AN AMAZING PICTURE OF A WINDSWEPT WOMAN FROM WINDSWEPT FANAD HEAD IN DONEGAL.
PICTURE TAKEN RECENTLY AND ENTERED IN A PRESTIGIOUS PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW IN LONDON.
ARTIST: LIZ PATTERSON
info@lizziepatterson.com
I've added a B&W version of the pic as requested
PICTURE TAKEN RECENTLY AND ENTERED IN A PRESTIGIOUS PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW IN LONDON.
ARTIST: LIZ PATTERSON
info@lizziepatterson.com
 |
| KATE FLANAGAN ( copyright Liz Patterson) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  |
HERE, IS A RECENT AWARD WINNING ICON PICTURE OF A WINDSWEPT DONEGAL WOMAN - WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE WIFE OF ONE OF OUR ORATORY SOCIETY PRIESTS - FATHER TED FLANAGAN.
Fr. Red Flanagan was ordained for the Diocese of Clogher in 1960 and was a fellow student and close friend of the retired Bishop of Clogher Joe Duffy.
 |
| FATHER TED FLANAGAN |
His first parish assignment was Cooneen in Co. Fermanagh and Kate was his young housekeeper.
Within no time at all Ted and Kate left and fled to England where they set up home together as man and wife.
It was a big scandal at the time and hit all the Irish national newspapers.
Ted went into teaching and was also an accomplished musician and singer. For years he was a parish organist.
Kate brought up their 5 children and when she had them grown up she went to university, studied law and became a solicitor.
Several of their children are current high ranking lawyers in the North East of England. They have one son who is an environmentalist in South America.
A number of years ago they left their North England home and returned to Ballywhorskie at Fanad Head in Donegal where Kate was from.
Ted himself was from the south of Donegal.
Many of Ted's family never forgave him for leaving the priesthood and bring "shame" on the family. His mother turned his photograph to facing the wall and never looked at it again.
The family gathered up Ted's vestments and belongings and burned them in the back garden!
You can imagine the Catholicism of rural Ireland in 1960 - nearly 60 years ago.
CLOGHER:
Strangely enough, Ted and Kate never heard anything from the diocese of Clogher then or since about their situation. Ted never had any word of sanctions against him.
In fact, Bishop Joe Duffy entertained Ted and Kate at Bishop's House in Monaghan on their holidays to Ireland and told them: "If I hear of you being home and not calling to see me I will be offended".
 |
| BISHOP JOE DUFFY |
Ted and Kate got in touch with me 20 years ago as Ted wanted to engage in an active ministry when he retired as a teacher.
I was happy to make him a priest of The Oratory Society and to this day he is available for weddings etc.
It's very handy for me to have a priest residing in the North West.
Ted is now in his mid-80s, has a very good relationship with his local PP and he and Kate also worship with the Presbyterians in Donegal. In fact, he recently sang at a celebration of the anniversary of the Presbyterian church in that area.
Kate and Ted both have been lifelong members of the British Labour Party and had no time for New Labour.
They are lifelong socialist activists.
The award-winning photograph was not planned.
Kate went into town one morning recently for her breakfast and the well known London photographer spotted her and interrupted her breakfast for the shot.
I was gobsmacked when I saw the photograph yesterday.
It would have been taken in Connemara in Galway in the last century.
For me, it shows Kate's great strength (which she has) having been weathered by the winds and raging seas of life.
I smiled at the colours - green, white and orange - Kate, like so many in rural Donegal - is a staunch "Republican".
What a very pleasant story. Glad that life is good for Fr. Flanagan and his wife. And wasn't Bishop Duffy a kind, human being to show such welcome and care! I wonder if the Catholic Church allowed married priests or ordained women to the priesthood, would we be a better Church Community? I ask this because of the dynamics of power struggles, family commitments, lay versus cleric, etc.... Having witnessed some very difficult parish situations with individuals who would not relinquish "power" without stating "bullying" and "intimidation" at those who sought renewal and necessary change. In one of my parishes, certain lay people caused much division and turned people away. It can be difficult to find the happy balance as I'm still discovering but we must never give up the efforts for true, meaningful renewal.
ReplyDeleteMaith on fear Ted agus maith an coilin Kate. Mighty story hi. Yer on the ball today boyo
ReplyDeleteKate is a beautiful native speaker of Irish.
DeleteI enjoy it when she says of someone:
"Yera the poor cratur"
Their house in Fanad is a great party and ceile house.
07.47: Would you go and take a as in the sea, you silly fool. You are an annoying, immature pain in the a**e.
Delete9.13 Are you a Christian or a bully hi.
DeleteIt would be interesting to see that photo in black and white.
ReplyDeleteI will add a black and white version when I get out of bed :-)
DeleteIt’s a nice story and a nice picture, but not it’s not what people come here for.
ReplyDeleteSadly, the blog has gone downhill.
Concerned OAP
Do you mean you are missing scandal?
DeleteWe have another GRINDR one tomorrow.
I like this story and the one on Fr Taft. Yes there are problems in the church but there are also some very good people.
Delete@9.52
DeleteSuch a skewed version of what is good and important and beautiful in life.. Very sad, really .. Be grateful for opportunities to do worthwhile things and to inspire others . What have you to offer today?...
Wonderful news!
DeleteSuch as?
DeleteBp Bp will tell us tomorrow so he will.
Deletepat someone in larne is using your pic on grindr saying they are chaplain to the gay community and asking questions. I have reported it but its still there
DeleteSeveral people have alerted me to this.
DeleteI have never seen the posting.
If you can, take a srenn shot and send it to me at bishopbuckley1@outlook.com
Thanks.
I do not have a profile on GRINDR.
There are hundreds of pictures of me on the internet
:-)
MournemanMichael:
ReplyDeleteHeartwarming story with much kindness and best of humanity evident. Thanks Pat.
MMM
So Pat, did they not marry in the Catholic Church as in the sacrament of marriage...they lived in so called sin?????
ReplyDeleteDid he get laicising???
Just interested to know how their faith authorities treated them back then.
They were married by Monsignor Cremin the Professor of Canon Law in Maynooth.
DeleteThey were married in Maynooth.
I don’t hold with the state of being ‘a monsignor’
DeleteAll these frilly names that priests get is ridiculous.
And if he was a professor of cannon law like Sean brady that tells me much .gombeen more like.
P. Buckley at 11:26
DeleteCan you let us know how it was possible that this pair were married in Maynooth? And by Monsignor Cremin of all people!
Ted was a favourite of Cremin.
DeleteI'm sure the Mons did all the paperwork.
They were married in Maynooth.
Some years ago Ted attended the class 50th jubilee in Maynooth and concelebtated Mass with all his classmates, including bishops Colm O'Reilly of Ardagh and Frank Lagan of Derry.
Truth is stranger than fiction.
P. Buckley at 15:25
DeleteI am extremely disappointed to hear that about Mgr. Cremin. But to be told that this person "concelebrated" Mass with with these clerics is astounding! It should have been reported to the C.D.F. I am sure The Holy See would never have sanctioned that sacrilege, no wonder The Church is in the state it is in now, with that shower in charge.
Pat are you going to do a blog about the moving bishops and cardinals at the youth synod?
ReplyDeleteI’m not saying dancing as they looke like eegits in the videos.
I hope not!!!
Pat Mullaney says Kate is a ringer for her Granny Mullaney so she is
ReplyDeleteThe priest must have gotten laicisation before his marriage if he got married in church.
ReplyDeleteThen you reordained him into your ministry ?
Interesting..but nothing unusual ...a priest leaves and get married.
There are many.
And some women dye their hair, although greying naturally is lovely.
What I dislike in today’s society is all the frills within the Rc church.
Less is more imho.
Once a priest always a priest.
DeleteLaicisation means you cease to be a cleric but remain a priest.
I never had to reordain Ted.
Lovely story ànd great photograph.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 12:43
DeleteLovely story, I don't think so. My sympathy are with his poor mother and family, they must have been heartbroken.
MournemanMichael:
Delete"Heartbroken": you may well think so. But just think of the impoverished thinking processes prevalent at that time, and which occasionally appear on this blogsite in comments referring to "failed seminarians".
Looking back I can acknowledge my own mother's limitations when, after I'd left the seminary in my sixth year, on returning home she came out with such nonsense as asking me to continue wearing my black suit/clerical gear, "so nobody will know".
If I may quote that highly respected Nobel Peace Prizewinner politician, John Hume's father, when John left Maynooth:
"It takes a good man to enter the priesthood- and an even better one to leave it".
(John Hume: Statesman of the Troubles. by Barry White, Blackstaff Press)
MMM
MMM at 17:30
DeleteYou may think the thinking at that time was "impoverished" but I don't, compared with today where anything goes it was a far better time. I can understand your poor mothers feelings, God help her she must of felt the disgrace of having a spoiled priest for a son. Thanks be to God she wasn't spared to see how youv'e turned out, going by your comments.
Can you give us some info on what tomorrow holds?
ReplyDeleteLets just say we are revisiting Amy in Armagh.
DeletePat, everything you do is fueled by jealously. You are jealous of amy because she is more power than you and jealous of gorgeous because of his popularity and good looks. You are also jealous of Stephen and his altars.
DeleteSo! I am jealous because I never descreated an altar by performing a sexual act on it?
DeleteWhat kind of mind you must have?
"Have you no fear of God at all"?
Not another Armagh Priest Pat???? Has Amy been up to mischief??
Delete13.00: Grow up Buckley. A mid to late 60 year old behaving like a bully. So much for November grace! Your "purity" lasts but for a short time. May the souls of the departed rise up against your hatred. If you achieve a little of Archbishop Martin's goodness, then you might be able to engage in your horrible gossip and nastiness. No Christ in your attitude.
ReplyDeleteHe’s just jealous of YOU PAT.
ReplyDeleteif only he could blog lol
Pat, I have no doubt that there is indeed a worrying problem with some seminarians and priests (bishops) engaged in “gay” sex. This does need to be confronted and eradicated.
ReplyDeleteCardinal O’Malley in Boston has acknowledged a scandal in the Seminary in Boston. No surprises that Maynooth has similar anxieties expressed about it.
However, did you actually READ that book “God-Fearing Souls” featured on yesterday’s blog???
That guy, Ghepardo, is absolutely barking crazy! His book is a shedload of pure horse shite. How can you possibly give credence to the musings of this clearly deeply troubled soul?
Promoting bizarre views like his actually does damage to the vitally important cause of purifying the priesthood, the episcopate, the seminaries and the Church.
Tony Ghepardo’s lunacy plays right into the hands of those whose lifestyles and behaviours are incompatible with the Faith and ministerial service in the Catholic Church.
Maybe you should take a holiday from blogging for a while? You are obviously scraping the bottom of the barrel, running out of material and becoming reliant on more bizarre and extreme websites (like Life Site News), for articles which many have already seen on social media news feeds in any case.
I’m sure your promised “Grindr” Armagh blog tomorrow will generate a flurry of renewed interest. All in all, though, your blog is becoming predictable and a great big bore.
Meoowe:-)
Delete@13:40, the book is a load of crap. Anyone who writes about himself/herself in the third person is, more often than not, a head the ball.
DeleteAnd the most Buckley can muster, in reply to your legitimate comments, is “Meoowe”? That too speaks volumes.
Well said @ 13:40.
Ghepardo’s book is bat shit crazy.
Delete“Evil gays” are plotting and planning to take over the whole world - and a town near you - real soon.
Lock up your sons! Their evil tentacles are everywhere, seeking to probe, grope, pummel and devour, fresh young man/boy meat.
Mwwwaahaahaaahaaa!
You see, Magna darling, I knew they were after you.
DeleteThe reports of Mummy's demise were much exaggerated.
13.56: Poor impoverished Pat. Always scraping the bottom of the barrel. Always trying to discredit everyone with his nasty style of analysis, but a selfish, obsessive, compulsive craziness. You should pray for your soul.
DeletePat is a watchdog that barks at interlopers.
DeleteOf course the interlopers do not like him.
Mommie Dearest, I know! And I have nowhere to hide...except inside a bottle or dozen. 🍻 😆
DeleteAlthough can you believe Ms Patterson wouldn't photograph me, no matter how much I posed, darling? I'm very happy for Mrs Flanagan of course.
DeleteAn anonymous, probably clerical, poster referred to Kate and Ted liking a drink but this so in a very nasty manner.
ReplyDeleteIndeed they do like a drink.
I've had many a good drink with them myself.
But they were and are good partners and parents and worked hard.
They are generous to the extreme.
Now retired, they live a happy life.
And they have been together for 60 years!
PS: And neither of them know about or have been on GRINDR:-)
Delete13.53: Seems to me you're all alcoholics. Pat, you seem to enjoy a drink too many! Thought you had little money...You're entitled to enjoy life but don't condemn Catholic clergy for doing likewise.
DeleteSeems hi some are jealous of a normal life but
DeletePat Mullaney says your friend Shuhada bint Davitt "never wants to spend time with white people again" so she does.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the photographer who captured this stunning picture.
ReplyDeleteBuckley do you have permission to print such information from this couple? You know that they will now not be trusted because of this blog! Does a causal conversation with you give you permission to blog about it?
ReplyDeleteTed, Kate and I are fast friends.
DeleteThey couldn't give a toss about people think of them.
I visit them and they visit me.
whatever floats your boat old chum
ReplyDeleteIs your story on another Armagh priest +Pat??
ReplyDeleteProbably, but who knows. Personally, I'd like it to be about a young seminarian on the point of ordination, so Bp Pat can save him from a lifetime of cottaging.
DeleteAnd on a completely other matter......
ReplyDelete+Treanor has entered the Brexit debate !
See here:
https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/10969/bishop-warns-of-brexit-disaster-and-border-violence-
Well, I suppose he is taking some sense ? Brexit is nuts and disastrous for both Ireland and GB. And, how distasteful that right at the centre of some of the present difficulties is the DUP and those dreary Protestants of that clan. Awful people ! And they will continue to use their influence to squeeze money and advantage out of the Conservatives and T May. They do need to be careful, however, because she will eventually turn on them. One way or other.
|And, looking forward, I guess that the majority of people in NI in the future will see that the damage that has been done to them by the GB withdrawal from the EU will overcome their other reluctances to make moves towards a united Ireland. They will see, whatever their persuasion historically and culturally, that their wellbeing will be best served by being part of the EU and Ireland. When they are poorer than their Irish and European neighbours, they will look over the border rather than the Irish Sea, and recognise that their future is best served south rather than across the water east.
Just saying !
I was on the fence about Brexit but when I discovered +treanor was being paid or blackmailed by his handlers to oppose it I have become a hardline brexiteer. Pat you with me?
Delete100%
DeleteI voted to leave!
19.45: Servingblogger - are you on drink? Your posting is abysmal. Totally. Long winded and meaningless. What an insulting, racist comment against Protestants! They have rights.
Delete20.57: Pat - What did you vote to leave????
DeleteI voted leave too, Bp Pat. The UK went in together, so we have to leave together.
DeleteYup! Magna voted to leave as well. 😆 (Well, the bloke puling Magna's strings did. 😆😆)
DeletePat. Whatever happened to your brother in the episcopate and townie Micky Campbell. Has he retired to Larne?
ReplyDeleteBp Pat, comment numbers are hotting up in anticipation of tomorrow's Grindr exposure.
ReplyDeleteWill +Amy - finally - have to go into exile? I wonder.
Hi Pat. Is there many priests in The Oratory Society. How many of them are former Catholic Priests of clergy of another Christian Church. If someone came to you and said they would love to be a priest in the Orarory Society where do they go to train/study if they were never a Priest/Clergy person before. By the way who is the woman at the top of the posting, the one in the red top.
ReplyDeleteShe is probably transgender; a priest who is now a woman.
DeletePat Mullaney is singing that wee song “she’s up all night to get lucky” up and down the cloister at the top of her lungs she’s a few drinks in her
ReplyDeleteWell I take my hat off that he had the integrity to leave Holy Mother Church when he couldn't agree or maintain the rules. Thats what I call integrity.
ReplyDelete