you for the reminder. Yet, allow me, please, my taper of hope than being cast into utter despair. Action motivated by hope, however frail, is for me a better way forward than sitting cursing the darkness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I wasn't cursing the darkness, but acknowledging the one ray of hope that exists...and it lies with the laity, not the episcopacy. The latter have, and have always, busied themselves with themselves as a privileged caste within the
      Church, disserving God and wounding the Body of Christ.

      You, however, see the hope of reform and restoration lying still with the episcopacy. The hope you claim to have is forlorn. You, and so very many others, subservient still to the myth of episcopal goodness and holiness.

      Delete
  38. There needs to be a full, independent investigation of Maynooth conducted by a group of laypeople who have no connection to the Catholic Church. This group needs to be endowed with legal powers so that any priest or seminarian who has been involved in any kind of sexual intimidation/bullying/rape can be prosecuted in a secular court of law. I would encourage all the concerned citizens on this blog to lobby your politicians about the setting up of this body.

    I would also exhort any one who has been subjected to any form of abuse by a priest in Maynooth or Rome to go to the Guards and make a statement, immediately.

    I live around the Maynooth area and have heard constant sick stories and rumours about the seminary for many years now. It is manifest that the bishops are completely sclerotic and incompetent. It has been proven time and time again that they can't be trusted to take decisive action. Mercy must be tempered with justice, or else it is not mercy at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure that it's a good idea to have lay people interfering with the formation of priests, they would lack the understanding necessary to make the proper changes. There are plenty of good, holy and well educated clergy out there; they just aren't the ones in power.

      Delete
    2. You're not so sure it's a good idea to have lay people interfering with the formation of priests? You patronising p***k! Lay people know when they meet a good priest and when they don't. They know, even intuitively, what
      might, and what would not, help a seminarian in his formation.

      As for there being 'plenty of good, holy and well educated clergy' to do this job, again you patronising p***k! There are plenty of such people among the laity, many, many more than there are among the clergy. Did you pluck this amount of clergy out of thin air? I have NEVER met such a priest in my life.

      Delete
    3. 12:09 - You are right in nearly everything you say. I have come across holy, dedicated, sincere lay people who would run rings around this crowd of so called "priests" in Maynooth. I honestly don't think there are enough genuine, holy, brave priests in Ireland to clean out Maynooth. There are some, but they would be beaten down and bullied by that clique of scum.

      Fair play to you Pat for having the necessary backbone to kick off the lid of that stinking slurry pit of a seminary.

      Former Seminarian.

      Delete
  39. Pat, the mainstream media needs to hear about this. If those narcissistic, lying bishops fear anything at all (because they certainly have no fear of God or His Judgement), they shit themselves at the the thought of the Irish media. I reckon the media would be like frenzied sharks at feeding time with all that is on your blog. I wouldn't normally like getting the media involved, but something drastic needs to be done.

    ReplyDelete
  40. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  41. So, Pat, you have taken to outing people on your blog. To use an immoral means (the destruction/damaging of a person's good name) to reach a moral end (truth and justice) is never morally justifiable. That is a basic moral absolute which admits of no exception. To act in such a way is to concede that the immoral means you have employed will be part of the end for which you are working.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll be eating your words soon. Pat never ventures forth without evidence.

      I wonder will you conform to whatever moral code you go by and apologise for your precipitate comment.

      We'll know soon enough.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
  42. "Fr Jack" went very quiet all of a sudden. I wonder was he rumbled in the Orchard City?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is Fr Jack really Father Thomas McHugh?

      Mrs Coyle

      Delete
    2. Mrs Coyle, Are you connected to Father Rory Coyle?

      Are you sure that Father Jack is really Father Thomas McHugh.

      Delete
    3. As I understand it, my source tells me that Fr McHugh is not connected in any way to this. Nevertheless, be careful of throwing names around in speculation. You will do damage in the long run. Truth must be shared, not gossip.

      Delete
  43. I remember Drury from Rome. He came to teach homiletics. Smart dresser. Tight arsed trousers and man bag. Never observed any unorthodox behavior or language

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with almost everything Sean has said.

      I never saw Drury with a "man bag", but I was told he carried one while on
      holiday. I heard they were very practical.

      Yes, Drury was a smart dresser.

      As for his having (ahem!), "tight-arsed trousers", I wouldn't know: he always
      wore a toga, which covered alleged trousers.

      Like Sean, I never, ever, observed any unorthodox behaviour or language by him. Nor did I ever hear of any.

      Delete
  44. I googled what you suggested...and all that came up was unsubstantiated, sensationalised speculation. Those who made these allegations hadn't the moral backbone to do so by name: they did so anonymously.

    So far the only "evidence" I've seen for these allegations is everyone's desire that they be true; that is not evidence. To be honest, I can't help thinking that some of the commenters on this blog are getting a not-so-secret, sexual frisson from these sensationalised allegations, so much so that they almost insist they be true. Whether or not they are doesn't matter
    to them.

    If (IF) there is a so-called "gay sub-culture" at Maynooth, then provide the evidence. Put up, or shut up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am in the process of publishing today's blog about Maynooth which will contain evidence.

      There is a whole body of evidence coming together as we speak.

      But of course there will always be those who live in denial!

      Delete
    2. God bless you Pat. You are a source of light in the darkness.

      Delete
  45. It makes perfect sense that many Irish priests are warped and damaged as alluded to by 07:58. Anyone can tell you that the majority of priests now in Ireland are gay. It is logical that unless they have a strong faith they will end up hating an institution and teachings that they are incapable of understanding because of their sexual orientation. An institution to which they have made vows for life. When seminarians they had to lie their way through - unless they went to "Gaynooth" - saying that they had the "mature masculinity" that the Church requires of her Priests; or that they had girlfriends before entering seminary but loved God more (I have heard this trite response from Priests who made Shirley Temple Bar look manly, I jest not!), etc. Then lying becomes easy for them and their whole life turns into a lie. Publicly they toe the party line, but privately they have their lovers and they turn into Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde type characters. That's why they become so vicious and vindictive when anyone tries to expose the lie. The Church is now full of such characters who are being feed and watered by an innocent and misled laity. Characters like "Fr Jack", who will say anything to protect his ilk.

    At least Pat you are man enough to come out and be openly gay, making no quibble about it. Gay men can serve God in the priesthood, but they need to have courage like Pat and tell the truth. What are you afraid of? Gay people can now get married in Ireland. There is nothing to fear.

    ReplyDelete
  46. 'Anyone can tell you that the majority of priests now in Ireland are gay'? I was waitng for you to add the cliché, 'even the dogs in the street know this'.

    I can't believe that lurid speculation on Maynooth is leading to this kind of outlandish statement. People are believing what they want to believe. This isn't justice. This isn't truth. It's the death of truth by wild, malicious gossip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Listen mate, if you aren't prepared to discuss and accept reality, there is no point to having a debate. Me and every lay catholic in Ireland I know KNOWS - not feels or believes, but KNOWS - that the majority of modern Irish priests are gay. My young daughter said to me a while back that "our Priest speaks, walks and acts like a woman"!

      "From the mouths of babes, etc"

      Delete
    2. And from the mouths of such gullible people as you. You just "know", then, do you? Do you know how immature you sound? Like a child who answers "because" when asked to explain his behaviour.

      Delete
    3. Are you a formation director of priests? If not, you should be! Language like immature, etc.

      I know many priests and they tell me this is the case - some have actually admitted that they themselves are gay. I know former seminarians who went to Maynooth who said that nearly all the faculty members and seminarians are gay. Plus, the majority of clerical sexual abuse cases were homosexual in nature.

      Pope Benedict openly stated that he feared that the priesthood was now seen as a "gay profession". It appears that a powerful gay lobby ran him out of the Vatican.

      Enough evidence for you or do you want to enclose yourself in your pink bubble in "Gaynooth", or Rome, or wherever you are.

      Bishop Pat is the right man to expose all this stuff as he is an openly gay ordained cleric - otherwise you drama queens would be screaming "Homophobia"!

      Delete
  47. ****FATHER JACK****

    I have received your latest comment but I am NOT going to publish it as it is a personal attack on me and contains allegations that are absolutely untrue.

    You suggest I was never ordained a priest. I was ordained a priest on Pentecost Sunday, June 6th 1976, by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Waterford and Lismore - Dr Michael Russell RIP and retain my ordination certificate (in Latin) signed by him.

    I was indeed asked to leave Clonliffe in the Summer of 1973 because I had breached rules - missing lectures, not getting up for 6 am prayers etc.

    In the 1970's Clonliffe had a small gay subculture in which most students, including myself, did not get involved.

    I was accepted into St John's Seminary, Waterford, 12 weeks after being dismissed from Clonliffe with a full reference from the President of Clonliffe - Bishop Joseph Carroll RIP - in which Bishop Carroll said my faults in Clonliffe were "minor" in nature.

    Unlike those hiding in Maynooth and elsewhere in the Church I am an openly gay man living in a committed relationship.

    I would suggest that you get your facts right before pontificating - anonymously - of course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Fr Jack" is getting more vicious Pat because the TRUTH is coming out about his buddies. The Evil Lying Spirit has him by the balls.

      Delete
  48. What would constitute evidence to me? Certainly not anonymous and unsubstantiated allegation. Obviously it does for you.

    You would have found your niche during the period of Papal Inquisition, when people were very often accused anonymously...without a shred of
    substantiation...and were not allowed any representation. I hope you're not
    a High Court judge.

    As for my criticism of sexual frisson, what is so 'aggressive' about this? Does truth really bother you so much? Or do you prefer the more rarified word of salacious prejudice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is NOT an unsubstantiated allegation.

      I have spoken at length to the ex seminarian who was involved in the enquiry into Father Prior.

      Monsignor Connolly of Maynooth set up the investigation.

      Monsignor Connolly invited the ex seminarian back to Maynooth and to "forget all about it".

      The allegations are backed by evidence from others - seminarians, ex seminarians and young priests.

      This story is only beginning and will soon be in the mainline media.

      New information is coming in by the hour.

      The Catholic media spokesman has not denied it.

      I have asked Fr Prior to refute it on this Blog and he has not taken the opportunity.

      The only one I hear talking about sexual frisson is you!

      Delete
    2. 14:52 It's funny, I asked what would constitute as evidence and you still haven't given me an answer.

      Delete
    3. I do not have to provide YOU with any evidence of anything.

      If you want to see evidence watch this space.

      Delete
  49. "Fr Jack" is getting more vicious Pat because the TRUTH is coming out about his buddies. The Evil Lying Spirit has him by the balls.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He has chosen a worrying handle in "Fr Jack".

      He obviously knows as much about this issues as the original Jack.

      Delete
    2. I tell you Pat, the script writers of Fr Ted couldn't make this stuff up. Unfortunately, though, this ain't TV, it's real life.

      Delete
    3. Pat will there be a press release later on today do you know?

      Delete
    4. I do not know. What makes you think there will be?

      Delete
    5. I'm wondering is all. Surely the media would be dying to get their hands on this!

      Delete
    6. I can tell you with knowledge that there already are senior and serious investigative journalists on the whole story.

      Delete
  50. Hi all,

    Reading the blog over the past few weeks, as well as the comments, I maintain that the Catholic Church in Ireland is F**KED!!!

    BTW, I am the guy who's email was featured in the blog a few days ago.

    I am a young guy coming to the end of his University Course. I have been seriously considering the Priesthood as my vocation for at least 4 years now.

    At the moment, I WILL NOT be pursuing this. Don't get me wrong, I am still a catholic and all, but I don't think I could be properly trained by these hypocrites. I have visited Maynooth a number of times and have fallen in love with the buildings, the architecture, the surroundings, etc.

    I am saddened because I know that I am not the only person who is being turned off by all of this scandal. This scandal, however it is dealt with, will have a detrimental effect on the Priesthood and the future of Catholicism in Ireland.

    Yours,

    Matt
    (GOD HELP US ALL)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Matt, I hope to God that what Pat has started will result in a completely renewed and re-staffed Maynooth. We don't want to lose another good vocation, like you, to foreign shores. There have been far too many already... I know some of them.

      God surely weeps for the Church in Ireland.

      Delete
  51. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  52. ******* NOTE**********

    Fr Prior was in touch with me today through a third party and made the point that some commentators were using very ugly words about him.

    Generally I like to publish all comments with a few exceptions.

    However this story does not require the use of profane or insulting words.

    Therefore I have removed comments that use words that would insult.

    I do this to try and be fair to all - including Fr Prior.

    However the story published above is true.

    Maybe it is a reminder to us all that we can say the same thing without using over the top words.

    I am always open to criticism.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat,
      You are merely acting as a reasonable man and listening to someone's reasonable protest.
      I wonder whether Fr Prior has now gained an insight into what having his person and reputation invaded feels like?
      I hope so, but I'm not holding out too much confidence that he understands how he has violated people, if it is true that he keeps doing so.

      Delete
    2. True. I am highlighting the case of someone who feels he never had a fair hearing or a satisfactory outcome. He has had to live with this pain for 7 years. I have no desire to hurt anyone. My motivation in this case is to:

      1. Support a victim who feels he has not achieved justice and closure.

      2. Protect good young men offering themselves to God.

      3. Challenge the Church to be a better church.

      So many have no one to speak up for them.

      Delete
    3. Same anon
      I didn't mean any criticism of your course of action, I should say.
      I meant that anyone who goes around treating other people badly, consistently and repeatedly, is not likely to be receptive of any insight the effect there action has on other people.
      In this case it sounds like 'orthodox' channels have well failed and so if nothing else, other young men need to hear what they would be letting themselves in for as seminarians.

      Delete
    4. I understand you were not criticising :-) And even if you were I would respect you because of your constructive way of doing it.

      Yes indeed - the complainant exhausted all internal recourses.

      If we are Christians at all - we must be JUST.

      Delete
    5. It is good that you are open to criticism, since I have one of my own. Several of my comments posted to you today were not published. This is despite the fact that you earlier told a commentor that you published ALL comments.

      I realise and accept that abusive comments should not be published. However, none of my posts were in any way abusive, but they were opposed to your point of view.

      You seem to have censored me, a minority voice on this blog today, simply because I offered counter-argument. This surprises me since, as far as I remember, you yourself have criticised the Catholic Church for its censorship of others.

      Delete
    6. PS If Father Prior was done an injustice and asked me I would fight his corner.

      In fact today I have shown my goodwill by deleting comments that he said distressed him.

      Delete
    7. No injustice Bishop Pat.

      Maynooth have ruined people's lives for years. Truth is Truth.

      Dear Seminary Council -
      GET OUT AND BEGAN GOD FOR FORGIVENESS

      Delete
    8. If anything I am too liberal with non censorship - which was Fr Prior's complaint today.

      Any comments you submit that are non abusive will be published.

      This blog by the way is bot a newspaper. It is my blog written to express my views.

      You can always start your own blog and publish your every thought.

      Delete
  53. The next thing we will read is that PP is taking a sabbatical!

    This is truly shocking stuff. My prayers are for the good priests and seminarians out there who have nothing to do with this

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, PP, like his big uncle Sean, will soon undertake a period of reflection. Then, after advice from his buddy (another one of the Brady Bunch), he will reintroduce himself to Gaynooth and the wider Church, as a poor wee wounded healer - just like uncle Sean - the big wounded healer.

      Delete
  54. I am a priest 'on the ground'. I do not know Fr Paul Prior. I have been following these events with a very heavy heart.

    A Dean in a seminary must never NEVER question students on personal matters that are of a confessional nature, ie masturbation, sexual sins, etc. These can only be discussed by the student with his spiritual director/confessor.

    For a Dean to interfere in such matters is a severe boundary violation and contrary to Canon Law. The Dean has no business whatsoever interfering in the internal forum.

    No priest (no one for that matter) should ever inappropriately touch another person; or violate physical boundaries without permission and/or good reason.

    No one in a position of authority/responsibility, in a seminary, should socialise unfittingly in the company of those committed to his pastoral care. He certainly should NOT get drunk and tell dirty jokes, in a pub, with students. To do so is, among other things, indicative of serious immaturity and unsuitability for such an office.

    It goes without saying that the Dean in a seminary must NEVER make sexually suggestive gestures or remarks at a seminarian.

    WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD ALMIGHTY HAS GOT INTO SOME PRIESTS TODAY???!!!

    After the ravages of scandal, there are priests who think they can get away with going on gay websites and posting naked photos of themselves; and, in this particular case of PP, "coming on" to those who have been entrusted to them by the Lord.

    Can I try and reassure the faithful: there are still many many priests who, despite their human inadequacies, sinfulness and weaknesses, strive to be faithful to God EVERYDAY and to serve His people selflessly.

    Fr Prior is upset at some of the language being used about him and I certainly do not condone such nasty talk. However, he is not exactly coming out of his corner fighting, in view of these accusations, is he?

    I have no axe to grind with the man. I was in Maynooth a long time ago. There was no hint of anything being reported here. I think Fr Paul Prior - and indeed others - must consider their positions urgently.

    It would seem that a terrible malaise has fastened upon the Catholic Church in Ireland and NONE - NOT ONE - of those to whom we are supposed to look for leadership, have the guts to take drastic action to reform the situation.

    Shameful and utterly disgraceful. They will face the Wrath of God. Let their meditation tonight be on Zechariah 10:3: "My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD Almighty CARES for his flock...!" These hirelings do not care for the Lord's Flock. Woe betide them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not publishing comments calling me "Mr" Buckley by way of insult.

      Even the most hardline among the clergy do not deny my priestly holy orders.

      I refer to others as Father, Bishop, Archbishop etc.

      I will not allow people to question my 46 years as seminarian and priest.

      If you dont like that - then in the words of the old add - "Go suck a Zube" :-)

      Delete
  55. "But anyone who is the downfall of one of these little ones who have faith in me would be better drowned in the depths of the sea with a great millstone round his neck" (Mat 18:6).

    Maynooth has caused the downfall of far too many young idealistic, trusting and faithful men. These men trusted that they would be formed by holy, kind priests. Many left Maynooth disillusioned - some even suffering life-long psychological wounds.

    I would encourage the current Seminary Council in Maynooth to meditate on the above scripture - and realise your terrible responsibility before God.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you. The souls of these men are in serious danger. It definitely seems that they have no idea that they have a tremendous responsibility as God has asked them to form His Priests.

      These men need prayers and also need to be re-formed most urgently - for their own sakes as well as future seminarians and priests.

      Delete
  56. Pat, these maynooth priests need to go now. But I also urge them to seek Gods forgivness in confession. They have huge respobsability before him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. But of course we can all experience conversion and change.

      Delete
    2. Yes Bishop Pat, but in their cases, conversion and change means that they must GO - NOW!

      They need rehabilitation but not as priests. They must kneel in the pews as penitents - not as celebrants at the Altar.

      They can be saved but not if they continue to mock God, the Holy Mass and His Sacraments.

      These men must forgo public priestly ministry and save their immortal souls from Hell, by sincere repentance.

      It will undoubtedly be difficult for them to renounce priestly "honours" in this life but they will be eternally thankful, in Heaven, that they truly repented by God's Grace and were saved.

      Delete
    3. 22:59

      Wholeheartedly agree.

      But it is questionable if they believe in God, judgement, sin, soul

      Delete
    4. Pat, now that all this is out in the open can you or the readers of this blog do anything to support that poor seminarian who was suspeded whoever he is I wonder. This is further prove that what he said about the gay seminarians is true. He was removed because he did not fit in with the gay lobby that is currently ripping through maynooth. These gay seminarians need to be removed and named (if someone knows who they are) immediately

      Delete
    5. I am giving him all the support I can and he is strong.

      I am expecting an attempt by the status quo in the Church and Maynooth to retaliate against us for our exposure.

      I will keep readers informed.

      We will need your support.

      Delete
    6. You may be sure they will retaliate Pat. A wounded, vicious wild animal is now in a corner. You watch and see what type of intimidatory measures these ruthless characters are hatching behind the scenes. Their whole rotten facade is coming crashing down.

      Stay strong Pat. You have the support of every good person in this country.

      Delete
  57. One wonders how much longer the bishops can keep their heads stuck in the sand about Maynooth? Terrible things happened in St Pat's when Msgr Michael Ledwith was the President. He was held in high regard by all the Irish cardinals and bishops as a renowned theologian, who even advised the Vatican itself. Stories and rumours swirled and abounded for years about Ledwith; yet instead of eliciting concern and action from the cardinals and bishops, he advanced quickly up the ranks to become President of St. Patrick's. A brave priest, Fr Gerard McGinnity, was demoted because he tried to warn the bishops that Ledwith had serious character defects incompatible with being in priestly formation. Ledwith was finally bundled out of Maynooth in 1994, and is now a member of a cult in America. Mail still arrives in the seminary for him to this very day.

    The current members of the Seminary Council went through the Irish formation process when Ledwith was President of Maynooth. These men have been victims themselves of a horrible, confused formation process. They were never taught to foster a true priestly identity with a mature, integrated and sublimated sexuality and spirituality. They probably entered Maynooth with high ideals and dreams of becoming holy priests; but instead of being formed in the mould of Christ, they were malformed. Maybe some of them even suffered abuse perpetrated by Msgr Ledwith. Who knows?

    Maynooth's current council members are now teaching and forming seminarians with the same values and beliefs they received themselves. You can't give what you don't have. For them the priesthood is just another profession. Could it be anything else in their minds when the true Faith was bludgeoned out of them when they entered Maynooth as young men?

    Having stated this, it is still incumbent on the Irish bishops to take action now before Maynooth implodes any further. If they choose to remain inert and apathetic, well St Patrick's Seminary will annihilate itself as it continues down its perilous path, and the Irish media will be at hand to deliver the coup de grace to a floundering and perishing system.

    Former Seminarian.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed. What you say is happening now. Please watch this space and be supportive in every way.

      Delete
  58. Thank you Bishop Pat for providing this forum whereby a former seminarian can finally receive justice and have his voice heard.

    It just shows that the Irish church has not changed one iota in that an all pervasive culture of silence, cowardice and selfish self-preservation continues to exist among the Episcopacy.

    If we had more Bishops like you we would not have these never-ending scandals and problems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment but please remember that I too am a sinner and am far from perfect.

      I do not hold myself up as a model for anyone. We have only one model priest - Jesus.

      And it is HE who wants the Church and Maynooth reformed.

      Delete
  59. I was told by my friends yesterday to check out this blog. I can't believe what I have read! I honestly believe at this stage that all the Irish bishops are inveterate, pathological liars - with Diarmuid Martin sitting pretty at the top. I thought this Archbishop Charles Brown (apparently Rome's best) was sent over by Pope Benedict to appoint a new generation of brave, faithful bishops. Instead it's just the same old brigade of nancy boys who meet up in Maynooth every quarter in their Audi A8's, and consume copious amounts of vintage wine with Pugin Hall's finest food.

    Sickened Maynooth Catholic .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the while when this crap is happening right under their noses!

      Delete
  60. Pat are you really prepared to live with the consequences of your editorial policy on this blog?

    You are responsible for publishing what are in fact anonymous denunciations of people which would not be out of place in 1930s Germany. You published a comment here which named and condemned someone for preaching a sermon which was pro gay people. Can you stand over that?

    Is this the kind of fan club you really want? When the dust settles on this business the authors of these comments would condemn you on similar grounds with with the same amount of satisfaction as they are deriving from their posts on your blog.

    Those with an axe to grind against Maynooth - and they are a broad church - are happy to use your blog to destroy reputations and damage people. The tone of revenge and vindictiveness is palpable, whether the censures are aimed in the right direction or not.

    I would suggest not publishing allegations which name a third party in an allegation. Apart from the moral aspect, the society we live in values a person's right to their good name so much that there are strong libel laws with a low threshold.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Pat, can I ask what happened to your post of yesterday? It appeared on my feed then disappeared again.
    Don't worry, if you can't say, don't publish this comment, I understand that sometimes things are sub judice.

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    1. Glad to explain. I was in the process of composing it and clicked the publish" button by mistake instead of "save". I later returned it to "Preview" mode which you cannot see.

      The post is now nearly complete and I am awaiting one item arriving on my desk to complete and publish.

      That will happen very soon now.

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    2. Thank you.

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  62. There is a saying in police circles that if you're accused of something and haven’t done it you just say you haven't done it. Counter accusations and other diversionary tactics suggest something else is going on and you're right to expect retaliation.
    As a psychiatric nurse I whistle blew some months ago and am just coming to the end of the investigation of the malicious complaints made about me in retaliation. One thing I will say is this: retaliation really shows people up for what they are.
    Of course if the retaliation takes the form of an injunction then the ensuing silence will also speak volumes, but fortunately this one is out in public now.
    Well done.

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  63. Pat, I hope that the other men who made these anonymous allegations will gird their loins and come forward now, like your man, and make open complaints.

    I really do hope that this won't turn into another Ledwith/McGinnity affair where seminarians did not come forward and support Fr McGinnity out of fear.

    I would exhort whoever made the recent anonymous allegations in Maynooth to step forward now while you have the opportunity. You may never get a better chance to finally have Maynooth cleaned out.

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    1. I would like all interested parties to come forward - particularly those who have been hurt by or in Maynooth - and their family or friends:

      Email: bishoppatbuckley@hotmail.com

      Post: Bishop Pat Buckley. The Oratory. Princes Gardens, Larne. Co. Antrim. N. Ireland. BT401RQ.

      The only aim is to reform Maynooth and make it the place it should be.

      Please - EVERYONE - get in touch.

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    2. 11:02 - I completely concur. It has only given the bishops an excuse not to bother getting off the couch and actually do something about Maynooth. They have said, of course, publicly that they are "concerned", but can't do anything because the allegations were anonymous. The anonymity of the allegations only justifies their lazy, cowardly, inept attitude.

      I am praying hard for these guys that they don't give in to fear, and that they will transcend that natural human selfishness, which resides in all of us.

      Please lads, whoever you are, think of the great good that you will do for the Church and future seminarians - and by extension, lay Catholics.

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  64. Pat, there are many things you and I would disagre on, but if the bishops of this country had the courage to speak out on this issue and defend seminarians like you do then there would be no vocations crisis.

    We have a vocations crisis because maynooth is rotton and the bishops are cowards who will answer to God for dismissing young, good, faithful seminarians.

    Shame on all involved. Let's gets them removed. These bishops, seminary council, and gay seminarians that were active must be removed now.

    Well done pat. May God bless and protect you in your effort to bring justice.

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    1. Thank you. I will need his protection. I hear the wolves coming already.

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    2. I will remain anonymous - for now. I know of some very good faithful seminarians who were dismissed in recent times. It was not connected to the homosexuality issue. This also needs to be acknowledged and addressed. It would probably come under the heading of being bullied, certainly very unfair treatment. I also know for a fact that many letters and e mails were sent to the current Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, prior to the June 2016 Bishops' Conference re. concerns re. Maynooth Seminary - i.e.re. quality of formation, homosexuality etc. A standard, short, response was received by me and others. I will look for the wording later and post it. Was anything actually addressed? I doubt it. Thank YOU Pat and others for your courage in trying to address what appears to be a rotten core in the 'apple'.

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    3. No problems. I need you to ask them to contact me on bishoppatbuckley@hotmail.com Pat

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  65. Pat, some very straight and honest priests have come out of Maynooth. They carry with them the effects of a system and regret for what their formation should have been. They are broken young men who now work hard in their parishes. I think they should be affirmed in their work as this unfolds.

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    1. I know that. I have heard from one or two. I hope they will be both affirmed and consoled by our attempts to challenge the system and the people who wounded them.

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  66. The priests who are dragging the church down need to be ran out. I still can't understand how they manage to fool people into becoming priests. There are alot of good priests out there but they are overshadowed by the ones that are all over the newspapers for thr wrong reasons. It's maybe about time a protest was down outside of maynooth to show that we mean business. God help us all

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    1. Don't worry "Irish Countryman", I am in the process of setting up a group of very concerned Catholics and Christians who will picket the gates of St. Patrick's Seminary, Maynooth come this September. We will be making nice big signs which will be highly visible for the RTE cameras.

      Lay Catholics won't stand for this anymore. We are not as yielding, trusting and afraid of our bishops as were our forebears.

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    2. Can I come and stand with you? Pat

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    3. You will be most welcome Bishop Buckley. You are a man of honour and conviction. I don't agree with all your views; however, I sincerely respect anyone like you who is true to his principles, and who desires justice and equity.

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  67. READ TODAYS BLOG - TUESDAY JULY 12 THE 2016

    NEW DEVELOPMENTS FROM MAYNOOTH

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  68. May i please ask what has happened to Fr.Prior since these allegations have been brought up. Is he still in Maynooth?
    How do they manage to worm their way in and be ordained priests? I don't know. These men are corrupting the church with their actions. Nobody wants to be a priest nowadays because of the scandals involving the Catholic Church. surely to god there must be some other way of finding out peoples lifes and personality before they make their way as a priest. I commend you Bishop Pat for acknowledging that there is a problem in Maynooth. It is sad to see that alot of the people who are supposed to be men of god are actually the absolute opposite. These are troubled times ahead. I am not a priest but i feel i should have my say on matters like this. The Devil is lurking in the Vatican as you may know due to the amount of scandals involving priests,bishops and the going on in Maynooth.
    May the Lord strengthen his chosen men for the priesthood and i hope to see a change in the dealings with Maynooth.

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  69. Pat, will there be anymore developments on these sad and pityful men today orsoon?

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