Saturday 26 November 2016

WOMAN CLAIMS RAPE BY PRIESTS

WOMAN CLAIMS RAPE BY PRIESTS





Blog readers like SAM of Armagh have suggested that I should have reported the 5 priests who raped a woman to their bishop - as well as to the PSNI.

Ok.

I have now written to the Bishop of Down and Connor - as per below:


LETTER TO BISHOP SUGGESTED BY "SAM" - "DEFENDER OF THE FAITH" OF ARMAGH


LATEST PIC - NOVEMBER 2016 - OF NOEL TREANOR FROM ZIMBABWE

"GOD IS EVERYWHERE AND NOEL TREANOR IS EVERYWHERE EXCEPT IN DOWN AND CONNOR!



25th November 2016

Rev Noel Treanor
RC Bishop of Down and Connor

Dear Noel,

After your handling ( mishandling ) of the Father Ciaran Dallat affair I had come to the conclusion that it was quite useless to report matters concerning priest’s misbehaviour with women to you.




In the Dallat case you have appointed him to be chaplain at Maghaberry Prison even though there was no mention of this appointment in the Diocesan Changes. In fact the Diocesan website still has him residing at your cathedral and he is NOT listed on the Diocesan website as among the chaplaincy team at Maghaberry.




However, due to suggestions from some readers on my blog THINKING CATHOLICISM I have decided to inform you of a matter I have already referred to the PSNI. The PSNI have been to interview me on these matters and are conducting their investigations.

In the very early 1980’s ( 1980 – 1982) when I was a curate at St Peter’s Cathedral a lady came to see me and told me that she had been raped by five Down and Connor priests in a Belfast hotel room.

At the time the lady in question, who was staunchly Republican,  was adamant that she did not want to report the matter to the RUC. However I did inform your predecessor Bishop William Philbin during a meeting with his vicar general Monsignor Patrick Mulally. 

At this stage I can only accurately recall the names of three of those priests who are:

Rev XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
Rev XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
Rev XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX

You will surely be aware that all of these priests have a long history of involvement with women and if you are not then you know far less about your diocese and your priests that many, including myself, other diocesan priests etc do.

At this stage the report of the crime is “historic” and I would imagine that in order to progress the matter the lady in question will have to come forward again. I do hope that this will happen and I have appealed to her to do so.

However, in the meantime, I am now making you directly aware of it, if you are not already aware of it from the priest’s files which are in your possession and indeed from whatever material you have access to from Bishop Philbin’s files.

Needless to say I am fully aware that these priests must be regarded as innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


Sincerely yours,

+ Pat Buckley


AND:

Just in case Sam & Co don't believe that I wrote AND posted the letter - here is the letter and proof of posting.



AND



TWO of the FIVE priests are still in ministry.

NOW - let us see what Noel Treanor DOES.

AND - I will publish his reply to me on here IF I GET ONE.

REPLY NOEL ?

ACTION NOEL?

When of course you get from visiting Mr Mugabe.

87 comments:

  1. I can see how the lady might not trust the RUC. Would she engage with PSNI. Is there not an obligation to report alleged wrongdoing of a sexual nature

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was not necessary, Bishop, to provide proof of your communication with the bishop of Down & Connor.
      While I disagree with you on many things, I would trust you totally in this matter.
      Incidentally, is it in any way responsible to assume - as some have done - that the young Armagh city curate is in fact not quite heterosexual?
      Sam

      Delete
  2. Love the letter head. These RC bishops don't like the idea anyone else could be a bishop lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They need to get used to it.

      In fairness, over the years, a few of them have acknowledged it.

      Delete
    2. R C church cant ignore that you're a bishop bishop. Have you seen the canon law on excommunication?Course you have. Anyway it seems from Pius iv i think while canon law can exclude from the church club they can not legislate for what happens between the Soul and God. Fear of hell was used to instill fear of God and threat of hell so gaining control of the shivering faithful. Some of that conditioning still remains and is not always a logical impulse or feeling

      Delete
  3. Don't put money on getting a missive from the honourable Noel.

    You're as likely to have a visit from Her Majesty tomorrow afternoon as a reply from that episcopal fart.

    As an aside, if that lady was truly a republican, couldn't she have called on her associates to give the "holy" five a good talkin' to in the art of social graces? Just thinkin' out loud.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She was a Republican by persuasion but not involved.

      The Boys never touched priests - even bad ones.

      Delete
    2. A number of years ago my 18 year old sister went to a D&C presbytery and was seduced by the PP on his sitting room couch.

      I wanted her to go to the police but she refused.

      L.

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    3. Was the couch as nice as Fr Thomas'?

      Delete
    4. I think L's sister would have been perfectly safe in Fr Thomas' couch.

      Delete
    5. I have been to confession to Father McHugh and he told me that as a young gay man I must be celibate all my life as anything else is against church teaching.

      D.

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    6. I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that advice. Pot and kettle springs to mind. How very pastoral of him.

      Delete
    7. D,
      Indeed Tommy is technically wrong on that advice. You should remain chaste would be more accurate - a requirement for all catholics.

      With regards to Tommy being gay; 1. The amount of time he spent in other seminarian's bedrooms rather than seminary common rooms leaves him open to suspect accusations. 2: being gay is one thing, but he was part of the pink circle who identified suitability for seminary with homosexual orientation. They were bullies.

      I would not hesitate to add to Tommy's advice that according to common decent behaviour homosexuals ought not to bully people for having a different orientation (and likewise for heterosexuals).

      Tommy was pleasant to live with, but annoyingly giggly girlie gay. He wasn't personally a bully but he was part of that group.

      Also, I hope you didn't go to confession to confess that you are gay. That would not be a thing that requires confession. On the sixth day God saw all that he created and knew it was good, 'ALL' is inclusive of all people regardless of orientation.

      God bless you.

      Delete
    8. You were obviously with Tommy in seminary?

      Did you go on to be ordained?

      Just interested?

      Did Tommy have his Cilla Sofa in seminary?

      Delete
    9. I wonder where I can buy a Thomas Cilla Sofa that looks just like his. It looks comfy.

      Delete
    10. Write and ask Tommy - or ask him on Facebook.

      I would ask for you only he has me blocked :-(

      Delete
    11. Reply to Bishop Pat @12.00

      Indeed I was in Maynooth with Tommy. I left, it was simply too uncomfortable to live there given the oppressive environment that was weighted down on the shoulders of hetrosexuals. I quite simply didn't fit in with the giggle girl culture that Maynooth was (and may still be).

      Tommy didn't need his sofa there. That circle gathered in a particular seminarian's bedroom. I remember well that seminarian decorating his room bringing a red/pink velvet headboard and over a dozen cushions (for a bedroom with 1 chair). Fluffy rugs etc. No shoes allowed in that room.

      I don't mind comforts but the quantity of stuff in there resulted in it being called 'the boudoir' amongst some students. The seminarian whose room it was was a equally giggly girl. He got the flick after his BA.

      They were all about dressing up, giggling, comforts, bitching and quite horrid to hetrosexuals. Were they chaste? I simply couldnt say - but I can say I remember Tommy as a teenager arriving there - this other seminarian was a poor formative influence on Tommy, and he should have got the flick a lot sooner.

      Any seminarian reading this - take note, use the common rooms not the bedrooms!

      Delete
    12. I'm not overly fond of Fr Thomas's settee myself.
      Is Latin no longer compulsory? Having to learn comparative and superlative adjectives tends to stop people saying things like mostest bestest lol.

      Delete
    13. To be honest, I wouldn't mind getting a bit cosy with Fr. Thomas on the cilla sofa! I don't particularly want any felching or snowballing but I'd be up for some fun with him. Can anyone get me an invitation to sit on Tommy's cilla sofa.

      Delete
    14. And he should definitely start doing his videos with his top off!

      Delete
    15. 21.49 Keep your eyes of Thomas as I seen him first. I don't want him to take his top off as he's a bit scrawny. I want to see what he's got to offer downstairs. His bum is a bit flat on seeing him in the flesh at the Cathedral. He will have to cut out the girlie giggling as that puts me off, not really into camp. He would also have to lose that fast talking South Derry accent. Would really love to curl up with him on his Cilla sofa. Just Saying. Totally 100% genuine college guy. Say what you like on here, I don't care. Many like Fr Thomas.

      Delete
  4. Speaking of which, I am only in the door from 10am Mass at Armagh Cathedral. Plenty of chat about your blog yesterday Pat among some parishioners. The Celebrant was wearing a green fiddleback and lace? Any guesses? Before people jump on the high morality band wagon, I didn't partake of Holy Communion for several reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  5. There are a number of sexually active priests in our diocese and their antics are well known to Noel and the rest of the clergy.

    Noel chooses to ignore it all.

    Why?

    PP D&C

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe its always been that way. Maybe bishops have always ignored clerical sexual activity but modern communications expose the system to more information sharing...

      Could it be that compulsory celibacy never worked at all?

      Delete
  6. Noel, did you have dinner with that well known good Catholic man Mr Mugabe?

    Did you show you his wine seller? As a wine officianado were you impressed.
    Maybe he gave you a wee case for Lushbreen?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What's he doing in Zimbabwe in the first place? Not exactly a holiday destination. Perhaps he called in to see the Jesuit taught despot Mugabe.

      Delete
    2. Over visiting Trocaire work with 3 other Irish bishops.

      I wonder if the Trocaire Boxes paid for the trip?

      Delete
    3. If I find out Trocaire are funding an all expenses paid trip for Bishops to Africa they will not get a penny more from me. I think their office in Belfast should be contacted and asked these questions. I would suggest people boycott Trocaire if money used to help the poor and starving is used to fund flights, hotels etc for bishops. Totally appalling revelation bishop pat.

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    4. When Eamon Casey was Trocaire boss he travelled the globe.

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    5. Can you imagine the cost of return flights for 4 Bishops to Zimbabwe, hotel costs, food provided in a country were people starve because of Mugabe. Transport costs, the list goes on - thousands of quid that people donate to Trocaire for the poor. If they have paid their own expenses from diocesan funds it is the people who still pay. What I want to know is who has funded this and it better not be Trocaire.

      Delete
    6. Why did 4 go? Can 1 not go and write a report for the others?

      Is there no one in the local church there that can write a report?

      Delete
  7. Love the hat Noel lol

    ReplyDelete
  8. Why did you not also mention in your letter Pat, Bishop Noel's handling/mishandling of the "Fr" Brankin case?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could have. But if I mentioned all the cases he has mishandled it would have turned into a book.

      Delete
  9. ITV have brought back the popular 'Surprise Surprise' programme hosted first by Cilla Black. I hear they are looking for a new Cilla Sofa, any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I cannot conceal my extreme distress at this course of action that you have taken Pat. Everyone, be they priest of lay person, has the presumption of innocence until they are prosecuted and convicted on the verdict of their peers. That applies to you as much as anyone else. To publish the names of these priests, albeit to their bishop, is a gross act of injustice when police investigations are taking place. It is the proper duty of the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) to publish the names of those who have been charged with criminal activity, not yours. You set yourself up as prosecutor, jury, judge and exectutioner. Are there no depths to which you will not sink in your depravity Pat? If I was one of the named priests I would take action against your through the courts. You have often said that your don't mind this "bring it on" as you have nothing to lose. May I remind you that Libel and Slander can carry imprisonment of up to ten years to life. The Law recognises the seriousness of taking away a persons name when there is scant evidence, if any. I really beg you to reflect and change your way of behaving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was accused by people on this blog of NOT letting the bishop know of these claims.

      As a result I did let the bishop, and only the bishop, know of the claims which had already been communicated to the police.

      You will notice in my letter to the bishop that I stressed the fact of innocence until proven guilty.

      It is my understanding that "criminal libel" has been struck from the statute book.

      In any event I was simply providing the appropriate authorities with information.

      I thought that is every citizen's duty?

      Delete
    2. That's right Bishop Pat. They damn you if you do and they damn you if you don't.

      Just keep doing the right thing.

      Delete
    3. Pat, you should always report to the bishop as well as police, statutory authorities because, if things come to light, at least bishops won't be able say - "I wasn't told", or "I knew nothing about it".

      Delete
    4. I always do and I send them letters by recorded delivery.

      Delete
    5. Anon at 12:30, in Northern Ireland it's the PPS (Public Prosecution Service), not the CPS.

      Pat didn't take away anyone's reputation. He just reported priests ACCUSED of rape to Bishop Treanor.

      Delete
    6. I reported to Bishop Treanor that I had reported a woman's claim to the police - a claim I had reported 30 years ago to the bishop'predecessor. I have not even exptessed my opinion of guilt as that must be a matter for the police and the PPS.

      Delete
    7. Anon at 12:30

      Pat has no fear of these priests taking him to court - only wish they would. No taking Pat to court would be the last thing they would do because then their actions would be probably investigated and brought out into the open - the very thing the individual priests and Diocese go to many lengths to avoid.

      Delete
  11. I have been aware of some concerning information and behaviour of certain Armagh Clergy for sometime now. Some of what I have been reading on here I identify with and I have spoken to senior members of the Clergy in Armagh about it but to no avail. I just get ignored and shunned. Its as if they laugh in your face, perhaps bishop buckley you can get to the bottom of it where I have failed to do so.
    Sr. M (Armagh)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sr. M... My dear you have dam little to be moaning about. I had the experience of attending a Girls school and taught by Nuns like you and I can say it was far from pleasant!
      Thankfully dolls like you are but a thing of the past, stick to your knitting or I'll report you to Bishop Buckley!!!

      Delete
    2. We know who you are Sr M you oul bitch. Sticking your nose in and reporting young Priests and causing trouble. We are fully aware of you, we know you've been squealing to the powers that be.

      Delete
    3. I find the statements made against Sr M rather harsh and judgemental. It appears her only crime seems to be whistleblowing. 17.42 I hope you are not a Priest in Armagh who has spoken to the Sister in this way, if you are you should be ashamed of yourself. It seems Sr M has rattled your cage for some reason. Tell us why you are angry towards her in this way.
      Bernie

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    4. Almost eighty years of age now.
      Such venom as appears in these blogs convinces me that we have entered a new dark age.
      Is civilisation in the last stages of total collapse?

      Delete
    5. It's always the Priest that's wrong on this blog Bernie!
      St M if she exsists, not the Sr M that i know in and about Armagh Parish by blogging on here. Nothing to whistleblow about Armagh, Pat blows it all, God save his poor Soul.
      She'd maybe have more to blow about her order I suspect!

      Delete
    6. I am not concerned about what people call me, I have been called a lot worse. I am saddened that the Church family seem to have turned their back on me but I am thankful for the support of my own family in South Armagh. My only crime was to make a complaint about information I received about Fr. Rory Coyle but I now feel vindicated in that regard. However, I have been punished more or less for this and that's fine, a leper would probably receive better treatment. As for 18.29 I am not in and about Armagh, it is a big county after all. As for 16.42 I apologise that you were mistreated by Nuns, I was too. I am sorry that you suffered any abuse in any way, we are not all tarred with the same brush thankfully.

      Delete
    7. 18:59... Don't know what or where you wanted to take this conversation. Rory Coyle is a 'has been' in Armagh, stand to correct me.
      Did this saga not take place many months ago? Has he not been stood down from Ministry? Is he not entitled to forgiveness for his wrongdoing like me and you?
      I Pray for all Priests and Religious when I attend Mass, surely he deserves our prayers rather than you on here treating him like some 'Outcast.' Pat Buckley lives his life on others downfalls, not Jesus' teachings!
      Who is Pat Buckley to condemn anyone?
      Sorry Sr but disappointed in your handling of this. My sympathy to you for the hurt that the Church has caused you, like every organisation in life, it has its failings too. Through your Prayers and mine hopefully my grandchildren will see a renewed Church with Mercy as its core values.
      I believe in change and have seen vast change from the Clerical abuse scandal, hopefully it learns from the past and builds to the future.

      Delete
    8. Is your "type" not facilating the corruption with your unquestioning money and support?

      Delete
    9. It's great to be so high and mighty 19.47 and to take the moral high ground. Rory has made himself the outcast - big difference - not anyone else. The reason he made himself the outcast was because of his sick and perverted sex life talked about on this blog yesterday, revelations that would make a billy goat puke. Its clear the church continues to hurt this religious sister from what she says so please don't mock it or make light of it. What are the vast changes you have seen since the clerical sex abuse scandals. Are we living on the same planet let alone Island. When you see wounded healer Brady still prancing about after his involvement in such scandals hardly classifies change in my mind. Perhaps you could care to enlighten the blog with your vast changes.

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    10. 20:27. If you believe all you read on here, well God help your with!

      Delete
    11. 17:42, calling Sr M an "aul bitch" and saying "we know who you are":

      The wee nun certainly seems to have the measure of you vile bastards.

      You know what is going to happen? You are all going to be exposed. There is going to be a shit storm - one that you definitely WON'T enjoy.

      You are utterly despicable and vile beyond words and you will ALL get what you deserve very soon.

      Delete
    12. 19:47
      You have seen vast change since the clerical abuse??
      Where??
      Sorry to disillusion you but nothing has changed. In fact it is worse now because nothing has been learned from the terrible abuse and subsequent cover-up of the child abuse saga.
      Go spend some time talking to an adult abused by a priest as a child - go and see firsthand how it has affected their whole life.
      Make sure you come back and post your findings.





      Delete
  12. You seem rather defensive and scared for some reason, anybody would think by your protesting too much is that your shitting your pants. Please elaborate more. D&C

    ReplyDelete
  13. Pat I'm not doubting what you've said, but I find it strange that you can't recall the names of the other two priests.
    At the time you say you were a D&C curate, so presumably knew or knew of the other D&C clergy, and you say the alleged offendors were D& C clergy.
    An allegation so significant would presumably have made a lasting impression, hardly likely to be forgotten.
    I'm puzzled.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MMM, I am certain about 3 names. I am reasonably sure about 1 and very doubtful about 1.

      It was 35 years ago.

      At the time I gave all 5 names to Bishop Philbin through Monsignor Mulally the Vicar General.

      I have no contemporaneous notes.

      I don't know if you can imagine how much stuff I've heard in 40 years.

      Delete
    2. I'm not surpeised, although it would seem odd with something so significant. It is however not unusual to forget things seemingly significant if they are also painful, horrendous or traumatic, even if you are only hearing about them. I suspect Pat will acknowledge that his facing the reality of the institution that is the RC church has come slowly and required much difficult processing.
      Don't forget we are talking about an institution which is a valued and loved part of their lives for millions, to the extent of being considered holy and a mother. This same institution has been found complicit in torture by the United Nations.
      The dissonance here is enough to make anyone spin.

      Delete
    3. I don't think it is odd that Pat can't remember two of the names. He came to this diocese as an "outsider", ie. he was from Dublin and he wouldn't have known very many of the priests. So I can understand him not remembering all of the details. And, indeed, it was 35 years ago. It would be marvellous if the poor lady who suffered this horrific attack could be found (if she is still alive) and encouraged, empowered to make these evil "priests" accountable for their crimes. It doesn't bear thinking about. How do these men sleep at night?
      D&C

      Delete
  14. Sr M, this is the first I heard of you.

    Can you please tell me on here, or off the record, your role in Armagh, Rory etc. Pat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. People need to realise that Armagh still intend bringing Rory back into ministry !!!

      Delete
    2. I am just curious - if Armagh/Rory himself had decided to 'retire', would you have re-opened the matter or would you have let him salvage what dignity he had left and dropped it? I am very much hoping it is the latter. In effect, what I hope you are doing is saying that "since you haven't had the decency to move on, further information needs to be brought to light to highlight the seriousness of this situation". Rather than just humiliating him for the sake of it.

      Delete
    3. Bishop Buckley I will speak to you off the record if that's ok. I have a lot more to tell but there are too many nasty Clerics on here and I don't want them privy to what I have to say. They call themselves Christians and men of God, well all I can say and ask is God help us. Sr. M

      Delete
    4. I've blogged several times! Is my opinion not respected/ valued just because it differs from yours.
      Censored by Buckley and by the way I'm a very close neighbour of yours!

      Delete
  15. He has humiliated himself, no one needs to do that for him, he has already done it to himself. If he is reinstated then there will be uproar. How will anyone explain to Pope Francis how he disgraced himself in the first place - rimming, snowballing, felching, scat, water sports, unprotected sex, S&M, bondage, leather, lycra, rubber, scat, orgies in particular within Dublin and Soho in London. If you are continually having unprotected sex then we all know the consequences of that. How would his Holiness react on being told a priest involved in all this sicko perversions is going to be reinstated, I don't think so. Besides the photos will then probably get published and more revelations revealed, the Sunday World have more dirt on him. Its better he just disappears and quietly. Dirty pervert.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do think that if he owns up, is honest, and its all above board it can be worked with.

      Problem is that Amy and others will try and spin for him.

      Lets see how much honesty is on display.

      Delete
    2. Have you not read Fr Rory's apology Pat? Very sincere, remorseful and genuine. Don't really know what more he can do for his mistakes!
      Jesus, Son of the living God have Mercy on me a sinner. Amen.

      Delete
    3. His apology was self-serving drivel. Going on about completing his "post-graduate studies" - Bullshit! Maybe he is doing a M.Sc on the chemical interactions that occur in "felch"!!

      Delete
  16. Well he has humiliated himself of course by his actions, but the humiliation was sufficient. There was no need for further details - you didn't need to know it and neither did I. So what I am getting at is why there was a need for further details to be published? If it is because there's an attempt to reinsert him back to ministry without further idea, then I see the point. If it was simply to inflict further misery on him, then I think it is objectionable. None of that is to justify his actions (and I don't think he should return to ministry). But there must be a point to these further revelations, otherwise those revealing them must also have moral culpability.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Moral culpability"? Such culpability lies in NOT making known further revelations about such a priest.

      Coyle should, under absolutely no circumstances, , benre-admitted to active ministry. On the contrary, this vile pervert should have been laicised ages ago.

      Delete
    2. I agree that he should not return to ministry. But please tell me exactly why you needed to know the specific details of his misdeeds? There are only two options: (1) you were not convinced by the initial revelations; or (2) you are breathless with excitement at the titillation provided by the further revelations. Which was it?

      Delete
    3. So you would rather continue a tradition among Catholic clergy of truth concealment, of keeping dark secrets in the shadows?

      This tradition has served the clergy well (are you a priest yourself, since you seem so defensive of the clergy?), but has mis-served lay people, including children.

      Delete
    4. @17:56, in what universe are you living? The point is that Rory was having sexual affairs contrary to the teaching of the Church and contrary to his vows. What possible difference does the fact that Rory allegedly was into 'snowballing' make to that analysis? By what mental gymnastics do you conclude that I wish to conceal the fact of Rory's misdeeds because I have said that we do not have the need (or the right) to know every specific detail? And you have still not answered the question - tell me why you needed to know that Rory allegedly liked 'snowballing'. Go on, answer it. And this time don't evade the question.

      Delete
    5. I did not evade the question, idiot, it was in my answer.

      You're not the sharpest tool in the box, are you?

      Delete
  17. Thon McHugh boyo has a lean and hungry look.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have known "Sr M" for several years and I hope I might be allowed comment. I know who it is because I've heard the rant before. We were in formation together and received the habit two years apart. She is odd. I think we held on to her as an act of charity. I have heard her say that the priest in the confession box propositioned her even though there was no priest there that weekend. she also maintained that the chaplain substituted whisky or some strong spirit for altar wine. She also tells a story of when she was a teenager she used an ouija board and talked to relatives. if its the same one I think of, you better get a restraining order now she has your number. At the same time it could be a wind up. I left the order i never liked the need to ask permission to ask for simple things, I've never married and am single and very happy and also am still deeply committed to my Catholic faith

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    Replies
    1. I can assure you wholeheartedly that I am not the Sr. M you are referring to. You clearly do not know me.

      Delete
  19. I would describe myself as a conservative middle aged lifelong catholic who up to a few months ago never missed mass in his life. I accept the church's teachings and support the clergy. However, it takes all my effort to force myself to mass these Sundays. The constant drip feed and death by a thousand cuts of all these revelations is making it very hard for me on a human level to keep going, as much as I want to. I am no saint-like everyone I am a sinner and need the grace of the sacraments to keep me on the straight and narrow. But I am finding it very hard to stomach the spin, self serving, dishonesty,unadulterated hypocrisy, cover up, unaccountability. In many secular jobs a man could not stay on with the type of revelations described here. Many a politician has been undone by less. Even media people like Angus Deayton couldn't survive the heat. The bishops need to realise hat there is a limit to people's patience and generosity and things are coming perilously close to the precipice. If I as someone who wants to give the church every chance of support, is finding it very hard to keep going, what hope is there for a young person who is struggling with faith and trying to figure things out? It will be very difficult for a young idealistic and generous person to sign up to the faith reading about these shenanigans. Your typical young person won't accept the appalling and shameless hypocrisy. I am beginning to wonder if many of us in the pews are too co-dependent and just supporting the status quo through our silence, enabling behaviour, and psychological dependence? I am all for forgiveness and second chances, even third and fourth chances,but sometimes I wonder about the appropriateness of some of the laity's own behaviour. No man should be condemned or judged but neither should they be feted for moral wrongdoing as appears to happen when people rally around priests like Fr Rory and Fr Dallatt. It would be better for those men to silently leave and do a bit of soul searching rather than further abusing the good nature of parishioners manipulating their sympathies, appearing at the back of churches after mass. To me that's a form of abuse in itself. Maybe I am a coward but if I was caught out like that, I'd be so ashamed to appear in public I'd leave the country on the next flight out. The sheer brazenness of some priests and bishops is mind boggling. Have they no respect for themselves let alone the people they serve?

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    Replies
    1. Very well said, anonymous at 09:43. You speak for a lot of people. This carry on is absolutely incredible.

      Delete
    2. And that was exactly how I lapsed as well. No reasonable person expects the clergy to be anything other than human, but it is reasonable to expect to see them attempting to behave in a Christian manner. The shepherds seem to be carrying on in a way they would not allow for the sheep!

      Delete
  20. ".......if many of us in the pews are too co-dependent and just supporting the status quo through our silence, enabling behaviour, and psychological dependence?"

    An excellant summary Anon @ 09:43.
    MMM

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