tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post7563661025628051916..comments2024-03-12T19:57:41.861+00:00Comments on THINKING CATHOLICISM: THE "UN-DEANING OF THE DEAN !!!Thinking Catholicismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-18156300489639626052016-01-17T10:10:58.340+00:002016-01-17T10:10:58.340+00:00You may be sure that he has googled him. That has ...You may be sure that he has googled him. That has been mandatory since old Benedict was punished for being too charitable to Richard Williamson. No day should end until we have googled every cleric encountered in the course of it.<br /><br />Colorful clerics are a delight but thank god for the duller ones who get on with the work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-34752966561325650902016-01-16T23:35:49.685+00:002016-01-16T23:35:49.685+00:00I wonder who'll be taking over at QUB?I wonder who'll be taking over at QUB? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-50090727098323083792016-01-16T14:29:05.190+00:002016-01-16T14:29:05.190+00:00How do we know that ++Vin has been briefed?How do we know that ++Vin has been briefed?Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-90150232311356339232016-01-16T10:28:11.422+00:002016-01-16T10:28:11.422+00:00As I have said on here before ++Vin has been well ...As I have said on here before ++Vin has been well briefed on Big Shug. He will welcome him with good grace but believe me one whiff of scandal around Kennedy and it will be a case of bus fare home !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-6532755983860336122016-01-15T19:28:56.395+00:002016-01-15T19:28:56.395+00:00Alas, dear flock, with heavy heart, I must confirm...Alas, dear flock, with heavy heart, I must confirm, the dread rumour is true: your beloved Dean is leaving you.<br /><br />The weeping in the little kitchen houses,'neath the Erect Spires, hath rent the heart of your Dean and the plaintiff strains of your laments hath reached his ears: "will he no come back agin? Will he no come back agin? Many's a heart will break in twa! Will he no come back agin?<br /><br />Under extreme protest doth your Dean depart. However, the priestly heart of your Dean has heard the voices calling in the night and, without flinching. hath said: Here I am. I am coming!<br /><br />Do not be anxious for your dear Dean. He goeth where he knoweth. He hath sussed out the land ahead. Many a cheery day has been spent among the dear Canonesses of St Augustine in London. They keep a good cellar, so do not fear, dear hearts, for your Dean's welfare.<br /><br />More important, however, than the comfort and joy of your Dean, those dear Canonesses have entrusted to him, in times past, the taming of their wild-spirited young men.<br /><br />And thus it was, one night, in slumber, in Royal Portstewart, there came to your Dean while he dreamt, the pleadings of those young rascals: "we beseech thee, come and walk once more among us!"<br /><br />And so he must go. Far from Prince Albert Street and the wee district, not thinking of himself, but answering More Hall's call. Those young rascals need a firm hand. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, cometh your Dean.<br /><br />But fret not, dear little flock. My eyes, my ears and my heart remain in your midst. The Duchess Nigelica will keep your Dean fully abreast of all your little joys and sorrows and, be assured, he shares in them from afar, as he carries this heavy cross of further imposed responsibility, a Londres.<br /><br />I will always, forever, be, your Dean of Hearts (how that epithet, bestowed by a young stalwart, moved your Dean).<br /><br />Seriously, I will be watching closely from afar. Any attempt to dismantle what the Dean has erected will be met with a revolt of the Hoods of Divis with whom your Dean, believe it not, had a close affinity. <br /><br />For he has, indeed, the common touch and is very much at home among all types of young lovely guys, be they commoners or nobles. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-3884654780001658492016-01-15T19:20:58.023+00:002016-01-15T19:20:58.023+00:00And the More House is linked through to here:
htt...And the More House is linked through to here:<br />http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/chaplaincy/resources/chaplains<br />Certainly, this is the story that keeps on giving ........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-68469827367342893802016-01-15T17:38:58.659+00:002016-01-15T17:38:58.659+00:00Here is where Big Shuey is going: http://www.moreh...Here is where Big Shuey is going: http://www.morehouse.co.uk/welcome.html<br /><br />Definitely a fox/chicken coup scenario.<br /><br />Let's hope the Cardinal's "eyes and ears" are sharp....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-11765444904484145822016-01-15T16:35:23.574+00:002016-01-15T16:35:23.574+00:00Down and Connor Clerical Appointments
15th January...Down and Connor Clerical Appointments<br />15th January 2016<br />In response to the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese of Down and Connor, Bishop Noel<br />Treanor has made the following clerical appointments which take effect on Thursday 28th January<br />2016:<br /><br />Fr Hugh Kennedy to be Chaplain to the Congregation of Our Lady, More House,<br />Archdiocese of Westminster, London.<br /><br />Fr Martin Graham to be Administrator of St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast.<br /><br />Fr John McManus to be PP Strangford and Kilclief.<br /><br />Fr Eugene O’Hagan to be Diocesan Chancellor.<br /><br />Fr Gregory Cormican resignation on grounds of ill health as PP of Coleraine has been<br />accepted.<br /><br />Fr Brendan Mulhall CSsR to be Administrator of Coleraine.<br /><br />Fr Peter O’Kane to be PP Christ the Redeemer, Lagmore.<br /><br />Fr Brendan Hickland on sabbatical leave from St Teresa’s<br /><br /><br />Fr Don Kettle on loan from the Archdiocese of Perth, Australia, to be Administrator of<br />St Teresa’s, Belfast.<br /><br />Fr Peter Carlin to be priest in residence in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast.<br /><br />Fr Gary Toman to be priest in residence in Glenarm (appointment of Chaplain to<br />Queen’s University Belfast to follow).<br /><br />Fr Michael Dempsey CSsR to be Assistant Chaplain in the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH).<br /><br />Fr Joseph Rooney in addition to Judicial Vicar of the Diocese appointed Judicial Vicar for<br />the Armagh Regional Marriage Tribunal.<br /><br />Fr Gerard Fox in addition to his ongoing position as Director of Formation in St<br />Malachy’s Seminary to assist and supply within the West Belfast<br />Pastoral Community.<br /><br />Fr Paul Morely in addition to CC Holy Family, at the request of Cardinal George<br />Alencherry, Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, appointed assistant<br />priest to the Syro-Malabar community in Down and Connor.<br /><br />Fr Vincent Cushnahan appointed to the Down and Connor Office of the Armagh Regional<br />Marriage Tribunal at the Good Shepherd Centre, Belfast and to be priest<br />in residence in the Parish of the Nativity, Belfast.<br /><br />Fr Andrew Black recently ordained to be Catholic Chaplain in Belfast City Hospital<br />(BCH) residing in St Paul’s, Belfast.<br /><br />Fr Conor McCarthy recently ordained to be CC LarneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-88300891476650424102016-01-15T10:23:21.717+00:002016-01-15T10:23:21.717+00:00I wonder how servingblogger would score in an asse...I wonder how servingblogger would score in an assessment of "healthy and integrated living"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-4365530555415796372016-01-15T08:43:17.076+00:002016-01-15T08:43:17.076+00:00One of the less edifying aspects of Cardinal Nicho...One of the less edifying aspects of Cardinal Nicholls and his elderly housekeeper is the fact that she attends all ceremonies and Masses that HE celebrates. On these occasions she has a seat reserved for her at the front of the Cathedral and she arrives in her place to the accompanying of much bowing and scraping from the flunkies who usually attend these ceremonies. To be fair this is not her fault, and I doubt if HE ever sees it, but it is very disedifying and I have heard that visitors and VIPS have commented "Is that the Cardinal's mother?" Its just another sign of the strange relationships of dependency that Catholic priests tend to form and get trapped in, albeit at a very high level.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-90257203170234692282016-01-15T08:09:19.045+00:002016-01-15T08:09:19.045+00:00Waste no more time on that useless big egocentric,...Waste no more time on that useless big egocentric, puffed up waster Kennedy. <br />Divis DonalAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-81072625939391196972016-01-15T02:35:00.843+00:002016-01-15T02:35:00.843+00:00Serving blogger - I will indeed spare you a furthe...Serving blogger - I will indeed spare you a further "homily". I think you are making excuses for the inexcusable and talking through your hat. <br /><br />I would say the vast majority of people in the general population - never mind clergy - do not live what you call "healthy and integrated lives" - but we muddle through and the vast majority of people manage to NOT imagine themselves to be the centre of universe. <br /><br />Most people manage to make some progress beyond the infantile stage. Some don't. HK is one of those stuck at an infantile stage of development. <br /><br />He does not need further indulgence and confirmation that he is, indeed, the centre of the world and that world owes him deference and a living.<br /><br />At 60 years of age, he needs a good kick up the ass - not a further indefinite supply of nappies and nappy changers (figuratively speaking). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-55523771837192658362016-01-14T19:20:55.337+00:002016-01-14T19:20:55.337+00:00My information is that the elderly nun AND HER SIS...My information is that the elderly nun AND HER SISTER keep house for VN. <br /><br />Their relationship with VN is motherly in nature. <br /><br />I dont think VN would have it in him to be "active" with anyone. That would take PASSION.Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-86022988131280708152016-01-14T19:18:17.683+00:002016-01-14T19:18:17.683+00:00My information is that the elderly nun AND HER SIS...My information is that the elderly nun AND HER SISTER keep house for VN. <br /><br />Their relationship with VN is motherly in nature. <br /><br />I dont think VN would have it in him to be "active" with anyone. That would take PASSION.Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-51033541029690241342016-01-14T18:42:05.508+00:002016-01-14T18:42:05.508+00:00LOL Yes, balls held in confinement would be a wise...LOL Yes, balls held in confinement would be a wiser course of action there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-2237978253854735662016-01-14T17:01:25.082+00:002016-01-14T17:01:25.082+00:00Thats a lot of nonsense. The nun in question is an...Thats a lot of nonsense. The nun in question is an elderly sister in her late seventies who has kept house for Cardinal Nicholls since he was auxiliary bishop in Westminster. The nun now keeps house for him at Ambroseden Avenue and is frail, to say the least. I think the Cardinal has been looking after her, rather than the other way about for many years. To be sure the nature of their relationship has raised questions, leading to the wholly unfound slander in the `news of the world' many years back, but it is in the nature of these friendships to be misunderstood by those with less innocent minds. I'm told the nun used to attend clerical lunch with the archbishop and his priests, but after a quiet word in HE's (His Eminences) ear this was soon stopped.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-2880878971839925002016-01-14T16:10:18.990+00:002016-01-14T16:10:18.990+00:00It sounds to me as if Anonymous was trained in the...It sounds to me as if Anonymous was trained in the College for Noble Ecclesiatics in Rome. He has the off pat answer to what the priesthood is all about. But reality is very different. The point I am trying to make, in the case of HK and generally in the case of Catholic clergy, is that in my experience over many years and through intimate knowledge of priests, that the vast majority of them do not lead healthy and integrated lives. The unrealistic and imposed conditions of clerical life, particularly celibacy, and the spiritual infantalisation of clergy by means of the control imposed on them in all sorts of ways - house, job, living, employment, postings etc. etc. -leads the vast majority of them to be emotionally, psychologically, in relationships and in terms of sexuality, very adolescent and immature. You see it all the time. Abuse of power. Over-egging their priestly role. Living in unrealistic conditions with little or no accountability. It is not a healthy environment, and the people who inhabit it are not integrated and healthy. There needs to be a radical reassessment of what priesthood and ministry is all about which reflects our understanding of what healthy and integrated living is all about. So, save me the pietistic spiritualised homily I have just read above. servingbloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058286668713203201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-8903387020766121012016-01-14T15:42:27.046+00:002016-01-14T15:42:27.046+00:00Your comment reminded me of the story I once heard...Your comment reminded me of the story I once heard about a monastery on a hill above a village. The monks had a three day party to celebrate the election of a new abbot and the villagers could not sleep.They sent a delegation to the monastery to complain and the doorkeeper explained: "We are holding a monks Ball". The delegation leader replied: "Well would you please let is go so that the rest of us can sleep".<br /><br />Even within monasteries there can be "antics"!<br /><br />But as least there's confinment :-)Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-91285557773464151032016-01-14T11:17:49.510+00:002016-01-14T11:17:49.510+00:00It is complete cop out to blame bad and dysfunctio...It is complete cop out to blame bad and dysfunctional behaviour of certain individuals on the "Holy Mother Church". People are responsible for their choices and actions too. <br /><br />It is not the Church's fault that a man is self-absorbed, a narcissist, anally-expulsive, has deeply-ingrained selfishness, a massive sense of entitlement, delusions of grandeur ... the list could go on.<br /><br />Despite the Church's faults, a man who gives himself for priestly service in the Church is expected, in the words of St Paul, to die to himself, to crucify the flesh with all its passions and desires. <br /><br />This dying to self is his life's work - not the seeking of honours, the seeking of himself, the pursuit of his own fancies and desires, at the expense of the good name of the priesthood and regardless of the scandal given to others.<br /><br />Rather than a university, the proper future setting for the man in question is a monastery. A life of prayer, solitude and penance would be apt in these circumstances.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-57958131505032428722016-01-14T00:12:33.694+00:002016-01-14T00:12:33.694+00:00An excellant insightful, and essentially honest co...An excellant insightful, and essentially honest comment Servingblogger. Well said.<br />MMMMourneManMichaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-89451183910110048062016-01-13T23:20:38.134+00:002016-01-13T23:20:38.134+00:00I'm sure Hughy will "merge into the Londo...I'm sure Hughy will "merge into the London scene" without any bother - like a duck to water.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-89607934864620914082016-01-13T20:50:13.964+00:002016-01-13T20:50:13.964+00:00By and large they do given retirements and replace...By and large they do given retirements and replacements and those newly ordained given their first appointment but I suppose there is no rule they have to be every year. Today's Irish News reports on the Dean leaving and quotes a diocesan spokesperson saying there will be a number of changes issued/made public in the next couple of days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-49308769615170396632016-01-13T19:01:27.848+00:002016-01-13T19:01:27.848+00:00I have no doubt that HK will already be on the epi...I have no doubt that HK will already be on the episcopal radar in London, both north and south of the river. I don't know what university chaplaincy he might be going to. Perhaps HK will become something of a Monsignor Gilbey of gin fame - I keep hearing he has 'independent means' and therefore doesn't need to rely on the pittance he would receive from any clerical job he undertakes. Nice position to be in. But, I don't think it's completely true. As to ++Vincent, I seem to remember some time ago that he had questions asked about his 'lifestyle' ? A nun and a holiday caravan come to mind ! The nun was translated from Birmingham to Westminster with Vincent when he moved there. I think she was 'non-negotiable'. Rather like Camilla for Prince Charles. I think the nun still goes on holidays with His Eminence, chaperoned by a mature matron of a certain Catholic standing ! 'Though I'm sure she wouldn't like me describing her like that ! I suppose what I am getting at, is that we all have aspects of our lives and relationships which can be seen in various ways and interpreted viciously, if put under close scrutiny. HK has an 'interesting' backdrop, but is it any worse than many other clergy who have just been able to be a bit more discreet, or lucky ? Most clergy are f***ed up, most are rather strange, most have odd behavioural and relationship inadequacies. As one retreat master giving a clergy retreat is purported to have said to the assembled Fathers: 'Let's be honest about it, and admit that we cope with our lives as priests by too much golf, too much whiskey, and too much masturbation' ! Maybe we should give HK another chance and let him, hopefully, merge in to the London scene and quietly live out his days doing what good he can. He's in the limelight, I know, but really he isn't the worst of the bunch. He's simply a product, like so many clergy, of a system of education and formation, and an imposed clerical lifestyle that is unhealthy and damaging. No wonder so many of our priests are damaged inadequates. Don't blame HK, blame Holy Mother The Church in Her Infinite Wisdom.servingbloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058286668713203201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-31205777013850885082016-01-13T17:45:54.523+00:002016-01-13T17:45:54.523+00:00Yes, diocesan changes normally do take place at th...Yes, diocesan changes normally do take place at the end of the summer, each year. <br /><br />Kennedy obviously hung out to the bitter end with +Noel - for the full ten years - at the end of which the bishop would have been canonically entitled to move against him and get him out of the Cathedral. <br /><br />If he had any decency, Kennedy would have voluntarily moved on himself to another assignment, after the "carry on" at the Cathedral. <br /><br />However, he dug in his heels and was stubbornly and selfishly determined to continue, as principal among the 'dramatis personae', regardless of the ongoing scandal and disquiet caused to the faithful.<br /><br />It would indeed be important to discover the exact nature of his proposed university "ministry": recommended by whom? Who with? Where? With the approbation/recommendation of whom? etc. <br /><br />Does the local Ordinary know about Kennedy and is formally appointing him to ministry in his diocese? <br /><br />Or is this a "private" arrangement, manipulated and concocted by Kennedy himself, with help of a few of his cronies?<br /><br />It would be VERY important, for those with responsibility in both diocese and university, to be furnished with ALL of the facts and not just the 'spin' of Kennedy and a few of his pals. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-5245674018790752482016-01-13T17:24:24.877+00:002016-01-13T17:24:24.877+00:00Although the "dean" does have "the ...Although the "dean" does have "the gear" and has been seen dressed up like a Mons. on numerous occasions, Fr. Kennedy is not a Monsignor. The Holy Father has never conferred on him that honour. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com