Friday 15 September 2017

CLEARED DERRY PRIEST LEADS MEDURJORE PILGRIMAGE

FATHER EUGENE BOLAND
FATHER EUGENE BOLAND - THE DERRY PRIEST CLEARED OF CHILD ABUSE CHARGES - THIS WEEK LED A PILGRIMAGE TO MEDURGORE.

Father Boland was reinstated as the parish priest of Cappagh in Derry diocese after he was found NOT GUILTY of the accusations brought against him.

But a short time after his reinstatement he left his parish again and the diocese said that he needed more time to come to terms with the personal trauma he had undergone by being accused.

On Wednesday night he was pictured at Split Airport in Croatia after leading a pilgrimage of 40 people from Lurgan Parish in County Armagh.

FATHER BOLAND AT SPLIT AIRPORT ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
At the first Mass of the pilgrimage, Father Boland briefly explained his position and told the congregation that he had received special permission from Donal McKeown, the Bishop of Derry, to celebrate public Masses in Medurjore. 


Image result for bishop Donal McKeown
"Dickie" McKeown

One pilgrim said that he said at Mass that he was not back in public ministry in Derry diocese as of yet as there were some "outstanding matters".

Maybe the "outstanding matters" are personal matters for Father Boland?

Even though they have been cleared by a civil court every accused priest also has to undergo a church trial.

I would have thought that such a trial would have been done and dusted by now?

From Derry diocesan website:





Excerpts from the Irish Bishops Guidelines:


10.2.5 Leave from ministry for diocesan or religious clergy Leaving intact the rights of the accused cleric to hold a particular ecclesiastical office, the Ordinary can ask the accused cleric to voluntarily refrain from the exercise of that office, and from other forms of public ministry, including the public celebration of the Mass and other sacraments, for the duration of the investigation of the allegation.

10.2.5 Leave from ministry for diocesan or religious clergy Leaving intact the rights of the accused cleric to hold a particular ecclesiastical office, the Ordinary can ask the accused cleric to voluntarily refrain from the exercise of that office, and from other forms of public ministry, including the public celebration of the Mass and other sacraments, for the duration of the investigation of the allegation.
An accused cleric who is asked to take leave from ministry is still entitled to his rightful income and his right to be provided with a residence. Any deprivation of these rights at this stage is to be interpreted as punitive and can be the subject of canonical recourse to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The accused cleric may be requested to seek an appropriate medical or psychological evaluation at a mutually acceptable facility. This assessment will be carried out by an accredited professional and a contract will be agreed with regard to its future use. However, an accused cleric cannot be forced to undergo this evaluation. If an accused cleric undergoes an evaluation, the results may not be released without his consent. The fact that an accused cleric is asked to take leave from ministry is not to be understood as determination of his guilt, nor is the acceptance of the request to be considered an admission of guilt, always mindful of the presumption of innocence of the accused cleric until proven guilty and of the fundamental right of every person to their good name. The accused cleric is to be given the opportunity to express a view regarding how he wishes the fact of his leave from ministry to be communicated to the clergy of his diocese or his fellow religious, his family and any other person he may wish to be informed. At any point, an accused cleric may voluntarily resign from his ministerial position. At any point, an accused cleric may request from the Roman Pontiff a dispensation from the obligations of the clerical state (laicisation).


10.5.1 Diocesan cleric The diocesan bishop will initiate an investigation and if, after consulting with the Child Protection Committee, he concludes that the ministry of the accused priest constitutes a risk to children and young people or is a cause of scandal to the faithful, he may limit the ministry of the accused cleric for the good of the Church (pro bono Ecclesiae) by appropriate disciplinary action, such as a singular Precept (canons 48–58). If the facts demonstrate that the ministry of the priest has become harmful or at least ineffective, the diocesan bishop can, in accordance with canons 1740–1747, remove a parish priest from his parish or, in accordance with canon 552, remove a curate from office.

97 comments:

  1. I knew fr boland when he was pp of st Johns in coleraine I found him to be a very decent man . He was one of the very few priests who would visit you without being sent for . If he saw you in town he would shout or wave . He seemed to be well liked by all in coleraine . Glad to see he is doing ok and he is still partial to sunbed session by the looks of him :-)

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  2. Pat,
    Finance is I believe at least part of the reason that Fr Boland is not in active ministry in his Diocese.
    Your friend Eamonn Martin is part of this story.After Fr Boland was cleared by the court he approached the then Administrator of Derry Diocese Mons Eamonn Martin concerning the legal bill involved in fighting the case.
    The bill was in the region of 50k sterling.
    Eamonn Martin showed his "compassionate side" by telling Fr Eugene that unfortunately the Diocese couldn't help him with that matter and that he would have to find the money himself.
    I think it's fair to say that Fr Eugene was less than impressed by the attitude of his lifelong diocesan colleague !
    It's funny how the Church can completely control the life of a Priest and yet when it comes to an issue like this they discover that they are "a private citizen" facing the world alone.

    LUX.

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    1. Thank you Lux. Shame on Amy.

      50k seems a small legal bill with barristers charging thousands a day and 10k for first opinion.

      I imagine he got partial legal aid and the 50 was his part.

      After all his years of service Amy should have paid it for him - unless he is known to have big money himself?

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  3. The guy was found not guilty leave him alone Pat.

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  4. What's the subtext of this post this morning Pat? Would seem that this oriest was exonerated by the civil courts. So, why pyblish his itinerary and invite speculation, nuanced suggestion and innuendo. I personally see no justifiable reason for this piece today. Morally, you are in no position to make definitive judgments.

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    1. There are questions surrounding Father Bolands continued absence from an appointment.

      Why can he minister in Bosnia but not in DERRY.

      Has his church trial concluded?

      Etc.

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  5. Fr Boland was found not guilty. The Diocese has a duty to support him. If he were guilty they would have to find money for compensation. All of this is a two way street. I don't see any issue with publishing this info and I wish him well.

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  6. Eugene was always a dapper dresser. Derry PP.

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    Replies
    1. I would hardly describe that photo as him looking dapper. Priests have very weird fashion sense.

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  7. Pat,
    Fr Boland's family paid the legal bill but they were very annoyed at how the Diocese had dealt with the matter.
    Fr Boland had I believe fallen into the trap of believing that the Diocese valued him as a person and a Priest.
    The truth is that the Church is a very blunt and unfeeling instrument in cases such as Fr Boland, especially when it fears that it may have to bear a financial responsibility.
    My advice to Fr Boland would be to retire and forget about them all.

    LUX.

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    1. He seemed to say to the pilgrims that there was some church technical issue keeping him from returning now?

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  8. In Lourdes, Medjugore, Fatima etc all the oul dolls compete with each other to stuff £20 notes into the priests hands. A priest can come home with a nice wee bit.

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    1. They are feeding clericalism with their cash.

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    2. Well it's not your cash so I wouldn't worry your tiny little mind

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    3. My 'mind' isn't worried in the least: it's too amused by their sheep-like stupidity.

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    4. 'Mind' is right!

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    5. @10.54
      Calling people "oul dolls" is disrespectful and unacceptable. Please do it.

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    6. That's the typical Novus Ordo demographic, though. If only their children went to Mass or their grandchildren were baptised. Vatican II was a success. Wasn't it?

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    7. Some very funny moments on today's posts. Some of it unintentional. A lot of sheep chasing each other around the well-worn circuit! Predictably, empty vessels making the most sound...

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  9. There is a matter of trust here. Yes, Fr Boland was cleared and found not guilty. However, it becomes a very hard decision whether to bring him back into the diocese or not, with many people might be thinking he "got away with it" and not believing he was innocent.

    Derry has had its fair share of priest scandals and abuse for the past number of decades, and the diocese does not want him to return to public ministry in Derry because they are scared that the congregations will not accept him back, will not accept his innocence and will never trust him again, so where can he go in the diocese?

    This is why he was given permission to celebrate Mass in Medjugorje - over 1,800 miles away from Derry, out of sight and out of mind. That seems to be Bishop McKeown's way, as we have seen with Fr Brendan Collins.

    Whether you like it or not, trust has been lost, and it is unfair if he really is truly innocent, but as Fr Michael Canny of the Derry Diocese said, they are all being tarred and feathered together as one, no matter how good a priest you are.

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    1. And perhaps the priest, himself requested a change..

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  10. Pat, your purpose in highlighting what you consider unresolved "issues" re: priests and Church in the hope of greater renewal and more vibrant Christian communities isn't effecting great change. How many have flocked to your Oratory having left their Church? Where are the visible signs of life giving newness of Christian communities? Despite all the criticisms here on this blog, it is evident that we need more than sideline gossip, judgment and sarcasm. What is your vision for this newness you promulgate, of which, presently, I see nothing?

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    1. We are in a time when many people are suspicious or even hostile to Christianity and Catholicism.

      Personally I feel that it is a time for sowing seeds - even though many of them will fall on hard ground and be burned by the sun or blown away by the wind.

      But if we sow seeds in faith some will take root and God will water and give growth - perhaps long after we are gone.

      Seed sowers often have to work in faith and without seeing growth.

      But Christ urged us to be seed sowers.

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    2. PS: I was on a day trip to Dubrovnik on Monday and found myself engaged in a 2 hour conversation with two very disillusioned Catholic Croatian men.

      It was a very special conversation and I KNOW important seeds were sown.

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    3. Well, God will be your judge as for all of us... He knows whether you were helpful or whether damage was done..

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    4. "Important seeds" of confusion and disorder were sown, no doubt.

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  11. I find it alarming that a priest out of ministry at home is leading vulnerable people to an apparition scam. The pope even says the Med vision is not Jesus mother. Http://www.marcocorvaglia.com/medjugorje-en/

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    1. Why do Catholics even feel the need for a priest to lead them on pilgrimage? Are they clueless or what?

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    2. 13:19.... What's alarming? Cleared of all wrong doing in the court of law, seems to me that you have no reasoning or lacking understanding.

      Don't know what this blog is trying to achieve today! You've lost the plot, stick to what you were ordained and called to do, serve God's flock Pat!

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    3. Just wondering, like many others, if Father Boland is suffering an injustice - allowed to minister 1800 miles away but not in DERRY.

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    4. I was wondering when someone would comment on the only concerning part of this post. The Medjugorje apparitions are only private revelation not confirmed by the Church. What is taught doesn?t conform to Tradition so the Catholic church will never confirm it anyway. What is of concern is a priest apparently promoting something not Catholic.

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    5. What tradition isn't conformed to by the Medjugorje revalations?

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    6. Well the deposit of faith, of course.

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    7. Your answer's a broad brush. Specifically?

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    8. They're private revelation. Not part of the deposit of faith. Which bit don't you understand?

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    9. You're being evasive, 22:35.😎 Which means you spoke glibly.

      I ask you again. Specifically, HOW do these revelations contradict the 'deposit of faith'. The fact that they are 'private' is not in itself a contradiction. Don't you know that in 1858, the Mother of God, in a 'private' revalation to Bernadette Soubirous, affirmed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, solemnly proclaimed four years earlier? By your silly reckoning, we should discount this revelation as contradicting the 'deposit of faith' because it was 'private'.

      Oh, dear! I can feel from here the heat of your embarrassed blush.😆

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    10. No Magna, you don't understand. I am using basic terms which are obviously new to you, and there are no further specifics to be given. I will repeat that the Medjugorje 'apparitions' are only PRIVATE REVELATION and are certainly not part of the DEPOSIT OF FAITH.
      Wikipedia has a very useful page which will explain these terms for you:
      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_revelation

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    11. 09:34, I'll give this one more 'shot'. If such revelation affirms (as it did at Lourdes in 1858), what is already within the 'deposit of faith', then it cannot, logically, be said not to be part of that deposit.

      You, or another commentor, are making this claim simply because the revelation is judged 'private'.

      Whether or not revelation is part, or not part, of the 'deposit of faith' cannot be judged on its status, but on its content. Which is why I asked for specific evidence that the Medjugorje revelation was not part of this deposit. Unsurprisingly, I got evasion, and silly excuses, in return.

      Was the revelation by the Mother of God at Lourdes (that she was the Immaculate Conception) not part of the 'deposit of faith'? By your risible standard, it was not, which means, then, that Catholics are not required to accept, as part of our Faith, the immaculate conception of Mary.

      This penny isn't dropping for you, is it?

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    12. Oh it's well and truly dropped. You really don't know the difference between public and private revelation, do you, Maggie? And your attempt to make someone else look stupid has just exposed the ignorance for which you are so well known.
      You refer to an occasion of PUBLIC revelation as a PRIVATE revelation and make out that it confirms a matter already confirmed by the Church. The Lourdes apparitions are authentic because they agree with what is ALREADY revealed, you dunce.
      You tried to get me into an argument and just showed your own ignorance. If you had read as little as the Wikipedia page I referred you to and applied it to what you had already said you wouldn't have looked such a fool, but as usual it's 'I'm Magna Carta I know best'.
      If you actually want to discuss my original comment semsibly, read the article and my comments and let's see if you can think up something semsible to say, you moron.

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    13. 17:18, what was revealed to Bernadette Soubirous was revealed to her ALONE. Therefore it WAS a 'private' revelation, not a public one. Bernadette herself eventually made it public.

      This is precisely what has happened at Medjugorje: private revelations to the visionaries, who then make them public.

      My God, you are 'hard work' (a polite way of saying 'utterly stupid').

      There is nothing at all in the Medjugorje revelations that does not conform to the 'deposit of faith'. If there is, halfwit, then please, for the love of God, tell me what it is. (I asked you this ages ago, but you didn't...couldn't... answer.)

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    14. No Maggie you don't get it you fool.
      Ask your carer to show you Our Lady of Lourdes's feast in the missal.
      Then ask them to show you what the local bishop has said about Medjugorje.
      I'm not holding out hope but you may then realise the difference and that you are missing the point by asking me to explain what in the Medjugorje 'revelations' doesn't conform to the deposit of faith.
      You really don't understand this at all, do you?

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  12. Seems to me that you are clueless 14:40.
    Who are you to decide what pilgrims what!
    I'm one of those pilgrims that has been blessed with Fr Bolands company and leadership.

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    1. He is certainly lively. He was jiving for the delayed pilgrims in Split Airport on Wednesday evening.

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    2. You ducked my question, dear.

      Why do Catholics need to be 'led' by a priest? There is only one who can lead here: the Holy Spirit.

      You, and your kind, are making gods of mere men, which is blasphemous. And yet you have the moral effrontery to seek Jesus through Mary at Medjugore (or whatever Pope Francis, in his endearingly confused way, rolls a theological dice to decide what's appearing there.)

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    3. Magna or whatever the hell your name is - you know absolutely nothing about the pilgrimage dear. What gives you and your kind the audacity to pontificate on matters you personally know nothing about? Keep your gossip mouth and vile tongue out of our business and stick to what you know best which basically is nothing. Ok dearie.

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    4. 15:10... You don't warrant a response!
      Stick to the knitting and yes' I sin like others!
      Go seek some wisdom from Pat' your Priest and Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct you in your daily Pilgrimage in life, You seem to lack it!

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    5. 16:40, what do I know? Hmm Let me see. Ah! I know what the Gospel records of Jesus, that he declared himself alone 'the way, the truth and the life'. And I know that the Gospel records Jesus words on the 'Counsellor' (or 'Holy Spirit'), that HE would lead his disciples in place of Jesus. No mention here that a Roman Catholic priest would lead anyone anywhere.

      Aren't Jesus' words good enough for you sheep?

      Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, since he (not a Roman Catholic priest) is the only one who can guide a person into God.

      But then, perhaps you believe that Jesus is a liar, and that Roman Catholic priests not only are litte gods, but that they always tell the truth.

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    6. @16:40 Magna Carta is my appointed mouthpiece on this blog, spouting any anti-Catholic, millenarian new-age ramblings I tell him to. Shut up and listen on the rare occasions he's sober enough to stagger to the keyboard.
      - Gospa of Medjugorje

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    7. Magna's posts always get more waspish at the weekend. Building up nicely in this one. Must be nearing the end of the bottle by now.

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    8. The only word for that person's response at 17:13 is puerile. He or she takes fundamentalism to a whole new level of idiocy.

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    9. There! All better now, 23:11?

      Catharsis is good for body and soul.

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  13. When Fr Boland returned to Cappagh parish after his absence he was welcomed with open arms. They had to open the parish hall and broadcast the Mass on TVs - and transfer Holy Communion across the road. In fact the parishioners supported him throughout his standing down and he was often seen out walking and stopping to chat with parishioners. Weeks later he announced at Sunday Mass that he needed to step down as the past couple of years had affected him more than he thought. We all expected him to appear in a future clerical change (maybe in a smaller parish as Cappagh is one of biggest in Diocese) but nothing as yet. I think the question is valid - why cant he minister in Derry?

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    1. I wonder how his accusers felt when they saw parishioners lionise him before he was 'cleared'.

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    2. MC, I am sure that you will agree with me in saying that Fr Boland must be regarded in all respects as being legally innocent.

      What perplexed me is his "church trial, it's outcome and the fact that he can say public Mass in Croatia and not in Derry?

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    3. Yes, 'legally innocent'.

      As for Boland's continued prohibition on offering /celebrating Mass in his diocese, John King (above) makes interesting suggestions.

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  14. Pat, were you in Split Airport on Wednesday evening? If you were why were you There?

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    1. Yes I was. I was leading a retreat for a small group of international priests and religious for 3 days and stayed on with a friend in her apartment for a few days.

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    2. Were you paid a fee for the retreat?

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    3. I was offered a donation but agreed with the organisers that it would go to a charity in Africa combating polio in children - a major scourge there.

      Apart from that my air tickets were paid and I got bed and board in the convent in which the retreat was hosted.

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    4. Did the retreatants know of your history, personal and ecclesial? It would seem very strange that any Catholic religious/priests would attend such if they were appraised of your story of conflict, differences and troublesome career.

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    5. Giving retreats, hmm...hmm...wonder about participants' awareness of your agenda....who were these people because no Bishop or Religious Superior would book you if they were fully aware of your situation. Did you advertise your services to vulnerable people....

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    6. Pat, best of luck on your interrogations today. (Some people have never heard of privacy..)

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    7. They invited me BECAUSE of who I am and not out of ignorance.

      No bishop or religious superior was involved.

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    8. You didn't answer my question. Who were the retretants? Do they have a similar experience like yours? Have they an Oratory? Just curious.

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  15. I only know Fr Eugene through Fr Declan (his brother). Both priests are fantastic and selfless men. Fr Eugene was found innocent. Leave him be, Pat. The poor man has been through more than enough. God bless him and anyone who is accused of something like that in the wrong!

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  16. Pat, Magna is becoming an unbearable, ignorant trollop more each day. He is in need of serious, psychiatric and spiritual counselling. He belittles everyone on this site, tries to be witty but fails abysmally. He is without decency, respect and basic personal awareness of how to engage emotionally and intelligently with others. You should offer him some advice.

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    1. Pat should "offer him some advice"!!! Like what, for Heaven's sake..!

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    2. Advice to "Stay away as much as possible"?

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    3. Keep his big brazen, foul mouth off this blog as he invariably insults everyone. Magna has no emotional self awareness, and being a deep psychological flaw, he pubctuates his pieces with crude, crass and very offensive comment. They are designed to gurt and belittle others in cery nasry ways.

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    4. I'm amazed at the number of 'psychotherapists' posting here today.😅

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    5. It's a professional interest in you, Magna.

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  17. We never hear of the Oratory Church going on a pilgrimage, Pat.

    Why so?

    Lack of interest? Small numbers?

    Maybe it's easier to focus on other churches than on your own......

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    1. The Oratory has had pilgrimages to Lourdes and the Holy Land.

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    2. Pat it does make me giggle to hear you call it the Oratory. Brings up a wonderful picture of you taking your biretta with you.

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  18. It does seem rather odd that Fr Eugene can celebrate mass in Croatia, but not in his own diocese. However there could be any number of reasons for this including internal clergy discipline.

    I sympathize with Fr Eugene that despite being found innocent he will no doubt face some stigma which is difficult to overcome. I know this from teachers I know who have been wrongly accused. It meant they had to change schools, people second guessed them from then on, and their judgement and integrity were often called into question despite being completely cleared of all accusations.

    I will say though I do think that it is time that those who are guilty of this crime numerous times, which personally I would say is the worst of all crimes should be surgically castrated by the state. I once saw a documentary on a facility in the USA where serial sexual offenders were sent to after completing their sentences. They lived there away from society to protect the innocent and vulnerable children whose lives they would otherwise gladly destroy. I think all countries need one of these facilities.

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    1. You qualify for surgical artificial brain transplant to fill the vacuum where your brain should be.

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  19. Surgical castration will not curb the urge to abuse. Aside from the questionable morality of such extreme action, the locus of abuse is in the brain, not in the b.... .

    My suggestion, certainly for serial abusers, is that they be chaperoned for the rest of their lives. A chaperoning experiment in Canada proved very effective, with even abusers welcoming it.

    Of course, the issue of cost would be raised, but what price a child's welfare?

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    1. That is a very interesting and useful suggestion. May I ask what professional standing, such as psychologist etc, qualifies you to suggest it? Do you work in child safeguarding?

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    2. Why the rude reply to a civil question about your background of knowledge and experience which would qualify you to give an 'opinion' on child protection? Or are you just opinionated?

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    3. I was right about the cynicism.😆 More interested in discrediting me than in taking my seious suggestion, well, seriously.

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    4. I knew no answer would be forthcoming. Will you give a source for the chaperoning experiment please?

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    5. 09:28, the moment I suggested chaperoning as a means of handling serial child abusers in particular, your (presumably) professional guard was raised. How was I qualified to express such an opinion? Was I a psychologist? Did I work in child safeguarding? Your focus should have been the suggestion itself, not whether my professional credentials 'qualified' me to express this opinion. Does one need to be 'qualified' to express an idea that you yourself called 'very interesting' and 'useful'. Had I informed you that I possessed no such credentials, would that have made my suggestion any less interesting and useful?

      Chaperoning was not my idea. I watched a television documentary from Canada a few years ago and was impressed with the approach there to handling abusers, as it appeared both effective and humane. A far cry from the 'cut off their goolies' fanatics, many of whom would proudly call themselves 'Christian'.

      Listen: if you were being sincere all along and not cynical, then I apologise for my rudeness to you.

      I am not aggressive by nature, but by circumstance: human circumstance.

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    6. I asked for a source for this idea. Where did you read about it?

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    7. Read my penultimate post again. I said it was a television documentary from Canada; therefore I didn't read anything. Google the f**k**g thing, you asshole!)

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    8. Actually I didn't bother reading that bwcause it was so abusive. You should learn a lesson from this exchange

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  20. Pat. That is a lovely photo of bishop Mc keown. Would you mind if I copied it and had it framed and I could sell large numbers of them at the car boot sale in greencastle. There would be great demand.

    Ps. I'm glad you have such a learned friend in Magna Carta. He knows everything about everything and is able to correct us all and keep us all right. What a gift to us all!

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    1. And thank you for the sparkling compliment. For once, I'm humbled (but not for long).😆

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    2. And here's one of Maggie Carta to print out:
      http://blondeepisodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/baby-3.jpg

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  21. I thought that Fr Boland was reinstated after being cleared and after the Church trial which cleared him and that he stood down due to the trauma he experienced and that he is still receiving counselling for that. Small steps but I think he will return to a parish, a small one when he feels ready

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  22. What time is the MC Show over at?--Is it safe for the rest of us to venture back? It's been a long,tough day.....

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  23. Bishop Buckley. I hope you don't mind me voicing my opinion here but I feel that over the last few days your subject matter and your comments on them are clear evidence that your burning resentment and inner unresolved anger is making you quite spirituality sick now.

    Fellow Larneman

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  24. In London the coffin is usually carried by undertakers. There was nothing unusual about that. When Basil Hume was buried he was also carried by 8 undertakers who were all brothers from near Ampleforth. He taught them all before they entered their family undertaking company.
    Although his coffin was zinc lined and sealed it was not 46 stone.
    All burial coffins in London have metal handles. Plastic handles are only used for cremation funerals.So there was nothing out of the ordinary about the proceedings.
    Mr France handles lots of clergy funerals here. They also buried Nelson and Churchill. Mr France has given distinguished service to us here for many years. He will probably handle mine.

    PP Westminster Retd.

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