Good old Catholic Ireland has been getting a fair old knocking down through the years and indeed no more or less than other countries but considering we would be perceived to be a steadfast any loyal catholic country, this makes the situation all the more difficult.Pictured here is one dissident (according to Rome) namely Bishop Pat Buckley who has been a thorn in the side of the Irish and Roman hierarchy for many a year and indeed seems set to remain as such.
However despite being such a pain, someone in Rome obviously believes that what he says and does are somewhat more in tune with Christ than his representative on earth can sometime be seen as such.
Bishop Buckley has been in receipt of no less than a cardinals ring similar to that pictured here from the Vatican City itself no less, so one does wonder of Cardinal-elect Seán Brady should bother turning up for the Consistory at all on November 24th 2007??
On another note, however, a sad piece of news reaches us here from down south and more so considering the diocese from which it emanates as its bishop is considered to be indeed an open minded and forward thinking person.
A young cleric has felt the need to tender his resignation and seek laiscisation from the priesthood due to the untruths and innuendo and indeed nasty and vile comments from those alleged brother priests.
This young man felt that with his ministry there were (and are) a lot of couples unable to receive the Blessed Sacrament due to their marital or sexual situation and therefore he began to operate ministry more Christ-like than one would ever have considered previous to this.
He offered to help those who are divorced, separated or widowed and wish to receive the Eucharist as part of a ceremony to celebrate their love under, and in partnership with, God.
Indeed, some of these couples were sent to him by those who were unable or indeed unwilling to perform these ceremonies themselves knowing he would be more than happy to help as best the could...that number now is somewhere around 300 couples.
However, the local hierarchy have decided to both turn a blind eye to this whilst also discrediting this young man which is best typified by the fact that the bishop's own secretary disparages the young man to all and sundry by misinforming them of his status etc...
The bishop was advised of this, and indeed other issues such as some clergy being publicly disparaging in their comments towards him but the bishop has decided that ignorance is best and continues to ignore the matter.
Well, with only about 2 years left to serve, one supposes he is not going to get involved and retire quietly...
Now, the young priest has decided that without the support of his bishop and the disparaging remarks of the secretary alongside the nastiness of some other priests, now is the time to say enough is enough...
It does not say much for the diocese, but even less about the bishop concerned and those he is allegedly providing pastoral care towards that this is going to happen under his watch...shame on him....
We shall keep you appraised of this matter...
Sotto Voce