Tuesday 1 May 2018


Cardinal Pell ordered to stand trial on sexual assault charges



Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell will stand trial on historical sexual assault charges, a court has ruled.
Cardinal Pell formally pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
An Australian magistrate ruled on Tuesday that there was enough evidence for the case to proceed to a trial on some charges, but not on others.
Cardinal Pell, 76, is Australia's most senior Catholic and one of the most powerful officials in the Vatican.
He was given a large police guard as he entered the Melbourne Magistrates' Court in front of dozens of media representatives and members of the public.
Cardinal Pell, who is considered the Church's third-ranked official, took a leave of absence from the Vatican last year to fight the charges in his home country.
Most of the evidence given remains confidential.
But following the hearing on Tuesday, his lawyer, Robert Richter QC, argued that the most "vile" allegations against his client had been dismissed.

What is known about the allegations?
Last June, police in the state of Victoria charged the senior cleric with what they described as historical charges involving "multiple complainants".
More than 30 witnesses testified during a preliminary court hearing, known as a committal, that ran for four weeks from March. Many sessions were closed to the public, which is standard practice in Victoria in sexual offence cases.
In open hearings, the court heard that an alleged incident took place at a Melbourne cathedral in the 1990s when the cleric was archbishop of Melbourne.
Another allegation related to a swimming pool in the city of Ballarat in the 1970s, when Cardinal Pell was a local priest, the court heard.
What does Cardinal Pell say?
The cleric has consistently denied all accusations, saying last year: "I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me."
Cardinal Pell's lawyer, Robert Richter QC, told a previous hearing that the allegations were "impossible", describing the complainants as "unreliable".
He argued that Cardinal Pell had been targeted by accusers because of his role as Australia's most senior Catholic figure, and that his client had fully co-operated with police.
What happened on Tuesday?
Magistrate Belinda Wallington said about half of the charges had sufficient evidence to be put to a trial.
An allegation that Cardinal Pell committed a sexual assault in a Ballarat cinema during a screening of Close Encounters of The Third Kind was among the charges that were dismissed.
In explaining that decision, Magistrate Wallington cited inconsistencies between the evidence of the accused and other witnesses, as well as timelines of when the film was screening.
"The evidence as a whole is not a sufficient weight for a jury to convict," she said.
Pell defiant
Hywel Griffith, BBC News Sydney correspondent
For over an hour, Cardinal Pell listened studiously, arms folded, as all of allegations against him were described in detail.
Surrounded by supporters in the front row, he didn't react when the magistrate announced that half of the charges were to be dismissed.
When he entered his plea, Cardinal Pell remained seated but spoke in a loud, defiant voice with two words: "Not guilty."
And with that, it was clear that the cardinal will now face a trial before a jury.
His appearances so far have seen dozens of cameras trail his every move in and out of court. When a trial does finally take place, the scrutiny is likely to be even more intense.

What will happen now?
Cardinal Pell's trial will be held before a judge and a 12-person jury in the County Court of Victoria.
The court will hold an administrative hearing on Wednesday, but the trial is not expected to begin for several months.

On Tuesday, the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, said he had "confidence in the judicial system in Australia and said that justice must now take its course".

PAT SAYS:

Archbishop Hart is right. Justice must now take its course.

I would be reasonably confident that no one will interfere or have undue influence with the Australian judicial system.

There is one thing, though, that I do not understand.

Why is Cardinal Pell wearing a shirt and tie to court instead of his clerical collar?

This happens a lot when clergy are in court.

Is it that they want to stress that before the courts they are an individual and not a priest?

Surely a priest is always a priest - and a cardinal is always a cardinal - and they should dress in court as they dress everyday?

153 comments:

  1. But the majority of charges against the cardinal were either withdrawn or dismissed, including several of the most serious allegations

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    1. If found guilty, the details of all the other allegations will be made public.

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    2. ... by that I mean they usually appear in the newspapers afterwards.

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    3. That goes without saying. We are fully aware of this.

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  2. I hope Cardinal Pell receives a fair trial, and I hope the victims receive justice.

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    Replies
    1. How are they victims? His eminence hasn't been convicted of anything.

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    2. Good point.

      Alleged victims, then.

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  3. It's a light blue shirt and clerical collar, but there is no tie. I wish him well.

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  4. I'd like to see what Cardinal Burke would wear lol

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    Replies
    1. A full theatrical entrance. Gammarelli's wouldn't have an inch of lace left. Liza Minnelli and Shirley bassey......

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    2. @11.46 He could have taken advice on what to wear from Fr. Shirley Bassey in Wateford Diocese. He has a preference for a particular boutique in Co. Tipperary.

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  5. ... And what would your comments have been if Cardinal Pell had turned up in full regalia with lots of lace? I can just imagine!

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  6. Agars Mac Rimes2 May 2018 at 00:54

    this wee bloke will go through a prolonged trial only for it all to end in some suspended sentence. naht a day of jail time will he see. i reckon that the trial wont evern take place for a year or so?

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    Replies
    1. BBC says, Speedy process urged.

      On Wednesday, Judge Susan Pullen said a trial date was expected to be set during an administrative hearing on 16 May.

      The cardinal's lawyer, Robert Richter QC, argued for matters to proceed quickly because "my client is 76 years old [and] everyone needs to get on with their lives".

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  7. Having gone through a trial yourself +Pat, what advice would you offer to Cardinal Pell. Genuine question.

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    1. Tell the truth and hope for the best.

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    2. ... or in his case, tell lies and hope for the best.

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    3. 9.55.
      Or in your case,the rash judgement option apparently..

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  8. Let the law take it's course. Does the shirt and tie suggest the priesthood part of him is beyond reproach. What does he wear every day as a matter of course

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  9. Hello Pat, unless you are talking about photos other than the one you posted here, he is not wearing a tie. He is wearing a white shirt with white Roman collar - have a closer look.

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  10. Quick, make that man a Trustee of Maynooth.

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  11. It is not a shirt and tie. It is a white clerical shirt, common in Australia and with D. Martin of Dublin.

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    Replies
    1. Why does ++Dublin wear a white shirt? It's silly.

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    2. I think it's a gross cheek to dictate to another adult what he/she should wear unless it's a certain workforce situation eg a surgeon in theatre. Is anybody dictating to you this morning as to what you are wearing today?

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    3. Bishop Edward Daly of Londonderry required his clergy to wear black lest they be mistaken for Protestant ministers. Lots of jobs are uniformed and diverting from the norm is attention-seeking.

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    4. I think you will find he was always the Bishop of DERRY. After all it was a long time Derry before being referred as L'Derry by those who were planted here.

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    5. Even the "Church of Ireland" "bishop" calls her pretend diocese Derry & Raphoe.

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    6. He should be in civilian clothes. He is a man before the courts. Fancy dress has no place in a court of law hearing either civil or criminal matters.

      Wearing clerical garb into a secular court of law is attention seeking. Oh look at me I’m a priest. That might have won some people over in particular the Ireland of 1950s - not today.

      Australia has no sympathy with this clerical club.

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    7. @13.47 You would have equally criticised the man for turning up dressed in secular wear. No pleasing plebs like you.

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    8. But he lived in Londonderry, 10:06. The 1916 Proclamation refers to cherishing all the children of the nation equally. This includes the descendants of Planters, presumably. Though after the 8th Referendum that won't include children in wombs, obviously.

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    9. 10:37 What's your problem? Ken Good's the bishop of Derry and Raphoe. There is a C of I bishop in Meath and Kildare. She lives in Maynooth.

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    10. 09:49. You are promoting the tyranny if the so-called 'normal.' Your approach is tribalism masquerading as Catholicism. More power to them wearing whatever colour they like. Londonderry is not the name of any diocese anywhere. The London prefix is a civil not an ecclesiastical matter and a relatively recent one too.

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    11. Ken Good is not a bishop and there's no such diocese as Derry and Raphoe. They are quite separate.

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    12. How appropriate that there's a Church of Ireland (lol) bishopess living in Maynooth.

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    13. What sort of nincompoop accuses Cardinal Pell of "attention seeking" in view of how he was dressed?!!
      Let me tell you - - when you're a cardinal up in court on sex abuse charges you don't need to do anything to gain attention.
      You've already got it, mate. Bigtime. More than ever you'd wish for.

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    14. I agree 21:58, Australia is a notoriously anti-Catholic country. I, a UK citizen by birth in N Ireland had an Australian pub worker in London accuse me of being an illegal immigratant and he always addressed me as 'Paddy'. The irony of it. I was a full citizen in my capital city.

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    15. 23:22, Australia is most certainly NOT an anti-Catholic country. What bullshit! It may, in certain quarters, be anti-INSTITUTIONAL Roman Catholic Church. But then, so, too, am I, a 'cradle Catholic'.

      I HATE the stinking, rancid Roman W***e!

      What a better church we would be without this disease-ridden monstrosity!😆😆😆😆

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  12. You are mistaking his lapel for a tie. He is wearing a white shirt and clerical collar.

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  13. How did you dress when you were in court, Pat?

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  14. I have no confidence that Pell will receive a fair trial. https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/cardinal-review-louise-milligans-case-for-the-damnation-of-george-pell-20170602-gwj4mg.html

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  15. There is nothing new here. Let justice take its course and that’s the end of the matter until the trial. What is the point in any further comments? We have already read this story in the Press and there is little more to add. It will be tiresome reading of the blog today and predictable - “He is guilty” or no “He is not guilty”. Flogging a dead horse on this one.

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    1. He is not guilty.

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    2. I agree, he is not guilty.

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    3. I third that comment, he's definitely innocent.

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    4. Why, Canon Heartburn?

      09:06, 10:40 and 11:12, on what grounds do you believe him innocent? On the court's presumption of innocence? They are not quite the same. Explain yourselves.😆

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    5. magna look closer.

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    6. 15:51, nothing t'see, old boy.😆

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    7. Bears are my least favourite tribe. I prefer athletic.

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  16. B. Marshall is not happy with you Pat.

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    1. Be careful Pat, he might start bullying you up in Larne.

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    2. 09:05 - I’d say +Pat is shaking in his boots.

      Why is he not happy?

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    3. Because the leader of the Weight Watchers group in the Geraldine Hall in Maynooth told him off for gaining 5kg this week.

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    4. Comfort eating. Should steer clear of his favourite Chinese takeaway.

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    5. S. Hickey is not chinese?

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    6. He’s not that much of a blob

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    7. he's a fine thing in those sports gear stuff he wears

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    8. @13.41 You should have gone to Specsavers and pronto.

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    9. @11.59 Who is S. Hickey?

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    10. Personally, I do find him very attractive.

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    11. 15:31 - that’s why the “bear” type is popular, people like you find flab attractive :-). I’d say you’re interested in that “tribe” alright xx

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    12. ����‍♀️ ����‍�� ��

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  17. Let justice take its course - we owe it to the Cardinal, indeed to anyone. Playing judge, juror and executioner is not our task and certainly not without having all relevant, verifiable information. Let's wait and see. We know that some cases brought against priests were found to be vixatious and malicious. The Australian justice system is thorough.

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  18. I agree with the sensible posters on here who are reminding us that Cardinal Pell's trial is being held in Australia - - not here on the blog. I think we should remember that.

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  19. +Pat, he seems to wear the collar in all the pictures I have seen recently.

    Also, the BBC says, Pell is expected to face two trials on sexual assault charges, an Australian court has heard.

    https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/11C61/production/_101110827_gettyimages-953253904.jpg

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  20. Happy Birthday Pat

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  21. I see that Timmo is looking for thousands more volunteers for the €20m WMOF. Why is a priest running this? Surely a lay parent would be a more suitable choice.

    https://www.clogherdiocese.ie/cinews/?ID=143147

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    1. A priest is running this show because a priest is naturally, and logically, ontologically superior to a lay person. Moreover, only a priest can be trusted to behave in accordance with the teachings and strictures of Holy Mother Church. Giving up such control to a lay person would be a gargantuan error and a sin more unpardonable than that unpardonable sin in the Gospel; y' know: the one against the Holy Spirit.

      Don't you people know ANYthing?😆

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    2. 14.22: Utter crap thinking and flawed argument. Not surprisi g coming from the mouth of Mags, the reject, the one who was shamed into leaving the seminary. And rightly so for your miscreant and devious manner.

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    3. If a lay person was running it you'd be complaining why couldn't a priest do it. there is no pleasing some people.

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    4. Is it your time of the month, 15:26? Such a petulant reply.

      Now that you've gotten that anger off your chest, can you give me (and I know this will be difficult, and out of character, for such an emotional person) one RATIONAL argument against my post at 14:22? Just one. I don't want to overtax that volatile mind of yours.😆

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    5. 15.38: No anger in my heart Maggie dear. Just wondering why you create such pain for yourself in creating unnecessary fuss and trouble over who's heading up WMF Committee. Your behaviour is infantile and belongs to junior school antics - grow up dearie.

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    6. 19:45, still waiting for your one RATIONAL argument against my post at 14:22. C'mon: just one.

      Or are you too emotional to be rational?😆

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  22. Giving Tim Bartlett the choice between a parish and sitting in an office was a no-brainer.

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    1. Tim B - another parish-dodging, would-be/wannabe bishop.

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    2. 16.45: Good luck to Timothy.Someone has to be a wannabe bishop. Not you obviously?

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  23. Innocent until proven guilty!

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  24. 11.10. What is wrong with Fr. Bartlett heading up WMF committee? Absolutely nothing. What is your real agenda? God bless Fr. Tim. Get a real life for yourself and stop looking for flawss and silly complaints.

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    Replies
    1. There is nothing wrong with it in itself, if the man is talented enough to do the job. But then, there are others equally talented (perhaps more so), and yet, they weren't chosen. It is the reasons for appointing to these positions priests rather than lay people that is deeply ill-conceived and morally wrong. Lay people are not, and never have been, trusted by the institutional Roman Catholic Church to do such work, as it has always considered them (though this has never been said) as potential loose cannons: a priest has traditionally been thought of as a safer pair of hands.

      Actually, this persistent and sniffy attitude is a deep insult to lay people as well (on a par with the 'pray, pay, and obey' maxim toward the laity) and it puts the laity's continued financial support of this parasitical institution way beyond abusrd.

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    2. 14.37: Magna, the nonsense being expressed over Fr. Bartlett and his important, responsible role re: World Meeting of Families is the typical "much ado about nothing" - silly begrudgery. He is very capable and has a huge cohort of lay people who are co-ooerating with him. Thank God that we have people with sense and normality who are delighted with his role and who are equally delighted to be part of a great team of helpers and organisers. Why don't you and the other stupid begrudgers volunteer to help out instead of looking for some way to attack the Church. Again, I say, God bless Fr. Tim.

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    3. 14.37: Magna, such absurdity and utter nonsense. You are simply looking for a way to undermine a hugely important event in August. However, it's nuts like you who should mind their own business and zip you mouth as you've nothing constructive, imaginative or worthwhile to offer. Go back to your rock bed.

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    4. 15:19, please, if you must insult me ('stupid begrudgers') try to do so factually. I am neither stupid, nor did I begrudge Fr Bartlett his role.

      (Just a suggestion, but it would help if you learned to read more concretely and less imaginatively; in other words, 'read what is actually on the page and not what you'd like to read on the page'.😆)

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    5. 15:23, actually, my post is very constructive, as it offers sagacious advice to an institutional church that, by its own abusurd vanity and volition, lurches from one crisis or gaffe to the next.

      And you are absolutely right (for once😆) that this event is 'hugely important' (I love your sense of hyperbole), which is why I offered, pro bono, that special advice. I mean knowing the institutional Roman Catholic Church's propensity for f**k**g things up (as well as just for f**k**g things it shouldn't have) wouldn't you like it, just for once, to do things from a whole new perspective (of trust and cooperation with lay people) rather than from that pious self-regard its traditionally known for.

      I mean wouldn't you?😆

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    6. Next time my bishop goes on about priest shortages and priestless parishes I'll mention Fr Bartlett. A competant lay events manager or project manager should be in charge.

      What were Fr Bartlet's qualifications for this unadvertised post? It's unbelievable the number of diocesan priests who've never worked in a parish, decades after ordination.

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    7. 15.58 and 16.30: Plank head comments. Such absurd concerns. Go and do something worthwhile with your lives.

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    8. 15.46: Magna, your concerns are irrelevant in the scheme of things. You, as noted so often, are an absurd person with little of use to offer, except puerile and offensive comments. Rejects will always be rejects.

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    9. 17:28, if I'm annoying you, then I'm already doing something worthwhile with my life. (Guffaw, guffaw, guffaw 😆)

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    10. Yeah, 17:31, you're spot on, kid: my concerns are indeed 'irrelevant in the scheme of things'. So much so that you took the trouble to compose a reply to my them, type it, and then post it. (Guffaw, guffaw, guffaw 😆)

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    11. Is 17:28 a parish-dodger too? As Timbo so obviously finds Irish parish life unappealing, perhaps he should go on the missions. However, starting out as a bishop in his fifties after decades in a desk job won't be easy, as Noelle has amply demonstrated.

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    12. 17.48: Magna, you no longer need to prove to readers how deranged, foolish, dangerous and loathsome a drunk you are. Get help - and soon.

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    13. As Tim has never served in a parish he's not even managed parish accounts, bazaars or Communion classes yet he's the go-to guy for the WMOF. It's not going well so far, with not enough volunteers, low registration levels, and people having to pay to go to the Papal Mass, as only those who have attended a ticketed event at the RDS can attend.

      TB hasn't been good at building momentum or media profile for the event. That's what happens when you give a big project to an amateur, just because he's a parish-dodging priest.

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    14. Apropos Timbo, why is Fr Grant in Aquinas grammar school?

      Why does it uniquely need a full-time priest on the staff? Why isn't there one in each of the other schools if it's so necessary for Aquinas? It would be more his line to be a priest in one of the big Belfast parishes.

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    15. Magna at18:43, I’d say Timbo will give it a shot all the same lol

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    16. There is no priest in Ireland more qualified for to be a bishop than Fr Bartlett.

      He’s charming,

      a good laugh,

      debonair,

      a scintillating raconteur,

      a man of the world,

      very prayerful,

      Urbane,

      vast - I mean VAST - pastoral experience in the toughest parishes in North and West Belfast,

      an architect of the NI peace process,

      an adviser to Senator George Mitchell,

      Fr Alec Reid never made a single decision without ringing Fr Tim for advice and guidance,

      a confidante of the late Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness,

      speaks fluent Italian, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Irish, Polish, Urdu, Mandarin, Aramaic, Greek and a really obscure dialect, of an almost forgotten language, found only in remote mountainous areas of Timbuktu, like a native!!!

      Has spent every summer of his hols for the last 25 years working in one of the poorest and most dangerous parishes of Afghanistan without regard for his own comfort and personal safety,

      Do you need me to go on? Advisor to His Eminence, Cardinal Brady (nearly forgot the most important one!)

      I hereby predict that HH P Francis will publicly elevate Fr Timothy to the episcopate during his brief visit to Ireland in August.

      It will be announced just before the Pope goes up the stairs on to the airoplane. You heard it here first on Pat’s blog.

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    17. St Ambrose became Archbishop of Milan by popular acclaim. Will Timothy get Clonfert by the same process?

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    18. Never read so much dung in all my life. You forgot to mention chief arse lic*er to the DUP.

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    19. You forgot to mention the voluntary work with Paddy Power.

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    20. I think 19:40 was being sarcastic.

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    21. You don’t get irony 20:03, do you? No sense of humour either I’d wager. ROFL

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    22. I remember Bishop elect Bartlett on his two knees outside Hillsborough Castle’s gates during tense negotiations between the parties back in the day.

      Kneeling on both knees in the pouring rain he was, praying for peace. It was on the 6 a clack news.

      He was interviewed by the tv man and, still on his knees, rosary in clasped hands, looking like a drowned rat, he pleaded “on my knees I beg you to put an end to violence”, says he.

      It was Bishop elect Tim that swung it so it was.

      Tony Blair broke down when he saw it on the 9
      a clack news.

      “This is what makes it all worthwhile when you feel like giving up hope”, he said to Bertie Ahern. “The deep faith of that humble and simple priest. We got to make this work Bertie”.

      Tim Bartlett and Tony Blair have the exact same initials. Bertie Ahern also shares a ‘B’ with them. It’s uncanny. It’s called Destiny I do believe.

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    23. 20:01, Clonfert??? That would only insult him. He’s served selflessly in bigger parishes than Clonfert. No it’s Dublin or Meath. Or head of a Vatican dicastery might suffice with immediate elevation to the rank of Archbishop.

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    24. Such poverty of ambition. The Diocese of Rome will at some point become vacant. Hint hint.

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    25. Tim would be the ideal Papal Nuncio to London, Paris, Berlin Washington, Vienna or Rome itself. Less prestigious countries need not apply.

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    26. Nah .. the so-called "irony" of the Bartlett achievement list just doesn't work. Overkill. too obvious, an overworked plaster posing as humour.
      Verdict . could do better.

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    27. He can have Rome after I've finished with it.

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    28. What's an "overworked plaster"?

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    29. @21:39, Nah, that achievement list doesn’t even begin to do justice to his achievements! It was way too modest. Vescovo subito!

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    30. Archivescovo subito.

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  25. The judge has said that there is enough evidence to go forward. It doesn't look good.

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    1. all trials proceed with 'enough' evidence but not all accusers are found guilty.

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  26. "It doesn't look good". What way is it supposed to look?

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  27. It's trial by media, says this Sydney Morning Herald columnist.

    https://amp.smh.com.au/opinion/im-no-fan-of-organised-religion-but-george-pells-trial-by-media-has-to-stop-20170529-gwffft.html

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  28. The Cardinal's accusers are criminal alcoholics.

    http://www.themediareport.com/2017/06/30/cardinal-pell-case-facts/comment-page-1/

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    1. Were they 'criminal alcoholics' when they were allegedly abused by Pell?

      What d'ya think?😆

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    2. @16:55

      If Pell is so innocent, why did he skip town, in the midnight hour, and pop up in the Vatican, two years ago? He tried to do a Bernard Law.

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    3. You need to ask Humble that. It was on his orders.

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    4. Yes, 17:49.

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    5. http://www.theguardian.com.au/story/5310830/police-accused-of-get-pell-focus/

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    6. 18:47 if you're referring to Francis you are right. This pontificate has a dreadful record on these matters. Benedict was the only Pope to take it seriously.

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    7. 19:10, the only thing Pope Benny took seriously was his own self-importance and the public facade that the institutional RCC was holy, morally impeccable and an absolute and definitive authority on the sacred. It's an image (well, actually a lie) he strove to maintain during his tenure of the CDF. How? In very large part by ensuring that the scores of child-abuse allegations that crossed his big mahogany desk never saw the light of day.

      Yes, Pope Benny took child sexual abuse by priests so seriously that he went to the extraordinary and heroic length, at courageous risk to himself, of doing absolutely and comprehensively... SFA!

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    8. 18:47 Yeah right. This is probably the most effective pontificate in history. Long life Francis.

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    9. The stats are againts you, 20:06. I bet you don't go to Mass lol.

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    10. Santo subito! All Vat II era popes are canonized, even though previously papal saints were rare. Can't wait for the postman to deliver my copy of "The Dictator Pope".

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    11. Have any lapsed friends, family members or acquaintances returned to the Faith during his reign, 20:06? Me neither.

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  29. +Pat you cheeky little rascal. Looking forward to tomorrow’s blog !

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    1. There was a sneak preview earlier. It's GUBU!

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  30. Happy birthday, +Pat!!!

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  31. Pat, why did you remove the new item you posted earlier re: alleged sexual acts on an altar?

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    1. I was working on it and published by mistake.

      Will be live later.

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    2. Live sexual acts?
      What time at?

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    3. It's pay-per-view.

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    4. Better be good, readers don't scandalise easily on here.

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    5. It's the worst ever.

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  32. From the little I read before it was taken down - it's the worst yet. Even worse than Casey and Maynooth added together.

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    1. Worse than KOB?

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    2. It's Maynooth X 10. It should and probably will be in the papers. I urge Pat to name the priest involved. It's disgusting.

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    3. Sounds like a priest in Glasgow some years ago, who was found by a group of elderly parishioners, sitting on the altar naked surrounded by sex toys. As it turned out, he was soon back in harness, appointed to work in a parish and addressing audiences all over the archdiocese.

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  33. Don't tell me it's Fr Shirley Bassey?

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  34. This will rock Catholic Ireland to the core. This Will be a national scandal soon to be reported by national/wprld media.

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    1. Will there be a mini series about it? Who will play +Pat?? I wonder.

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  35. I've poured myself a double brandy in anticipation

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    1. +Pat has never let us down before.

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    2. Canon Heartburn, you're a genteel alchoholic, aren't you?

      I know this isn't relevant to your obvious addiction, but you do type such unadulterated s***e at times, don't you?

      (Not being critical of the good Canon; just expressing an observation.😆)

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  36. Dublin does not need a Tim Bartlett as Bishop. He’s too young. I don’t doubt he has the ability but we need someone 70+ in case they make a pigs ear out of it like some have done when given a long reign.

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    1. I'm available for work/promotion. Just putting it out there.

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    2. It would have to come with a decent supply of decent brandy, wouldn't it, Canon Heartburn?😆

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  37. Tim Bartlett to Dromore, Hugh Connolly to Clogher and Joe Mc Guinness can take Achonry, Clonfert or Meath.

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  38. Joe McGuinness has first refusal on Clogher.

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