Wednesday 14 February 2018

VICTIM OF PAEDOPHILE PRIEST SECURES BIGGEST EVER PAY-OUT


The Irish News. Allison Morris. 14 February 2018.




A victim of a paedophile priest who taught at Co Down school has secured what is thought to be the biggest ever pay-out in a historical abuse case in Northern Ireland.

Fr Malachy Finnegan worked as a teacher in St Colman's College in Newry from 1967 to 1976 and was president of the grammar school from 1976 until 1987.

The victim, who was 11 years old at the time of his abuse, secured a six-figure compensation sum, a letter of acknowledgment from Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey and an agreement that the Church pay for ongoing therapy sessions.


MC AREAVEY


Also included is an opportunity for the victim to attend the school in an attempt to "exorcise his demons".

Dr McAreavey has said he made an "error of judgment" by officiating at Fr Finnegan's funeral and revealed there were a total of 12 allegations made against the priest.

The first came to light in 1994, the second was made in 1988 and was not related to his tenure at St Colman's, while the others emerged after his death in 2002.

An elaborate headstone placed on his grave paid for by the Catholic Church, has since been removed.

The boy, a boarding pupil at St Colman's College when the abuse took place, was said to have suffered "violent sexual and emotional" abuse which "caused him to be permanently scarred".

Malachy Finnegan was a Latin teacher at the school at the time. He was later appointed parish priest in Dromore and held the position of parish priest in Clonduff until 1995.

Bishop McAreavey said earlier this month he had asked the National Board for Safeguarding Children to review the case of Fr Finnegan when it conducted an independent audit of all allegations against priests in the diocese in 2011.


FINNEGAN


He described his actions as “abhorrent, inexcusable and indefensible”.

However, Claire McKeegan, a partner with KRW Law, last night criticised the Church for its response following allegations made against Fr Finnegan.

She said no call was ever made for victims to come forward and he was "buried as a priest in good standing with a bishop presiding over his requiem Mass".

"Our clients have called for a public inquiry once and for all into clerical abuse in Northern Ireland and for the Church to surrender its documents and records for the scrutiny of a judge-led investigation which has the powers to get to the truth."

The Diocese of Dromore last night rejected the criticism and said the practice of safeguarding procedures "has been to report all allegations of abuse by any priest in the diocese including that of Fr Finnegan".

"The believability of the testimonies and stories of victims has always been accepted by the diocesan authorities immaterial of whether victims made a decision to engage with the police or not," it said.

"The records show that in relation to the first allegation that the then bishop and his legal advisor both recognized and were aware of their duty to report the matter. The practice of the then bishop in other cases at that time was also to report the allegations.


THE HUNTING GROUND


"The second reported incident came to the diocese after it was known to social services and the police. All subsequent allegations were also reported to the civil authorities including the police.

"The diocese has a victim-centered approach and has always taken account of the competing desires of victims to go public or maintain their privacy."


PAT SAYS:

Tuesday evening's SPOTLIGHT programme on BBC N. Ireland is one of the most shocking revelations to date about the Catholic Church in Ireland.

The priest-president of a diocesan college used the boys there as his own sexual playthings over many years.

The sexual abuse by Father Malachy Finnegan was an abuse of the worst kind.

The boys felt helpless and had no one to turn to.

Malachy Finnegan continued to abuse the boys in his car, a sacristy, and presbytery when he was made a parish priest.

Even when he was sent to a centre in England for rehabilitation he remained in contact on a weekly basis with one of his victims and got a Catholic lady to give the victim £10 a week to keep him silent.

JOHN MC AREAVEY was involved counseling one of the victims in the mid 90s - years before he became the Bishop of Dromore - so Mc Areavy cannot say he did not know of the abuse.

Knowing of the abuse he still proceeded in 2002 in presiding over Finnegan's funeral.

After the burial, the Catholic Church erected a massive Celtic cross over Finnegan's grave a grave and monument victims had to pass on their way to visit family graves. 

And now we learn that McAreavey & Co have secretly paid out one of the largest settlements to at least one of the victims - reputed to be a six figure sum.

Those payouts are not known to the people of Dromore diocese in whose name McAreavy & Co hold diocesan monies in trust. 


AND on the Spotlight programme, we were treated to the appearance of the Dromore "Safeguarding" officer coming on to defend McAreavey & Co who were blatantly absent!

Are these safeguarding people being paid £90,000 a year to protect bishops and clergy or to protect children and vulnerable adults?

We are now told that the big Celtic cross erected to Finnegan has been "removed".


This is now a major issue not only in Dromore but for the Catholic Church across Ireland.

It is quite obvious that McAreavey was a bad appointment in the first place - a bishop who had to publicly apologize for the way he treated his priests and who disappeared for a whole year on a so-called "sabbatical".

He got his job in the first place because he was a useful cover-up merchant.

Now his cover-up activities have been publicly exposed in an explosive manner.

If McAreavey had any decency he would resign.

But he will not because that would set a precedent for a lot of his colleagues.

These guys are answerable to no one.

People should walk away from McAreavey when he approaches them.

People should walk out of any Mass he presides at.

People should not allow him to confirm their children.

People should stop paying money into these guys coffers.

The parents of his schools should reject his chairmanship.


How many more of these incidents is it going to take Irish Catholics to realize that these guys are fooling them when they claim to represent God and Jesus?

They are quite simply the NEW PHARISEES who know they can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time.


157 comments:

  1. All that was already on the Spotlight programme . So we saw it ourselves.

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    Replies
    1. Some of us don't have a tv and are grateful for this summary. I don't understand why Pat is using a photo of Benedict. He has a far better record than JPII or Francis.

      Delete
  2. "If McAreavey had any decency he would resign."

    At least O'Brien had the decency to resign. This rancid-flower should also go into exile.

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  3. Dromore no more.

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  4. No we heard on Spotlight how an 11 year old was made to masturbate by a so called holy man, who cleaned him up afterwards..

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  5. “Also represents the Bishops’ Conference on the Episcopal Board of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL).”

    McAreavey went around the country promoting the translation of the missal which was based on the document Liturgiam Authenticam and opposed by many priests and lay people. The translation has silenced many church congregations.

    Pope Francis’ most recent document, Magnum Principium has since (Sept 2017) declared that LA’s principles were defective.

    For his role in promoting the missal alone he should resign.

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    Replies
    1. A dear friend of blessed memory used to call that the Missale MORONeum in honor of the Vox Clara folks who pushed it on the world.

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  6. I’m all right Jack @ 22.34. Yes you were selfish to admit, “We saw it ourselves”. There are those of us who have no access to BBC programmes and BBC N. Ireland in particular who didn’t see the programme. It’s not all just about you because there is a much wider audience out who didn’t see it.

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    1. @23.39
      Believe me poster you didn't miss much.. I wouldn't worry...

      Delete
    2. Don't worry poster @ 23.39
      You will be swimming in the regurgitation on this blog before long.
      I don't know what you're worrying about!
      (It was intended for people who had paid for a BBC licence)
      If you haven't any access, that possibly doesn't include you)

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    3. 'Didn't miss much', 10:22?

      Are you John McAreavey?😆

      Delete
    4. No, Magna.. I could never be mistaken for John McAreavey...! Not if you saw me anyway...

      Delete
    5. "... not all about you..". @ 23.39.
      You're talking nonsense!
      There wasn't ANY of the programme about me.. I am not Bishop McAreavey..

      Delete
  7. "People should walk out of any Mass he presides at."

    That wouldn't take many, I only counted thirteen listening to the soiled bishop's long overdue apology.

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  8. "Our clients have called for a public inquiry once and for all into clerical abuse in Northern Ireland and for the Church to surrender its documents and records for the scrutiny of a judge-led investigation which has the powers to get to the truth."

    I believe the current Scottish Child Abuse Enquiry was set-up following at a similar BBC Scotland TV investigation, Sins of Our Fathers, in 2013.

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgAag_p4PCs

    (The ongoing enquiry covers more than just Catholic institutions.)

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  9. It's a sad story. If McAreavey knew of wrongdoing he should have reported it. Does the church at large have a misguided notion of when to speak out. Also the woman giving the ten pound notes to the lad. What is all that about. Why did she not do something. What does this say about the church in general.

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  10. 00.21 I have heard the new missal translation in masses on the radio. Prefer the previous one.

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    1. Don't tell me th

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    2. Don't tell me that they have been tinkering with the Mass words again. That is unnecessary and drives me mad !

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    3. Keep your hair on @ 10.46 they are not tinkering with the Mass again. Anyhow we are discussing Bishop McAreavey if you hadn’t noticed.

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    4. 12:34 John McAreavey had a role in foisting the latest translation on priests and people. It’s highly relevant because it shows where his loyalties really lie. Francis has replaced and repudiated Liturgian authenticam, the instruction on which the translation was based.
      Of course, in 2010-‘11 there was an imminent vacancy in Armagh that has now bee fillwd. A good reputation with the Cong for Divine Worship and Sacs would have been an asset. Not that that matters now.

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    5. 00.21 I don't go anymore Sean. The new mass is an utter google translate mess.

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    6. Hey you! (@ 12.34)Less of your guff, man! It wasn't me who first mentioned the Mass today . I was responding to Sean which was NOYB. Remember that and we'll get along fine.

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    7. Yes, the Missal of Paul VI is a poor translation but no wonder as six Protestants were on the committee. What's striking is how unpopular it is. Congregations have dwindled and are mostly grey-haired and when they die the won't be replaced. Prior to the Novus Ordo, Catholic churches, seminaries and contents were full to overflowing. Give it five minutes for a commentator to say there is no connection whatsoever.

      Delete
    8. Being a Protestant is irrelevant when it comes to lierary skill.
      You are out of your depth on this topic. Missale Romanum 3 currently in use is the Mass of Vatican II, or Paul VI - the same Pope whom Francis has said will be canonized in 2018.

      The reasons for the decline in religious practice across denominations are so complex as to defy easy explanations. Your ageist, simplistic analysis is next to useless.

      Delete
  11. At Bishops Conference meetings McAreavey is always pushing for resignations when clerics make mistakes. Now he should do the right thing and 'drink his own poison'.
    Tommy Deen...

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    Replies
    1. He won't, anymore than Sean Brady did. And hadn't Brady, obliquely, called for the resignation of Bishop Donal Murray over conduct that was far less serious than Brady's?

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    2. The fallout from Spotlight may hasten McAreavey’s departure, but I expect the rancid-flower will brazen it out like that other soiled-senior-citizen, Seán Brady.

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  12. I felt a very disturbing and telling piece of the programme was when Ian Elliot, former chair of the National safeguarding committee said that in a letter issued by Dromore Diocese his words had been twisted to suit Dromores purposes. Absolutely shameful!

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  13. As the result of two incidents I witnessed years ago I decided that the Irish Catholic Church was a political organisation with little to do with spirituality and interested in the creation of assets and the protection of those in the clergy club. I stopped attending and subscribing.
    Instead I have developed a much deeper relationship with God in my prayer life and have a much better spirituality.
    No need for priests, masses etc.

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    Replies
    1. Well done, both for your insight and understanding, and importantly, acting with integrity as a result.
      I wonder how many others have developed similar views, but lack the courage to take action and simply follow the tribal herd.
      MMM

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    2. MMM at 12.15. I'm not surprised that you would applaud 8.41 for having courage and acting with integrity. Are you suggesting that those of us who "remain" are part of a tribal herd? I find that an absurd judgment and very offensive. Let's have respect for the thousands who have CHOSEN to be part of their Catholic Church Community despite their awareness of the many scandals within the Church. You may be surprised - there are people who make "intelligent conscientious" decisions to support their Church, who find spiritual enrichment and nourishment by participating in their Church's liturgies, especially the Eucharist (Mass..) and who find great comfort and inspiration by being part of the believing, praying Church. It's disingenuous to infer that those who remain are lacking in courage and may lack integrity.. In fact in today's culture it requires greater courage and integrity to stay within. The "remnant" are indeed true, good and faithful.

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    3. "No need for priests,masses" is what you say, poster 8.41

      Ultimately, it is your call what you do, whether you throw in the towel and become a lapsed Catholic or keep the Faith like poster 13.52.
      You will speak for yourself in the Final Judgement. (I, personally, think that temptations and difficulties make me more determined to be a better practising Catholic but I derive my spiritual strength from the Eucharist which is Christ's great Gift to us "food for our souls") It can't be said often enough that it is hugely important not to permit wrongdoers whom you see, hear, or read about to influence how you lead your life. We seem to hear of more and more instances where this is happening. Very sad, really.

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    4. 'You will speak for yourself in the Final Judgement.' And with this dire warning-cum-threat, 15:15, you betray your true relationship with God as one driven by fear of him and by self-interest and self-preservation, not by gratitude and love towards him.

      Have you learned so little in all your years of life? We cannot love what we fear, and your fear of God is great.

      God does not want your fear; this is a terrible insult to his love. God does not want even your love, for you (we) have none to give. What he wants is for us to know our need of him, our deep and permanent attachment to him as our sustainer and provider. For it is only when we reach this stage on our spiritual journey that human hearts expand with gratitude. And gratitude to God for our dependency on him is the first step to a loving relationship with him.

      There is no room for fear on this journey.

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    5. No lectures from you, thank you!
      You were particularly foul-mouthed yesterday to a teacher who answered your sarcastic query!

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    6. Thank you for your observations A@13:52. When I wondered how many.....it was genuinely querying in the absence of any concrete statistical evidence, if such exists. I had no intention of making a sweeping statement or inferring such. So I continue to wonder for, based on the volume of clerical abuse now regularly uncovered it would seem a reasonable question. In discussing these issues with friends and family I am regularly finding the majority to now be what has been described as social Catholics with little belief in the teachings of the RC church.
      MMM

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  14. Why can’t the mysterious nun be traced and asked about her involvement? She also needs to be shown up like Dracula’s mother, McAreavey.

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    1. The nun would probably take the stance that she cannot - - on her side of it--disclose what was said in a counselling session....

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    2. The nun would have given the client a guarantee that anything said to her in counselling was confidential. She wouldn't be at liberty to discuss the man's business with others, even years afterwards. He can - - she can't

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    3. The Religious Sister may not feel compelled to reveal any information regarding this case because of Confidentiality issues. However, people are at least entitled to know her identity.

      Sr. Mary

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    4. Yes, 13:27; but he could give her pemission to explain why she had shamefully heaped moral guilt upon him...on top of all the other pain he was enduring.

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    5. Sr. Mary I wish you would sush. You have to much to say on this blog. Should you not be in the convent sowing, knitting, washing the altar linen and washing the Priests y fronts.

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    6. Huh-! Who are you kiddin'! He'd blinkin better wash his own...

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  15. 'The records show in relation to the first allegation that the then bishop...recognized...duty to report the matter.'

    Oh, what would the institutional Roman Catholic Church do without its practice of mental reservation!

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  16. That woman that McAreavey sent on to defend him was pathetic and defensive. She used that old defence about not being in her position at the time so couldn’t comment. People like her are being paid thousands for her role within Dioceses. I must say well done to BBC Spotlight for good investigative journalism.

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  17. Faloon’s interview is on bbciplayer, just saw now on bbc facebook

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  18. I think it was wrong to remove the Priests headstone. No one should ever tamper with a grave.

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    Replies
    1. Wasn’t Smyths removed?

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    2. Jesus did...his own and others.😆

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    3. Jesus removed His stone to allow his disciples and sceptics to observe that He had truly risen from the dead.

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    4. Jimmy Savile's triple headstone was removed in 2012.

      BTW were any pictures of Savile also taken down at St Colman's? I wonder.

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    5. In many graveyards in N. Ireland there are many men and women terrorists who murdered (not abused) many people during the troubles. They have very elaborate headstones proudly stating they were members of paramilitary organisations. Do we remove these headstones too? No because we are dealing with double standards here and hypocrisy.

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    6. 16:59, you have a point. But, by your own words, these people 'murdered', and I'm sure that their surviving comrades would not be best pleased if there were any attempt to remove the headstones of their dead. Who would be brave enough to risk their wrath?

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    7. The terrorists' headstones are put up by family members and terrorist groups who support and endorse the memory of the dead person. If the diocese paid for this priests headstone they could be seen to be endorsing him.

      The convent graveyard in Enniskillen is quite a sight. The nuns graves are marked by small simple metal crosses, whereas the deceased PPs of Enniskillen have big stone Celtic crosses over their graves.

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    8. But there is the little matter of the deeply-held view that one man's "terrorist" is another man's "Irish freedom fighter who gave his life in the cause of liberty" There is getting away from the fact that many people see these things differently from we do.

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    9. I’m referring to their victims and their families - their comrades don’t matter. What do you know anyway you mug.

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    10. 18:50 Yes. Very telling, Clogher Curate. Their tombstones declaring to the world just how dead they are.

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    11. @19.50
      I know a lot more than you do, if you had to ask the question!

      Delete
    12. Yes we know who you are now Clogher Curate by your responses above, you gave the game away Martin.

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    13. If you knew Clogher diocese you would know that we have only two Martins and both are PPs not CCs: Hubert Martin and Martin Treanor. I'm neither of them.

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  19. There is an encouraging statement today from the Vatican regarding Sexual Abuse and the care and concern that Pope Francis has for people who suffered abuse.

    Some people who read this blog may not like it or like Pope Francis.

    Declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, 15.02.2018





    In response to questions from journalists, I am able to confirm that several times a month, the Holy Father meets with victims of sexual abuse, both individually and in groups. Pope Francis listens to the victims and tries to help heal the serious wounds caused by the abuse they have suffered. The encounters take place in the utmost privacy, out of respect for the victims and their suffering.

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    1. But don't you think, 11:39, the timing, er, convenient? For Pope Francis? It will, for a time, take a little heat away from him, considering his disatrous remarks about the Chilean abuse-survivors and his highly public support for Bishop Juan Barros.

      I'm sorry, but I am deeply cynical about this clear attempt to deflect media attention from Francis' conduct in South America; this is Vatican machievellianism. You should exercise a little more wisdom before rushing to praise.

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    2. Vatican damage limitation and PR exercise.

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    3. Wonder does he tell them.
      In time god will forgive u.

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    4. @Magna and @Pat

      I expected you both to rubbish my remark with your condescending responses.

      While you both spend your time praising yourselves and each other, you find it very hard to see the good work in others.

      What was the scriptural reference about seeing the plank in our own eyes first?

      Delete
    5. 11.39 Marie Collins resigned. She could see it was going no-where.

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    6. 14:16, I do recognise, and appreciate, goodness in others, but I must also be honest and recognise, though not appreciate, that Francis' conduct in Chile (and,indeed, when he returned to Rome) was far from good, and morally compounded by the fact that he didn't retract, let alone apologise for, HIS calumisatuon of the abuse survivors.

      Maybe you're okay with this, but I am not.

      Delete
    7. And when are YOU, Magna Blue going to start to "retract" some of the vile language and abuse which you have doled out yourself,
      over the last few days in particular when you reached new lows? - - To borrow one of your well-worn words.. hypocrite.

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    8. All talk no action from Francis. He could require McAreavey to resign. But pigs might fly.

      Delete
    9. 18:25, yours is a strawman argument, a logical fallacy. It does not deal with my point, because it fears to do so, knowing its defeat is inevitable.😆

      But I'll make you a deal nevertheless, similar to that offered by Jesus to the Temple authorities. Address my point first, and then I shall address yours. But provide evidence for your demand of me.

      Delete
    10. Back to your silly ass tactics.. There is stacks of evidence... Practically every day of the week .. I particularly referred to how you responded to the teacher recently when she explained to you in detail about the formation purpose of good education etc. Go back and read up your nasty insulting response which we will not forget. I think you should apologise but an apology takes a real man.

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    11. Does the encouraging statement say that Barros has been told to resign?

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  20. "They are quite simply the new Pharisees..."

    But they'll still be collectively the dirty-mac-brigade to many readers.

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  21. "People should walk away from McAreavey when he approaches them."

    Shun and dump the fallen star. Perhaps the Transalpine Redemptorists on the Island of Papa Stronsay could take him in.

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  22. In view of the revelations concerning Mr Finnegan, is it reasonable to ponder what kind of moral compass he possessed, and, as a separate issue, did he believe his longstanding abusive behaviour was sinful or contrary to the professed teachings of his RC religion, and his role as a cleric of that institution? And, as a corollary, what other questions reasonably follow?
    To simply dismiss his behaviour as an individual's inherent aberrant evil without questioning its origins and nature seems to fall short of a useful understanding of the issues.

    Did Finnegan have an understanding that his behaviour was morally wrong and unacceptable to the majority? One could well assume that by its secretive nature, he certainly knew it wrongful and sought to conceal it.

    Did Finnegan believe his behaviour to be sinful? If we assume that he believed in God and the teachings of his professed RC religion, yet notwithstanding, he continued his abusive behaviour for so long, would it follow that he had either rejected his God's teachings, or alternatively, convinced himself that his actions were not intrinsically sinful, or somehow did not apply in his case? Perhaps knowledge of whether or when he ever sought absolution after 'confessing' his sins might shed light on his beliefs.

    For my part, I find it difficult to believe that while continuing his abusive behaviour he maintained belief either in the existence of God, or of the relevance of RC teachings. I wonder if this might apply elsewhere with respect to clerical abuses when power, prestige and privilege become the major considerations.

    I've been giving some thought to these issues and wonder what other blog readers think about it, and my thoughts above.
    MMM

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    1. I think a person can become so deeply mired in sin that personal objectivity and moral self-scrutiny (ability to examine conscience) can be lost. Traditionally, it has been called 'spiritual blindness', after the gospels' recording Jesus' use of the pharse towards certain Pharisees. Personally, I regard it as a state of mortal sinfulness, and without special grace to illumine this person's moral failings, he or she will die in this state, having lost the capacity to repent. Such a person, when he or she dies, will not want to be with God for a metaphorical moment, let alone for eternity.

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    2. I recently read them being described as 'opportunistic hypocrites'.

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    3. MMM...years ago there was what was known as ‘’ made priests’’
      When an offspring was singled out by family in cohorts with their pp.
      Parents mistakenly thought they would receive eternal blessings ifone of their sons became a priest or a nun.
      You often see generations of familys with a priest or 2 or 3 in every generation.
      God help many of those poor lads hadn’t a clue what they letting themselves in for....
      And of course celibacy is the elephant in the room.

      Delete
  23. MMM, It is my experience that many RC clerics see themselves as religious functionaries and do not have any real faith, spirituality or prayer life - and some are in fact agnostics or atheists.

    They are cultural or social Catholics and clerics who have enjoyed positions of power and prestige.

    This is a deeply dysfunctional, dangerous and possibly psychotic phenomenon.

    They also have a schizophrenic approach to life being one thing while wearing the collar and another thing when not wearing it.

    Their positions are often maintained by excessive cynicism, drinking, golfing and the accruing of wealth.

    This is a very real problem and requires major academic studies.

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    Replies
    1. Perhaps Keith O'Brien will leave his brain to scientific research.

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    2. Pat at 14.57: You just love to make wild assertions without being able to quote relevant research. To claim that "many" priests are "religious functionaries" without any real faith, spirituality may be true of some, but not of many, at least in my experience. But I would not be so arrogant to make such a broad sweep of judgment, as you do, somehow putting yourself above the rest of us. You are no ICON to be imitated or from whom we get inspiration. I agree that there are many challenges in living priesthood today and radical changes are necessary. The description you give is purely out of your disdain and contempt for the Catholic Church - from which you defected - and for Catholic Priesthood. Considering the less than virtuous or ideal "priesthood" and "lifestyle" that shapes your worldview, you're the last person I'd look to for TRUTH....I live in the shadow of God's mercy and grace and I endeavour to treat others with the same mercy. Pat, give me and the rest of us your verifiable statistics about those clerics whose positions-
      as you assert - are maintained by excessive cynicism, drinking, golfing and the accruing of wealth. The many priests I know do not fit this caricaturing. Yes, some have personal demons but they are very kind,human and caring people. Somehow, you love peddling lies. There's such a smarminess in your comments that's offensive.

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    3. I base my views, not on academic studies but on 48 years of observing Catholic clergy and institutions and from my dealings with hundreds of clergy victims.

      I did not defect from the RC institution.

      I was put out for speaking the truth.

      You just go on enabling and deefending the abusers and the abusive system.

      Im sure your reward will be great in heaven.

      Delete
    4. @16:11 There's none so blind as those who will not see.

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    5. Pat, 16.38: You left or were put out because you could't get your own way. There are two sides to your story, not just your narrative. You are unable to cogently argue the claims you make. When challenged to be intelligent and give verifiable evidence you resort to your now tiresome mantra - accusing me and others of enabling and defending the abusive system. That argument is lazy and allows you to perpetuate fake news. Answer my questions of 16.11. There are hundres of priests who successfully speak the truth but still remain in the Church and who make a difference for being true to their conscience and integrity.. From my observations of many, many years listening to you, I await the new Kingdom you proclaim. Sadly, Pat, you're too full of self righteousness and arrogance for that to be accomplished . When I witness the new life and enlightenment you forever dream of, I might confer some adulation on you. But my waiting will be in vain...In the meantime I stay with the True Catholic Church and renew, with God's grace, both myself and those entrusted to my care.

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    6. You use soundbites to protect fake religion which is much worse than fake news.

      The True Catholic Church?

      Tell that to:

      The victims of the crusades
      The victims of the counter reformation
      The victims of the Inquisition

      The victims of sexual abuse by cardinals, archbishops, priests and religious.

      The victims of the Magdalen laundries.

      The families of the 700 babies in the Tuam septic tank.

      The discarded children of bishops and priests.

      The millions of unbaptized babies in unconsecrated ground.

      In it's unholy history the RC Church has ruined and destroyed more lives than Adolf Hitler ever did.

      And people like you continue to enable, excuse, defend and tell us that it is capable of so called renewal.

      You poor blind idiots!

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    7. Do not be so insulting, Pat!
      Once again, if someone doesn't want to desert his Faith, you throw out the old insult "poor blind idiots"
      That is unbelievably patronising to describe educated good members of the Church in those nasty words. I am shocked at your descent into such disrespect!

      Delete
    8. Anon @ 17:12 & 16:11: in fairness to Pat, he did preface his remark by relating it to his experience: "It is my experience that many RC clerics see themselves as religious functionaries....etc". And subsequently, at 16:38, he clarified that experience as 48 years of observing catholic clergy and institutions and from dealing with hundreds of clergy victims.
      I think your criticism of Pat for not responding to your liking with "verifiable evidence and statistics" (your words) is unreasonable, and on balance I prefer to believe his experiences rather than yours.
      You may indeed be a wholly upright virtuous paragon with experience different to Pat's. But I'm left wondering just how perspicacious your experience is, and what level of exposure you have had to the real world outside a rose tinted cocoon of clerical privilege.
      MMM

      Delete
    9. I would wholeheartedly welcome welcome independent academic research on this area and believe it would confirm my close on 50 years observations.

      The studies that have been conducted by Sipe and Cozzens back up my observations.

      We're such studies to show my observations wrong I would immediately admit I was wrong and correct my views.

      Delete
    10. MMM you have just proven yet again that you are so far up Pats backside it’s unreal. With your big fancy terminology and dare I say arrogance you and Pat are well matched. You stroke his ego and he purrs and he does likewise to you. You always come across as a boring old fart and I bet you pretend you don’t even fart in the bath. I’m sorry if that’s not so intellectual for you MMM but I wait with bated breath for Pat to jump to your defence and the buffoon that’s called Magna - another supporter of yours.

      Delete
    11. 19:36 Have you missed the dozens of occasions when MMM disagreed me, criticised what I said, critised my style and criticised my use of certain images?

      He and I disagree on many things but you cannot accuse him of being partisan to me as he regularly reprimand me.

      Delete
    12. It took you 10 minutes to jump to his defence, let’s now wait for your sidekick Magnas excuses. Maybe he’s hit the bottle too early again.

      Delete
    13. @19.36

      Friend, you have well and truly lost the plot and the argument. So convinced you are of your own infallibility that when challenged you regress to the infantile state of name calling.

      Delete
    14. 19:56, I'm as sober as Judge 'Hanging' Jeffries!😆

      Delete
    15. The illegitimate Magna Carta has given up sobriety for Lent!

      Delete
    16. @20.24 busybody. You are not my friend. My point was addressed to MMM and Pat, not you. So jog on.

      Delete
    17. Pat, Fr Ray Blake in his latest blog posts reports that three Arundul & Brighton priests have left instructions that there are to be no religious rites after they die. He also deplores the lack of episcopal support to priests. Interesting reading.

      Delete
    18. @07.30 Rev Blake’s blog is one of those Pope Francis advises people not to read for Lent.

      If rev Blake were my PP I’d be leaving similar instructions.

      Delete
  24. There is NONE .who don't need God's forgiveness. Some people think they above that, but they are wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  25. He was a paedophile , simple as that M MM.
    It is very very wrong of you Pat to say he had a schizophrenic approach.
    You need to study that illness before making such rash and often commonly used statements.
    Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness in its own rite....no one with this illness behaves as you say..that is a misrepresentation of the severe illness.
    And why do you always reply to MMM and keep hid during many posting on here.
    And if you read here now ,can you please stop posts from the Magna imposter...Magna is an excellent poster, although sometimes he can be slightly outrageous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Magna Blue is verv much more nasty and insulting.. I certainly wouldn't minify it by describing him as "slightly" anything!
      Have you forgotten how he responded to someone decent a few days ago when the role of schools was being discussed?!

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    2. I like him...end of

      Delete
    3. There are more forms of schizophrenia than the actual medical condition.

      I am speaking of spiritual schizophrenia.

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    4. No, sorry, Pat. That is a misrepresentation and misinterpretation of the illness,
      Please do not insult people who suffer from this dreadful illness.
      It is wrong to use the word when referring to erring priests.
      Have some compassion for the ill.

      Delete
    5. I thought that in this day and age no pastor would speak of schizophrenia so insensitively.

      Delete
  26. So how would you describe Mc Areavy....a covererupper?
    When are our bishops gonna act with integrity?
    Is there any of them honest in their approach to people.?
    Why was our plate collections given to this victim without our permission.
    Has this victim told someone how much he got?
    Can we find out
    Of course no amount of money could repair the damage he suffered.
    Where did the 10 pound come from...and who was this woman who handed it over... is her name known to the people in Dromore.?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is the Wounded Healer II – His Sin-twister.

      Delete
    2. Nothing healing about him
      They both, Brady and Mc Areavy,hypocrites..liars...spongers.
      Suppose he could do the annual hypocritical pilgrimage to Lourdes on back of the plate money too.

      Delete
  27. I read somewhere that Clogher dioceses has 20 million in its pocket.
    Why can’t they sponsor poorer families through uni{ not priestly}and do something useful like the Princes trust.
    And it is still disgusting about that mansion Treanor lives in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You read it and you believed it?

      Delete
  28. Pat,
    Interesting to see that Clonduff parish haven't followed the example of St Colmans and "airbrushed" Fr. Finegan. The parish website history section has this:

    "Rev. Malachy Finegan, was appointed P.P. on 17th. January 1988. He was a native of Newry Parish. He was on mission in the diocese of Kildare & Leighlin at Mountmellick, 1973-76. Fr. Finegan was President of St. Colman's College 1976-87. He died on 15th. January 2001, having retired in September 1995. "

    http://www.clonduffparish.com/about/history

    ReplyDelete
  29. Pat, We are told in media reports that one victim of Finnegan has received a six figure sum. At the lowest end of the scale this means £100,000. It may well be considerably more! There are at this point at least another 11 victims. So if each receives on average £100,000 that means Dromore will be paying out £1.2 million. Added to this there will be legal fees, counselling fees etc.
    That’s for Finnegan alone.
    How many others are there that haven’t bubbled to the surface yet or how many others are there sitting silent who have been secretly compensated but have been handcuffed by a Seán Brady style ‘gagging clause” as a condition of settlement.
    Dromore is a small diocese with around 20 parishes. Human nature being what it is it is fair to assume that the other diocese in the island of Ireland will also be paying out large sums as the result of the actions of deviant clergy.
    Have the good parishioners been told how much of the hard earned money they put on the plate is going to compensate the victims of abusing clergy.
    Will this be the next episode of scandal?

    Dalriada Dick

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Where else wd the dioceses get it , Dick, other than off the people’s plate

      Delete
    2. I am very sorry indeed for any victim. Those incidents we heard about were horrendous and no child should have had to tolerate the trepidation and ordeals which went on for years. It seems so strange even yet to know that they endured so many repeated acts of abuse (which distressed them so much at the time) and yet there are very few instances of boys even hinting to other adults or their parents when they went home for half term . Full of fear, I suppose.

      Delete
    3. Unless they have insurance for this eventuality, as some dioceses in the US do, or it could be paid for through the sale of property. But parishioners won't be told.

      Delete
  30. Pat, there is plenty of scope for a full post on Michael John Browne (1895-1980) and Bishop of Galway (1937-1976). The stories about how he treated clergy, nuns and children at Confirmation are legion. If you invited people to post their memories and anecdotes here you would be doing a service to church history.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 20.28: That could be said on many Bishops of that era! Today, Bishops do not celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in that manner. Books could indeed be written about societal, church and state imposed misery, abuse and suffering on anyone deemed "unwell" or "different". The legacy of all is shameful. But today we have our own moral blindnesses - homelessness, families losing their homes, children in crisis sutuations at home, children waiting for necessary scans and life saving treatment and medication, racism and the possibility of abortion up to 12 weeks gestation..These are moral challenges for all of us.

      Delete
    2. Is there any history to bishop Mc namee Arda and clonmacnoice?

      Delete
    3. I remember not being able( through fright ) to answer a question posed to me at confirmation...and getting a fairly hearty slap on my head .
      Prob 1949/50

      Delete
    4. I sympathise with you .. Authority figures resorted to physical punishment so easily then!

      Delete
  31. Yes. And Neil Farrenn who was briefly mentioned here recently.

    ReplyDelete
  32. 17.48. Ah, Pat, now we see your vicious, pernicious hatred in all its fullness. You cannot bring yourself to recognising any good priests or all the good done by Priests who, while having many questions about the Church itself, remain faithful to their vocation and do immense good for others. Yes, there are those who sully the priesthood, but be fair and balanced at least. You are nasty. In the season of Lent, may I suggest a crash course in mercy and humanity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why can’t you leave personal remarks about Pat or posters for that matter out of our discussions.
      Not many here mentioning the victims here...I have.
      21.47
      Pat has always maintained that there are many good sincere priests.

      Delete
    2. If that's truly the case, why don't we get an equal amount of laudatory blog entries from him with inspirational stories about the good that these priests are doing? And don't say they aren't there!

      Delete
  33. MMM @ 18.32: I've always had respect for you but you are beginning to show a rather distasteful side to your comments. In response to my 17.12 contribution, I assure you I don't see myself as a paragon of virtue. I struggle, thus my statement that I depend on God's grace. I do not live in any kind of privileged cocoon and I can also assure you that I live in the real world. After 40 years of ministry I consider myself blessed to have achieved much in my life in a variety of ministries and blessed that many, many people of all ages have given both gratitude and affirmation for my ministry with them. So, I find your comments condescending, offensive and unworthy of you. Stick with Pat all you like but he's not always right.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm wondering where is Jesus amid this story of abuse, its management and the large payout of mass goers donations as compensation?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, we know that Jesus said it would be better for a millstone to be tied round a man's neck and that he be buried in the sea than give scandal to one of his little children...

      Delete
  35. Whow!! An alliance forged between MMM and Pat. We better be careful. Together today, they are so closely entwined, ( Valentine's Day effect!),it's hard to differentiate between them. And, not one bit of Lenten kindness in their attitude! I expected nothing less from Pat, but the normally balanced and fair approach of MMM has deserted him. Their like-mindedness is scary..... And MMM using that big impressive word- perspicacious..Another whow!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Pat, you often throw up this list at 17.48, and while it is a justified listing, I feel you are adding too much of your own negativity. Sorry. It seems as if you have taken on the line that the church cannot be renewed - I may be wrong in that assumption. You talk as if you are outside the problem church and perhaps if you were again in under its structure you may find a more positive response and appreciation of the good that can be done by ordinary members going about their daily duty. The way forward is surely the way of the cross and perhaps let Jerusalem fall in its own time as Jesus himself mentioned the future fall of the city.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He IS outside the Church...a self-made heretic

      Delete
    2. 22.58, if you are right, then why is it taking somebody like that to save people from the ordination of some young sick priests?

      Delete
    3. It gives him a public platform to get his own back on the Church by continually writing lists of its shortcomings.

      Delete
    4. Thanks for commenting 23.51, but I do think the nice word 'shortcomings' could be replaced in more than a few instances by the word 'evil'. I maybe wrong.

      Delete
  37. I see from the Kerry Diocese website that Sean Jones is not listed among their deacons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought he was now listed as cabin crew on regular Ryanair DUB to IBZ flights.

      Delete
  38. MMM - Today in a nasty, unusual broadswipe at some bloggers, you reveal a very different persona than we're used to. I hope you are not taking the route of Pat's nastiness and arrogance or the condescending, venomous, offensive way of Magna Blue..Recently you complained of the direction of commentary which was very personalised vicious and juvenile. You should avoid that delinquent behaviour. Sadly, today, you are, as one blogger intimated - Pat's sidekick. Your downfall is inevitable.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Has he resigned yet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Transalpine Redemptorists must be awaiting his call. Telephone [+44] (0) 1857 616 210. C'est pour le meilleur.

      www.papastronsay.com/contact/images/papa_stronsay.jpg

      Delete
    2. His days should be spent in prayer solitude and manual labour indoors. In addition he can request some more active manual labour outdoors.

      Delete
  40. Keith O’Brien is frequently mentioned in relation to this story. O’Brien denounced same-sex relations while practising the opposite.

    Another priest to disparage gay people was Fr Terry Crotty OP of the Dominican seminary in Dublin’s north inner city. During a Mass he described gay people as “intrinsically disordered.” How would he deal with one of his protégés who might be ambiguous about his sexuality? What a shocking state of affairs for an Order to appoint a priest with public form like this to be in charge of seminarians! What is his vision for the human development of his flock?

    Are there no gay members of his order? Is there none to take him aside and give him a dose of reality?

    McAreavey is not in this category.

    http://www.thejournal.ie/catholic-church-sermon-gay-people-2245126-Jul2015/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After Savile’s crimes were known, O’Brien demanded the disgraced DJ be stripped of his papal knighthood – bestowed in 1990.

      Delete
    2. Terence Crotty gave up a lucrative career as a dentist before joining the OPs so he has heaps of integrity.

      Delete
    3. 05:48, a classic non sequitur

      Delete
    4. Integrity is demonstrated by actions and words in relation to the other.
      Crotty’s words at mass of all places make O’Brien look tolerant and rational.

      Delete
    5. 12:02. Not a non sequitur. Bet you have dentures top and bottom.

      Delete
    6. 21.39 A denial is not a refutation and ad hominem no argument.

      Delete
    7. @5.48
      Your comment is pure chauvinism and reeks of class consciousness.

      Giving up dentistry may have nothing at all to do with integrity and everything to do with poor job satisfaction as evidenced by the high rate of suicide among dentists.

      If this sermon is standard fare it’s likely he has poor job satisfaction as a priest.

      The congregation at his mass would be better off if he made another career move.

      Delete
    8. Inflicting that drivel on people who go to mass there!
      They should vote with their feet. What are numbers going to mass and communion there like?

      An abuse of the altar.

      Delete
    9. Why is there a high suicide rate among dentists?

      Delete
  41. pat, what about the suggestion of a post on Michael John Browne the dictator bishop in Galway for nearly 40 torrid years! His portrait, imperious in form, hangs in Stoyte House, Maynooth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hopefully, it can be removed along with any portraiture of Jimmy Savile.

      Delete
    2. Isn’t Mc quaids portrait still up ?
      Wasn’t his tenure tainted + + +...... meaning plus plus plus

      Delete
    3. Maynooth College priest16 February 2018 at 21:48

      There are no portraits on display in Stoyte House. There's a very dark, heavily varnished painting in the office of the President of SPCM. The bishop portraits are on the cloisters of the Pugin buildings here.

      What is striking about Stoyte House is that until the mid 1990s the front door had no lock. That enabled thieves dressed in workmens clothes to casually remove two 18th century fireplaces and casually carry them out through the front gates of the college, unchallenged by the gate lodge staff.

      Delete