DUBLINS "SECRET" CHANGES

Diarmuid Martin seems to have taken to the habit of not publishing his clerical changes/ appointments whereas every other bishop in the country publishes his appointments on their websites a d in the mainstream media!

His second strategy in recent years seems to have been the dismantling of his personnel advisory panel in favour of him personally controlling the appointments.

I wonder what is behind this move on Diarmuid's part from collegiality to dictatorship?

Is he becoming like an aged and soon to be gone leader who is reacting to his forthcoming demise by pulling all powers to himself?

While Diarmuid is a media darling he has had a deteriorating relationship with his priests. Those few he "loves" he brings closely around him. Those he does not live he sends to the outer regions. And those he is indifferent to he plays chess with.

Very strange behaviour indeed!

And then there is his very clear affection for gay priests and semi seminarians. He keeps these close and protected. They are the "eggs" on which Diarmuid The Hen, roosts.

And then there is Dermo's baby, Georgeous. 

Some say he is gone. Others think that Dermo has him hidden away in some cosy roost and will produce his new 'chicken" at a surprise laying ceremony in November?

And The Mother Hen from the Pro Cathedral, it is rumoured has been removed and placed as a mere hospital chaplain. Hospital chaplains are very often young priests starting out or members of a religious order.

Administrators if the Pro are generally promoted to being a PP in a plum parish. But this one, we are told,  has fallen to a hospital chaplain - and a hospital chaplain not in Barcelona - but in South Dublin!

Was this move asked for or imposed? And Why?

But of course in the North Korea of Archbishops House it is another "secret".

I wonder if all of this strange behaviour is a serious case of No-Red-Hat-itis?

When Dermo appeared his star was bright and shining. Pasty McGarry & Co have done their best to keep the star polished with the Brasso of publicity and soundbites.

But alas the star is in decline and all the Brasso in the Irish Times will not restore it.

Looking back, and to keep up our hen/egg analogy, will Dermo's legacy be: ALL CACKLE AND NO EGG?

HEAVEN- ATHEISTS- BELIEVERS.

If there is a Heaven, and I believe 100% that there is - will believers have an advantage over atheists in getting into Heaven?

I am inclined to think not!

One of the most meaningful parts of the New Testament for me is where Jesus describes the exact questions people will be asked on arrival at the Pearly Gates:

1. Did you feed the hungry?
2. Did you give the thirsty a drink?
3. Did you clothe the naked?
4. Did you c are for the sick?
5. Did you visit the sick?
6. Did you welcome strangers?

He goes on to say that those who answer yes will go to Heaven and the others to eternal loss.

And of course, you don't have to have a religious faith to do all above.

In fact, some of the best people I've ever met were atheists and some of the most unkind were religious.

What is the point then in having a faith and a relationship with God?

The point of believing in God and having a relationship with him is Heaven begins for you in this world rather than having to wait until after you die. Excuse the technicalities but the theologians call it "realised eschatology" as opposed to "futuristic eschatology". You're Heaven begins here.

Heaven is not about marble palaces or big reunions.  It's about enjoying and experience intimacy with God. That can begin here - as many believers, saints and especially mystics have experienced.

What then about Hell- punishment for wrong and evil?

We  Christians believe in Hell because Jesus taught it. 

Traditionally Hell was thought of as eternal burning forever. 
But of course, Heaven and Hell exist in the spiritual realm and experiences there will be of a super spiritual nature that includes, exceeds and magnifies infinitely both our physical and spiritual experiences in the human realm.

That's why the Bible says "Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, of the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love him.

While Heaven is and will be the inexplicable experience of Divine intimacy Hell will be the inexplicable experience of being deprived of Divine Intimacy.

That may not sound like much of a deal now as on earth our capabilities of experience and deprivation are quite limited. 

It will be different in the eternal realm when our capabilities have been raised to a now unimaginable level.

Of course, God may never allow ANYONE to perish?

We speak of him as having infinite forgiveness and compassion.

We cannot hardly imagine infinite anything.

In 1994 I wrote a personal creed:

A PERSONAL CREED

Bishop Pat Buckley

I believe that in this world it is impossible to understand God.

I believe that God made this wonderful universe and all that exists.

I can find God in nature, in animals, in birds and the environment.

I believe that God made all men and women,

That He made them all equal,

And that He loves and cherishes them all equally.

I believe that the whole human race is the family of God.

I believe that there may be intelligent life on other planets

And if so, they too are part of God’s family.

I hold that religion and faith are two different things,

That religion can be both good and bad

And that it is spirituality that counts.

For me your religion is an accident of your birth

Or a gift of God’s great providential diversity.

There is no one true church.

All churches and all religions contain aspects of the truth.

But only God is truth.

No man is infallible.

A Buddhist or a good atheist is as acceptable to God as a good Catholic.

I believe that sex is good and so is the body.

The only sexual act that is sinful is the one that uses or abuses.

I believe in people, especially suffering people.

I believe in the power of weakness.

I believe that all men and women will be saved.

I believe in a packed Heaven and an empty Hell.

And even Satan might get another chance.

I believe in the freedom of God’s sons and daughters.

I believe that dogma is often evil.

I believe that life is a journey towards God

And that no one has the right to insist that you go a certain road.

I believe that God and reality are too big for my poor words.

I believe therefore that I am only at a beginning.

Only knocking at a door.

And I believe that the best is yet to come.

(1994)

In the meantime, both atheists and believers, for different reasons, and with different motivations, need to make the here and now as much like the here after as possible.

In that way, there are no losers - from the philosophical and spiritual perspectives.

ABORTION ON JIM JEFFRIES

As expected Jim Jeffries asked me my views on ABORTION.

I basically replied that like on most other topics I am not a dogmatist.

Am I pro-life or pro-choice?

In fact, I am both.

I am pro-life in the sense that I personally believe that human life is sacred from conception to death.

I am pro-choice in the sense that I believe that no church or religion has the right to foist it's teaching on the population of any country.

In that context, I believe that the only people who chose whether Ireland has an abortion, to whatever degree, is a choice for the Irish electorate, and not a choice for pressure groups, whether women's groups or clergy.

Abortion cannot be described as a GOOD THING.

In limited cases - to save the life of the mother, rape etc, you could describe it as THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS.

For instance, there is a massive moral difference a termination to save the mothers life and a termination for financial or materialistic reasons.

This is a very controversial subject.

It's a moral dilemma.

And a moral dilemma anyone involved in would struggle with.

SEAMUS HEANEY'S POEM: LIMBO

A poem about an Irish mother having to drown her baby because it was illegitimate

Fishermen at Ballyshannon
Netted an infant last night
Along with the salmon.
An illegitimate spawning,

A small one thrown back
To the waters. But I'm sure
As she stood in the shallows
Ducking him tenderly

Till the frozen knobs of her wrists
Were dead as the gravel,
He was a minnow with hooks
Tearing her open.

She waded in under
The sign of the cross.
He was hauled in with the fish.
Now limbo will be

A cold glitter of souls
Through some far briny zone.
Even Christ's palms, unhealed,
Smart and cannot fish there. 

---------------------------------------------------

• 
  
  Poet's Page
• PJIM JEFFRIES HIMSELF

The first thing to say is that I liked him as a person.

I personally have no problem with his controversial humour.

He swore during the interview as is his won't.

Obviously, I didn't as is my style.

I do not know how the edited version of the interview will appear. I have no control over that.

I spoke my mind and my truth.

I don't tell lies a d don't have to save my answers.

I believe we should be open to adventures, challenges and the new.

I am.

It keeps me young in mind and spirit.

THE JIM JEFFRIES SHOW

Today (Tuesday) I am in London to be interviewed by comedian and journalist Jim Jeffries on his show which goes out on the Comedy Central channel (Sky 112).

Until his producer, Andrew, rang me the other day I must confess that I did not know of Jim Jeffries.

Andrew - who is from California and married with two children - had an hour long chat by telephone. Like many others, Andrew is a "lapsed Catholic" - mainly due to the tsunami of scandals that have engulfed the Catholic Church in recent years. On the telephone, we talked about the Catholic Church and its future and about many serious issues like celibacy, women priests and abortion. It was an interesting talk.

I'm not 100% sure what format the interview will take but Andrew says Jim and I will talk for 45 to 60 minutes.

With Jim Jeffries being a comedian I imagine it will not be simply a straight talking show? I could be wrong.

Jeffries himself is an atheist. I imagine it will be interesting and challenging. Some of the topics planned and serious and heavy. I was watching a film on Sunday night about the English politician who fought against slavery - William Wilberforce. At one point said that sometimes conversations about serious topics can be helped with having some humour involved. 

A NAUGHTY MAGAZINE:

Some years ago I did a 4-page interview with a journalist that appeared in a naughty magazine. At the time of the interview, I did not know the magazine was a naughty one.

When it appeared some people criticised me for doing the interview.

My response was: "How often does a priest get to talk to the 40,000 readers og a naughty magazine, Some good will come of it".

A few weeks later I was contacted by a young woman who was pregnant for her boyfriend and who was thinking of going to England for an abortion. She had found my interview in her boyfriend's naughty magazine stash. She asked if we could meet.

We met and I listened and put absolutely no pressure on the young woman one way or another. 

As it turned out she decided to keep the baby who is now a young man in his 20's.

Because of that magazine and my interview that young man is alive and well today.

As a believer, I believe that God can bring good out of everything.


I was going to include a video clip of Jim Jeffries but I could not find one without the "f" word in it and my critics here would use that to beat me with.

If interested you will him on YouTube.

PRIEST LEAVES HALF MILLION IN HIS WILL

Charlie Haughey’s brother leaves €455,000

Fr Eoghan Haughey, an Oblate priest and the final surviving sibling of former Taoiseach, Charles J Haughey to die, has left €454,530 in his will. Fr Haughey, of Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin died on October 7, 2016 at the age of 82. (Sunday Independent)

The strange thing about Father Haughey leaving Euro 454,530 in his will was that he had a SOLEMN VOW OF POVERTY as a member of the religious order called the Oblates of the Immaculate Heart of Mary whose main house in Ireland is at Inchicore in Dublin.

Priests, Brothers and Nuns who are members of religious orders are not supposed to own anything - not even a pencil, The rule is that EVERYTHING you have is owned by the religious order and you have to hand everything over to them.

Members of religious orders are not supposed to have private bank accounts or credit cards.

So how did Father Haughey get Euro 500,000?

I think that this is a parable of the decline of the Religious Life in our time.

We know that religious take vows of chastity - but we also know that many of them (maybe most of them?) enjoy full sex lives with each other and with lay men and women.

And in this day and age the vow of poverty is a bit of a laugh.

You take a vow of poverty and you have:

1. No bills to pay ever.

2. All the food, drink etc that you want.

3. A roof over your head with no mortgage, rent, bills, repairs etc.

4. The use of a car with no bills for hire purchase, tax, insurance or repairs.

5. Holidays and holiday money provided.

6. All the university courses and study you desire.

7. Sabbaticals and breaks when you want.

8. A very cushy job - with little or no manual effort.

9. Private health insurance. 

10. All the sex you want - once you keep it under wraps.

11. No need for a Funeral Plan and a guaranteed "heroes" send away.

I imagine that there are many people out there who would be willing to take a meaningless Vow of Poverty to be set up like that for life.

I'm reminded of the story of the American Catholic Diocese who organized a week long conference in a 5 star hotel on the theme: POVERTY.

On the Friday night three old monsignors were having cognac and cigars on a balcony when one said to the other two:

"If this was the one on poverty - I can't wait for the one on chastity".

The next time a collection plate is put in front of you at Mass remember Father Haughey's  HALF MILLION.

Keep your hands in your pocket and when Mass is over go out on the street and find a homeless person and bring them to McDonalds for a meal.

SHOULD PAT BE RECONCILED WITH ROME?

30 YEARS AGO WITH FR MICHAEL KEANE AND MY MOTHER JO

EVERY WEEK I GET LETTERS AND EMAILS FROM PEOPLE SUGGESTING THAT I WOULD BE RECONCILED WITH ROME.

There are a number of things I need to say about that:

1. I never jumped ship. I was pushed overboard.

2. As a Christian, I am always open to reconciliation with those from whom I have become estranged.

3. I have tried on many occasions to seek reconciliation - and my efforts have been turned away.

Cahal Daly and I had several talks and much correspondence from 1983 to 1986.

He moved me from parish to parish twice in two years and I always obeyed him and moved.

When he finally axed me in 1986 I made every effort I could to be reconciled with him. After years of refusal, I brought my case to the Industrial Tribunal and the High Court hoping that these independent institutions might broker a reconciliation.

When Cahal Daly left for Armagh in the early 1990's I had a lot of contact with his successor in Down and Connor - Paddy Walsh.

PADDY WALSH

That contact came to a head with me having several meetings with the diocesan chancellor - Canon Raymund Fitzpatrick - and with me producing a 15-page proposal for our reconciliation. 

I based my proposal on the Parable of the Prodigal Son - with me playing the role of the repentant prodigal and inviting Paddy Walsh to play the role of the forgiving father.

Paddy Walsh thanked me for my proposal - and was particularly grateful for my use of that Parable - and said me needed some weeks to think and pray about it.

When his response came it was not an answer to my proposal - which involved me making a public apology to the Bishop of Down and Connor.

Instead, it was a letter giving me a number of days to stop celebrating marriages and the threat of suspension and excommunication!

THAT I5 PAGE PROPOSAL OF MINE IS AVAILABLE IN LARNE FOR ANYONE WHO WISHES TO VIEW OR EXAMINE IT.

It is too big to print here in full on the Blog.

But here is the kernel of the document:

IN CONCLUSION - THE PRACTICAL WAY FORWARD:

FROM ME:

1. That I acknowledge, in writing if required, that I have acted, albeit in good faith and clear conscience, contrary to official Church teaching and Canon Law with regard to marriages, Confessions, and Confirmations.

2. That I will guarantee, in writing if required, that as of a certain agreed date, I will cease to act contrary to official Church teaching and Canon Law, thereby in faith subjecting my own individual conscience to the "universal conscience" of the Church.

3. That I will guarantee, in writing if required, that my future writings will be more circumspect and will reflect official Church teaching.

4. That I will guarantee that I will work under the authority of the Bishop of Down and Connor, in an open, co-operative and positive way for the good of the church in the Diocese.

5. That I will not stand for re-election to Larne Borough Council in deference to Canon Law's prescription that a cleric not hold public office.

6. That I will guarantee to keep all contact and discussions between myself and the bishop on our pastoral solution strictly confidential.

FROM YOU:

1. That you formally incardinate me into the Diocese of Down and Connor.

2. That you appoint me to a mutually agreed and clearly defined ministry in the Diocese that affords me "rehabilitation" in the eyes of the clergy and people and that affords me full faculties and financial security.

3. That you offer me pastoral care and guidance as to how I might acceptably put forward my conscientious views on various matters internally and privately within the Church.

That letter was given to Bishop Walsh - 25 YEARS AGO - on the 29th March 1992.

Bishop Walsh's response was to threaten me with suspension and excommunication.

BISHOP TREANOR:

BISHOP TREANOR - LOOKING FOR LOST SHEEP?

When Bishop Walsh retired in 2008 Bishop Noel Treanor became the Bishop of Down and Connor.

-On the 11th August 2008 I wrote the following letter to Noel Treanor and sent it Recorded Delivery to make sure he got it.

IT READS:

Dear Noel,

I wanted to let the initial fuss die down and let you catch a breath before dropping you a note to welcome you to Down and Connor. Hopefully, you are beginning to find your feet.

I have offered Mass for you and asked God to give you the wisdom, strength, courage and good health you will need so that you can spiritually and pastorally renew the church in the diocese.

It would be nice if, at some time, you and I had the opportunity to have an informal courtesy meeting to simply say "hello". I will leave that thought with you.

Again, wishing you every blessing on the occasion of a very major change in the course of your Christian and priestly life.

Warmly yours,

+ Pat

-----------------------------------------------

That letter was never acknowledged or replied to. 

It is very difficult to be reconciled if those you seek reconciliation with will not meet you or will not acknowledge or reply to your overtures. 

Am I still open to reconciliation?

Yes.

Have things become more complicated?

Yes.

Does that make reconciliation impossible?

No - especially not for those who say that they follow the Jesus who prayed: "FATHER, MAY THEY ALL BE ONE - AS YOU AND I ARE ONE".

OF COURSE, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN ALL THIS IS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOD'S WILL.

I'M SURE HIS WILL IS REVEALED IN ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO US - IF WE RESPOND TO THEM WITH THE EYES OF FAITH.

AND I KNOW - THAT IN SPITE OF ALL MY HUMAN WEAKNESS - I DO WANT TO DISCOVER AND DO GOD'S WILL.

DERRY DIOCESAN CHANGES

Bishop McKeown has announced the following appointments for priests, which will be effective from 8th September 2017:

Fr Peter Madden, PP Ballinascreen, to be, in addition, Vicar Forane for County Derry Deanery;

Fr Kevin J McElhennon, PP Cappagh, to be, in addition, Vicar Forane for Tyrone Deanery;

Fr Michael Doherty, PP Mourne, to be, in addition, PP Sion Mills;

Fr Charles Keaney, returning from sabbatical study leave, to be PP Granaghan;

Fr Eugene Hasson, CC Drumragh, to be PP Drumragh;

Fr Thomas Canning, CC Three Patrons, to be CC Sion Mills and CC Mourne, residing at Sion Mills;

Fr Christopher McDermott, CC Templemore (St Eugene's), to be CC Drumragh and part-time further studies;

Fr Kevin Mulhern, on loan from the Society of African Missions, to be CC Three Patrons;

Fr Malachy Gallagher, newly ordained, to be CC Glendermott and Strathfoyle;

Fr Kieran O'Doherty, PP Granaghan, to be Priest-in-Residence Maghera.

In addition, Bishop McKeown announced the following:

Mgr Joseph Donnelly, PP Drumragh, to retire;

Fr Peter McLaughlin, PP Sion Mills, to retire.

NO MENTION OF FATHER BRENDAN COLLINS WHO WENT ON SABBATICAL LAST YEAR ???

ONLY 6 MEN ENTER MAYNOOTH!

Record low for new seminarians in Maynooth

FROM: THE IRISH CATHOLIC

by Colm Fitzpatrick

August 31, 2017

St Patrick's College, Maynooth.

There will be just six first year seminarians at the national seminary when classes resume later this month, according to figures obtained by The Irish Catholic. It is thought to be the lowest number on record in Maynooth’s 222 year history.

While returns from 25 of the country’s 26 dioceses show that 15 men have begun studying for Irish dioceses this year, many of them will participate in a so-called propaedeutic or preparatory year in anticipation of starting in the seminary in 2018.

The fall-off in Maynooth numbers is also due – in part – to the presence of a number of mature students this year who will be formed at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome which specialises in priestly training for older candidates.

In all, 15 of Ireland’s 26 dioceses have no new students either entering seminary or participating in the preparatory year. A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Dublin told The Irish Catholic that it expected to have new seminarians but was unable to confirm how many until next week.

Killaloe diocese will send two new seminarians to Maynooth, while Tuam, Elphin, Kilmore and Cork & Ross diocese will send one student each.

Survey

A survey carried out by The Irish Catholic this week reveals an increasing trend to ask candidates for formation to undertake the propaedeutic year first. The year is usually completed in Spain, however, two students of the Derry diocese will complete their preparatory year in the diocese.

In all, five students will participate in the propaedeutic year, one will attend the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, two will attend the Beda and one Down & Connor student will begin his formation at St Malachy’s College in Belfast.

New seminarians in 2017

Achonry 0

Ardagh & Clonmacnoise 0

Armagh 0

Cashel and Emly 0

Clogher 0

Clonfert 0

Cloyne 0

Cork & Ross 1 (Maynooth)

Derry 2*

Down & Connor 2 (1* and 1 to St Malachy’s) 

Dromore 0 

Dublin Number unavailable

Elphin 1 (Maynooth)

Ferns 0

Galway 0

Kerry 1*

Kildare & Leighlin 1*

Killala 0

Killaloe 2 (Maynooth)

Kilmore 1 (Maynooth)

Limerick 0

Meath 1 (Pontifical Beda College, Rome)

Ossory 0

Raphoe 0

Tuam 3 (Maynooth, Pontifical Irish College, and Pontifical Beda College, Rome) 

Waterford & Lismore 0

PAT SAYS:

Maynooth has received the lowest ever number of entrants in its 222-year history!

Only 6 new seminarians entered Maynooth last Sunday to begin their first year's training.

15 of 26 Irish Catholic dioceses had no one at all to send this year to Maynooth.

Obviously, there are many reasons for this fall away - but one has to say that it is directly related to the MAYNOOTH GAY SCANDAL that has been world news now for quite a while.

Why would any young man want to enter a place where he could so easily be targetted by others for gay sex?

Why would Catholic parents, grandparents, and families want something like that for their beloved family member?

These young men and their families have witnessed these happenings and have witnessed the Irish Catholic Bishops doing NOTHING to really address the situation.

Furthermore, they have been exposed to the Gorgeous, King Puck, Chris Derwin, Eamon McCamley and Rory Coyle cases.

And like the rest of us, they are waiting to see Diarmuid Martin (Dublin) and Ray Browne (Kerry)  ordain Gorgeous and King Puck in November.

The inaction of the Irish Bishops has made Maynooth - and indeed the priesthood - a laughing stock and a scandal.

Any young man entering the Catholic priesthood is swimming against the prevailing cultural and social tides.

Such a young man would have to have a strong faith and a lot of integrity in any event.

But then his bishop asks him to enter a seminary with a reputation for promiscuous sex and an institution where those who want to be celibate - and those who might be heterosexual - are sexually bullied and harassed and eventually given the heave ho by people with dangerous agendas.  

Sending aspiring priests to a place like Maynooth is akin to sending aspiring police officers to an institution run by the Mafia.

SIX went in last Sunday. How many of those SIX will be there by June? How many of the SIX will be ordained in 6/7 years time?

And what indignities and ordeals will those SIX have to endure in FANNY MULLANEY LAND?

One shudders to think!