REGRETTABLY, IT IN NO WAY WILL BE OFFERED BY AFOREMENTIONED BISHOP AT THE CHRISM MASS THIS EVENING IN ST BRENDANS, BIRR, CO OFFALY.....BUT WE LIVE IN HOPE.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we gather here this evening for this Chrism Mass, it is a time of reflection for all of us priests who are called to serve and be witness to Christ in this Jubilee Year of Hope.
I, as Shepherd of this Diocese, am also called to reflection, and no moreso than in the presence of you all this evening.
Over the last few years, as many, if not most, of you, are aware, I have been the subject of much online commentary, criticism and critique in relation to situations which have arisen and have been felt to have been very badly handled by myself and others associated with my episcopal oversight.
It is not easy being a bishop in these times, and most certainly when we now have to somewhat compete with the alternative social media which exists, and which can be fairly criticised, whilst also considered to be accurate.
As I have said, I have been subject to such social media vitriol, speculation and also, dare I say it, truth.
Standing here before you all, in this week of weeks, I have prepared myself for this situation, knowing well that it may cause some hurt and pain, but I must say, such hurt and pain will be nothing to that which I have caused to others - through my actions and indeed my inactions.
Since my appointment to this Diocese in 2016, I have regretfuly overseen the departure of over a dozen priests - many of whom I personally wronged and laicised - such laicisations being questionable by nature and in action.
I have to take personal and episcopal responsibility for such actions, and indeed will also face both civil and criminal legal actions for such behaviour...and I wish to confirm that I will co-operate fully with any and all parties who have already instigated such legal actions against myself and the Diocese of Killaloe for such un-Christian behaviour.
Last year, I had a visit from An Garda Síochána in relation to a matter which was widely covered on social media, and which I had chosen to believe someone without asking for evidence over the reputation of a priest whose name and character I had failed to protect - despite a written promise to so do.
I must acknowledge that I had doubts over what was being claimed by this female, and even when such suspicions were validated, I still failed to investigate, and now accept that she has no credibility whatsoever.
That situation evolved into a full criminal matter which was, and remains, an open criminal investigation by both the PSNI and An Garda Síochána, with the external involvement of Interpol - all due to my failure to instruct an impartial and independent investigation be undertaken relative to this matter.
It would not have been the first time that I would have taken the word of a person over that of my priests - and indeed ex-priests - when both moral and civil codes would dictate that due process take place so as to ascertain the actual truth.
Mea culpa.....
To those now ex-priests, I wish to extend my sincerest regrets to you, knowing that it will never adequately compensate you for the impact my failures to carry out my duties has had on you in so many ways, but I sincerely hope it can be a start towards a process of reconciliation.
For that to happen, I acknowledge my guilt in my failures, and for failing you in such times when you needed suport only to find none from me, the Diocese, and at my direction, none from your fellow priests.
Whatever I can do to correct the record so to speak, I will do so, and indeed I have already asked the Vatican to accomodate a meeting with me next Monday, so as to ascertain how to resolve and reconcile going forward.
That meeting will be a step in correcting the record in relation to submissions made under my tenure - forged and falsified as they were, and - le cúnamh Dé - you as ex-priests will be offered the opportunity to have your false laicisations rescinded, and perhaps re-instated if you so wish.
I would also be of the wish that any reputational damage would be publicly corrected from every pulpit in this Diocese, and financial compensation be also offered for what has been no doubt very challenging times in your lives.
Mea culpa, mea culpa.....
I wish to address all of the priests gathered here this evening, and say to you all....Thank You.
Thank you for enduring me and indeed those who are considered to be my cabinet mar dhea, namely Tom Ryan, Ger Jones, Cleo Yates and Albert McDonnell.
I am very well aware that on many an ocassion, they have overstepped their boundaries in so many ways, even some acting, or indeed claiming to act 'in persona episcopi' on more than one ocassion towards both clergy and laity alike.
This should never have happened, and it shall not be allowed to continue.
Respect has to be earned and not expected just because of the perceived rank one may hold.
Jesus didn't, and as His representatives in this diocese, we have no right to assume we are entitled to such deference, nor indeed should we be treated as such.
I offer those of you who have been so wrongly treated and disrespected my sincerest of apologies for their behaviour, and have invited such offenders to be here this evening to apologise to you in both written form and to you person-to-person.
It is the least that you deserve, and indeed in the light of this Holy Week, very appropriate.
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.....
I wish to now address all the priests of this Diocese as follows....
Whether young or old, you deserve respect - you did not receive it from me or those around me,
Whether celibate or involved, you deserve support - you did not receive it from me or those around me,
Whether struggling in a parish or doing well, you deserve support - you did not receive it from me or those around me,
Whether falsely or rightly accused of a perceived offence, you deserve support - you did not receive it from me or those around me,
Whether active or laicised, you deserve support - you did not receive it from me or those around me,
Whether lonely or comforted, you deserve support - you did not receive it from me or those around me.
As and from this moment, going forward, you now have my resignation for my failures.
You also have the resignations of Tom Ryan, Ger Jones, Cleo Yates and Albert McDonnell from their respective offices until and such time as my successor is appointed to this Diocese.
I have personally asked that an Apostolic Investigation be undertaken into this Diocese under my tenure, and I personally assure all of my fullest co-operation.
I ask that all the faithful and clergy of the Diocese of Killaloe pray for me as I undertake this journey of truth, and sincerely wish that it gives to you all in this Diocese that which it truly deserves and indeed aches for - HOPE.
Mea culpa; peccavi; Domine miserere mei
("Through my fault. I have sinned. Lord, have mercy on me")
+ Fintan