Saturday 26 May 2018

JAMES MC CONNELL MEETS EAMON MARTIN



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JAMES MC CONNELL - THE MIDDLETON, ARMAGH MAN - HAD AN UNPLANNED MEETING ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH ARCHBISHOP EAMON MARTIN.

James has been trying to meet Eamon Martin for a long time - and his predecessor Sean Brady - to discuss a family member's sexual involvement with a priest. 

James believes that the sexual happenings had a profound effect on him, his family member and his whole family.

He feels that he has never had closure on this problem.

Eamon Martin did point James in the direction of the PSNI but for their own reasons, the family member is not willing to make a complaint to the police.

Of course, the lack of a police investigation does not let the Church off the hook in the context of conducting their own investigation and coming to conclusions.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MC CONNELL / MARTIN MEETING

One of the biggest problems that people in Ireland have had with the Catholic Church is that priests, and bishops especially, have refused to meet them and give them answers.

As a result of Eamon Martin not meeting James McConnell before now, James, in frustration, was forced to go on a campaign of doorstepping people and videoing them.

This led to police being called and solicitors letters being issued. 

How does setting the police on church members with problems, and sending them solicitor's letters, ever help the situation?


So, at last, on Friday afternoon, Eamon Martin invited James in for a 40-minute chat.

From what I gather, both men honestly expressed their views to each other.

In the end, it was agreed that the two might meet again if there were matters to be discussed. 

Fair play to James for pursuing his cause until he was listened to.

And fair play to Eamon Martin for bring James in and giving him a hearing.

LESSONS FOR EAMON AND HIS EPISCOPAL COLLEAGUES:

In a big organization like the Catholic Church, there will always be issues that need discussion and complaints that need addressing.

Traditionally bishops have kept themselves aloof in their palaces and have not invited people in for dialogue.

That always leads to anger and frustration.

Bishops must now handle things differently.

The people should do like James McConnell did - and keep pushing for dialogue.

In Eamon Martin's case he needs to address two immediate issues:

1. The continuing homosexual activity in the national seminary of Maynooth.



2. The bully crisis in the PARISH OF MAGHERAFELT involving the missing PP - Father John Gates. 



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JOHN GATES


TWO UNFORTUNATE EMAIL ADDRESSES IN ARA COELI:

blowe@ aracoeli.com

chicks@aracoeli.com


110 comments:

  1. What are your views on the repeal of the 8th Ammedment? I myself am a young devout Catholic who has been lucky to grow up with great priests including the late Fr Peter Forde. I myself am considering a vocation to the priesthood but being a Catholic is often seen as crime on this island.As a critic of the current Church in Ireland, what do you believe needs to change? Or is it finished in Ireland? Maybe all it needs to do is say “yes we messed up and we are sorry” or is that too little too late.. I’d like to here your views

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    1. Dear Gerard,

      I would have preferred to see termination restricted to cases of medical necessity.

      At this stage saying sorry will not be enough.

      We need a real revolution within the Church for it to survive.

      Sadly, that is bot likely to happen.

      Delete
    2. 9.16: What impoverished thinking Pat! Negative, flippant, unenlightening, not a word of encouragement to Gerard. You cotinue to throw your judgment around at everyone in the Catholic Church. While I agree the institution needs fundamental renewing and cleansing, do you not ever see the genuine efforts by parishes to be places of care, kindness, love, welcome and Christian compassion? That's what I try to do and I see similar, great witness in most parish communities. That to me is where true gospel, Christ like living should be evident. Please, give credit where's it's deserved and stop always looking for flaws and imperfections for your own nasty agenda. Open your eyes and recognise the vibrancy and goodness in priests and their communities.

      Delete
    3. Would you send Gerard into Maynooth to be sexually seduced and exploited?

      I could not, in conscience, recommend that to any young man.

      And some the orders are no better!

      Delete
    4. Well said Pat. I think you should do more to promote vocations to your own order.

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    5. Must say Pat, I wouldn’t fancy Maynooth..would rather head to Rome and experience what I call cultured Catholicism.. visited Rome and loved the Gregorian but suppose it’s up to the Bishop...

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    6. 14:18, 'cultured Catholicism'? Didn't you know that Pope Francis prefers the field-hospital model of Church?

      Prepare to dirty your hands, you idiot.

      Better still, stay away. The Church already has far too many self-preening fools like you.

      Delete
    7. Gerard @ 14.18 Ignore the drunk @14.46. Most of them s don’t respond to such nastiness. It tends to make him more nasty but in the end he runs out of steam when there is no more whiskey left.

      Delete
    8. I agree, a prospective sem who's deciding in advance he wants to go to Rome is another carcrash. Though I think it's a wind-up.

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    9. Anonymous @15:12 if I decided to adhere to the advice of 14:18, there wouldn’t be a church. Not many 17 year old boys would want to dedicate a life of service to God and the Church and I intend to do it regardless of the opposition I face and hope to breath new life into it. Pope Francis may want a field hospital church but maybe unaware to him, the church in Ireland is on life support and new life and new thought is needed.

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    10. 15:22, 17? Yes, you have a great deal to learn, more than you can currently appreciate. But you won't learn it in that rarefied, clericalist myasma in Rome. There you'll find nothing but corruption, greed, self-regard, and homosexual lasciviousness.

      For your sake, I hope you're not 'fine-featured', for you will inevitably draw sexual predators, as I did.

      So you think that you want to 'dedicate a life of service to God'? You self-regarding ... ! You don't know God, so how the hell could you dedicate a life of service to him? What a load of portentous, pious-sounding claptrap! The fact that you are thinking of 'service' in such an abstract way is proof that your motivation is completely wrong. Rather, if you want to serve, think only of people, not of a God we cannot know. In this way, you'll discover more of God than in the 'cultured Catholicism' of Rome.

      If you are serious about priesthood and service, then you are at a fork in your road: one direction leads to genuine service and love; the other to self-service and corruption.

      The nature of your comments so far suggests that you are choosing the wrong direction, like far too many Irish priests. You need to correct your motivation, otherwise, if you are ever ordained, you will join that moral canker of Irish priests who have put the Church in Ireland on that 'life support'.

      Choose, you fool.

      Delete
    11. Megna Carta, i may be a fool, indeed I have done many foolish things and I have a lot to learn, but this I know for certain, I know God. Because I see Him working through many people not only Catholics. My experience with God is very real, when I lost my brother I could have turned to alcohol or seeking revenge but instead I prayed to God and swear to you it helped because I believe as a Catholic I walk by faith not sight. I may sound delusional and indeed we have very different experiences of faith but I know what I want. And whilst you may not see the day I put on a white collar, I hope to prove people like you wrong. If you knew me or my story I would allow you to make judgement but you don’t so don’t attack me because people like you who seem to know all and pass judgment put people off faith. You seem like a torn man, i hope you find comfort. If you having nothing good to say don’t reply to this because honestly I think you’ve made your point that I’m the anti-christ. Proverbs 9:6 says “do not correct a fool or he will hate you, correct a wise man and he will appreciate you.” Thank you for your moral guidance.

      Delete
    12. 16:26, good!

      There are grounds for hope after all. 😉

      Delete
    13. @16.26 You deserve all you get trying to engage with Magna the Soak.

      Delete
    14. Gerard at 16.26, I find it hard to take you seriously. I would advise you to take some sound advice from a wise spiritual director and to be very circumspect about what you post on this blog. As you can see, dangerous, creepy types like Magna will try to rip you to pieces. And I would also suggest, if you are 17 (?) to go out into the real world of work for a few years before you make so serious a decision about priesthood. Don't allow yourself be subject to nasty, ridiculing vitriol through this blog.

      Delete
    15. The Church thinks its arguments and prayers can avert abortions and keep the law willing to force pregnancy on women who want abortions. The philosophy is hauled in to shore up the religious objections to abortion. Thus its battle is about religion not truth or logic. For a religion that claims to be good or special and holy and the one true hospital for sinners it does a hideous job at deterring abortion! Catholics in some parts of the world have more abortions than any other religion. Elsewhere the rate of Catholics aborting matches the rate of pagans aborting. There is too much of it to justify the Church blaming individuals and not the faith. Those who ask if religion is a crafty toxic force that leads to violence and war should look at how religion sees a blob of cells as a human being with full human rights and yet that blob can be aborted by a Catholic even a praying one. Catholics do lay down in abortion clinics for the procedure with rosaries in their hands. What about that perceived war?

      Is abortion ethical or should it be legalised? Why should faith be kept out of it?

      First, its only making a circus of the issue by caring what Jesus or his Church would make of abortion. Jesus had no problem with a corrupt people being told by his God to stone adulteresses who had to have been pregnant to death. If you consider abortion immoral this man or his religion is no safeguard against them. They have no moral compass but a superficial one. They take advantage of the fact that nobody can see spiritual powers at work to pretend that they are making a spiritual and supernatural difference to people and thus making them holier.

      Second, if our own cells could just grow into people inside it is obvious that it is our body and we can kill them or go to a doctor.

      Third, God is the biggest abortionist of all for most babies are aborted naturally in the womb. We think of natural as that which has no intervention. But intervention is natural so abortion in a clinic by modern medicine is made possible by nature and is natural. If you believe in God then whether you realise it or not you are endorsing abortion as a gift of God. You hypocritically worship an abortionist and the father of abortionists. God is creator which means no sin or person or thing exists without his support and his giving it existence. He is truly an abortionist. He aborts us all - though he waits until some of us are old before he strikes.

      Delete
    16. Magna in Maynooth was “fine-featured” and drew sexual predators!!! LOL ROFL! Oi right! Wishful thinking! In your dreams, luv! Face like a well slapped ar**!

      Delete
    17. Yes, I laughed at that too. Even the fat lay students from Roscommon turned up their noses.

      Delete
  2. Finally a reasonable response BEGINS. Hopefully more to follow.

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  3. He also needs to investigate the bullying in our local schools from head teachers.

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  4. Pity it had to go this far. There is a messy in this somewhere. What's with the emails. Are they real or is it a wind up

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The email addresses are real.

      Look at the archdiocese website

      Delete
    2. Hi Sean Page, out of interest how would you have voted in the referendum, had you had a vote. Pat dodged it by saying it was hypothetical, though to be fair to him he's allowing views to be expressed, as he usually does.

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    3. Pat is deeply disturbed by the thoughts of abortion on demand :-(

      I do not have the same problem about termination in the cases of medical emergencies and issues.

      I am glad I did not have a vote.

      I would have been very conflicted.

      It's all very sad and in the end God will judge all aspects.

      Delete
    4. 15.37 I would probably have said yes. Control does not come from the law but wise choices and the grace of God. I can see how Ireland was controlled over the years. The solution is not the exact opposite but somwhsome in the middle. We need to trust people even if some will make wrong choices. It's part of the mystery of the cross

      Delete
    5. Thanks for your answer Sean, even though I disagree with you.

      Delete
  5. Censorship Sunday Buckley!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. James and his family have suffered enough without my allowing a feeding frenzy making extreme comments.

      Keep your comments rational.

      Delete
    2. Your right with the later part Pat, his poor mother!
      The truth should never be compared to a feeding frenzy.

      My comments were rational but clearly doesn't fit you or McConnells flawed opinion!

      Delete
    3. 09.20: Pat, you have fed into the frenzy around James but You don't have the integrity or honesty to admit your own contribution to all this hype. More arrant nonsense for your own purposes. Shame on you. Pity your celebration of the EUCHARIST doesn't rub off on you. Hypocrite.

      Delete
    4. James has never discussed his plans with me.

      We have it met for many years.

      We talk occasionally on the telephone when he updates me about what has happened.

      Delete
  6. The Lord's day, +Pat please post all comments whither you like them or not.
    Totally biased this blog!

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    1. 09.17 I've also posted what was my opinion, Pat only posts what suits him and his side kick Mmmm McConnell!

      Delete
  7. My comment was completely rational but blocked by you. You are a total contradiction saying James and his family have suffered enough yet you plaster his story all over the blog and post his videos. You are a fraud. Post that one. People are slowly coming to realise your are false.

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    1. 9.53, Everything in all media is edited you gimp. Obviously you are trying to publish something not worth publishing - either known falsehoods, unnecessary comments or hurtful comments. +Pat is merely being responsible.

      Delete
    2. @11.00 It beggars belief how your contribution made it past the censorship stage particularly when you start name calling for no reason but then that would appeal to Pat. You haven’t a clue what I was publishing so why pre judge it? It was in no way offensive like your post is.

      Delete
  8. Just been on McConnell's FB page, seems to have serious family problems.
    His Mum and his relationship is strangely not in zinc.
    First tine to view it and all I can say is "it's resoundingly mixed up".
    Help is needed for this lad, suppose a Doctor more than Eamon Martin.

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  9. No freedom of speech allowed on this blog.

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  10. Dermo's in Maynooth today for the diaconate ceremony. Only four deacons, making it the smallest number in the history of Maynooth. Lots of reporters are here to see what Dermo has to say about the death vote.

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    1. Not sending his own guys there but ordaining other bishops' deacons trained there... hypocrisy of the highest order.

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    2. It is very strange.

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    3. During the week Maynooth sent out the invitations to the Maynooth Union gathering next month. My orination class, 1993, is celebrating our Silver Jubilees. It's hard to believe that there were 43 of us in I Divine. One class alone then was twice the size of the entire seminary now.

      Delete
    4. There were frequently Catholic - - and other---families of ten or more children during your earliest years. So a natural consequence was that there were often two or three brothers enter the seminary from the same household over the space of a few years. When you think of all the families in the diocese, the numbers added up. People forget that sometimes....

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    5. 12:03, so you want Irish mothers to become baby-breeding agencies again?

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    6. Good point. There will even fewer born now because of Friday's evil vote.

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    7. There were two brothers in the seminary for Derry diocese in 1980s Maynooth.

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  11. This person is obviously deeply disturbed. I thought Eamon Martin greeted him graciously. Let that be the end of further attention to this matter, please.

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    1. Eamon did meet him - unexpectedly - after sending the PSNI and a solicitors letter.

      He should have met him in the beginning.

      It would have saved a lot of hassle.

      Delete
    2. Eamon couldn’t avoid meeting him after McConnell deliberately ambushed him at his front door when previously asked by a Solicitor not to do so, Enough being nice to this young man, I hope Eamon Martin takes legal action now.

      Delete
    3. This McConnell is a blight to himself.
      All one has to do is read the vile attacks on his mother.
      Is this normal behaviour Pat?
      Go away and be kund to youself McConnell!

      Delete
    4. The man is hurt and clearly has mental health issues. He should leave all contact to his solicitor and the Police and be given every support available.

      Delete
    5. @12.48 He should be offered support and protection but so too should those subjected to his behaviour. Those encouraging him for their own warped agenda should be ashamed

      Delete
  12. I cannot imagine being a faithful priest and having to give Holy Communion to hypocrites who voted yes on Friday and go to Mass on Sunday. Shame on them.

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    1. You’d do well to find a faithful Priest in Ireland.

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    2. @12.46 And the evidence of your massive sweeping ignorant statement is based on what?

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    3. 11:23, why wouldn't they give Communion to these people? They've been feeding themselves the same for generations and, all the while, secretly (and not-so-secretly) betraying the One-they-claimed-to-serve.

      Let there be no doubt about this: had it not been for the gross moral violations (the betrayals) by Irish and other clergy there would not have been victory in yesterday's referendum in the Republic of Ireland.

      Paul VI was right: the smoke of Satan had entered the Church (and long before he realised it)...through the agency of Roman Catholic priests.

      Delete
  13. Pat open another blog on magherafelt the 3 amigos have a lot to say about fr ted (gates) or cecilia whatever u call urself.Lets all start with what gates has done for magherafelt you r all silent thats not a good sign.Well lets have a look at his 10yrs here in magherafelt mentally abused all his staff,insulted a lot of the elderly including clergy,put up a fancy altar so that his name would never be forgotten,somehow we dont think he will ever be forgotten,walked over the downtrodden when they asked for help he hunted them away from his door,remember gates what u do to the least of my flock u do to me who said that gates,its all coming back to haunt u gates just do us all a favour get lost.We want a genuine priest in magherafelt not a pretender like u gates.

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    1. 13.18: Firstly, you can't write or express yourself properly. Secondly, and by far the worst truth - you are inciting hatred which is very dangerous. But I suspect you couldn't care as there are some like you in every parish who are trouble makers, motivated by vengeance and bigotry. You have a good ally in Pat....chief cheerleader.

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    2. 13.18 It’s not appropriate to use texting language on a post. You sound like a disaffected person who seeks revenge on Fr. Gates. Well, it’s time to put up and shut up because I am sick listening about this Magherafelt place on here. Let’s face it, nobody is interested and your campaign is going nowhere. Time to face reality and wake up and smell the coffee. It’s blunt I know but apt.

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    3. Only 3 or 4 people in the big parish of Magherafelt turned up at +Pat's meeting but he keeps that fact secret.

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    4. How many then? Did it reach double figures.

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    5. I heard the meeting was secretly recorded.

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    6. Absolute rubbish. Off Course it was not recorded.

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  14. 13.13 Magna yawn! You are like Buckley, a broken record that goes round and round, it's stuck and people get bored listening to the same tune over and over. We know you hate Priests because you were stopped from being one. Tell us something new or different for a change.

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    Replies
    1. And you are part of the moral canker that ennabled yesterday's result.

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    2. I'll raise a glass at the Maynooth Union in tribute to the deans who kicked out the blue MC.

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    3. @13.28 I wouldn’t bother responding to that drunken imbecile Magna. Many have cottoned on not to respond to this half wit. He even has the broken record same standard answers. Don’t encourage him. As I drink a glass of Claret I also salute the deans who kicked Magnas’ fat ass out the door.

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    4. 14:27, oh, dear!😂 Can't you handle such an obvious truth about Roman Catholic priesthood? That IT is the Trojan horse through which Satan entered the Church?

      The sooner Catholics awaken to the blinding truth that priesthood is a moral hindrance (the stumbling block of healthy Catholicism), the better.😆

      Delete
    5. Hey! Can anyone suggest a telling collective noun for a gathering of financial parasites? Like the forthcoming one at the 'Maynooth Union'?

      The most impressive suggestion will win a prize...unbridled praise from me.😆

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    6. You're not invited, for obvious reasons, LOL

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    7. I'll start the ball rolling with this collective noun. How about 'colony' (as in 'colony of clerical financial parasites')?

      C'mon! Someone must have a more imaginative suggestion than this.

      (Remember the alluring prize on offer for the most impressive suggestion.😆)

      Delete
  15. The IRA molls Michelle O'Neill, Anderson and Mary Lou (who doesn't go to Mass anyway) should be refused Holy Communion for advocating abortion. They are taking delight at humiliating the No voters. Never ever did I see the day that I would vote DUP. Sinn Fein and the SDLP are no longer pro life, so it's now voting for the best of a bad lot.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. A party that supported bombings and shootings is bound to support abortion, if only to be consistent.

      I don't know what is the point of the SDLP any more and SF will wipe them out at the next Assemnly elections.

      I've voted DUP for years because of their strong pro-life stance.

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    2. I think Catholics who voted yes have automatically excommunicated themselves. Procuring abortion is one of the handful of acts to incur automatic excommunication. This will also apply to any Catholic medical staff taking part in the evil procedure.

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    3. 14:35, if it is true that Catholics who voted 'Yes' have automatically excommunicated themselves, then this applies to every Catholic (including popes) who morally approved the death penalty, etc. .

      Human life is as sacred ex-utero as in-utero.

      Delete
    4. @14.31 I totally agree with you.

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    5. Completely different scenarios. Why are you obsessed with the death penalty? It's mostly confined to China, the Muslim world and a few redneck majority Protestant US states.

      It would be more your line to be agitating about the 60m US abortions since Roe Vs Wade, and the 9m UK abortions since the 1967 Abortion Act.

      Delete
    6. My DUP MP Jim Shannon told me that many Catholics vote DUP because of the life issue.

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    7. 15:12, I am not obsessed with the death penalty, but with the preservation of ALL of human life. With that of every single man, woman, and child. This necessitates my raising the not-so-small matter of its destruction through capital punishment, etc. . And, of course, my raising the almost equally significant matter of the utter hypocrisy of the institutional Roman Catholic Church, which traditionally has taught on the sacredness of human life (hence its moral prohibition of abortiin), but, with astounding paradox, has traditionally violated, with such sickening gravity, that very teaching, by its unwavering support of the death penalty (which it still officially maintains).

      Delete
  16. I read, during mass today at Maynooth, ++DM ordained four deacons at the national seminary in Maynooth.

    Do they cut the muster, +Pat?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. How would Pat know? He's had nothing to do with their selection and formation.

      I have some faith in Maynooth. They misfire many times but at least they got it right in the case of that bitter troll, Magna Carta.

      Delete
    2. 14:09, how can they 'cut the muster'? However well-meaning, they have been trained in a theology which tells them that they are superior beings (ontologically transformed). And how can they cut muster when they have an ex-Nazi pope who tells them that they, no matter who they are and how badly they behave, are a gift, as priests, to the Church.

      Delete
    3. Please don’t feed the troll folks. He has tried to create a fight with most posters today but it’s not working because they are not responding to the troll.

      Delete
    4. 14.42: The usual diatribe. Having spent a few days undear his rock, the monster abuser, Magna has awoken to dish out his crap! Poor, mentally ill idiot.

      Delete
    5. What boys @ 15:08 and 16:08?! Can't refute my points, so you resort to ad hominem?😆

      You just have to be Roman Catholic priests, then: as thick as the proverbial two, short what-nots.😅

      Delete
    6. Bet you wish you were going to the Maynooth Union, MC! Lolz!

      Delete
    7. 16.54: Mags dear, if you depend on this blog to make yourself feel "useful" and "worthwhile", you are a pitiable, sad person. Because you're so abusive - usually drink fuelled - it's professional therapy you need, not this blog!

      Delete
  17. James's is like a bad smell, just won't go away!
    And then that silly FB page threatening everyone with his video phone.
    Disturbed young individual with little or no support.
    I pray for him daily that he will return to full health of mind and body and live a life of caring for his son.

    Middletown Resident.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. What's James' FB called?

      Delete
    2. James McConnell

      You'll laugh your socks off.

      Delete
  18. The same people who voted yes and never attend Mass will still present their non-aborted children for the fun days out of baptism, First Holy Communion and the exit ceremony, Confirmation. Why priests play along with that farce is anyone's guess.

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    1. The parents who treat Christianity with such disrespect are in fact to be admired. A religion that santifies a violent God who wrote a violent Bible and who sent a son to tell people off for fining lads instead of stoning them to death for hurting their parents is morally bankrupt and deserves such treatment. I only worry about the bad influence on the children.

      Delete
    2. 21.17: What are you drinking - your comment is ignorant and unintelligible. Utter gibberish.

      Delete
  19. RC Bishop of Salford waking in whit Monday witness walk tomorrow. He is also doing service at town hall. First time ever. Hope eventually all churches will join in

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    Replies
    1. Excellent news, thanks Sean.

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  20. 15.46 Fair point but people can still vote yes and go to church There is an opportunity here but are some priests too lazy to use it . Sure mammy and teacher will do it

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    1. 16.28: Who Sean are you preaching to in your comment? Have you not sufficient to do in your new Church that you have time for such lazy comments? Get a real job!

      Delete
  21. James McConnell could do with an ASBO and a good kick up the hole.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. *****OCTOBER PAPAL RESIGNATION?*****

    I work for a Catholic organisation based in the UK, and recently attended a conference in Rome. Rumours and suggestions are circulating amongst senior clergy that Pope Francis might be resigning in October, due to the number of problems arising over Chile and other aspects of Church politics that he is finding increasingly difficult to deal with.

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    1. 21:08 Rubbish. He doesn’t shirk responsibility.

      Delete
  23. It's a pity that my earlier comment on the prospect of a papal resignation in October was not approved. It is surely an important possibility that people should be aware of?

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    1. If he intends to go he will certainly go in July and leave the joys of Dublin to his successor.

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    2. I wonder if Cardinal Sodano is causing problems. He was in Chile for 10 years. He would be a formidable opponent for the Pope.

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  24. 21.08. Backing down is not the answer. Jesus didn't

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  25. I don't live in Ireland but, I heard one commentator described yesterday's referendum result as "the end of Holy Catholic Ireland".

    On the other hand, ++DM and ++Amy seem to be giving the impression it is some sort of temporary blip; e.g., everything will be fine and the Magdalene laundries will be up and running again soon enough.

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    Replies
    1. Let's hope they have automatic washing machines and tumble dryers this time round... and spray starch!

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    2. And Garda Síochána a good supply of FLs.

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