Thursday 22 February 2018

"MC AREAVEY MUST GO" - DROMORE MOTHER

"MC AREAVEY MUST GO" - DROMORE MOTHER




A VERY  DISTRAUGHT MOTHER FROM A RURAL PARISH IN DROMORE DIOCESE RANG ME YESTERDAY AFTER SHE READ THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF THE NEWRY REPORTER IN WHICH JOHN MC AREAVEY TRIES TO DEFEND HIMSELF IN THE MALACHY FINNEGAN CASE.


SADISTIC PAEDOPHILE MALACHY FINNEGAN
This mother said three further things to me:

1. "FINNEGAN TRIED TO GROOM MY HUSBAND AND ASKED HIM IF HE MASTURBATED WHEN HE WAS 14 AND MY HUSBAND DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE MEANT"

2. I WILL NOT SIT AT ANY MASS BEING CELEBRATED BY MC AREAVEY.

3. I DO NOT WANT MC AREAVEY TO CONFIRM MY LITTLE GIRL IN 2019. I DO NOT WANT HIS HANDS ON MY CHILD".





Here is what McAreavey said in this week's NEWRY REPORTER:

'I'm sorry'
21 February 2018 - by brian@newryreporter.com

Bishop John McAreavey says he deliberately chose not to say ‘one word of praise or acknowledgment of his ministry’ during Funeral Mass for child abuse priest Malachy Finnegan.

In an exclusive interview with the Newry Reporter following last week’s BBC Spotlight investigation into Finnegan’s trail of abuse, the Bishop (pictured) said he will not be stepping down from his role as he wants to ‘rebuild confidence and trust’ in the Church.



He also spoke about:

* His shock that a nun acting as a counsellor told one of Finnegan’s victims that ‘God would forgive him over time’
* He confirmed that three people have contacted the Diocese about sexual abuse by Finnegan following the BBC investigation. 
* Admitted that the long line of Catholic Church abuse scandals had ‘challenged his faith’.
* And said that he would fully cooperate with a public inquiry into all clerical abuse, including the surrendering of Diocese documents. 

The Bishop of Dromore says he the made the wrong decision to officiate the funeral Mass of a priest who sexually abused a number of former pupils at a Newry school.

John McAreavey made the comments after it emerged that the Diocese of Dromore settled a claim in relation to the sexual abuse of former pupils at St Colman’s College by Fr Malachy Finnegan.

The first allegation against Finnegan – who was employed at the Armagh Road school for over three decades – was in 1994.

Another allegation – which was not in relation to his tenure at St Colman’s - was made four years later, with further claims made following his death in January 2002.

It total, 12 allegations of sexual abuse were made against Finnegan.
In October last year, the Diocese of Dromore settled a claim in relation to the abuse of victims.

In a statement to the Reporter, Bishop McAreavey said he asked the National Board for Safeguarding Children to specifically review the case of Finnegan during a 2011 independent audit of allegations against priests in the Dromore Diocese.

He said the abuse of any child by a priest is a "violation of that child and betrayal of trust" and said the history of the Catholic Church in Ireland in dealing with abuse allegations has been a “tragic one of failure and letdown”.

He added that he made the wrong decision to officiate at Finnegan’s Funeral Mass in 2002.

“In 2011 as the Bishop of Dromore, I welcomed into the Diocese the National Board for Safeguarding Children to conduct an independent audit of all allegations against priests in the Diocese of Dromore from 1975-2011,” said Bishop McAreavey

“Whilst it was outside the remit of the audit, which was looking at cases, where there was possible live risk or child safeguarding issues, I asked the National Board to also review the cases of three deceased priests from the Diocese.




“And specifically I asked them to examine the cases involving Malachy Finnegan. 

“The reviewers remarked in their audit report ‘we noted that these allegations were brought to the attention of the former Bishop of Dromore and we noted the seriousness of the allegations and are satisfied that all have been referred to the statutory authorities’.

“However they also remarked that in their review of the records from that time ‘in some instances the practice followed placed too much emphasis on maintaining the name of the accused priest rather than ensuring the safety of children.’ That was regrettable.

“They further commented that they were satisfied that I as Bishop had reported all allegations in Dromore since 1999 and ‘that I had taken an active personal interest in supporting victims’.

“Since becoming Bishop in 1999, everything I have learned about the abuse of victims I have learned from victim.

“It is their testimonies and their stories, which have impacted most on me. It is through their perspective that I realised that my decision to say the funeral Mass of Malachy Finnegan in 2002 was the wrong one.

“In November 2002 a victim told me how hurt he was by this, I realised that I had made an error of judgement. It is something I regret and will not repeat.”

The Bishop described the actions of Finnegan as “abhorrent, inexcusable and indefensible”.

“He has caused hurt, which in some cases may never be healed:” he added.

“He has devastated families, including his own, and his former colleagues also feel betrayed by his behavior.

“A school should be a place of safety and security for children. It is a place in which parents should have trust and confidence.

“It is a place where children should be able to express their fears, anxieties and indeed aspirations in the knowledge that the structures of the school can provide the appropriate support.”

He encouraged anyone that was abused in a church context to come forward and “receive the support they are entitled to”.

Meanwhile, the Board of Governors at St Colman’s College has condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the physical, sexual and emotional abuse inflicted by Finnegan and said it is with “absolute regret and sorrow” that such abuse happened at the school.


  • Bonitas : to encourage moral uprightness and good citizenship; to develop a rounded personality
  • Disciplina : to instill through the operation of the school's discipline, that self-discipline necessary for success both in school and in the world of work; to equip each student with a set of attitudes and ideals for the shaping of his life
  • Scientia : to encourage the highest academic achievement of which the individual is capable


They said that when informed in October 2017 that a case had been settled by the Diocese of Dromore, the Board of Governors instructed that Finnegan’s image be removed from all photographs which were on display in the College.

“The Board of Governors of St Colman’s College places the highest importance on all aspects of child protection, care, safeguarding and welfare and ensures that St Colman’s College is wholly compliant with all Department of Education (DE) regulations,” the Board said in a statement.
 “Effective child protection, safeguarding, care and welfare measures underpin the professional conduct and behaviour of all members of staff. 

“Safeguarding procedures within the College are and have been subject to inspection by the relevant statutory authorities (Education and Training Inspectorate) which in turn protects the welfare and well-being of all students and staff.

 “The abuse that Malachy Finnegan inflicted is the antithesis of all that the College stands for in terms of its aims, objectives, ethos and culture, and it is a matter of absolute regret and sorrow that such behaviour should ever have occurred in St Colman’s College.”


PAT SAYS:

McAreavey, like Brady before him has lost ALL credibility as a man and a bishop and if he has any decency left in him he should resign immediately.

He has spent a lifetime as a senior Irish canon lawyer covering up for the RC Church in all kinds of ways.

Now Lady Karma has come knocking on his door with the message for him that he has wasted his life protecting a truly evil institution.

If I were McAreavey I would NOT be looking forward to meeting the Lord at the end of my life.

He is in very real danger of receiving from Christ the same reception that Christ gave to the Pharisees of His own day.

Mow McAreavey is wriggling like the worm he is and trying to blame everyone else for the mess he is in - the people for not going to the RUC, the RUC, the Social Services etc.

McAreavey - the buck stops with you.

For Christ's sake JUST GO!


If he does not go I would advise the following:

1. His 20+ priest should write to him telling them that they have no confidence in him and are withdrawing their consent to be governed by him.

2. If he turns up in churches for Mass people should stand up and verbally challenge him.

3. If they do not want to stand up and challenge him verbally they should at least walk out in protest.

4. Parents should NOT allow him to confirm their children.


When? Oh when? will the People of God stand up and challenge these wolves in sheep's clothing?



92 comments:

  1. I'd love to write a book

    Rc_2016Eire

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pat, what you have said here is, to me, too harsh. The supernatural dimension of the church is not that of an 'evil institution'. We all have to be careful of not falling into the ploy of so wanting the humbling of church figures and purification that we become enemies of what God is trying to do in his church. Sometime, in a true christian response, mercy must be manifest. It is one thing to say a group of people are acting in an evil way with regard to this or that, and another thing to say that that group or body is evil. It may not be the Spirit's calling for this blog to be constantly accusing lest we actually align ourselves with what scripture says is the 'great accuser'. Just saying. Thanks for the opportunity to post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jesus would have agreed with Pat for Jesus was a no nonsense gobby reformer who was not afraid to savage the Pharisees verbally to their faces

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    2. Or 11.11, maybe Jesus includes Pat among the Pharisees. Hence the need for mercy, would you not think?

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  3. The soiled-senior-citizen should 'resign with immediate effect'.

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  4. Something positive needs to be done apart from the soap sudsy talk. The lady who wrote to you is saying what many are feeling

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She actually rang, Sean, and was in tears on the phone.

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    2. Sorry to hear the lady was crying Prayers of support to her. Like minded people need to unite

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  5. McAreavey is headline news on the front of the Bel Tel today. Very damaging indeed

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  6. Actions speak louder than words he should go.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pat, have you seen the front page of today's Belfast Telegraph?

    https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/parents-dont-want-bishop-confirming-kids-after-he-said-funeral-mass-for-pervert-priest-36634737.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Parents seems to be responding to +Pat advice by turning up the heat.

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    2. They are not "responding to Pat's advice" .They are doing what they, themselves have decided after discussion.

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    3. I'm one of the parents, I talked to some of the other parents on Facebook.

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  8. @2.19 A balanced and wise approach. I was really taken by what you said. Many people might want a 'perfect' church for 'perfect' people but I am sorry that such a place and such people don't exist. I am with the field hospital image of the church.
    Earlier in the week someone mentioned Donatism. It was a while since I heard about it but I believe that many people who comment on this blog could fall into this category.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am with you @2.19 & @9.37 I see myself as a sinner in need of God's grace. I often feel myself in judgment of others and then realize that I do have done many wrongs in my life. I haven't heard of donatism or what it means but I don't see myself as perfect.
      I sometimes feel guilt over my sins as a young person but a wise priest in confession helped me to overcome my scruples. I feel a lot more open since that time.
      I don't live in Ireland so I don't know what the situation is like there but thankfully the local priest here has a lot of compassion. He has really helped me.

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    2. Any religion can use the hospital excuse - and as for hospital what type? Medical or psychiatric? The results in terms of inspiring people to be good are worse than what you would get for an average charity.

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    3. There is a vast, and mitigative, difference between lacking moral perfection through common human frailty and lacking it by deliberate and selfish human choice; you cannot distinguish between the two, which makes you a liability to the Church, especially to the welfare of its vulnerable.

      Make allowance for the former, not the latter.

      Delete
  9. Belfast Telegraph article today by Claire O Boyle (available online) reports, under a photo of McAreavey, that parents of four catholic primary schools (Hilltown, Saval, Mayobridge and Burren) have objected to McAreavey confirming their children. At a subsequent meeting last Friday at the Newry Parish Centre, he was asked when he would tender his resignation. Apparently he has indicated he would make his decision in the next few weeks.
    So it looks like the 'faithful' are beginning to awaken from their overlong obeisance to the RC clergy. Not before time either!
    MMM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For example, he may tender his resignation to the Vatican, which in turn will not be accepted. Standard procedure.

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    2. MMM @10.11 You need to read the article just a little more carefully. He said he would make a decision in the next few weeks regarding the Confirmations issue but not in relation to his resignation. From the article he gives the distinct impression he is for staying not going.

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  10. I don't think the bishop should resign. More productive would be a study to show people like him, and many others, how much they trust their clerical colleagues on a daily basis more than they trust the lay people who often walk on water to make a serious complaint.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I watched Spotlight online as it only featured on BBC Northern Ireland last week.

    I was going to say, had it featured on BBC1, nationwide, it may have increased pressure on John McAreavey to go, but other BBC investigations into the Catholic church haven't resulted in any resignations.

    Seán Brady, for example, later offered his resignation, but the Vatican did not accept it. McAreavey will follow same pattern I expect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Brady only had about 18 months to go before retirement after the BBC programme aired.

      The rancid-flower has another six or seven years!

      Delete
    2. 10:42, Brady never offered his resignation. In fact, he took a seven week period of “reflection”, after which, lo and behold, abracadabra cazam, he appeared as the “wounded healer” (all orchestrated by a spin doctor).

      Big Seanie Baptist then went on, as we all know and for which we are so grateful, to magically heal everyone and everything in sight - in Armagh and way beyond - and the Irish Church has been perfect ever since.

      McAreavey needs Brady’s spin doctor (was it Bartlett?). He will prevent him having to resign, placate all those angry parents and magic away the appalling scandal.

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    3. I read the article wrong, it said: "Sean Brady was willing to offer his resignation but the Vatican refused."


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    4. The Vatican didn’t have a gun to his head. He could have resigned if he had wanted to. He should have. He didn’t.

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    5. The Wounded Healer will turn 80 next year and as such will cease to be a cardinal elector. That's a bit of good news. Let's hope there's not a conclave before 2019.

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  12. I read the article in the Belfast Telegraph. I was glad to see that the bishop met with the parents and they were able to have a constructive conversation.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What would the Belfast Telegraph know or care about truth?
    A requiem mass is to ask God’s mercy on the dead person. It’s not a glorification or much less a canonization.
    JMcA has compounded this popular misunderstanding by saying he regretted presiding at the mass. Can you credit it? A bishop saying he regretted asking God to have mercy on a (grievous) sinner? For such incompetence he ought to take early retirement and take a parish or a curacy.

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    Replies
    1. What a truly bigoted, and stupid, post about the Belfast Telegraph!

      Delete
    2. I totally agree with you about the Telegraph. There is much evidence that the media generally is the enemy of the people, the enemy of the working class. They care about how much money they can make by exploiting crises in peoples lives. Pat, again I say to you, Magna is destroying your blog!

      Delete
    3. Thank you, 13:45, for agreeing with me about the Belfast Telegraph.😆

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    4. The Belfast Telegraph couldn't give a toss if Catholic children never get confirmed .
      But they do care about the huge drop in their sales .
      An eye-catching front page should help, don't you think?

      Delete
  14. GALWAY PROBLEMS


    Fr. Pat, I have just come across your blog, it was pointed out to me regarding this letter. As a lay person I feel a need to comment on the issue of bullying and the city PP with his clique, I feel I know exactly which parish this is, and yes the PP is indeed a very hardworking man and does a lot of good, however, he is also a very weak man and seems to be unable to make any decisions for himself, the clique he has around him, have all the control and have alienated a lot of good people. In the past year a number of paid and volunteer worker's have left their positions as a result of bullying by this clique! Positions within the parish have been given to people from outside the city, who stay in the PP house a number of nights per week, so on top of their large wage also get free room and board! This Parish is being destroyed by a priest too weak to stand up to his clique. This, of course, is just my observation and experience, but after reading the above letter I felt compelled to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had a serious bullying incident in payed work yesterday. I contacted the office and the person involved was visited by my manager I also submitted a written statement. It reminded me of years ago when I was bullied in a parish situation but didnt know it was bullying at the time. I remember viewing priests as a closed introverted group which I suppose could feed a bullying mentality.

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    2. As you say @ 12.04 "Galway Problems" - it's just your "observation "

      Delete
  15. Pat. Lots of my friends here in Newry are now on and talking about your blog. The craic is mighty. Go Buckley go !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. By accident or design, +Pat has become a very influential blogger.

      Delete
    2. Perhaps one of the reasons the Blog has become well read is that ordinary Catholics and indeed Catholic priests have no where else to express their views.

      If they express them within the Church they will suffer bullying and censure.

      Delete
    3. Never a truer word was spoken, Bishop P. .

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    4. 13:12 Anything you contribute defaces and demeans.

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    5. 18:27...in your opinion. And you know how highly we value that.😅😆

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    6. 13.12 is spot on. Magna demeans, disrespects, sneers and condescends all before him. He has priven himself to be an intolerably obnoxious, insidious and hateful person - a conclusion agreed by many contributors.

      Delete
    7. Magna, 19.02 - like the way we value your crap......!!

      Delete
    8. Oh, don't worry in Newry --I'm sure Pat is very proud of his "achievements".

      Delete
    9. Well said Magna ignore the haters

      Delete
  16. 12.04: Bullying of any kind in whatever sphere of work is totally unacceptable. Totally. The Church has bullying priests, schools have a problem, most areas of professional work - politics, business, medical, commercial. As a priest who has encouraged and facilitated the involvement of parishioners in all aspects of Parish and Church life - all properly Garda Vetted - I find some of these workers can be total bullies, not just to fellow workers but to parishioners also. I had reason over the years on a few occasions to request certain individuals to leave their involvement because of complaints. Now thankfully we have procedures to follow in the area of bullying but you always have to be vigilant. Yet, we would be lost without the involvement of our parishioners and especially in leadership roles. Power is a strange thing! In relation to Bishop McAreavy, I believe he should resign. I don't believe he deserves the onslaught if horrendous abuse on this blog. He has to live with his conscience and I'm certain that must be very challenging. However, my heart is for all survivors of abuse and I hope they are helped in every way by the Church and other support groups. I do not tolerate abuse of any kind and have no hesitation in acting appropriately and responsibly as required.

    ReplyDelete
  17. John McAreavey has been a disaster for our diocese between his utter laziness and his habit of offending hard working and loyal priests. We all laughed when he said he needed a sabbatical.He has been on a sabbatical since he came here in 1999. John, do the decent thing for once in your life and resign!

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  18. 10.50 I agree with you.
    It seems that Bishop John met with the people, they had an open and honest discussion and were able to be frank with each other.
    It's a great sign of dialogue to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're being incredibly naive. Bishop McAreavey's hand has been forced in this by all of the negative publicity about him, not least by the Spotlight documentary.

      It's politics that is motivating McAreavey now: politics, and pr.

      Delete
  19. Off the wall and totally nothing to do with anything serious Pat did you ever think of doing a book or article about clerical nicknames code words and slang. There have been many examples in contributions to the blog. Humour can be a great way of getting a message accros

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 17.21: Sean, humour can be used as a way of hurting others as happens on this blog by Pat and that specimen, Magna Blue. So, please spare us your efforts at humour. You're beginning to be very tedious. A lot of bullying happens in Church of England/ Anglican parishes. Now that you're in, tell the truth.

      Delete
  20. FATHER MC CAMLEY

    Fr MCCamley has been seen walking around in Keady in the last number of days. He had visited some families and is said to feel very contented. I wonder has he returned as PP? Nobody seems to know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did he have a beard?

      Delete
    2. Was it post-coital contentment?

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    3. He is back as PP. He didn’t do anything criminal and is within the law. He is not a criminal - sorry Pat you have tried to castigate an another innocent man. Provide the evidence - you don’t have any.

      Delete
    4. Bessbrook Brendan24 February 2018 at 10:10

      Is he within the moral law of the Catholic church?

      Delete
  21. I was glad to see the parents and the bishop meeting. It was a sign to me of dialogue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Bishop McAreavey is understood to have said he would come to a decision on his part in the confirmations "in the next few weeks".

      I rather think the parents have already decided that for him.

      Delete
  22. Magna 2 seems to be off the boil and doesn't appear on here any longer?
    Has the cat got his tongue?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Following a particularly pointed and stinging barb by Magna 1, Magna 2 is on retreat in Drumalis, in the Diocese of Larne, where he's considering his options.

      All is not lost as there is an active MC subs bench. This may have to be explained to MC1 as he's not into football, despite being such a man's man.

      Delete
    2. Real men, like the REAL Magna, are into rugby. Soccer's for cissies.😆

      Delete
    3. I agree with the Real Magna on this.

      Delete
    4. Oh for goodness' sake, duckie, do try not to be so insecure. We all know you're a man (I mean, no woman would dream of going round looking the way you do), you don't need to show us.
      The rumours of my demise are untrue, it's just I've got a bunfight for some bishop to arrange.
      And Magna 1, it's cricket. You just want to put your face in a man's bottom, don't you.

      Delete
    5. You've crossed a boundary.

      You're sick.

      Delete
  23. Sean 17.21- Humour can also be used as a defense mechanism and passive-aggressive.
    Humour can be a great way a hurting another person's feelings.

    ReplyDelete
  24. 10.50 & 15.29
    I am with you there. The parents got to voice their concerns and let the bishops know how they were feeling.
    I hope it is a sign how issues like this will be dealt with in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Spare us please Sean of the humour, we have enough on here with the 2 Maga's- I fear you are only giving them encouragement to wreck our heads.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 18.32 I had a horrible day yesterday. Think I was transferring my frustration. Humour must be appropriate dare I say like Fr Ted

      Delete
    2. What do you call a nun in a wheelchair?

      Virgin Mobile.

      Delete
    3. A Franciscan and a Jesuit were debating whose order was the greater. After months of debating, they decided to ask God for an answer then they died.

      Years later they went to Heaven and approached the throne. God said he was a bit busy but he'd write to them.

      After much consideration God sent the following letter:

      "My sons, please stop bickering about such trivial matters. Both orders are equally great and good in my eyes.

      Sincerely,

      God OP

      Delete
    4. Are we allowed to laugh?😆

      Delete
    5. Nihil obstat.

      Delete
  26. My faith is stronger than any bishop, priest or preacher.
    I do not agree with this form of civil unrest that is advocated. Save your energy to help the poor, marginalized and out-cast.
    Christ came to set his people free.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sean, did you see the article a few years ago in the Church Times about bullying in the Church of England?
    It said- 'Going to Church? Bring your thickest skin!'
    It narrated how prevalent bullying is in the Church of England.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's bullying everywhere, though I imagine it would be particularly tart in the CofE. How appropriate that it is headed by a Queen.

      Delete
  28. No but I know CoE is far from perfect. I'm not a church times subscriber yet anyway. I have learned church bullies come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it may be an indespensabe lay person

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sean, not really related to this, but have you seen the excellent Patrick Comerford blog? He's an Irish Anglican, ordained I think, and interested in RC theology too.

      http://www.patrickcomerford.com/search?updated-max=2018-02-21T18:30:00Z&m=1

      Delete
  29. Mention humour and some form of Magna is going to appear.
    Sooooooooooo boring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A priest, a rabbi and an iman walked into a pub. The barman said "is this a joke?"

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    2. Always nice to be invited...

      Delete
  30. @ Sean 19.59
    Bullies might even appear on this blog.....
    and Pat does all he can to promote this form of bullying.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Is there any need for the Diocese of Dromore? Surely time it was wound up and split between Armagh and Down and Connor

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They can have ten parishes each.

      Delete
  32. Thanks for your amusing comment, 21:32.

    ReplyDelete
  33. One of my nephews was a day pupil at St Colman's College, Newry. He was a victim of ferocious bullying by other pupils there.

    They arranged an appointment with Canon Brown, the President at the time.

    His response:

    "What do you expect me to do? They [the bullies] are country cubs".

    Canon Brown is now the Administrator/Dean of Newry Cathedral.

    ReplyDelete