And me, your unworthy servant.
My spies are telling me that the current apostolic administrator in Down and Connor put in an extraordinary personal effort to ensure that Professor Vincent Twomey did not replace him. In this he obviously succeeded, but lost any opportunity to pick his successor in the process. And one hears he is not going softly into the good night of retirement. One hears his invitation list for the 29th June is bigger than the bishop elect’s. One hears that he is describing himself still as “the senior bishop” in the province. One hears he is hoping to be kept on in some capacity. Two hopes, my Lord, and Bob’s dead.
I had the misfortune to encounter him two weeks ago during a valedictory tour of mensal parishes – the closest he came to the truth was when he described himself as an “unworthy servant”. The congregation instinctively launched into the Great Amen. Through good manners I shook hands afterwards. I swear, there are no bones inside that lump of flesh, which was, however, surprisingly warm.
He recently issued a letter to young priests (anyone under about fifty!) instructing them to join him in celebrating him. "I warmlyinstruct invite you to....please inform Lisbreen of your attendance" and then a tear off slip which says "I am pleased to accept my invitation". I suspect the letter provoked lots of tearing.
We wish him a happy retirement.
I had the misfortune to encounter him two weeks ago during a valedictory tour of mensal parishes – the closest he came to the truth was when he described himself as an “unworthy servant”. The congregation instinctively launched into the Great Amen. Through good manners I shook hands afterwards. I swear, there are no bones inside that lump of flesh, which was, however, surprisingly warm.
He recently issued a letter to young priests (anyone under about fifty!) instructing them to join him in celebrating him. "I warmly
We wish him a happy retirement.
Still wheedling on in that whinging voice about being "most senior". No surprises, I suppose - dealing with such a monstrous Ego - and the arrogant conceit of this pathetic creature - that he won't simply do everyone a favour and just GO!!
Still reaching out the withered old talons to claw at some power and prestige. I hope Bishop Treanor tells the wicked oul' hag to GET LOST! (Comment this)
Off with him to a life of quiet reflection - and penance - to prepare for his meeting with the Almighty. (Comment this)
Big Deal!! So did thousands of other School Principals during "the Troubles".
One hears, however, that Paddy Walsh's regime, when he was President of St Malachy's College, Belfast, (1970 - 1983) was marked by a uniquely violent brutality and mental cruelty towards the boys.
This, one hears, is well-known and attested to by many who endured the sufferings inflicted by Walsh and his fellow perpetrators. I have met with many survivors of St Malachy's College over the last 40 odd years.
Walsh, one hears, was merciless, vicious, violent, scathingly sarcastic, withering in the humiliation and ridicule he spewed forth, from his toxic mouth, into the petrified faces of children and teenagers.
One hears he had a tongue like a machete and very free with his hands. Walsh, obviously, given the anger and dislike against him, is reaping all that he has sown.
And that is between him and God. God alone will have to deal with him on that issue. And, yes, God is merciful. And we all need God's forgiveness at the end of the road.
But the likes of Walsh should be worried and concerned to prepare for their judgement on what they did to those held in their power.
One hears, St Malachy's was a vicious place under Walsh. Let him go deal with it. It appears he wasn't so "shy" when he had a free hand for tormenting, beating, humiliating and bullying, young children and teenagers.
I have encountered many people who went to various schools - Catholic and otherwise - during "the Troubles".
And while some report physical abuse at some level - NONE register the same anger and outrage as those who suffered such violence and cruelty under Walsh and his cronies, during their "nightmare" years at St. Malachy's.
Obviously, this poison spilled over into his so-called "episcopal ministry", for "a leopard cannot change its spots".
It is a cause of rejoicing, for most of the priests, religious and laity of Down and Connor, that Paddy Walsh is no longer the bishop and will soon become a dark and unhappy episode in our Ecclesiastical History.
Brighter days are ahead. Moladh go deo le Dia! (Comment this)