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The parish priests of Tullamore, Co Offaly are tonight beginning a 24-hour fast and penance to acknowledge the pain caused by clerical child abuse.
Fr Shane Crombie explains why it is important that priests stand in solidarity with their parishioners.
ON SUNDAY IN the church here in Tullamore, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the opening of our church. For the last year or so we’ve been planning what kind of celebration we were going to have. And in the context of the Cloyne report and the child abuse scandals, the priests of the parish felt that we had to make some kind of recognition of that.
In Tullamore, there has been no history of child sexual abuse by priests, or none that has come to light. But we realise that the ordinary, regular people who come to Mass every Sunday – who are trying their best to be part of the Church – are finding it difficult. It’s difficult for people to comprehend how such things could have gone wrong, and how they can continue living with their faith in that context.
So we decided: before we celebrate the jubilee, we’re going to have a day of penance. The priests are going to lead a fast, and there will be prayer every hour, on the hour between eight o’clock on Thursday night and eight o’clock on Friday night. There will be a priest there all night if people want to come and talk, if they want to share their experiences – whatever they want to do.
We’re not doing this under the illusion that our action is going to fix the lives of people who have been sexually abused. It’s not a magic solution. It is just an act of solidarity. We’re standing with our own people, standing with people who have been deeply, deeply let down by the Church, and by what has happened. And we are going to make sure of two things.
Firstly, that it will never happen again. Secondly, to ask God and the people’s forgiveness. Because the Church is made up of thousands and thousands of regular people. The best part of two million people go to Mass in this country; and we just want to acknowledge their presence, their suffering and their disappointment.
We’re not trying to make a statement. We’re not trying to start any crusade. We’re not trying to put it up to anybody. We’re doing this solely in the context of the people that we work with every day. And they have been very supportive. The night that we decided that we had to do something – something concrete – we put it up on the parish Facebook page. And from that, it went viral. We’ve got messages from the States, from Australia, from England, from all over.
From the very beginning, we made it very clear that we were inviting people to join with us. But if the church is full, or if the church is empty, it doesn’t matter. This is not for any kind of numbers, or for any kind of show. I have no idea how many people are going to be there. All I can say is that people are taking it very seriously.
Fr Shane Crombie is a parish priest in Tullamore, Co Offaly. As told to Michael Freeman.
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i admire you. it’s a difficult time for those good clergy out there that lots of us know. it won’t change anything but it’s a grand gesture.
nice gesture – the only one to have come from the church so far!!
Really?
The church needs to split?
The priests need to repent?
Seriously?
Have any of you actually researched Christianity and the Catholic church?
It’s a cult that gained state sponsorship by hook and by crook. It used fear, ignorance, torture and death to consolidate its hold. It waged wars, had others wage war for it, made alliances with dictators and corrupt aristocracy and never ever cared about the little people. The institution is corrupt through and through. It never had any moral or spiritual authority, it ‘fixed’ what books would be in its bible and practised obfuscation on a par to the occult, it soaked up pagan rituals and festivities so that like a cuckoo it could jump in the nests of other birds, kill the chicks and lay its own eggs and take over. People need to wake up to the true origins of religions, soon.
Well said Aux Front In!!!!!!!!!!!!
So we have a priest writing a piece about priests which is essentially a PR piece for the catholic church. Cant possibly see the bias in that really.
I like the bit “In Tullamore, there has been no history of child sexual abuse by priests, or none that has come to light”. 1) Good cover for the future, 2) if the church were a company and tullamore an outlet the wholesale endemic criminal activity of the rest of the company wouldn’t be saved by an outpost not having engaged in that activity, you would be closed down and prosecuted, as your organisation deserves.
What went on wasn’t a mistake, it wasn’t below the radar, it was (depending on the party) a criminal omission or positive criminal acts, carried out systematically over the course of over a century, possibly more (the dead cant speak) against the heart of innocence, our children, and your establishment praying & begging to a cloud god to make themselves feel easier about it doesn’t mean a damn. Save it for when you meet what you believe in. While your here in Ireland & if your flock have committed crimes, including subverting justice, beg forgiveness before the only law that counts, the law of Ireland and its courts.
Well said although tell us more about this mythical “law of Ireland” you speak of?
@Robert Scally Tis a mythical beast, not applicable to bankers, politicians, the ultra rich or the churches highest hierarchy. Its in a little blue book written by a by someone…sounds like…devil-era..and helped by a bishop, now augmented by corrupt politicians rather than front-line practitioners who know what they’re doing. You dont have to wonder why its taken a nosedive & people now have little faith in it. But it lives somewhere & some care about it:)
Another thought. I never heard systematic rape, molestation and beatings, amongst other acts, called “let down”. wonder what would happen if a ‘normal’ recidivist rapist told a judge or jury he’d ‘let down’ his victims. The church just cant be honest about what its done. Its not ‘let down’ anyone, its raped, molested and ruined countless lives.
i think the only way the church can redeem itself now is to engage in a complete purge from the top down or the good priests that are untainted split and form their own church.
I’m starting to think a split is the only way forward because even the good priests are labeled as "they’re all as bad as each other here".
If there was a split at least then it would stop giving anti-catholics an excuse to attack people of faith while hiding behind the honourable banner of those that just want justice.
I disagree. A split is a cop out. Face the issues and get them sorted. Move on.
See what I mean.
I dont think all priests are child rapists but i do think there are a lot of priests who knew what was going on and said nothing in turn protecting the peado priests. If it was well known in the public domain that this was going on then you can guarantee other priests knew aswell
I agree a split would not be ideal, but the people who want the best for catholicism must be pragmatic. The church has lost much credibility with the majority of Irish people that is a fact. Many good priests find it very difficult to do their job in such a climate, therefore they must remove themselves from it. And I also accept that priests must have known about crimes committed by their colleagues, but I also believe many priests did not know about it such was the secrecy in covering up crimes by the hierarchy.
i think not until there has been full disclosure by the catholic church and full co-operation by them to convict and imprison every last guilty priest will your church get any credibility back. i think the only option would be a separation from the Vatican.
Just to clarify its not my church Im actually an atheist. I just like to see fair and balanced argument not being riddled with anti-catholic bigotry levelled against people of faith. I accept your argument is fair and not bigoted but some people on here are very offensive and arrogant towards people of different beliefs.
I am also an atheist. I have no issue with people having a religion either. I only have an issue with religious people and organizations forcing it on other people. Religion is a personal choice and should be kept that way. If u have a religion and want to live ur life by it’s rule book then that’s ur choice but dont expect other people to.
It’s not just atheists disgusted and the church it’s Catholics as well.
I agree with you, but on here its usually the Atheists who go beyond church criticism, and just engage in faith-bashing. Like people try to polarize the argument in an unfair manner. I would hazard many of them have very little knowledge of Catholic Philosophy or secular humanism for that matter. People like yourself can put forward civilised justified arguments why cant others.
The reality is that there are many reasons apart from the child abuse scandal to dislike the catholic church. In my opinion is does nothing but promote hate and intolerance in society and is extremely hypocritical. It’s cons extremely outweigh it’s pros. Anger at the catholic church comes from a wide section of people and I think the church is outdated and doesn’t realize it’s place in society which is not to be dictating to people on how to live their lives and discriminating against anyone who doesn’t believe in it. I know a lot about the church philosophy and the likes which strengthened my distaste for it.
wouldn’t exactly call it “let down” by the catholic church more like a monumental betrayal and further abuse. the scale of ‘let down’ (sic) verges on evil. hope the priests will activelt DO something for survivors not just pray!
It would be more humble and fitting if they made their gesture privately and without publicity. It is indeed too little too late.
Would you ever give them a break?!! I don’t doubt their sincerity.
I feel that the catholic church has not been short of breaks not to mention wholesale denial. Quietness and humbleness while making complete reparation to the people affected would be more appropriate. There are many good people in the church who have been appalled by the response from the leadership.
Many good priests have also been appalled by the actions of their fellow clergymen and and their feckless bishops. While I am no apologist for the Catholic Church and deplore their misogynistic attitude towards women, I have been aware of some priests over the years who have dared disagree with their authorities. As a result, some were given postings in remote parishes; others were even “allowed” to pursue studies in some foreign shore, to ensure that they could not be thorns in the sides of their superiors. I do believe the Tullamore priests are sincere in their actions and, as such, deserve some support.
They may mean well. However their judgment is flawed I feel. So they are going to fast for twenty-four hours. They are risking nothing. In comparison to the violent suffering which has been imposed on so many vulnerable people coupled with the constant denial employed by the heirarchy they run the risk of being seen as patronising at best.
I agree, Bert
It must be difficult for the priests and nuns who have lived good contributing lives to witness the behaviour of the heirarchy. If the Tullamore priests feel that a public gesture is necessary maybe they should consider an action which targets the deniers.
“Secondly, to ask God and the people’s forgiveness.”
And therein lies the problem; people come second.
It’s not the Catholic Church doing this – it is individual priests. At least they are doing something, unlike so many of their colleagues. Yet some here still find fault with them.
TheJournap deleted my last comment probably cause it was a little too harsh for their tastes. Free speech eh?
If any of you knew someone that this happened to you’d have no time for this tripe. They should be jailed or worse.
All the priests?? Even the good ones??
What good ones, the ones who looked the other way when people were being brainwashed, murdered, enslaved, bullied, raped, robbed, cheated, dominated, and disenfranchised etc ? The priests who lived off the fat of the land while the poor starved in hovels during the Dark Ages, Those who collaborated with the rich and powerful during the Age of Feudalism? A whole 1500 years of lies designed to keep the masses docile and pliant.. The ones who stood squarely against the budding truth of the Enlightenment, The ones who imprisoned Galileo. The ones who burned “witches ” or the ones who looked the other way. The ones who tortured and killed the innocent during the inquisition or the ones who looked the other way ?. They all are guilty ! They all are members of this parasitic organization. Good ones ?
They’re not all guilty. That’s patently obvious if you research the facts. There are plenty of good priests who have dedicated their lives to working among the poor, the sick, the underprivileged and the marginalised. Priests have died because they didn’t want to abandon their parishioners to their terrible fates; they’ve taken risks to keep working with those whose illnesses turned them into rejects and outcasts. Many of them have fought relentlessly for the rights of the most vulnerable. I’m not saying that they all deserve medals or that their work is any better than the work of similar brave lay people, but tarring every priest with the same brush is unfair and unjust The same applies to any group who are written off as totally evil. I just don’t believe in such broad generalisations.
Remember:
The second Commandment – Exodus 20:4-6: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them"
That include Pope, priests and others, you can believe and practice without them, the world is your church! They are only human without special powers, flesh and bones and all sins that comes with it.
Two million? There’s optimism for you.
Exactly. Isn’t church attendance 20% outside greater dublin area and 12% in Dublin!!! 2 million yeah right.
Waste of time, these ‘fasting’ priests could use their time better by denouncing the Vatican and the various religious orders who are stalling or refusing to pay their share of the compensation due to the victims. They could be ‘fasting’ outside Armagh cathedral and putting pressure on the likes of Brady and all the other cover-up merchants to resign. A gesture or a clever a bit of PR? Sorry, but it’s a bit late in the day to be getting all pious and “standing with the people” the people want answers and they want action against the perpetrators and the bishops and cardinals who covered it all up. Doing ‘penance’ is typical self indulgent nonsense, it might make the priests and their ‘supportive’ friends feel better but it doesn’t make a blind bit of difference in the real world. If you want to do something useful then demand the resignations of all the bishops and cardinals involved in the cover up’s and that includes the man in Rome!
Seems a reasonable point, while I think these priests where being genuine their time would be much better be spent standing up for the true nature of their faith against those who continue to be an affront to it.
24 hr fast a bit of mass and then a cup of tea when they are done, sure that will fix everything ! Wake up priests it’s going to take a lot more that that
Hold on, if you read the article you’ll see that they’ve acknowledged that this is in no way going to fix anything. What the church has done and hidden over the years is disgusting and disgraceful, but at least read the article before making comment.
I’d like to see where he gets his 2m statistic from. Probably from oh about 30years ago. Either that or those who have to pretend to be good Catholics to get their kids into decent schools.
i am aware that this event wasnt asked for by the Vatican but its pretty pathetic. Having a fast and saying a prayer will do no one any good and is a waste of time. What they need to do is stand up for the victims and make a stand against the Vatican. If the ‘good’ priests want change they are the people who have to stand up and make a difference instead of saying their hail mary’s. the should be up in arms demanding change and exposing the truth and helping to prosecute the peado priests and other clergy who have covered it up!!!
wording and posturing, virtual and real will not take away from the fact that this will take many many generations of mistrust in order to trust again.
i wouldnt care a toss about men fasting and lying flat on hard ground in name of repentance.
the one who lay on hard ground was having coffee with me for umm. six years trying to get to grips with my case, then he bundled the whole bundle to a new child protection team, yep we start all over again at the very very beginning so six years of nice coffee and such and start back same questions to the abuser and his order and the same questions were asked over six years ago and so on…methinks this is a crass and cynical act given that many many are not being listened to and many cups of tea and ‘yes i understand’ humm. give me a break.
Give me a break. It’s a start. Not all priests are guilty.
This over exuberant priest hating is getting to be a bore. We all know what they did. We also know there was a culture of self preservation within the church. Most fair minded people would accept that there are good hardworking priests in the organisation. I think however that using the paraphernalia of religion to express solidarity is the wrong way to do it .. i.e penance. I know some here would like to see them publicly nail their mickeys to a post but a better way might be for priests to unite and issue a signed declaration accepting the supremacy of the Dail in these matters and taking responsibility to turn paedos over to the law. We live on a small island. The Catholic church is still huge in Sth America and the Philipinnes etc. It needs to have a universal protocol in place to protect all kids where’ve they are. Accountability is the key.
I don’t think there is any doubt that there are good priests out there, but the answer as to why their god allowed such things to happen in his name, is anyone’s guess.
God allowed? ever hear of the gift of free will. Humans commit human crimes. The RCC covered it up, they’re not getting away with it anymore, nothing mysterious about that. What is mysterious is why hasn’t any bishop who obstructed justice been arrested yet. Still too linked politically?
It seems it’s free will when something bad happens and it’s god’s plan when things go right.
Depends on who you ask and what your asking apparently.
@Niall Fitzpatrick: I think we’ve all heard of “the gift of free will”. Its appears around the same time the church wants to distance itself from the latest criminal act or one of its members and disappears to be replaced by the obligation to obey the word of god when the church wants something done its way. Unfortunately for you, we don’t have put up with such transparently false BS anymore as the truth is a more compelling argument.
@Niall Fitzpatrick: Apologies about the “unfortunately for you” bit, didnt read your comment correctly. Thought you were defending it, sorry.
At Jurisprudence. I agree with your view but why did you say “unfortunately for you”? I’m want disclosure.
cool.
I know men are supposed to be bad at multitasking, but is it not possible to have a night of fasting, prayer, solidarity and penance AND take an active role in making sure justice is done for the victims of abuse? Lots of victims of sexual abuse get solace and comfort from their faith and beliefs. If even one of them thinks that this night of fasting is beneficial, even in a small way, then, I think it’s worthwhile.
well u know maybe these priests do want to show something good, but forgiveness without repentance means nothing and why are THEY fasting and asking for forgiveness…did they do something wrong? when fr twomey said all bishops should resign i’m with him on that. there has been no real repentance. even St Martin prostrating himself is NOT repentance. St Martin, my message to you. do the right thing for my sister NOW, stop this charade of ‘starting all over again’ with her ‘case’.
how much more can my sister endure of this procrastination? as for fasting and prayin’ i’m all for it….but not in the context of priests raping children. far far far more is required…hard labour comes to mind.
Cynical posturing……..Shame on you. ……..Shame on all of you.
Shame on all the Priests of Tullamore who engaged in this cynical PR stunt. Who else Gis ?
Thanks Guys I might even go back to Church again, I’m sure you will gain the forgiveness of ordinary people who have been deeply, deeply let down by the Church, and by what has happened……again.
But really until ‘The Institution’ shows something resembling ‘Honesty’ at the same level, I won’t be in a position to go to Holy Communion for example…because it will remain ‘Unholy’ until ‘The Holy RCC’ is that again.
OH DEAR…WHAT AN EMPTY GESTURE…..PATRONISING TOO…
ROLLING IN THE MUCK IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO GET CLEAN…..
GET ACTIVE IN STAMPING ON THIS HENIOUS CRIME OF ABUSING INNOCENT CHILDREN….AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT!!!!!
God?!
the catholic church and its followers are strong in numbers and this has made Catholics across the world unite together even more. SO all non believers continue to try knock the church , the foundations are strong , and the wrath of GOD is stronger.
Your totally wrong in saying ALL non believers knock the church, I am a non believer but dont knock the church. It almost seems like you are saying people will be punished if they disagree with the church, thats what I inferred anyway is that what you implied?
the hard labour sister is trying to deal with these guys. they change everything around to suit them, bloody hard labour going through that intransigent systems.
have your say