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BBC West Midlands
Blogged by James Preece on 30th June 2010
A couple of days ago I was contacted by a fellow from BBC West Midlands Radio who wanted to know if I would be willing to give the story on why the Birmingham 3 have been sent away.
This morning I appeared opposite Jack Valero who gave the usual nonsense about it being an internal matter - you know, because Catholic parishes are just like McDonalds and the way they treat their "staff" is not your concern.
Then there's this thing about the three needing time "to recover" - that's a new one.
Recover from what?
The simple fact is that if these three men have been sent away over internal disputes, seven weeks should be more than enough time to sort things out and the excuse is wearing thin.
Still, I'm pretty sure I heard Jack say that this is not permanent and the three will be coming back. That's good news - unless it's a lie.
Of course, he didn't say when.
You can listen to it on iPlayer here until 7th June. My part begins at 1hr 35min ish.
Reader Comments
+3
Richard Reeves said...
This was a perfect opportunity for Jack Valero to come clean as to what really happened at the Birmingham Oratory prior to the papal visit. Instead he pushed the usual and unconvincing "internal affairs" line. We still don't know where Fr Paul Chavasse is. If as The Times article The Oratory Fathers believe him to be innocent of any improper conduct with a young man, then why isn't he back with his community? I fear that this will explode during the papal visit, and embarrass the Holy Father. What are the press going to write about on the day Pope Benedict beatifies Cardinal Newman -the beatification ceremony or a potential scandal at the community he founded? I know which story would sell more papers.
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-1
Clare said...
that's all I have to say about that.
Let the "boo's" commence...
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+8
catholic mum said...
Clare, sorry to be a bit dense, but I don't understand what part of your quote is particularly apposite here.
I feels that the way Fr Fenlon and others are being treated, is like the action of a police state.
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+10
Birmingham Oratory parishioner. said...
I think the part of Clare's post that is particularly apposite is "Love ... rejoices in the truth".
Well done James for defending the reputation of the Birmingham 3 against Jack Valero's dishonest reference to internal difficulties. He knows full well that this is a travesty of the truth.
I hope that Father Felix Seldon, Father Ignatius Harrison, Archbishop Vincent Nicholls and all of them will now realise that there is going to be no nice rose-tinted coverage of the Papal visit as long as these three men are kept apart from Cardinal Newman's Oratory. Unrest is growing and this will not simply go away. With the Pope now set on visiting the Birmingham Oratory the spotlight of media interest will be trained directly on to it. We people love our good priests who are prepared to stick their necks out to defend our families and will not give up on them.
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+5
Frank said...
Having been away for some days I have only just read the post and comments of some 9 or so days ago on the sad and worrying topic of the three rusticated from B'ham Oratory. I have just posted my comment on that thread. It read as follows:
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I can understand the indignant reaction to Bernard’s post, and indeed at first I also thought his tone and content were unacceptable; his words seem to imply that he has knowledge which is not available to all and that the “facts” reveal a problem for which the trio – (or quartet?) – are primarily responsible.
I note that he has made clear that he was not accusing anyone of serious wrongdoing, nor of sinful actions. It is of course still possible that it may be better for the Birmingham community to have a time of reflection.
Judging by the rustication of these three individuals in three different places, it seems that whoever made the ruling decided it would be to their benefit for the trio not to be regularly interacting with each other, as they would be in community. That they may have the chance to reflect and pray away from the “locus” of the “situation.”
In the main the secular press has not made a story out of this circumstance. We all know that the press will snatch at and magnify any hint of an embarrassing story. In those circumstances, surely it is best for those in the know to say as little as possible. Suppose the “problem” concerns two very different viewpoints within the community, a difference of outlook that has lasted quite some time and has in some measure soured internal relationships. Maybe it has been discerned that a temporary separation may ease the difference, or, alternatively bring it to a more serious conclusion. Remember that a religious community has a dynamic that is never totally expressed by their work, their loyalties and their theological preferences. This matter may be due to a straightforward gulf between personalities – these differences occur in community as elsewhere.
The Newman connection and the involvement with the Papal visit have made the Birmingham Oratory a matter of interest at this time to a wider public than usual, and the peculiar rows about Newman’s sexuality feed the lascivious. That is deeply unfortunate. However, I do see relevance of the suggestion by Oratory parishioners that if the trio (?quartet) are not allowed to be present when the Holy Father visits the Oratory, it will be a very cruel deprivation for these men who are still community members.
I have no knowledge of the Oratory community and no connection with it. I write as someone with experience of community life and to say that upon careful reflection, Bernard may have a point.
All who are concerned need to pray very earnestly.
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+5
Hestor said...
Well done for taking on the slick Jack Valero. I don't trust the man as far as I can throw a grand piano. The man should stick to proselytising for Opus Dei.
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+9
birkenstock said...
I've just listened to the link. The arrogance of Jack Valero that this would not be a story were it not for the beatification is making me spit. Regular readers of James's blog will know that John Smeaton has also covered the case of the Oratory three. What is the 'Catholic Church', as represented by Jack Valero, proposing? A front row seat for Cherie at the beatification, perhaps?
James, you were clear, concise and honest. More than can be said for Mr Valero.
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+7
policraticus said...
Fact -
'THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG.' Oratory spokesman to the Tablet [aka Valero part-time media man for Church on the Beatification]
Fact
being sent on 'indefinite retreat' or what is known/referred to among canon lawyers as a punitive measure, even if it's purveyed as a 'medicinal' remedy for a soul is surely not for one who is commanded without notice to go on and has not freely chosen said 'indefinite retreat.' And since the Church teaches that penal sanctions in an ecclesial context have essentially a three-fold aim: "repair the scandal, restore justice, reform the offender." [language which sounds awfully similar to Mr Valero's comments in the interview that these men must have time away 'to calm down' and sort of well....be chastised and come to their senses..??]
Readers may find the recent seminar in the US on canon law and sanctions helpful
http://www.zenit.org/article-29622?l=english
"THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG"
A canon lawyer,[see zenit article] Fr. Beal gave an overview of the possibilities of punishment for addressing the crime of sexual abuse by members of the clergy: "These measures are: medicinal penalties or censures, expiatory penalties, [...] and penal remedies. There are also two non-penal strategies which may be useful in addressing the issue." The first of these, medicinal penalties, are "deprivations of spiritual goods," (could this include deprivation of the company of your brothers in religion?) privations which are theoretically temporary, (so not "indefinite")and whose "primary aim is to impress upon the offender the seriousness of his crime and thereby prompt him to repent and reform," he said.
Another suspension, is a punishment that can only affect members of the clergy. Depending on circumstances and degrees, it prohibits the clergy from "some or all acts of the power of orders" and the "power of governance," (such as performing the sacraments or administering Church property),[or perhaps being suspended from managing an archive of a great theologian? or being able to publish articles or reflections on said theologian or Church issues?] or from "some or all rights or functions attached to their offices" (such as witnessing marriage.)(or being able to concelebrate at the Mass of Beatification of your holy founder and witness in person the papal visit to your religious community??)
"THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG"
Abusers can also be punished continued Fr. Beal, with expiatory penalties, which are: a prohibition from living in a particular place or an order to live in a specific place *(Father Beal compared it to house arrest); a deprivation of a power, office, function, right, privilege, faculty, favor, title or insignia (these deprivations have a wide range, including prohibition to preach or hear confessions,**
* being sent to monasteries not of their choosing sounds very similar to such a penalty
** Of the two priests involved Fr Fenlon was known for his long queues outside his confessional. Given the Cure of Ars as the model in this recent Year of the Priest - such a deprivation to hear confessions seems a travesty of justice.
"THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG"
According to the seminar on canon law the pontifical secret, is not about keeping things a secret, but to ensure that testimony is not polluted by interaction among witnesses and that even in civil legal proceedings, a similar demand of "secrecy" is made.
So the obligation to keep silent with one another and others [with the equal force of a pontifical secret i.e presumably under pain of a worse sanction] is for what?? when "THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG"
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+4
Anne said...
All work and no understanding makes Jack a very dumb boy - of course he is a very well paid dumb boy - a Career catholic!!
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