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. 

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  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!

PRIEST SACKED FOR TELLING TRUTH!

Priest who claimed 'gay mafia' controls Catholic church seeks parish return

Father Matthew Despard was rapped by the church over explosive claims in his book Priesthood in Crisis.

BYJOHN FERGUSON DAILY RECORD

Bottom of Form

A Catholic priest at the centre of gay mafia accusations is set to return to a Scottish parish.

Father Matthew Despard, 52, was forced to quit after being rapped by the church over explosive claims in his book Priesthood in Crisis.

He wrote that a “powerful gay mafia” was operating at the top of the Catholic hierarchy and was responsible for sexual ­bullying

Despard was forced to stand down from his post at St John Ogilvie’s Parish in Blantyre, Lanarkshire.

The priest also spoke out about the gay mafia in Catholic seminaries.

But he could now return after a Vatican court “partly reversed” the decision of a Scottish church tribunal.

Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Toal said: “Fr Despard has requested he be allowed to return to public priestly ministry by being given a new pastoral assignment.”

BISHOP TOAL

Fr Despard Banned From Conducting Funeral of Former Parishioner & Friend

October 14, 2016By editorin UncategorizedTags: diocese of motherwell, fr matthew despard, funeral

Last night, I had a telephone call from a gentleman in the Diocese of Motherwell, who expressed concern about the fact that the family of a deceased lady, Teresa Howie RIP, had asked if their former (now suspended) Parish Priest, Fr Matthew Despard, who is a personal friend of the deceased and family could officiate at her funeral on Monday next. The permission was refused. The PP is going off on holiday, so presumably another priest, with no connection to the family, will be sent in to conduct the funeral.

The caller asked if we could help, so I emailed the diocese last night as follows:

“For the attention of Bishop Toal

I have been contacted by friends of a deceased lady – Teresa Howie of St John Ogilvie parish – whose funeral is scheduled to take place in that parish on Monday morning.

I’m told that the family asked for Father Matthew Despard to officiate at the funeral because he is a friend of the deceased and family but that this request was refused.

I am aware of Fr Despard’s situation within the diocese. Nevertheless, this seems a very harsh and unnecessary decision.

Since we always seek to avoid undue publicity if at all possible, I await your response before taking any further action.

Will Fr Despard be permitted to conduct Teresa Howie’s funeral?

Kind regards (Editor, Catholic Truth]

This morning, I received the following reply:

I reply on behalf of Bishop Toal

It will not be possible for Fr. Despard to celebrate the Funeral Mass for Teresa Howie, R.I.P.

Fr. James Grant
Chancellor

I replied to his reply to simply thank him for his prompt reply.

Consider this: there are priests out there guilty of many shocking scandals, which range from publicly preaching against the Faith to hitting the tabloid headlines due to being caught in sexual scandals. In the latter case, there is one such Glasgow priest who does the rounds within the archdiocese, giving talks to the intelligentsia. There was no “punishment” of any kind for him. Yet Fr Despard has paid a very  heavy price, for what, at worst, could be described as a lack of good judgment – and I’m not even sure about that, since I hear fairly regularly from people who know the Diocese of Motherwell very well and argue that his expose was necessary; I don’t know enough about that but certainly he has paid a heavy price and continues to pay a heavy price for writing his book, in good (if misguided) faith. 

So, I’m doing what I promised the caller – giving some publicity to the refusal of the Bishop of Motherwell to permit Fr Despard, family friend and friend of the deceased lady herself, who has been one of his staunchest supporters throughout this difficult period of his suspension, to conduct her funeral. Seems vindictive to me. In any case, please pray for the repose of the soul of Teresa Howie, and for consolation for her family at this sad time.

PAT SAYS:

Father Despard was dismissed from his parish and suspended SIMPLY FOR TELLING THE TRUTH!

What was that truth:

1. That the Catholic Hierarchy is manned by promiscuous and bullying homosexuals - all the way to the top.

2. That as an army chaplain other priests had tried to seduce him.

3. That seminaries were being taken over by promiscuous homosexuals.

4. That other priests had tried to seduce him.


Instead of listening to Father Despard's claims - and investigating them - Father Despard was removed from his parish and suspended.

He then appealed his sacking to a Scottish Church Tribunal and they upheld his sacking.

Father Despard then appealed to Rome and his punishment has been "partly lifted" and he has requested to return to pastoral work.


What kind of an organisation sacks its whistle blowers?

ANSWER: A CORRUPT ONE.


By all accounts, Father Despard is a good priest. He obviously loves his Church and priesthood - and wishes it to be purified. 

When I was sacked by Cahal Daly - in a similar way - and for similar reasons - 31 years ago I decided not to appeal to a Church court.

I felt that it would be like indicting the Devil and holding the court in Hell. 

The Tribunal Cahal Daly offered me had the following conditions:

1. The Tribunal would consist of 10 priests - 9 appointed by Daly and 1 appointed by me FROM A LIST HE WOULD GIVE ME!

2. Daly could meet the panel - but I could not!

3. The panel could read my personnel file - but I could not!

4. I could not hear the charges or evidence that Daly would bring against me!

5. There would be no further appeal!


There is very little justice in canon law for those at the lower levels.

I am pleased that Father Despard that he is being allowed back to ministry.

But HIS CARDS HAVE BEEN MARKED and he will have to lie very low to please Bishop Toal and senior clergy.


If priests want justice and rights they need to form a CLERGY TRADE UNION capable of bringing the Hierarchy to a halt.

Of course, any priest joining that union will not get promotion and will always be a PERSONA NON-GRATIA.