Friday 15 September 2017

CORMACS FUNERAL

Image result for cardinal cormac murphy-o'connor funeral

A WESTMINSTER PP SOURCE HAS TOLD ME THAT CARDINAL MURPHY O'CONNOR'S COFFIN - TOOK 8 MEN TO CARRY IT AND WAS MADE OF SOLID ENGLISH OAK.

It weighed 50+ stones.

Inside the solid English Oak coffin was a lead coffin which was sealed with solder.

According to civil law the sealed inner lead coffin is obligatory for all burials inside buildings.

This casket is also available in Mahogany and Canadian Maple.

Oak caskets like this, without the solid brass handles are, I'm told £1500 to £2000.

I know this because I recently handled a repatriation from Birmingham for a Belfast family and needed the weight for the Northern Ireland graveyard.

The handles on the coffin were made of solid brass and not plastic.

It was laid in a space in the floor that had formerly been a air vent and it had been concretated up for the occasion.

The coffin lies two feet under floor level as the pictures show.

My priest contact told me that Cormac's will stated that his coffin should lie on the floor but this was impossible as the eight coffin bearers would not be able to lift it from the floor at that weight.

He had also left instructions that his coffin was NOT to be on the normal 6-foot high catafalque and that there were to be no candles around the coffin.

His family provided the simple wooden crucifix that was attached to the top of the coffin.

At the funeral the ceremony and the hymns were simple.

Cormac left instructions that Archbishop George Stack of Cardiff  - and not Cardinal Vincent Nicholls - preach the homily. Apparently, Cormac and Nicholls were NOT the best of chums.

Another Westminster priest told me that Cormac's will is the talk in every presbytery in Westminster and the subject of inter presbytery telephone calls.

The funeral directors were A France - who have been in operation in Pall Mall since 1780 and who have handled all the funerals of Westminster's archbishops and cardinals.



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A MARKED MAN


THE WOUNDED HEALER BRADY - after a flight delay managed to get to the funeral.

Here he is in Westminster Cathedral with a strange mark on his forehead.

Did he forget to bring his own white mitre and have to borrow one with from a bishop with a SMALLER HEAD than he has?

One is sure - there was no other bishop at the funeral with a harder neck than OUR SEAN!

77 comments:

  1. It was Archbishop George Stack of Cardiff who was chosen to preach the homily at the funeral. George was Administrator of Westminster Cathedral and had the nickname 'The Prince of Darkness'. This was because he was sent out by Cormac at night to spy on Priests and their parishes. It wasn't uncommon to find George at the back of a Church during Evening Mass observing a Priest and listening to his homily and then leave halfway through. Of course Cormac was well accustomed to this practice because he was Secretary to Dereck Worlock who did the exact same thing when he was Bishop of Portsmouth and later in Liverpool. Thanks for giving us some Westminster news Pat, we feel forgotten about on the blog sometimes over here. Be aware some Westminster clergy have the knives out for you and others.

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    1. Yes, George was VG with particular responsibility for the clergy. I have to say that I found him affable and he was a great preacher.

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    2. Westminster is close to my heart - as are all her queens :-)

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    3. Well, all the Westminster Queens were out in force Pat at the funeral. Not hard to spot as they were all next to one another. Either former Anglicans and some Seminary Staff or both and the usual bitchy ones too.

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    4. Yes indeed. A priest friend present at the funeral told me all about them.

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    5. Time they were outed.

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  2. It's down right rude and ignorant you are Pat!
    No respect for anything Roman Catholic or indeed youself.
    Cardinal Cormac and Cardinal Brady will reach their God with sin but will seek forgiveness.
    You will burn in hell as you've that much hatred towards other and the neck to call yourself a Bishop!

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  3. A most undeserved and unkind comment to suggest that no other bishop with a harder neck than our Sean would turn up! Cardinal Brady did the right and christian thing. He does not deserve this caricaturig on his death.. Look to your own consciene.

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    1. It is interesting in the first post that spying is mentioned. I once noticed a nun from the cathedral sitting in the back of the church. As I knew her, I greeted her warmly and she looked really embarrassed. I wondered at the time if she was spying for the bishop. What a lovely wholesome healthy culture! I really cannot understand why women want to be priests and join this lot.

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    2. Yes, 'a lovely wholesome healthy culture!' indeed. I think even that North Korean nutter (Kim il wotsisname) would blush at the degree of snooping here.

      Frankly, I blame the Apostle Paul for this unhealthy degree of intrusiveness and 'control freakery'.

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    3. No Carta, you fool. He KILLS people who look crooked at him, including family - indeed, anyone about whom he has even a minuscule flicker of suspicion - or if he doesn't like the tie you are wearing that day. That's a tad more than "snooping".

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    4. 11:27, are you as humourless as you appear? IT WAS A JOKE. HYPERBOLE! (Dear God, deliver me from abject fools.)

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    5. You can't do "jokes", Carta, you fool. And you are about as humorous as Auschwitz on a wet day.

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    6. Magna has taken his wit and humour tablets. I'm rolling with laughter at his funny side!!! Would that we could onky stuff his brain with normality pills! What a gargantuan, idiotic foll you are, Magna, you creepy, slimy lizard!

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    7. 12:36, tasteless (and totally unfunny) attempt at inverse humour.

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    8. Coming from you, Carta, that is supremely ironic. You are as funny as cancer.

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    9. Magna, you deserve every vitriolic word thrown at you. You are neither funny or witty. Your attempts are embarrassing. You should lock yourself away until you find some level of self awareness and insight. You pitiable lizard!!

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    10. Clap trap, loud mouth Magna. You are a loser in human decency.

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    11. 15:32, 'neither funny NOR witty'.😆

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    12. 15:34, 'claptrap' is one word, not two.

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    13. You'd know.... Mm.. Dealing with claptrap every day.. Yes?

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    14. Yes, 22:53, I have to deal with a lot of 'claptrap' from people like you😆.

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    15. Yes the retorts you invite by your rudeness.
      Has anyone else noriced Maggie just has to have the last word? very very insecure.

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  4. Healer's halo slipped. That's what caused the circle on his forehead. I thought that he had dozens of mitre simplex.

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  5. Vinny Nichols is yet another desk man. He spent years as the full-time General Secretary of the episcopal conference of England and Wales. If you want to get on in the church at all costs avoid working in a parish and get a desk job.

    When appointed as auxiliary in Westminster Vinny was at 46 the youngest bishop in the UK.

    I met him twice. The first time was when he visited Wood Green parish in north London. He looked bored, was in a foul mood and was one of those people who look over your shoulders for someone more interesting when talking to you.

    The second time was at a book launch at the bookshop next door to Westminster cathedral. When Vinny was speaking an apparently mentally ill man said something in a loud voice. In a flash, the bishop fixed him with a Basilisk stare and launched into an OTT tirade, demanding that the man be silent.

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    1. They say he's an old queen as well. Likes to doll himself up in robes and long red cape.

      https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7312/12862395854_2a5e7fd655_b.jpg

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    2. My God, how we so easily observe the idiosyncrasies of others! No person I know in authority or leadership of any kind posesses all the qualities and personalable traits that make us unique. Can we not leave personal jibes, insults, caricaturing, ridiculous and unfair descriptions out of what's supposed to be a blog about renewal and necessary change in how we should be and behave as a Christian Community " The vomit inducing diatribe of Jane at 8.03 is evident of a twisted mind, over zealous in seeing wrong where it doesn't exist. Did he/she/it not think that the good Sister got weird, bd vibes that made her cautious?

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    3. @13.15
      Yes,we fully agree with you that 8.03 was exactly that! - "a vomit inducing diatribe.... over zealous in seeing wrong where it doesn't exist."

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  6. Cormac was buried adjacent to St Patrick's chapel in the cathedral, reflecting his Irish roots. The A France and Sons website in interesting, including the "memorable occasions" section.

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  7. Poor old Brady looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders and maybe he has

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    1. For Christ's sake, Sean! Grow the f**k up! It's just a snapshot. Could mean anything, or nothing at all.

      Sentimentality in late-middle-aged men!

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    2. 22.44 : You ignorant slapper Magna. Sean is a good contributor here. Respected more than you ever will be. You are empty on emotional intelligence. What a misery you must be to yourself!

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  8. Well done, Jane...You got all that just from meeting a nun who appeared to you to be embarrassed.

    No, no, no...there's no other possible explanation at all. She must have been a spy - because, not only did she look embarrassed, she looked "really embarrassed". Presumably, as a woman, she would not have become a spy of her own free will - the bishop (a man, ugh...) must have forced her into it under pain of excommunication.

    Happily though, this habited (well, probably not), "really embarrassed", spy-nun only had good things to report to the bishop about this priest. He was an excellent preacher, offered Mass very reverently, and the people loved him. The bishop was able to sleep soundly in his bed that night, knowing that his people were in good hands. Sr. Spy of the Eternal Embarrassment was not excommunicated, of course, and was later awarded a Bene Merenti medal. And so they all lived happily ever after.

    The End.

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    1. You're obviously in the know. (Wink, wink; nudge, nudge; say no more.)

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    2. Dear Lord, another day of listening to the humourless quips and vacuous chirps of this Carta moron. (Sigh).

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    3. @12:39 this last comment is just his way of showing off because the staff now let him watch television.

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    4. @10.54

      That was funny but absolutely justified. I enjoyed your post as you exposed the silliness of someone who jumped to conclusions

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  9. Brady's head was a great source of amusement on the day. Someone suggested he sat under the sun bed for too long. He did cut quite a forlorn figure but no one seemed to have any sympathy for him given his past.

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  10. Looks like Senile Asteatotic Eczema.

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    1. Could the wounded healer be the recipient of some form of stigmata of the Crown of Thorns? St Rita only got one thorn. Looks like he's grown a whole whopping circlet.

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    2. Some Westminster Priests were quite critical on the day about Brady's presence at the Cardinals Funeral. The question asked when he was observed in the procession, "What's he doing here"? You can't beat bitchy Clergy. What gets me was that those involved were clergy of Irish descent. What was said about the red Mark on his head is not repeatable - this all discussed during a funeral Mass.

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    3. Brady continues to embarrass himself and others by insisting on turning up at functions. He does not know how to retire gracefully.

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    4. If invited, it's basic manners to attend, a gift you sadly lack!
      What a man we have in Cardinal Brady, I only wish, hope and Pray that some day you'll be as spiritually gifted as he is.
      Your all about 'Me me me' and nothing to offer society but wickedness and bitterness, nit the traits of a Bishop!

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    5. Oh Pat, you mean *Brady*? I thought you were referring to Magna Carta!

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    6. @12:43 I imagine it was more like, "What's she doing here?"

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    7. Cardinal Brady may not know how to retire gracefully. Probably but our Pat doesn't know when to begin being a Christian. Your daily onslaughts on the failings of others is far removed grom the Christ whom you supposedly follow. You outclass yourself Pat with indecency of mind and heart. You are a class act, nasty person. Like some clerics I know, you too do a disservice to the name of Jesus.

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    8. @ 16:27 You can see the old queen and the late old queen standing together at the royal wedding on the right-hand side at 7:38.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65d2svAqFfA

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    9. 17.07: You make a wise comment. Pat could learn humility and tolerance but more importantly, respect and good manners. He behaves like an anti Christ! Dangerous man.

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  11. Thanks to the Westminister Priest for giving you this info Pat. A lot of heroic priests in different Dioceses give you info because they want justice and the truth to be put out their. Not like the spineless Dublin Priests who wont risk giving you Dermos Priest Appointments.Cowards and yes men they are.

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    1. Why then wont they give you Dermos Priest appointments ?.

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    2. 15.20: Why should any priests trust treacherous Pat or you, anonymous fool & your fellow hatchet cranks and malcontents? Many priests are sensible and wise not to be attached to this tabloid, gutter, mischief making blog. Sensible Dublin priests. Pat - there are "many, many" goid guys in Dublin.

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    3. 15.20. Tough luck. The Dublin Priests are wise not to give Pat any information because they know how he will twist it to advance his feeling of self importance and self righteousness. Pat, sadly, like many priests and bishops, is also a sinful, fragile human being. He is capable of much good undoubtedly but his obsession with other people's failings is a reflection of his unresolved inner demons and a thwarted mind. Pat, if you spent as much time living the gospel as you do dismantling all around you, the world would be a wonderful place!!! Are the people of Larne a light on a hilltop because of your vision and reformation? No evidence to see.

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  12. Is Allen Hall part of Westminister Bishop Pat?

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  13. Nothing to do with them being of Irish decent , they were of the same opinion as many here in Ireland.
    Fact is he is guilty of enabling historic abuse

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  14. France & Son Funeral Directors in Pall Mall indeed. That's where Allen Hall the Seminary had it's account also at Pall Mall with HSBC. The student treasurer who became a Priest was from N.Ireland and got the account out of the red into a healthy balance. The problem with that was after getting it into a healthy balance his successor blew it all on a trip for Seminarians to Spain. Seminary Staff turned a blind eye to the gay mafia.

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  15. Did Fr Terence Phipps and Mgr Mark Langham attend the Requiem? Fr Phipps is celebrated for his superb French. Those in the know say that he is more adept in French idiom than those born and raised in France. He was in the cathedral in Basil Hume's era, as was Mark Langham. Both were talented kind priests.

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  16. Pat, you should pay careful attention to the Word of God for tomorrow, 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Very apt readings and if rooted in our hearts, our lives would radiate greater mercy, forgiveness, tolerance and understanding. While we must all unreservedly condemn all wrongs and abuses, we must also be careful about how we seek to vilify others without proper verification and incontrovertible evidence. Not always done here, sadly, and much abuse has been unfairly hurled at others.

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  17. Perhaps the authorities of the Westminster Diocese should be alerted to the fact that a senior member of a religious order, based in London, has for sometime been engaging in a homosexual affair with a superior from the same order, based in the Midlands. Many faithful Catholics have left their parishes, as a result of their nastiness, intolerance, and lust for power and money. I would be all too happy to se them both publicly investigated and removed, for the harm they have caused.

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  18. I loved Westminster Cathedral when I lived in London after moving there from NI. It was where I went to confession, which is available for hours every day. It wasn't my territorial parish but I went there for Mass. The choir is wonderful, probably the best Catholic choir in the world. I made great friends there too.

    As for the clergy my memories are very positive. In my time they were Mgr Mark Langham, Mgr George Stack, Fr Michael Archer RIP, Fr George Lyons RIP. Mgr Walter Drumm, who had been rector of the Beda was a retired priest in residence. He was a superb confessor.

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    1. Ah! Those rose-tinted 'specs', custom fitted for the gullible.

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    2. Who was the saintly blind priest at the cathedral. I cannot remember his name but he used to record all the propers of the day, the readings and his sermon on tape and then use a discreet earpiece to relay them into his head so that he could say them during Mass. He had learned the four main Eucharistic Prayers off by heart, which I suppose is done by many priests.

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  19. Perhaps the authorities of the Westminster Diocese should be alerted to the fact that a senior member of a religious order, based in London, has for sometime been engaging in a homosexual affair with a superior from the same order, based in the Midlands. Many faithful Catholics have left their parishes, as a result of their nastiness, intolerance, and lust for power and money. I would be all too happy to se them both publicly investigated and removed, for the harm they have caused.

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  20. Love the prob typo.....ride week ha ha

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  21. Pat, as requested - please allow Word of God for today's Catholic Mass take root in your heart. You need the qualities Jesus expects....just search your heart and conscience.

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  22. Yes Monsignor Langham and Canon Terry Phipps were both present. Langham is Cambridge University chaplain and doing well after a rough time in Rome (the poor chap had a breakdown, apparently). Phipps is a PP in the sticks after having being unceremoniously ejected from one of the plum parishes of the diocese (St James's Spanish Place) which was given to a talented, if slightly odd, former Anglican clergyman by the name of Christopher Colven. He was a great favourite of GBH (Cardinal Hume) but did not impress Cormac who removed him from the Cathedral and sent him packing to a big working class parish in North London for him to "do some real work". Colven actually did great work there and was much appreciated by the parish (Irish and Ethnic) and so in his last months as Archbishop, Cormac gave him the plum of St James's, but poor old Terry was sent packing to make room.

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  23. I'd forgotten about Christopher Colven. The Ordinariate had high hopes of getting Spanish Place as a sort of pro-Cathedral but were given Warwick St instead. Slightly insensitive given that Warwick Street was sacked during the Gordon riots by Protestants of various stripe, probably Anglicans mostly, though I'm sure that a few Huguenots, Scots Presbyterians and Lutherans joined in the fun. The current Administrator of Westminster Cathedral is also an ex-Anglican.

    I suspect that Christopher Colven would have been excellent in a working class parish. The accepted wisdom in the CofE is that Anglo-Catholics were superb at evangelising poor, working class parishes in the 19th century.

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  24. Fr Christopher Colven was replaced in Kingsland by a Fr Daley before Fr Christopher was sent to Spanish Place.Fr Daley was a poor substitute as nobody liked him and his constant appeals for money. I believe he has since moved to West London. People loved Fr Colven in Kingsland and still hate the day he moved.

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  25. Yes I think Daley is in Parsons Green now, the parish in which the tube train was bombed. Daley made the newspapers recently moaning about the fact that the statue of St Joseph was stolen from his crib in Kingsland.I have heard on the grapevine that he is a nasty piece of work.

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    1. Fr Chris would have known the pedophile Fr Eugene Fitzpatrick, who committed sexual crimes on young boys inside this church. Fitzpatrick got jail 3 months ago. Looks like all the priests that have been in and around Kingsland, have been nasty pieces of work.

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  26. Christopher Tuckwell is the ex-Anglican Administrator of Westminster Cathedral. Not a very warm or approachable man by any means. Served as Mark Langham's deputy before getting promoted after Langham went to Rome and set about turning the cathedral into a conservative liturgy haven from then on. Tuckwell makes Richard Gibbons at Knock Shrine look like a nice guy. Which speaks volumes in itself.

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  27. Pat why are you allowing defamation of individual hard working priests? This blog is full of lies and hatred. But as this post is not full of vitriol and bitterness, then you probably won't publish this. You practice a huge censorship on views that don't fit your warped views. You have so many chips on your shoulder that someone should give you salt & vinegar for them!

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  28. Utter rubbish about Canon Christopher Tuckwell who is a much loved priest and kindly administrator of the Cathedral. He is particularly renowned as a very compassionate confessor, especially to gay people. He was appointed Administrator by Cardinal Murphy O Connor (who held him in very high regard indeed).

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  29. Cardinal Sean Brady is a gentleman, a scholar and a good pastor more that can be said for you

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