THE CATHOLIC PARISH OF MAGHERAFELT, IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ARMAGH, IS AS CRISIS POINT IN ALMOST EVERY AREA OF PARISH LIFE AND COMMUNITY.
This has come to a head quite dramatically in the past week with the sudden disappearance of the parish priest - Father John Gates.
JOHN GATES |
The parish is rife with rumour about Father Gate's disappearance and the causes behind the disappearance.
Parishioners have only been told that Father Gates is "under the care of doctors" but no one seems to know what the illness or health problem is.
He was spotted recently wearing a pink shirt and walking with another man in Donegal.
The most recent rumour in the parish is that Father Gates has fled Ireland altogether and is staying with a relative in England.
News of various people involved in disputes with Father Gates is slowly emerging. They include altercations with old ladies, undertakers, church neighbours, church employees - at least of which ended up before the courts where a settlement figure was reached.
There was also the dispute with the Muldoon family and a refusal on Father Gate's part to have little Conree Muldoon receive his First Holy Communion.
There are also big rumours of internecine wars in the various Catholic schools in the parish.
People are asking how did a fine, traditional parish, like Magherafelt, with devoted parishioners end up in a virtual war zone?
Different individuals and groups are blaming each other and the Catholic community is becoming more and more splintered and divided.
I have met a number of individuals and groups from Magherafelt in the past few days and have begun to build up a dossier of events, claims, and counterclaims.
Later this week I have agreed to attend a meeting of concerned Magherafelt parishioners in Magherafelt.
At that meeting, I will listen to what everyone has to say and then I hope to be able to make concrete proposals to the people on how to begin to tackle the various issues.
Some parishioners have asked me to compile an independent report of the state of things in the parish.
I would be happy to do that if it is necessary.
Of course, this matter should be of great concern to the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh - Eamon Martin -0 and a number of people have told me that they have written to him and have had no satisfactory response.
If I were Eamon Martin I would, as a matter of urgency, appoint a new parish priest to Magherafelt.
This new PP would need not to be divisive as Father Gates has been.
He would need to possess the people and communication skills that Father Gates, clearly, did not possess.
And he would need to be sent to Magherafelt with the definitive mission of:
1. Address a number of serious miscarriages of justice in the parish.
2. Be determined to reunite the divided community.
3. Tackle a number of individuals with parish institutions that are actively bullying and harassing others.
I have decided to become involved in all the Magherafelt issues and see them through to resolution.
If John Gates intends to come back to Magherafelt people have two options:
1. A PETITION TO ARCHBISHOP EAMON MARTIN PROTESTING FATHER GATES RETURN.
2. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ALTERNATIVE MASS CENTRE IN MAGHERAFELT WHERE PRIESTS - INCLUDING MYSELF - WILL CELEBRATE AN ALTERNATIVE MASS FOR MAGHERAFELT PARISHIONERS.
Would Magherafelt people who are interested please contact me :
07488 374364
bishopbuckley1@outlook.com
I have met a number of individuals and groups from Magherafelt in the past few days and have begun to build up a dossier of events, claims, and counterclaims.
Later this week I have agreed to attend a meeting of concerned Magherafelt parishioners in Magherafelt.
At that meeting, I will listen to what everyone has to say and then I hope to be able to make concrete proposals to the people on how to begin to tackle the various issues.
Some parishioners have asked me to compile an independent report of the state of things in the parish.
I would be happy to do that if it is necessary.
Of course, this matter should be of great concern to the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh - Eamon Martin -0 and a number of people have told me that they have written to him and have had no satisfactory response.
If I were Eamon Martin I would, as a matter of urgency, appoint a new parish priest to Magherafelt.
This new PP would need not to be divisive as Father Gates has been.
He would need to possess the people and communication skills that Father Gates, clearly, did not possess.
And he would need to be sent to Magherafelt with the definitive mission of:
1. Address a number of serious miscarriages of justice in the parish.
2. Be determined to reunite the divided community.
3. Tackle a number of individuals with parish institutions that are actively bullying and harassing others.
I have decided to become involved in all the Magherafelt issues and see them through to resolution.
If John Gates intends to come back to Magherafelt people have two options:
1. A PETITION TO ARCHBISHOP EAMON MARTIN PROTESTING FATHER GATES RETURN.
2. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ALTERNATIVE MASS CENTRE IN MAGHERAFELT WHERE PRIESTS - INCLUDING MYSELF - WILL CELEBRATE AN ALTERNATIVE MASS FOR MAGHERAFELT PARISHIONERS.
Would Magherafelt people who are interested please contact me :
07488 374364
bishopbuckley1@outlook.com
---------------------------------------
CLOYNE / KILDORRERY UPDATE
MY PROPOSED RADIO INTERVIEWS THIS MORNING
CORK RED FM .............................8 AM
CORK 96 FM.......................BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12 NOON
YESTERDAY'S EDITION OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER
Did Xxxxxxx hit Xxxxxxx last night. The screaming last night freaked out all the guys on the corridor.
ReplyDeleteNo he didn't. That was a story cleverly spread around the seminary in the hope that Collins and Mullaney freak out and haul some lads in for a grilling.
DeleteThat said, the atmosphere here is tense - surprising that someone actually hasn't punched someone else yet! This happens every time +Pat blogs about the seminary - the Grindr brigade all know +Pat is close to exposing every one of them.
Students in Maynooth are under the protection of Fr Michael Mullaney. Mullaney made an off record deal with Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Mullaney will protect them as long they submit to his direction and eliminate any past discriminating evidence for example Xxxxxxxx has deleted his fb account. Xxxxxxxx however has crossed Mullaney by continuing to engage in homosexual activity. Mullaney is terrified of a continuined exposure to the Irish media and Rome.
ReplyDeleteDyour stupid posts from Maynooth are so predictable, untrue and boring as hell. Why are you bringing these fantasies on to this blog? Just take your grievances to your Bishop little girl and spare us the nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThe bishops don't want to know!
DeleteI agree with 08.32 sick of reading this juvenile banter from the cissies in Maynooth. What topic are we discussing today because it’s not clear and it’s getting all jumbled up. Pat can you not deal with one issue at a time. It gets rather frustrating for regular readers.
DeleteCG
Now I am sure that the intelligent readers of the Blog, includi g your very good self, can read about 2 or 3 burning issues at the one time.
DeleteWhy has the blog taken a sudden change from discussing one issue to three issues all at once? Maynooth, Magherafilt and Kildorrery.
DeletePat, 8.35: The stories being told are the fantasies of mischief makers. There are people who get a high from this obscene, infantile and moronic bitchiness. You are encouraging this nonsense. If you read the comments again from "students"(?), surely you can only conclude that these idiots are crazy and out to cause trouble.
Delete10.55 Totally agree and it was the same point I tried to make earlier. These so called Seminarians (highly questionable) are talking pure nonsense and fooling no one on here. They are treating people who read the blog frequently as idiots. They should not be encouraged. Total fantasists.
Deletefantasy is rife, and it is reassuring that the fantasy is never about abuse of minors -- so on that front at least the church must have cleaned up its act a lot
DeleteLots fantasy seminarian bitches posting today.
DeleteJUSTICE FOR CONAN. NOW.
DeleteI am sure that you will get support for your mass in Magherafelt. Let us know when you intend arranging it.
ReplyDeleteI am just trying to find ways of offering my support to the Magherafelt parishioners who have come to me with their concerns and their deep hurt.
DeleteI will be attending your meeting.
DeleteGet over yourself Buckley.
DeleteNow John! Stop that!
DeleteIt will never happen in Magherafelt
DeleteI will certainly come to your Mass and your meeting in Magherafelt. Keep us posted. Have a few things to discuss about various institutions and their leaders
ReplyDeleteRADIO INTERVIEW
ReplyDeleteJust finished interview with Neil Prenderville on Cork Red FM on the Kildorrery sacrilege.
I am interested also in attending an alternative mass
ReplyDeleteWhat is an alternative Mass? That’s a new one!!
DeleteA Mass not celebrated by Father Gates in the parish church.
DeleteA Mass at an alternative venue celebrated by me or one of my priests.
@09.00 But this Mass you offer will not be a Mass as such, will it? I think for the very small band of disgruntled people they should go instead to Larne at weekends for a Pat Buckley Mass. That way the parish of Magherafelt will then be well rid of these small group of malcontents and troublemakers.
DeleteOf course it will be a Mass.
Delete"Once a priest, always a priest".
A priest never loses the ability to make Jesus present on the altar, whatever his canonical standing in the Roman denomination.
Not even Father Gates can bully Jesus into not turning up, thank God.
Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there am I among them..
Delete09.30 If that is the case you could then be free to go and worship at the Free Presbyterians, Independent Methodists, Baptist, Church of Ireland, 1st Presbyterians, The Methodists or the various Gospel Halls, all of whom I've just checked have Churches in Magherafelt. What's to stop you gathering with all of these where 2 or 3 are gathered in the Lords name. It's best you be saved anyhow. The wages of sin is death.
Delete09.00 You will celebrate the alternative Mass or "One of your Priests". Armagh has enough validly ordained Priests to provide Mass. Your services will not be required thank you. I am a previous business owner in the town and my advice to you is Stay in Larne because the good people of Magherafelt & Castledawson don't want a gay man married to another gay man celebrating the Mass. Every bishop in Ireland I'm told reliably has refused to give you Communion let alone allow you to celebrate Holy Mass in their diocese. You are the cause of great scandal and those who have approached you are bringing greater scandal to our parish. Thank you.
DeleteMost priests in Ireland today are gay and many of them actively gay.
DeleteDo you really think that Magherafelt has escaped the ministry of gay priests?
If you do you are a fool.
Only one Irish bishop has refused to geive me Communion.
Yet these bishops are protecting promiscuous seminarians and priests.
Would you be one of those Magherafelt Pharisees mentioned above?
Most priests... including Pat Buckley... so why this frenetic crusade?
DeleteThe "crusade" is not about sexualkity.
DeleteIts about bullying!
Surely bullying is ALWAYS wrong?
Isn't it gas the way 10.23 has appointed himself as spokesperson for the whole parish??
DeleteIf Pat attends the parish meeting people will be free to approach him or otherwise. If I were one of the parishioners I'd be trying to meet Pat, and I say trying because I'd anticipate a welcoming crowd to be gathered around him.
As for the "previous business owner", maybe if more people approached you you would be a 'current business owner'. You are welcome to your opinion, but in the absence of an election you are not appointed as spokesperson for the whole parish. Additionally your comments are bigoted and if you were in my parish I'd have to have a polite word about how the church is a welcoming place.
Bishop Pat, you good Sir minister without institutional restrictions. You are the pastor chasing the lost sheep and screaming at the rest of us to reform just like John the Baptist. I commend your bravery.
@16.37 It's clear you are not the spokesperson for the parish but rather your little merry band of disgruntled motely crew. Your vandetta against your PP is clear and evident for all to see. Do you actually live in the Parish? Pat Buckley is not welcome in Magherafelt and the vast majority of good and faithful parishioners (unlike your sad little group) will ensure he is run out of town back to Larne.
DeleteA divided parish is not a happy sight. They seem to be at each other's throats. You'd think the PP would do something about it. Is there a temporary PP of Magherafelt?
DeleteBishop Phonsie, who flew into a rage and refused +Pat Holy Communion, has his own Missing in Action, including the ex-seminary president living in a cottage in the grounds of Phonsie's palace.
DeleteVery interesting would love to discuss a certain institution with u and it’s bullying so called leader
ReplyDeleteGet in touch.
DeleteBring back Mary
DeleteIs that a Magherafelt Mary?
DeleteYes, Magherafelt Mary was a big loss due to retirement...
DeleteMagherafelt Mary was Principal out the Moneymore Road.
DeleteI will sign petition protesting against the return of John Gates
ReplyDelete"For where two or three gather in my name, I am there among them. MATTHEW 18.
ReplyDeleteBishop Buckley, I see no facts in what you write. I see scaremongering. I see you ruining the reputation of a priest that I personally have never had anything but good dealings with. Also, I implore you not to celebrate Mass with them. You turned your back on the Church. You have been excommunicated. Your Mass would be illict.
ReplyDeleteYou show lamentable ignorance of my history.
DeleteMass is Mass, whether in Magherafelt church or on a kitchen table.
I do not believe in the man made notion of excommunication.
There are a lot of people in Magherafelt who feel hurt by Father Gates.
Jesus will heal their hurts.
The Pharisees accused Jesus of being illicit too. We gave plenty of Pharisees here in Magherafelt. Wife and mother.
DeleteFr Gates ruined his own reputation as a Priest. You write of no facts and scaremongering, Fr Gates is very lucky there are decent people around, some of those have been extremly badly let down and on occasions bullied by him. These decent people have all the hard evidence at hand and it may just be given to Bishop Pat when the time is right, as I said Fr Gates is very very lucky she doesn't start talking and has refrained so far. There are a few others who weren't so lucky and didn't get an opportunity to really hold him and others to account but she did.
DeleteIs Magherawotsit populated by human mutants? Spineless wonders?
DeleteEveryone on this blog speaks of Gates as a bully. If he had tried to bully me, I would have (as that bald guy in The Shining said) 'corrected' him. He wouldn't have done it again.
Magherawotsit needs an urgent infusion of backbone, especially among its 'men' folk. 😆
@9.24
DeleteIn generosity I shall impart knowledge to lift you from your ignorance.
1. A mass can be illicit and 100% valid. (That is not a confirmation that Pat's mass is illicit, rather that it is valid).
2. You should focus on the spiritual and pastoral merit of Mass rather than if it is illicit or otherwise.
3. A person cannot be excommunicated but can choose to excommunicate themselves. So far as I am aware Pat is still a Catholic, albeit one validly screaming for reform.
4. Judging by your comment I suggest you consider, maybe with a spiritual director, as to if you think the Catholic church a club with rules or a religion with spirituality & belief.
I think the only person ignorant around here is Mr Buckley himself.
DeleteI love to read the comments of BMcK on this blog
ReplyDeleteWhen will we hear about a good news story from the oratory in Larne? We will be waiting I imagine.
ReplyDeleteThere are good news stories happening here every week.
DeleteWould I not be accused of boasting if I wrote about them?
+Pat, do you think the latest two seminarians will receive some sort of financial settlement agreement, so they don’t write a book, or come to you with their story?
ReplyDeleteI know there will be worries about all they know about Maynooth and Rome.
DeleteThey could possibly be given a resettlement "grant" :-)
But these stories will all come out in time.
10:18, and if there is a financial settlement for the pair of them, guess who'll be footing the bill?
DeleteBaaa🐑
I used to go to Fr Brian Darcy mass most Sundays in Enniskillen as he always gave a very inspirational talk...now since he left I very seldom go to mass anywhere.
ReplyDeleteIf you Pat were to say a mass in a shed somewhere convenient to where I live...I def wd go.
Yes 10.39, we don’t really miss you at the Graan. You and the other few hangers on who worshipped Brian’s celebrity status soon cleared when he left. Thank God we no longer have to trip over you groupies of Darcy hanging about the place and cluttering it up, you don’t need a shed locally to attend Mass as you have a few good parishes next to the Graan. If your faith revolved around the figure and person of Brian Darcy your faith must have been very shallow indeed.
DeleteSo poster @ 10.39 you were a Fr D'Arcy "groupie" who attended for the man and not the Mass. Christ is present at every Mass. If you have unresolved "attachment" issues, then transfer your allegiance to some other local priest perhaps .
DeleteWhat a faithless post11.33.. I’m gobsmaked that a Christian person could type such hatred.
DeleteThe Grann does not belong to the Enniskillen parish.
I don’t live in any Enniskillen parish, I was just passing through of a Sunday and loved going to mass there..I still do..when I’m in that area.
I just made the remark that I liked his inspirational talks, so I liked to go.
I’m sad for you ...that another christian soul could type what you have just..doesn’t resonate with my faith.
The Fr Darcy haters are out in force today.
DeleteJealousy can be very damaging for your health
Best to get on with living and let others do the same.
No need to jum up and down every time Fr Darcy name is mentioned
@12.46 If you think I’m jealous of D’arcy you are seriously deluded. Interesting the use of the word jealousy because if you ask some at the Grann today they will tell you that Brian D’arcy had major issues relating to jealousy. Anybody who stole his thunder or didn’t acknowledge him as a ‘celebrity’ would mean Brian going into not only jealousy but rage. Just look at his scowling face when he wasn’t allowed to take over at Big Toms Funeral. There have been instances were he will not talk to people because of major jealousy issues. Just ask his religious community to be a little more honest about him.
DeleteThis week's Newtownards Chronicle reported that Darcy and the other Passionists in Crossgar are being driven mental by young ones coming into the grounds every Friday and Saturday night to drink and play loud music. The Passionists are asking people to give names to the police.
DeleteA more effective way to disperse the troublemakers would be to play recordings of Darcy singing. They wouldn't hang about for long.
No lectures from you @ 12.30 please!. You are the one who said you didn't go to Mass anymore now that you were deprived of Fr D'Arcy .
Delete10:23 I am a young gay man from Magherafelt and from the Catholic persuasion. I have been intimate with several married men from Magherafelt including one or two who eat the altar rails. I have also been to bed with two priests. Stop talking your nonsense.
ReplyDeleteYou need a job in the Magherafelt parish centre - keep them auld dolls from choking
Delete@10.40 Another fantasist on here like the Maynooth goon fantasists on here earlier.
DeleteYou @ 10.40 have nothing to boast about . From what you have said here, you are an absolute disgrace.
Delete10:40 is shit-stirrin. And the lot of youse in-between have drunk a bucketful o' it. 😆
DeleteIf this is true then reveal yourself and the men involved.
Delete+Pat do you worry that by sharing these images without the consent of the people in them (based on what you said the person who received the images from the priest was told to destroy them, based on your comments in your interview on Red fm this morning), that you and the person who shared these images are participating in a form of "revenge porn" which can be prosecuted in Ireland under our current harassment laws?
ReplyDeleteI have only shared the non-redacted images with the bishops and the papal nuncio who have shared them with the Gardai.
DeleteThere is motive of revenge involved. The two issues are clear:
1.Was a criminal offence committed?
2. Was an altar and a church desecrated?
Nobody has been publicly named.
I imagine the motive of the alleged priest involved was payback for his (presumably involuntary) resignation due to alcoholism. The handsome devil probably just got tanked up and thought I’ll show them.
DeleteWhere do you see 'revenge porn'?? Pat has not share any face pictures. A person could come forward to claim they are in the pictures, but they won't.
DeleteI think it is a disgrace that ppl are ready to criticise Fr Gates. There are two sides to every story and very few know the circumstances. A growing number of ppl are getting more demanding and only looking to receive the holy sacraments on their terms and conditions despite the ever increasing workload of priests, as is the case with the Muldoons. The Muldoons should be ashamed of themselves involving Pat Buckley knowing fine rightly that Pat would twist the story and then post it publicly with the intention of starting a campaign. It is clear to see Pat Buckley has a vendetta again Fr Gates. Shame on all the so called parishioners who have made derogatory comments and are taking delight in trying to derail a person’s character. Fr Brannigan, take heed and be extremely careful in everything you say and do because these so called parishioners are out for blood. Unfortunately, we live in a snowflake society where ppl are actively seeking any excuse to be offended. God bless you Fr.
ReplyDeleteI am sure +Pat would be only too happy to hear his side of the story (we all would) from his bolthole in England.
DeleteFather Gates can publish his views on this Blog at any time.
DeleteFr Gates was Bishop Dalys secretary, so you would be / could be prejudiced.
DeleteFalse information. This Muldoon family are a tight unit, intelligent and assertive and will not be standing for bullying and narrcasistic behavior from a priest who clearly made a very big mistake! I wish more people in the parish had the same back bone!
DeleteI have never met Father Gates and he has never had the opportunity to hurt me in any way.
ReplyDeleteThe Muldoons were deeply hurt by the way Father Gates treated them and they wanted justice and a resolution.
Thanks to this Blog the Holy Communion is going ahead tomorrow.
Other people have come here to Larne to tell me of their hurt too. Some of them we made ill by how they were treated.
You are the very first one to mention Father Brannigan on here. I am told he is a very nice man.
Father Brannigan is a very nice priest an also very down to earth when u get to know him. Full of life an I as a parishioner cannot say a bad thing about him. Suppose we need more priests like him. I for one think he himself should be under alot of stress with what's going on at present with Father Gates.
Delete@11.53 I agree that Father Brannigan is an agreeable and approachable man. However, he can be a little naive and gullible which is not entirely his own fault. He is manipulated by some elderly folk who frequent the parish centre coffee shop and I have personally heard some of them press him for parish information which borders on gossip. He can sometimes succumb to this questioning which is then relayed by the same elderly folk, particularly at the Saturday Vigil Mass, they seem to congregate together at the back of the Church waiting on what Fr. Brannigan has said during the week. I think some prey on his good and friendly nature in order to extract whatever gossip they can.
DeleteParish Centre Observer
12.15
DeleteFor god’s sake get a life and stop snooping at the coffee chats.
Maybe take a break and go for a walk instead of standing back and people watching with intent.
Anon@ 12:15: I think others might find Parish Centre Observer 's observations thoughtful and reasonable. I did. Perhaps Fr Brannigan too might find them useful.
DeleteI value blog comment giving alternative perspectives in a non hostile overly critical way, and endeavour to learn from them.
MMM
What about looking at the governors of these institutions. I heard that they know all about it and choose to bury their heads also. Shame on them. Cowards afraid to stand up to the ones at the top !!!
ReplyDeleteThe criticism of Fr Gates is disgusting. What's his crime? Insisting on some seriousness and reverence from first communicants and their families? Isn't that the kind of church reform that Bp Buckley also claims to be urging?
ReplyDeleteNo one has ever accused the Muldoons of not being reverent and serious.
DeleteThey are a good family unit and they go to Mass regularly.
Not only were they refused Holy Communion for their child but they were also subject to bullying and hurt at the hands of Father Gates.
The fact that Father Gates changed his mind and the Muldoon Holy Communion is going ahead tomorow proves that Father Gates made a wrong decision in the first place!
The seriousness and reverance of First Communicants and their families has never been in dispute, reform I agree totally with especially if the Catholic Church is to survive. What's the crime you asked? - I'm not sure if it's a crime or just a cowardly act perpetrated by someone so full of their own sense of entitlement that others feelings, opinions and justice just doesn't matter. I think Fr Gates could do with some Training in Human Resource Management and Communication strategies..
DeleteOr else it shows that he has the good sense to know when to take everything into consideration and so to compromise... - -
DeleteWho's have thought Bp Buckley would be such an advocate for the "church of nice"!
Delete' "church of nice" ', 13:19?
DeleteYou're a Church Militant supporter, aren't you? A mad 'traddie', like Michael Voris? 😆
It is interesting to compare the tactics of Voris and Buckley, both keen to reform the church.
DeleteNobody seems to know who these Muldoons are and not even the church goers.I hear that they are from Maghera and the child goes to Spires school.
DeleteSo, MC traditional Catholics are insane?
DeleteIn response to previous business owner magherafelt - "Let those without sin cast the first stone". In every Angel a Demon hides And in every demon an Angel strides.
ReplyDeleteI only hope you're not one of the married men eating the alter rails...
@11.26 If that is the attitude of the small devisive group in Magherafelt then no Priest will stand a chance or be treated fairly. This little group of bullies and antagonists need to be named, shamed and kicked out of the parish and packed off to Larne where they will be more happier.
ReplyDeleteYes i agree,kick them out.
DeleteI only had time to listen to the interview, but did any callers phone-in later to comment on it, +Pat?
ReplyDeleteI don't know.
DeleteCan u put your interview on here pat as I can’t access R of I programmes.?????
ReplyDeleteThat is no scandal at all compared to the lies the pope has been telling. https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/05/10/609182908/pope-cannot-claim-he-was-misinformed-chilean-abuse-survivor-after-vatican-meetin
ReplyDeleteThe Pope has NOT told lies... Be a little more choosey about the reading material you subject yourself(and others) to
DeleteOf course Bergolio told lies, saying that he'd received no reports of abuse from Barros's victims. He denounced allegations as slander by leftists. It was only when Cardinal O'Malley revealed that he had personally handed him a letter from victims that Humble remembered and apologised.
DeleteYes, 16:04, National Public Radio is totally unreliable. Not.
Delete11.33 with reference to groupies,are you saying that if Pat were to say a mass in Magherafelt and many went there instead of their usual chapel that they groupies.
ReplyDeleteReading your post , you should know that the Grann is not owned by the people who go there..yes many or most do contribute financially, but it is owned by an Order. So with that in mind I don’t think you or anyone else has any input as to who attends mass there.
,
@ 14.52
DeleteSuch a silly misconstruction of the what the poster said re/groupie. Are you for real !!
When Darcy was in his pomp, the Graan had a Green Room instead of a sacristy and a Stage Door instead of a West Door.
DeleteNo, I am not saying anything about Pat saying Mass. And I never mentioned Magherafelt!! Are you seeing things!... Very strange indeed..
Delete18.24
DeleteShowing your true colours here....yes jealousy is a terrible affliction..maybe you need treatment for it.
I hope when you say mass you behave in a Christian manner.
But I wouldn’t bank on it.
I don't say Mass. Once again you presume that you know and once again you get it ridiculously wrong If I "said Mass" it would be worldwide news!
DeleteOffering to celebrate Mass for parishioners of another denomination without the agreement of their denomination?
ReplyDeleteThe word for this behaviour is 'inflammatory'.
The only possible effect is to make the situation worse. Responsible Christian ministry would be to counsel individuals who come to you, but not to take this action which looks like you being an alternative bishop for them.
Pat does not need to consult the Rc church if he was to say a mass in Magherafelt.He wd just need permission from the owners of the church.
DeleteThat would be the local people..right.
Also no one should counsel anyone unless they a certified practicingcounsellor...yes they can listen.
Also since when did a bishop rule the roost of a parish. Sure they are never seen, even confirmation seems to allude them.
Well catechesis has gone well awry in Magherafelt. Or did you treat all your parish priests as an employee and whipping boy?
DeleteI have a quiet chuckle every time the Passionists get a mention. Many years ago an old female neighbour was talking to my mother about all the priests she knew. My mother was getting fed up with all the name dropping and said to the neighbour that she heard the neighbours sister run off with a priest years before. In a fit of high dudgeon the oul bird fired back “ indeed she did but it was no ordinary priest. He was a Passionist father”
ReplyDelete@15.42
ReplyDeleteWell,not the first time I heard that one.. But you know what they say about jokes.. the old ones are the best.
Yes 1542. You’ll have seen it on here. I’ve posted it a couple of times over the years
DeletePat please take a Pastroal visit to St Mary's hse Maynooth seminary. Have a conversation with Xxxxx, Xxxxx and Xxxxxxxx. They are all located on the second floor and their names are clerly visable on the room doors.
ReplyDeleteWould I get out alive? :-)
DeleteI'm sure they would be willing to meet you outside the college grounds; just like when Fr. Ger Fitzgerald wrote to you seeking a meeting and then leaving campus to meet you in neutral grounds.
DeleteDo the three not share a room at night?
DeleteThere are vending machines on the campus and free ones available from the student services centre and the medical centre, both located in the former house of the Columbans.
DeleteYou might need to bring your own condom .
ReplyDeletePat's interview on Cork radio is available here -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.redfm.ie/on-air/podcasts/neil-prendeville-on-redfm/episode/11th-may-20181/?autoplay=1
It starts after 8 minutes ...
Very nice job Pat.
Hello Pat, the Irish Times is reporting on the two seminarians being sent home from Rome for being caught in bed together.
ReplyDeleteIt is very clear that seminary formation in Ireland is in total collapse.
You have had those charged with formation asking indecent and prurient questions for their own gratification.
You have the apparent “persecution” of orthodox seminarians who try to live according to the Church’s doctrinal and moral teachings.
You have seminarians subjected to grilling and interrogation, by unskilled men, and being left psychologically scarred and traumatised.
You have clear abuse of power, role and position, by men placed in authority over students, who are not fit to manage a barnyard.
You have students sexually harassing other students (have there been incidents of sexual assault one wonders?)
You have seminarians unable to follow the basic moral law binding upon all the baptised.
You have young men being ordained as priests who are not lasting pi**ing time after their ordinations.
You had an apostolic visitation ordered by the Pope that was utterly ineffective.
You have bishops paralysed by inertia and not lifting a finger to take the radical action desperately needed to remedy this appalling vista.
Lord have mercy on us all. Meltdown.
All these priests, seminarians and priestly formators with psychological and psycho-sexual pathologies need to cleared out of their hiding grounds, learn some morality and try to actually contribute to secular society if they can't adhere to the faith which they ostensibly profess .
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that for the last twenty years the seminaries have been mostly admitting and ordaining gay men. There motivations for doing so are very unclear. It's all a bit too late. The attrition rate among the newly ordained is high, leaving the 70 and 80 year olds to struggle on.
DeleteI meant their, of course.
Delete"...learn some morality"
DeleteI don't believe that morality can be learned
Well what is the point of teaching Moral Theology then - you dimwit @ 18:11.
Delete"the seminaries have been mostly admitting and ordaining gay men"
DeleteProbably true. It seems that the priesthood only attracts gays now.
Problem is, our culture expects and encourages gay men to seek sex and intimacy, whereas Irish Catholics still profess to regard this with holy horror.
The Gays are now the gatekeepers and they only want fellow gays in the club. If you are a hetero you had better keep stum or else you will feel the full fury of mammy Fanny. Conman and Prior are of Fanny's ilk.
DeleteWell there we have it, Newstalk tweeted The Bishop of Ossary, ex-Trainer of seminarians, who has pronounced that abortion is worse than rape.
ReplyDeleteI guess that puts his cousin Ledwith into perspective so. G'wan away, twas just a small rape, you'll be fine he said
17.36, I'm sure you wouldn't want to be accused of quoting out of context or of any kind of bias or malice, so here is the actual quote from Bishop Farrell (which is actually linked in the tweet you mention):
Delete"First of all rape is a violent act and it's a violent crime against a woman - a terrible crime.
"And sometimes, what I understand from women who have been raped, is that the abortion that followed sometimes after rape was far worse than the rape itself".
Even in the full quote that is an extreme example. Extreme examples make bad law and I doubt very much his first had experience includes direct contact with many women who were raped and had a worse experience in abortion.
DeleteI will vote no.
I am biased against this impersonal muppet since he was President of Maynooth.
And the extreme examples are bad for permanent decisions.
Please G-d this and the seminary publicity will all blow over quickly and we can return to normality.
ReplyDeleteWhat women has he ever talked to
ReplyDeleteNever was talking to a bishop in my life
And I’m 80 this yea4.
That man can never be forgiven for what happened in Maynooth under his watch.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I caught up with Fr Frank Duhig, the former Junior Dean of Maynooth who had later become the Senior Dean and vice-president. He had moved on by then and was serving as a PP. He told me that while he was in Maynooth, he had been greatly concerned by the falling numbers of 'manly' men that were joining and the increase in effeminacy in the seminary. What he was really referring to is not difficult to understand.
ReplyDeleteThe other deans didn't share Frank's outlook and towards the end of his time in office he was both very isolated and glad to leave.
DeleteCould someone from the Muldoon family please share their views on here.I would like to hear how they feel about this mess that they have started.
ReplyDeleteThe Muldoons DID NOT start this.
DeleteJohn Gates DID!
You should mind your own business 19.55
DeleteAnd I’ve no idea who you are
Or who Muldoon are
Nor I’ve ever met Pat.
20.22: What's your intelligence level? Zero according to your inane comment.
DeleteThe Muldoons did start this. If they honestly were that serious about their child’s faith upbringing they wouldn’t have made football his priority.
Delete@22.56. I don't know where to start with this comment. I do genuinely hope that you do not have children of your own. I despair....
DeleteAt 2022 why would any anonymous posterdecide the intelligence of another .
DeleteDisagree by all means, but why denigrate yourself thus?
How did such a tiny problem get out of hand like this?Could someone not of stepped in and sorted it out in a nice way for both parties involved.
ReplyDelete20.22 The nature of problems caused by a person in an office with authority refusing to see sense and causing tremendous pain in the process leads to an outpouring. Which indicates that it wasn't 'a tiny problem' in the first instance.
DeleteThese problems didn't start last weekend. A lot of issues were allowed to fester and has left the Parish in this predicament. It would appear it's not all in relation to the Muldoon family either, a lot of opinions expressed with regard to bullying in other church owned institutions which would appear to have been dealt with inappropriately. A lot of Fr Gates issues at this time seem to stem from there. Bishop Pat will hopefully get to the crux of this but I'm not convinced the Muldoon family are solely responsible hence why Fr Gates has left the Parish albeit temporarily.
DeleteThat is my understanding also and it is extremely unfair to attribute this to one family.I believe it involves not just the abuse of power, but bullying of numerous parishioners in the community and also the condoning of bullying in local church institutions that appear to have gone unchecked. If this individual does come back, he needs to publicly apologise for the pain and suffering that he has caused due to his actions. There are others also that need to examine their collective consciences and apologise for their inaction.
DeleteThe problem is as far as I’m concerned is that the family involved are melodramatic drama queens. The son has no absolutes right to receive any sacrement and who do they go to when upset ? An independent bishop who has no credibility within the RCC.
ReplyDelete+Pat is a good man but he has no jurisdiction in the Roman Catholic Church and the people complaining about the sacrament have no jurisdiction either.
This family probably go to mass once in a blue moon.
I have got to know the fa.ily. They ate not drama queens.
DeleteThey were deeply hurt by Fr. Gates rejection of their child.
They are regular Mass goers and also very spiritual.
It's not about jurisdiction.
It's about standing by people in their hurt.
Yes these people like the Muldoons only appear at mass for those few weeks be for First Holy Communion and then they are not seen again.No goog Catholic would go to Buckley.
Delete@05.54-Define good Catholic, and ask yourself do you fit into that category following your personal comment.
DeleteWell said. Bring on Change. Ive received all my sacraments in magherafelt. It has always been a fantastic parish and still is. But i disagree with this priests judgemental, oppressive attitude to decent people in the parish. Bring back Father Hacket, Father O Boyle and Father Moore. Brilliant priests for all.
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as an alternative mass and mass should not be used as a weapon to illicit change. I am glad Pat is taking a role in sorting things out. I would tread gently if organising alternative services. This could do more harm than good. Faith belongs to the community. Clergy don't own it.
ReplyDeleteEspecially Protestant ones.
Delete22.13. A Catholic in whom there is no guile
DeleteIt seems the two seminarians sharing their farter may be permitted to resume their studies following a period of reflection.
ReplyDeleteAgain fr gates has divided the parish of magherafelt i have witnessed his bullying at first hand many times i could not believe that this was a priest we have to take a stand against this bully i say fr gates stay out of magherafelt do no return
ReplyDeleteIs this the same parish that a Sunday mass was stopped in?
ReplyDeleteI don’t know how all this happened.
Any normal parish people run the parish and the teacher decides if everything is in order for the sacraments.
He was there to be with his parishioners not to dictate to them.
Has any of you ever thought about the stress and pressure that priests are under these days?It is a hard life and please respect them.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed under enormous stress and pressure, but that does not justify the actions of this individual, nor should you condone those actions by your comment.
DeleteI agree with you there. Of course priests are under alot of stress an pressure because I for one know all too well when I have a son in in the priesthood. I never have heard of a complaint of a hard life from him. Maybe if some people think what a hard life is before they speak. It doesn't give anyone the right to use it as an excuse for others mistakes. Some people don't know what respect means now adays.
DeleteThe protestant church was formed with people like you that disagreed with the Catholic church!Get a grip of yourselves you moaners.
ReplyDelete@0720 It is a Christian institution like the Catholic Church each with many good people and a few rotten apples. Why would you make such a comment?
DeleteI wouldn't say that this parish is divided.Just some shit strirrers would like to divide it��
ReplyDeleteNo one is trying to divide the parish. It is a call to address wrongdoing and hurtful actions and face down arrogance and bullying wherever and in whatever form it appears.
DeleteNone so blind that those who will not see.
DeleteFr. Gates has returned last night, he was seen at the Church.
ReplyDeleteIf so, I hope in a contrite manner.
DeleteStatement read out at First Communion from Gates. He was sorry not to be there, he thanked people for the many messages of support and hoped to return soon. He is currently resting under doctors advice. Archbishop Martin sent his spy from Armagh to the Mass today, Fr McHugh a Gaynooth Madam and one of the lads at world youth day. If thats the best Armagh can send then God help us all.
ReplyDelete@13:51 you are so full of hatred and bitterness towards this parish that I am going to pray for you.Hope you will quell your anger.
ReplyDeleteFr John gates is not a bully,he is just a strict leader.Sometimes you have to be firm.
ReplyDeleteSo well said.
DeleteWe will agree to disagree. There is a big difference between someone using assertive behaviour and someone who bullies. This individual certainly falls into the latter category and there are many in this parish that can testify to this both young and old.
DeleteOpen your eyes. Of course Fr.Gates is strictly a bully, bitter, an twisted like his former master Cahal Daly when they were glued to the hip at a time.Is it any wonder the pair were like two peas in a pod. Goodness sake can u not read the complaints of parishioners they don't want him back to our parish.End of..
DeleteHere here. We also need rid of bullying leaders in our local institutions. We need leaders with people skills and good management. Run them out of town along with Gates
DeleteVery few parishioners are complaining.I feel it is the same couple going on and on and on.
ReplyDelete@17:35. Well said. But do you not think that the governors of the institutions have a big part to play also. They are also responsible for covering up of goings on ?
ReplyDeleteArchbishop Eamon Martin has just acted on the concerns and complaints by so many parishioners in Magherafelt. He has been quick to do so - he has censored the parish webcam and shut it down so people have no access to Mass, who is celebrating it and what is being said. This is how serious the Archbishop is taking this. Is this the way you run a diocese and treat your people in this way? Censorship after his spy Fr McHugh ran back to Armagh to tell Eamon what was going on after First Holy Communion. The camera was switched off after Holy Communion. All other local Churches who use the same webcam facility are all working fine - not Magherafelt. This situation is now getting out of hand.
ReplyDeleteMy god switching of the webcam a lot of housebound people depended on that for mass again the people suffer due to fr gates disgraceful behaviour l can only think of 2 words to describe him DEVIL GATES come on martin no more covering up for this man he has to go send him to the jungle with the rest of the monkeys
ReplyDeleteThe webcam has gone up again, no doubt the criticisms on the blog were noted. Why take it down before the Mass and then put it up after Mass, it's pretty pointless having it.
ReplyDeleteI remember our excellent sacristan a few years ago telling us how fr gates sacked him in the chapel after coming of the altar from saying mass A few hours later he rang fr gites but would not talk to him @ he again tried twice after.so that was 3 times he was denied.isnt that what happened to our lord.
ReplyDeleteRead Page 8 in the Sunday World today about Gates and your excellent sacristan is only one of many to have suffered at the hands of this man. Well Done Sunday World for exposing this scourge of a man. Isn't it amazing how the Armagh Diocese hasn't responded to either admit nor defend. Surely if this was all the work of so called 'trouble makers' Armagh would have supported Gates when offered the chance.
ReplyDeleteI think this avenging angel is the sacked sacristan.Doo sad.
ReplyDeleteAll it takes for evil to triumph is for good men @ women to do nothing now is our chance to rid our parish of this evil man stand up @ say enough is enough gates we do not want u back @ take ur cronies with you
ReplyDeleteYou do not speak for me and for our parish. Fr Gates brought me back from the brink of a very dark place with his Pastoral care, support and guidance. One of who you call 'cronies' then came out of his house to get my wreak of a car, that had broke down outside his door, started. I was given my life back after speaking with Fr Gates. He was an escort of Grace at my point of need. We will all do a long time in purgatory for gossiping and spreading scandal. That's multiplied, by who knows, for making it public. We don't have anonymity with God.
DeleteToo right 19:46. Take those bullying heads of our schools with you too !
ReplyDeleteThere wouldn't be any 'bullying heads' in our schools if the proper Policies and Procedures had been adhered to and allowed due process in any grievances raised. "Gates and Govs" process leaves the entire Parish in the state it's in. I'm not so sure if it's a case of weak governance in schools but more a case of "I can't really deal with this issue because my wee xxxxx was hoping to get the Head girl/Boy position or my wee xxxxx is weak in that subject and she'll/he'll need the teachers/classroom assistants to do her/his controlled assignment to get full marks or my wee xxxxxx is a teacher and needs a post and, well, you know she interviews for teaching posts so I won't be dealing with the allegations made against her nor supporting a full, transparent investigation into her bullying behaviour"- My wee xxxxxxx is far more important. Delighted to report though that this theory has backfired badly for at least one of these so called Govs..what a waste of 3 years!
ReplyDelete@09.54. Couldn't agree more. Governors in conflicted positions unwilling to do the right thing and thinking they cannot be held accountable.
DeleteOnly in Magherafelt it seems governors cannot be held accountable - can't tar all Governors same - Good example of good governance in neighbouring Parish - they got rid of TWO failed leaders. Well Done - brillant school, truly inspirational leadership with fully committed and competent staff..
Delete