Tuesday 15 May 2018

MEETING OF CONCERNED PARISHIONERS - MAGHERAFELT




IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO INVITE THE PEOPLE AND PARISHIONERS OF MAGHERAFELT TO A MEETING TO DISCUSS A PLAN OF ACTION TO TACKLE THE BULLYING TAKING PLACE IN THE PARISH AND ITS ASSOCIATED INSTITUTIONS LIKE ITS SCHOOLS.

This Blog's interest in Magherafelt began when the Muldoon Family - Magherafelt parishioners - were threatened by the PP - Father John Gates - with not allowing their son - Conree - to receive his First Holy Communion last Saturday - May 12th.

As it turned out, Conree did get his First Holy Communion - and the one missing from the ceremony was Father Gates himself.

As the Sunday World reported last Sunday - Father Gates has gone AWOL.


In the past 10 days, a stream of messages and phone calls had flowed in our direction from a great number of people who have been deeply hurt by Father Gates - and others in the parish - who are engaged in bullying.

There are stories of dedicated Catholic old ladies being shouted at in church and being sent home in tears.




There are stories of younger women being verbally abused and reduced to tears in the presence of their children for daring to stop their cars near the entrance of the Parochial House.

There are stories of other old ladies being shouted at and verbally abused because some of their hedge clippings fell on parish property.

There are stories of teachers and classroom assistants being made physically and emotionally unwell by bullying.




There are other stories of school children having to travel to Cookstown and Armagh to receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation.

There are stories of boards of governors not tackling important everyday issues.


If these were only isolated stories there would not be so much concern.

But these are multiple stories - being told by a great variety of good people - who feel their lives are being unnecessarily made HEll.


The INITIAL response was to raise concerns about all these incidents through this Blog and through other media outlets.


But the problem is so great that it has been decided highlighting the issues is no longer enough.




The parishioners of Magherafelt now need to form a CONCERNED PARISHIONERS - MAGHERAFELT group to challenge the wrongdoing and to support victims.

Therefore these parishioners - with me as an enabler - want to have a preliminary meeting to bring this group together.

To facilitate Magherafelt people this meeting will be held in Magherafelt and held very soon.

Would those interested in attending please contact me either on:

07488 374364

or  bishopbuckley1@outlook.com


When you get in contact give us a way of contacting you and tell us whether you would like the meeting of an evening or on a weekend afternoon.

Now is the opportunity for ordinary Magherafelt people to have their views known and heard.

It is planned to have the meeting as private as possible and no one will be asked to give their names or details.




116 comments:

  1. I will certainly come to your meeting. I have a lot of issues I would like to discuss.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Issues? Yes, yes indeed you have a lot of ISSUES!!

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    2. I needed a lot of tissues after I looked at Siolta 2016 & 2017.

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  2. Buckley you are not wanted in Maghersfelt.Stay away.

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    Replies
    1. I am wanted by the hurt and wounded.

      It's a free country.

      Delete
    2. 08.35: Be careful where you Go, what you say, who you talk about: I know there are people going who are not on your side and others who have vicious agendas as they are trouble shooters who complain about everything in the parish and while they may feel aggrieved, they contribute hugely to the conflicts. Fr. Gates is not the only person in the wrong...be careful.

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    3. I hope everything will be said in a spirit of honesty and truth seeking.

      That is my agenda.

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    4. @08.35 You are absolutely right, Fr Gates is not the only person in the wrong.....abuse of power alongside incompetent management certainly does not equate to "personality" clashing nor bashing, that's an entirely different debate. Many of these Committees/Governors are made up of personnel with their own personal agendas (earlier blog) hence their commitment and dedication to due process, transparency and most of all fairplay is Nil. Also, the outcome to any grievances raised with these personnel depends very much on social status, community standing, job title etc - God help you if you happen to be a Classroom Assistant, let's face it, you're hung, drawn and quartered before you eventually have the luxury of receiving an invite to one of these "kangaroo" courts where transparency, fairplay and due process is the biggest "myth" of all. As they alledgely say in Magherafelt.... Fr Gates put her there, he has to support her, unfortunately, the pigeons have come home to roost.

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    5. @09.06 I agree with being careful where you go and who you speak to. Canon O’Byrne the previous PP will have his spies at any meeting in the town. Don’t forget he has the ear of Eamon Martin and will take all back to him just like he has done with Cahal B Daly and Sean B Brady. Walls have ears!!!

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    6. @ 05:54 at no point did +Pat propose visiting Maghersfelt, wherever that is. He is going an independent mediator to Magherafelt. In my experience in HR, mediators need to come from outside the location of the dispute.

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  3. I hope all goes well and things concentrate on the issues not personality bashing. Perhaps other persons and areas will be encouraged to act. Please temereme to pray as well. May the Good Lord guide everyone

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    Replies
    1. I think, Sean, that the issues ARE certain personalities.

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    2. 08.4: Certain personalities is correct and now the sense of division and disharmony will be furthered deepened by this open forum, sadly. Those who may be innocent won't be there to defend themselves. This is Pat interfering at an unacceptable level.

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    3. Bishop Buckley, maybe you should contact the Archbishop first and ask him to come to Magherafelt to speak to the parishioners concerned. Truth and justice hurts no-one.

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    4. That is a very positive suggestion.

      Eamon Martin is there for Confirmation in under three weeks.

      But I am afraid he will come and go as if there is nothing wrong :-(

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    5. 09.50 Your suggestion is totally pointless. Quite a few people have written to the Archbishop on this matter, no one I’ve spoken to hasn’t received an acknowledgement let alone a reply which is very ignorant on his part. The Press has asked for statements on the matter as recent as the weekend - no statements released by Armagh. If Eamon Martin can’t bring himself to answer letters what’s the chanc3 of him coming to listen to concerned parishioners. He will however listen on 3rd June in Magherafelt when a group of us are intending to approach him wanting answers.

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    6. I would be saddened if our children had their special day interrupted on 3rd June. That is not the time or place. Monsignor O'Byrne to me is the best person to help resolve this sad state of affairs should that be through speaking to parishioners in mass or through an open letter. Fr Gates I feel would help the growing situation by returning and trying to resolve some of the upset caused and may be thought of better for this approach.

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    7. @19.43 You are yet another one jumping to major conclusions today. Can you please read the blog in full especially reply at 11.59 today. Can you keep up to date?

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    8. O’Byrne is not the PP any longer, he is retired and therefore there is no role for him to play in all of this. He has had his day. No need for his involvement.

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    9. Sometimes it seems Pat can't win. If he does nothing he is accused of stirring the pot. If does something he is accused of interfearing. The issues are the unacceptable actions. The cause are the people who allegedly did them and the system that allegedly turned a blind eye.

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  4. So far we have seen the clergy from top to bottom disappointingly bury their head in the sand. My fear is that the Parishioners of Magherafelt will follow the example left to them of poor leadership...
    If so the result will be what the hierachy intend - that is for everyone to forget - but will people forget? Have people had enough?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some people have had enough, have suffered enough.

      There are clergy and laity who still want to brush difficult issues under carpets.

      We have seen the outcome of that policy!

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    2. Pat, not all Clergy brush things under the carpet but have chosen to speak out in the past, even though they are very few in number. We know that they have effectively been silenced by Senior Clergy and Bishops. Those who are guilty of burying their hands in the sand and try to brush things under the carpet need to be challenged because they are not used to people standing up to them. The best way to tackle a bully is to stand up to them and confront them. I commend you for your efforts in Magherafelt.

      Delete
  5. Father Gates is perfectly welcome to make or write a statement which will be published unedited on this Blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He could also appear on Skype at the meeting from his hideaway.

      Delete
  6. Pat you don’t know anything about Magherafelt. You are getting sucked into a nasty vicious row.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have friends in Magherafelt and have been visiting there for 40 years.

      But it's only recently I have discovered the levels of hurt and anger in the parish.

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    2. I have a great belief in the power of prayer, but unfortunately I believe these issues will not be easily prayed away.

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    3. It is very much my experience that all prayers are answered though the answer may come in a way/time/manner totally different from what was expected or visualised. You cannot dictate to God what the response should be when He sees all minds, motivations and outcomes So always pray in a spirit of trust and confidence in God's loving guidance and His decisions. He sees rounds corners that we cannot!

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    4. +Pat, you'll need a couple of bouncers, just in case.

      Delete
  7. Amy does not have the balls to stand up to bullying clergy. He is weak and Incompetent. That's a big part of the problem. Armagh PP.

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    Replies
    1. Armagh PP my ass

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    2. @10.56 Quite a few Armagh PP’s know a lot about asses, especially young Male DUP ones.

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    3. 11:45 Your such a well informed being. Heard your now employed by Fossetts Circus!!!

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    4. @14.04 You are correct, I’m now the Ringmaster, so I’m announcing your act now - send in the clowns.

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    5. it's Archbishop Eamon Martin to you..show some respect you clown

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  8. Well Amy needs to go 09.56 and get the boot. He was far too young and inexperienced for that role. Can you imagine Armagh having him for nearly 20 years.

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  9. I prefer blogs on Maynooth concers

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    Replies
    1. @10.12 Pedant. Play the ball, not the man.

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    2. So do I. I love a good sandal.

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    3. What is a "Maynooth concer" @ poster 10.12

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  10. @10.12 What you prefer is of no interest to anyone. There are much more important issues in the Church than your perverse interest in Maynooth.

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  11. The Pope has confirmed he will visit the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People while visiting Ireland in August this year. Br Kevin Crowley paid tribute to Diarmuid Coddle Martin for his part in arranging the Pope’s visit.

    Well done to + Archbishop Coddle Martin.

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    Replies
    1. I suppose the Maynooth Sems will be drafted into the Homeless Centre for one day to show their pastoral and caring side and provide photo opportunities.

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    2. What will the Pope visit in NORTHERN Ireland is what we are waiting to hear?

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    3. He would be about the right age for some of them - pity Gorgeous isn’t going to be present. Silver Daddy lover.

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  12. Was just informed of this blog. I too would like to take part in a meeting to tell of the corrupt behaviour in our local schools. Heads, governors and Fr Gates too. All covering up bullying and have been aware of it for a number of years

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @ 11.10
      Hear, hear!
      Now you're talking .

      Delete
  13. I am a concerned parishioner also and I would like to air my views on the situation in our parish and especially local schools.

    ReplyDelete
  14. As a parent of a child who was enrolled in a local college I have grace concerns and issues about bullying in the college by what is supposed to be a leader and the staff member who is the pastoral care teacher cannot stand up either due to fear. What is wrong with these staff? Are they going to let themselves be walked over by outsiders and blow-ins. Go back to where u came from and stop ruining lives

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  15. I do not know if most of the Blog contributors are EX Catholic ( The Real Church) however I find it shocking that you are going to an old time low and that is to protest at Children's Confirmation why spoil children's big day instead go to Ara Coeli and see EM or write to him and he takes note.
    I can assure you he replies to emails and letters he has to he is the Archbishop and will be there for at least 30 years unless small chance he could be moved to Dublin likely not.

    The Archbishop has his finger on the pulse and knows what is happening he is only 54 and a Canon Lawyer.

    Sorry to disappoint you all but he is Highly Thought of in Ireland and the Vatican.
    Please do not protest on the Confirmation as it is the Children who will be hurt and remember safeguarding I am sure the police will be there given the threat of the protest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is 56 and definitely NOT a canon lawyer.

      Cardinal Conway was "only" 50 when he started. Tom Fee was "only" 53. The Lord took them to himself at 64 and 66 respectively.

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    2. It looks like our good old Scot friend has returned in full glory, illuminating the splendour of his contributions with the usual capital letters and grammatical inconsistencies.

      Delete
  16. I am from Castledawson and never heard of this blog until I was at school this morning, heard from other parents. We are so glad someone is listening after all this time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You’re a regular on this blog

      Delete
  17. There is no threat implied because I have stressed before it will be a peaceful meeting. We will present the Archbishop with our concerns before or after the Confirmation and there will be no disruption to the ceremony. I think you are getting carried away and over the top with your wild assertions and accusations. Whether the Archbishop is highly thought of or not is irrelevant to this issue because he is not addressing the concerns by email or letter of those who have written. That is why a personal peaceful meeting face to face is planned. I think the PSNI will be reluctant to get involved at Magherafelt chapel because they are already sick and tired of being called out so many times by Fr. Gates to warn off parishioners. Even the Police are glad that Fr. Gates has left, that’s saying a lot.

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  18. Eamonn Martin is a disgrace and should no longer be AB of Armagh never mind receive a red hat. The 2 Martins AMY AND CODDLE are such hypocrites and hopefully will be forced to resign someday soon. Papal Nuncio get your shit together.

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    Replies
    1. There will probably be a complete clean sweep in DUBLIN in 2 years or less as archbishop and both auxiliary bishops reach the retiring age. The likelihood is that Thigh and.God Forbid..Kevin Doran will be in the running. No change there then ..same old..same old. As to the Nuncio..he appears to be conspicuous by his absence and appears,so far, to have little or no affect on the rot in the Irish Church.

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    2. Unlike his predecessor Brown who was at every dog fight from Giant’s Causeway to Mizen Head when he should have been at home saying his prayers.
      What a disastrous five years!

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    3. And what s disastrous legacy.

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  19. I can assure you that bishop Martin does not reply to letters and emails, I have emailed and written to him myself over the years concerning gates and have never received a reply!!

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  20. Have you seen the Galway seminarian in Maynooth Pat? He is known for putting on a veil at night and walking in darkness. Creepy when you see it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "The" Galway seminarian? Is there only one? I thought Galway was doing good vocations-wise.

      As for putting on a veil and walking in darkness...wtf???

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    2. 16.56: Utter lies. Damned lies. What an innocuous, insignificant idiot you seem! Get a grip.

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    3. No, the liberal vocations committee turns away anyone applicant who show even a hint of conservatism. Young liberal nominal Catholics don't go to Mass and have no desire to be priests.

      That's the pattern across Ireland and it helps to explain why Maynooth has so few seminarians.

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    4. Can you Maynooth bitches keep this cat fight behind closed doors and to yourselves. Getting weary reading all your childish bullshit on here, if this is the quality of Sems we have at present then the future of the Church is well and truly sunk.

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    5. 17.30 - "What an innocuous, insignificant idiot you seem!"

      -Right back at you. I was merely asking a question. If it's lies - or damned lies - fine, but there was no need to attack me for asking.

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    6. 18.02: What sort of life do you live to be concerned about lace and veils? Are you a frilly type too?

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    7. 18:43 "Are you a frilly type too?" - Asks the one who tried to shut down a simple question. You seem to be getting very hot under the collar there, eager to not only dismiss the earlier post as lies, but "utter lies" and "dammed lies" before descending into name-calling. Thou dost protest too much methinks.

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    8. 22.04: Why are you feeling so stung? You are responding like a cat on a hot tin roof. Be calm. Think twice, Miss Frilly Lace. I'm enjoyi g a lovely glass of Chablis!

      Delete
  21. I wonder if these ‘hurt’ parishioners will still feel as strongly when their anonymity it taken away from them and their faces plastered over social media.

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  22. @15.31 Why in your threatening tone would parishioners faces be plastered over social media?

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    Replies
    1. 15.38: 15.31 asks a legitimate question. If people who make accusations at this meeting then they will have to verify them. This meeting is not the responsibility of Pat Buckley who is using it as a sledge hammer against people in Maghearafelt Parish who "allegedly" are bullies in their parish, conspirators, allegedly with Fr. Gates. Pat's interference would be like Mary Lou facilitating a conflict resolution issue in Fianna Fail. It wouldn't be tolerated. Pat does not work in nor has any given function in this Parish. His interference is mischief making and will probably contribute to a further escalation of conflict and division. I think it is outrageous that he should assume to know the full stories and arrogant to assume to be the right facilitator. It is so unfair to the present Priest in the Parish. Perhaps, the complainers shoukd go to the Oratory for their expression of faith and prayer. Let me assure you if my name or that of long standing good members of this parish community are mentioned, there will be a serious legal battle.

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    2. All the parishioners of Magherafelt - not only the altar rails eaters - are entitled to express their views about what has been going on.

      If you have done nothing wrong - or have not stood by in silence and allowed wrong to be done in your name - you have no need to fear your "good" name being brought into disrepute.

      Delete
    3. Take a chill pill.

      Delete
  23. Its a waste of Peoples' time going all to Magherafelt. An emails to the church Authorites from the parish would work.
    EM has always answered.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @17.11 You are being disingenuous and misleading people by saying Eamon Martin has replied when he has not. Can you please stop peddling this lie and fiction.

      Delete
  24. All iam hearing around magherafelt is fr gates done this,said this,bullied me.He has blazed a trail of destruction thru magherafelt parish hopefully we have seen the last of him good riddance

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  25. 14.31: Saying Eamon Martin is a disgrace is a judgment you make presumably on the gossip and hearsay of this blog. And your very language suggests that you are part of the cohort of s**t stirrer who couldn't give a damn about truth, fairness or justice. Another hate monger using space on this bl8g to spew out your venom or trailer trash s**t.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "S**t stirrers are only effective when there is s**t to stir.

      I have received so much reports of s**t that I am beginning to think that Magherafelt needs a new, dedicated sewerage plant!

      Delete
    2. @17.37 It’s very noble of you to try and defend your Archbishop in Armagh. However, your choice of language in doing so let’s him down and very much let’s you down.

      Delete
  26. I hope theres not protests by supporters of FR Gates. A Riot would ruin the Childrens Confirmation day.
    The police would take action and put people arrested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @17.41 For goodness sake stop being melodramatic and read reply from 11.59 earlier. Please try and keep up with the blog will you.

      Delete
  27. +Pat you’ve a heart of gold. Don’t be intimidated. You can do whatever you want and go wherever you want. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dont worry, I am not intimidated.

      I will be in Magherafelt in the coming days and will report about my visit there.

      If anyone wants to meet me when I am there call me on 07488 374364

      Delete
    2. 18.07: Mind your own business Pat. You are not suitable to sort out conflicts as you are a vengeful and vindictive person. Bad. And you think your parents would approve and that Jesus would applaud you. Get lost.

      Delete
    3. Ignorant, spiteful and insignificant person@18.35 you are probably another one running to the altar frequently. Bishop Pat will be welcome in Magherafelt anytime and there is nothing you can do to stop him. You sound like a friend of Gates, in other words another wee bully.

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    4. 19.36: You probably are a trouble shooter too. I will inform the police. I will be there to ensure nothing defamatory is said and that good names are not destroyed. This outside interference is outrageous. Already, if you are intelligent, you'll see the divisions growing more deeply because of this. Surely, the present new Priest in the Parish should be afforded dignity and respect. He's a good man and you will make life very unbearable and difficult for him. This is divisive. Pat carries too much anti Catholic Church baggage and is vindictive in nature, delighting in the downfall and flaws of others. Nothing of Christ in his behaviour or yours either!

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    5. I am not anti Catholic.

      I am anti Roman Catholic institution corruption and abuse.

      Father Gates has been a serial abuser.

      Delete
    6. @19.58 Best laugh I've had today - you calling the Police lol. You'd be had up for wasting Police time and rightly so. You must be very close to Fr. Gates because he often called the Police too for those who challenged him. The PSNI deal with crime not a room full of people sharing their hurt and pain at the hands of one little bully. Get a grip of yourself

      Delete
    7. The PSNI would not get involved in internicene Catholic disputes.

      Delete
  28. Xxxxx Xxxxxx sleeps around Xxxxx. In Maynooth he’s Lezzing with Xxxxx Xxxxxx apparently?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apparently? Is that the best you can do 18.05? Get a life.

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    2. What is "lezzing"?

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    3. Clam-jousting.

      Delete
  29. Wben fr gates was cutting the trees dow n at milltown he employed his personal henchmen who were told to leave most of the logs up at his house amounting to most of his yard covered in logs.The last time he cut trees down for the new graveyard the groundsman got 2 or 3 bags gates phoned him @ ate him for taking them while his yard was covered in logs Thats what u call a good christian��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did the trees need to be cut down or was he just wanting them for his fire. Ireland is one of the most deforested countries in Europe and unecessary loss of trees should be avoided.

      Delete
  30. The logs were for sale and the money was for the parish funds.

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  31. If I were a priest I would not fancy been sent to Magherafelt after reading how nasty and twisted some of the parishioners are.

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  32. No property in magherafelt would be willing to host such a meeting.

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  33. @20.02 Well you are not a Priest so best stay quiet.

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  34. Please publish all the problems associated with the parish

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  35. Can you all guess the same person writing numerous anonymous comments with endless spelling mistakes. Troll!

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  36. I wouldnt believe that about the logs were sold @ money put into parish funds thats probably gates talking.His motto is (l come first all the time )He probably burnt most of them @ gave the rest to is henchmen

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  37. J McConnell?

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  38. Have a look at his FB page, you'll wet yourself

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  39. Any update of Stephen Wilson.

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  40. +Pat - some people on here forget it was the prostitutes, the wounded and sinners who walked with Jesus. It was the priests who killed him.

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  41. Bishop Buckley can we expect more information to follow from the Maynooth concerns blog. Please keep up the good work. The truth will set you free, even if the truth is revolting.

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  42. Lol what uniform will Wilson be dressed in tonight. A different theme dress code for each unique ritual.

    ReplyDelete
  43. The only decent priest in recent years in magherafelt was Fr Dabid Moore. A great priest .

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  44. Unfortunately @16.06 Tighe or gobshite Doran will take over from coddle. Why don't the Dublin priests go to the nuncio and suggest foot washers. True disciples like Declan Blake . But Declan is so humble he would not want this political hypocritical position.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Unfortunately @16.06 Tighe or gobshite Doran will take over from coddle. Why don't the Dublin priests go to the nuncio and suggest foot washers. True disciples like Declan Blake . But Declan is so humble he would not want this political hypocritical position.

    ReplyDelete