At long last I have managed to finalise the monthly review of Clerical Whispers, which covers the time span of 15th December 2006 up to January 30th 2007, so there is almost two months of a review hereunder for you to peruse.I have divided it into different sections as follows so as to make it a little easier to read, and over time, this may very well be changed etc in line with my policy of constantly adapting so as to meet the requirements of you, the peruser of this site.
Ireland - Top Stories
Irish Headliners
Vatican Headliners
International Headliners
Over the coming weeks and months, I will open this site to voting by you the surfer to vote on the headliner(s) which will then make it to a ‘Top 5’ in each category at the end of each month for the review in An Focal Scóir section of the site….
Ireland - Top Stories
1. Irelands Purple Parliament - Il Papa will have to fill 3 positions on the Dioceses of Achonry, Down & Connor and Ossory. These appointments will indicate, to an extent, the mindset of our current incumbent to the Throne of Peter (God help us all!!)
2. Killaloe Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal - this particular issue ran for some time, being most notable by the fact that it was the only story in this section for both months. Bishop Willie Walsh was very much in the news but seemed to get an easy ride from the Irish media. This is notable and also regrettable as there are serious and questionable inconsistencies in what was said to the Gardai and then said to the media. Somehow, despite the silence at the moment, I feel this story will continue to grab our attention over time yet to come.
3. Age of Consent - both Irish Parliaments (purple = bishops and spineless = TD’s) engaged in the usual public display of staged enmity in relation to this matter.
2. Killaloe Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal - this particular issue ran for some time, being most notable by the fact that it was the only story in this section for both months. Bishop Willie Walsh was very much in the news but seemed to get an easy ride from the Irish media. This is notable and also regrettable as there are serious and questionable inconsistencies in what was said to the Gardai and then said to the media. Somehow, despite the silence at the moment, I feel this story will continue to grab our attention over time yet to come.
3. Age of Consent - both Irish Parliaments (purple = bishops and spineless = TD’s) engaged in the usual public display of staged enmity in relation to this matter.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (he who has mastered the art of speaking from both sides of his mouth at the same time!!) and his Cabinet Cabal of Cowards were very quickly crozier-bashed by the bishops. A U-turn was soon put in place at such a dizzying speed once the bishops had accused the Government of having lost their moral compass!!!
Oh the irony of that very remark, considering the source from whence it emenated, has still failed to lose its sparkle of hypocrisy and may very well yet come back to haunt their (dis)Graces!!
Clarification of the age of consent is still awaited.
4. The Puppets & The Muppet - but sure where else would it happen except in Ireland? Finely dressed, almost constantly in the public domain and proving to be a challenge to the norms of a moral, Irish society…and that just describes His Lordship, Archbishop Seán ‘The Muppet’ Brady!!
He decided to let his views be known in relation to the corruption of our young people and their morals by none other than those 2 puppets – Podge & Rodge.
Declaring that Ireland has become ‘a society of Podge and Rodge’ rather than one of decency and respect is one sure fire way of ensuring that this issue gets a lot of attention…for all the wrong reasons!!!
(Again, I asked then, and continuously do, does anyone notice the irony (and hypocrisy) of the hierarchy in all of this? Ferns ring an alarm bell or two here…sure it didn’t back then so why should it now I suppose??
However, the AB Muppet got somewhat riposted by his Anglican colleague in Cork, Bishop Paul Coulton, and his words are well worth repeating here for the AB Muppet in Ara Coeli in Armagh….
‘our society is searching for a new spiritual equilibrium which will not be assisted by a naïve demonisation of popular culture…’
The belt of the (Anglican) crozier certainly must have hurt, even with the distance between Cork and Armagh, Your Grace…..OUCH!!!
Oh the irony of that very remark, considering the source from whence it emenated, has still failed to lose its sparkle of hypocrisy and may very well yet come back to haunt their (dis)Graces!!
Clarification of the age of consent is still awaited.
4. The Puppets & The Muppet - but sure where else would it happen except in Ireland? Finely dressed, almost constantly in the public domain and proving to be a challenge to the norms of a moral, Irish society…and that just describes His Lordship, Archbishop Seán ‘The Muppet’ Brady!!
He decided to let his views be known in relation to the corruption of our young people and their morals by none other than those 2 puppets – Podge & Rodge.
Declaring that Ireland has become ‘a society of Podge and Rodge’ rather than one of decency and respect is one sure fire way of ensuring that this issue gets a lot of attention…for all the wrong reasons!!!
(Again, I asked then, and continuously do, does anyone notice the irony (and hypocrisy) of the hierarchy in all of this? Ferns ring an alarm bell or two here…sure it didn’t back then so why should it now I suppose??
However, the AB Muppet got somewhat riposted by his Anglican colleague in Cork, Bishop Paul Coulton, and his words are well worth repeating here for the AB Muppet in Ara Coeli in Armagh….
‘our society is searching for a new spiritual equilibrium which will not be assisted by a naïve demonisation of popular culture…’
The belt of the (Anglican) crozier certainly must have hurt, even with the distance between Cork and Armagh, Your Grace…..OUCH!!!
5. Bishop Casey - still not permitted to publicly celebrate his ministry, and in January, he permitted the release fro public consumption the tapes which would relay his life story - omitting for now any detail of the Annie Murphy element. It regaled us with stories of his time as priest and bishop of Kerry and Galway respectively but most interesting was the part where the late Pope John Paul II was almost steadfast in refusing to accept the resignation of Casey in the Vatican in 1992.
6. Martin on the Move? - raises the (very real) possibility that the AB of Dublin could well yet return to Rome and ‘reward’ Bishop Eamonn Walsh with higher office as a ‘thank you’ for handling the Ferns Report. This would ensure his being in situ for the currently ongoing Dublin Archdiocesan investigation of abuse, considering his legal background as a barrister….pass the poisoned chalice now seems to be the name of the game in Dublin!!
7. Anglican Ireland - Eames steps down after a tenure almost comparable in years to that of the late Pontiff. Their ‘conclave’ took place in Glenstal Abbey, Limerick and favourite to succeed was AB of Dublin, John Neill, but this did not come to pass, and the current incumbent of the Anglican Diocese of Connor, Reverend Alan Harper, was duly elected. His term of office has already begun since 2nd February 2007, and every best wish and blessing to him form Sotto Voce.
8. Archdiocese in the Dock - the AB of Cashel & Emly, Dermot Clifford certainly put both his feet in it in relation to the matter which is ongoing in the legal jurisdiction of the USofA.
Fr Oliver O’Grady is a noted paedophile, and has been charged with numerous counts of molestation with his youngest victim being 9 months old!! A court in America had ruled that the AB, the Archdiocese and St Patrick’s College in Thurles, had no liability whatsoever.
However, the AB’s remarks of being ‘gratified’ with this ruling was both insulting and shortlived as it transpired that the then AB, Dr Thomas Morris, and staff in the seminary were indeed aware before his ordination that O’Grady was indeed more than capable of molestation.
Lawyer, John Manly, has alleged that an Irish person has come forward with an allegation of molestation against O’Grady which pre-dates O’Grady’s ordination of 1971, and also the issue of O’Grady being laicised under Canon Law in 1997, under the term of ‘psychic infirmity’.
This matter is sub-judice, but does merit comment and coverage, something the AB will not be feeling so ‘gratified’ about, one doubts!!
9. Gay Bashing Ritual - clanger of the year award goes to Bishop of Elphin, Christopher Jones, who felt it was his duty to advise his (ever dwindling) congregation to challenge their public representatives who will come seeking their votes in the upcoming election.
And the hoary old chestnut of granting equal status to same-sex couples was thrown into the foray by this (dis)Grace as the assault began…which has run on in England, Italy and Spain to name a few…and more anon in relation to this…
The Bishop however, should really have made sure that his own palace was in order, but he didn’t, thereby giving rise and (unrivalled) coverage to the…
10. Elphin Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal - it transpired that the aforementioned Bishop Jones had failed to properly deal with an allegation of abuse going back 13 years at least, if not more. At the time of posting this story, Bishop Jones had failed to notify the Gardai and HSE of this situation as is legally required of him.
The priest concerned had only a month before moved to a different diocese without the knowledge of Bishop Jones, but he advised at the time that this was being rectified.
Child Sex Abuse Cases in Ireland Posted on Blogspot:
Killaloe Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal;
Elphin Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal;
Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly;
Abuser in Hiding in Ireland ;
Methodist Former Leader Found Guilty Of Abuse;
North Cork Priest File for DPP;
Irish Cleric To Face 6 Abuse Charges, and
Ferns Diocese Settles Claim.
Irish Headliners
04/01/07
- Fr Ted Weekend
- PSNI & Catholic Community
09/01/07
- The Troubles Missing – Appeal for Info
- Marriage – Best Way To Raise Children
- Vocations (??)
10/01/07
- Vatican Goes Wild(e)
11/01/07
- Irish Missionary Deported
12/01/07
- Irish Divorce – Review required
- Teachers-v-Bishops
- AB in Favour of Gay Clergy (??)
16/01/07
- Irish Bishops in Holy Land
17/01/07
- Ireland’s Nazi Past
18/01/07
- Forces of Corruption & Collusion
- Irish Gov’t Referendum on Children’s Rights
19/01/07
- Knock – no US Death Planes
22/01/07
- Depression Awareness Week
23/01/07
- Irish Ecumenism & Interfaith (Interstate Dialogue)
25/01/07
- Irish Women Under Sexual Pressure
- An Irish Playboy
26/01/07
- St Brigid
- Bishop Guilty of Simony (?)
28/01/07
- Honorary Papal Appointments – Ireland
- RTÉ & Irish Bishops
- Defecting Irish RC Church
29/01/07
- Fr Mossie on Own
30/01/07
- Northern Ireland – Peace At Last (??)
Vatican Headliners
8. Archdiocese in the Dock - the AB of Cashel & Emly, Dermot Clifford certainly put both his feet in it in relation to the matter which is ongoing in the legal jurisdiction of the USofA.
Fr Oliver O’Grady is a noted paedophile, and has been charged with numerous counts of molestation with his youngest victim being 9 months old!! A court in America had ruled that the AB, the Archdiocese and St Patrick’s College in Thurles, had no liability whatsoever.
However, the AB’s remarks of being ‘gratified’ with this ruling was both insulting and shortlived as it transpired that the then AB, Dr Thomas Morris, and staff in the seminary were indeed aware before his ordination that O’Grady was indeed more than capable of molestation.
Lawyer, John Manly, has alleged that an Irish person has come forward with an allegation of molestation against O’Grady which pre-dates O’Grady’s ordination of 1971, and also the issue of O’Grady being laicised under Canon Law in 1997, under the term of ‘psychic infirmity’.
This matter is sub-judice, but does merit comment and coverage, something the AB will not be feeling so ‘gratified’ about, one doubts!!
9. Gay Bashing Ritual - clanger of the year award goes to Bishop of Elphin, Christopher Jones, who felt it was his duty to advise his (ever dwindling) congregation to challenge their public representatives who will come seeking their votes in the upcoming election.
And the hoary old chestnut of granting equal status to same-sex couples was thrown into the foray by this (dis)Grace as the assault began…which has run on in England, Italy and Spain to name a few…and more anon in relation to this…
The Bishop however, should really have made sure that his own palace was in order, but he didn’t, thereby giving rise and (unrivalled) coverage to the…
10. Elphin Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal - it transpired that the aforementioned Bishop Jones had failed to properly deal with an allegation of abuse going back 13 years at least, if not more. At the time of posting this story, Bishop Jones had failed to notify the Gardai and HSE of this situation as is legally required of him.
The priest concerned had only a month before moved to a different diocese without the knowledge of Bishop Jones, but he advised at the time that this was being rectified.
Child Sex Abuse Cases in Ireland Posted on Blogspot:
Killaloe Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal;
Elphin Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal;
Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly;
Abuser in Hiding in Ireland ;
Methodist Former Leader Found Guilty Of Abuse;
North Cork Priest File for DPP;
Irish Cleric To Face 6 Abuse Charges, and
Ferns Diocese Settles Claim.
Irish Headliners
04/01/07
- Fr Ted Weekend
- PSNI & Catholic Community
09/01/07
- The Troubles Missing – Appeal for Info
- Marriage – Best Way To Raise Children
- Vocations (??)
10/01/07
- Vatican Goes Wild(e)
11/01/07
- Irish Missionary Deported
12/01/07
- Irish Divorce – Review required
- Teachers-v-Bishops
- AB in Favour of Gay Clergy (??)
16/01/07
- Irish Bishops in Holy Land
17/01/07
- Ireland’s Nazi Past
18/01/07
- Forces of Corruption & Collusion
- Irish Gov’t Referendum on Children’s Rights
19/01/07
- Knock – no US Death Planes
22/01/07
- Depression Awareness Week
23/01/07
- Irish Ecumenism & Interfaith (Interstate Dialogue)
25/01/07
- Irish Women Under Sexual Pressure
- An Irish Playboy
26/01/07
- St Brigid
- Bishop Guilty of Simony (?)
28/01/07
- Honorary Papal Appointments – Ireland
- RTÉ & Irish Bishops
- Defecting Irish RC Church
29/01/07
- Fr Mossie on Own
30/01/07
- Northern Ireland – Peace At Last (??)
Vatican Headliners
26/12/06
- Vatican Needs More Women, says Italian Professor
- Urbi Et Orbi
03/01/07
- Vatican Response to Saddam Death
- Chinese Clerical Problems
09/01/07
- Christmas Too Consumerist – Il Papa
- Papal Trip to Brazil
10/01/07
- Il Papa & The World
- Vatican Goes Wild(e)
15/01/07
- Vatican in the Legal Docks
16/01/07
- Papal Secretary inspires Versace
17/01/07
- Il Papa Gay ?
- Gay Rights – in St Peters Square (??)
20/01/07
- Tremors in the Holy City
- Vietnam in the Vatican
21/01/07
- Grant Turkish Catholics Full Recognition - Il Papa
22/01/07
- Latin America needs New Evangelization - Il Papa
23/01/07
- Il Papa -v- Milingo
24/01/07
- Il Papa Goes East
- Romanian Visit to Vatican
29/01/07
- Il Papa - Need for Mid-East Peace
30/01/07
- Pope to meet Jordan
- Israeli-Vatican Diplomatic Ties Progress
International Headliners
--UK--
- Anti- Gay Adoption Stance taken by RC Church
- Lawyer Brings Case of Shot Catholics To Lords
- BA Backs Down
- Clerical Balls Up (or Op?)
- Buckley Guilty of Simony (??)
- Opus Dei - Not Happy (Again!!)
--USA--
- Lawyer Brings Case of Shot Catholics To Lords
- BA Backs Down
- Clerical Balls Up (or Op?)
- Buckley Guilty of Simony (??)
- Opus Dei - Not Happy (Again!!)
--USA--
- Boston Cardinal Apologises for Child Abuse
- Gay Clergy respond
- Gay Clergy respond
- Kerry Excommunicated by Vatican (??)
- Vatican in American Legal Dock
- Clerical Financial Errors
- Alleged Rape by Priest
- Voice of the Victims and Foe of the Vatican
- Celibacy - Yes or No?
--China--
- Vatican in American Legal Dock
- Clerical Financial Errors
- Alleged Rape by Priest
- Voice of the Victims and Foe of the Vatican
- Celibacy - Yes or No?
--China--
- Il Papa -v- China
- Religious Freedom in China
--Australia--
- Religious Freedom in China
--Australia--
- Youth & Sex
--Vatican--
--Vatican--
- East Meets West
- St John Paul II (??)
- Euthanasia - Cardinal Urges Vatican Rethink
- KGB Smear Campaign against Pius XII
- Scripture & Ecumenism
- Letter to Priests
- Il Papa Clamps Down on ‘Erroneous’ Annulments
- Vatican Policy on Condoms - No Change!!
- Final Moments of Late Pope
- False Confessions
--Italy--
- St John Paul II (??)
- Euthanasia - Cardinal Urges Vatican Rethink
- KGB Smear Campaign against Pius XII
- Scripture & Ecumenism
- Letter to Priests
- Il Papa Clamps Down on ‘Erroneous’ Annulments
- Vatican Policy on Condoms - No Change!!
- Final Moments of Late Pope
- False Confessions
--Italy--
- Hunky, Sexy Clergy
- D&G Blasts Vatican
--Turkey--
- D&G Blasts Vatican
--Turkey--
- Attempt to Mend after Papal Speech
- Faith, Reason, Islam & The West
--Switzerland--
- Faith, Reason, Islam & The West
--Switzerland--
- Radical Powerhouse
--Africa--
--Africa--
- Sudan Church Growing
- People With AIDS Do Not Have To Die
- God is Weeping - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
--Malta--
- People With AIDS Do Not Have To Die
- God is Weeping - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
--Malta--
- No Divorce, We’re Maltese
--India--
--India--
- Indian State Plans Mandatory HIV Testing Before Marriage
--Germany--
--Germany--
- German Catholics Advised Before Marrying Muslims - Draw Up Contract
--Poland--
--Poland--
- Polish Scarlett Pimpernel (ongoing)
--Austria--
--Austria--
- Number of Austrians Leaving Church Drops
--International--
- World Holocaust Memorial Day
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Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce
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Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce