Bishop in training
In today's Irish Times, Patsy McGarry named the next bishop of Ireland's second-largest Catholic diocese as Monsignor Noel Treanor (54), a Clogher priest currently heading the church's lobby group in the European Union. His official title in that capacity is Secretary General of COMECE (Commissio Episcopatuum Communitatis Europensis), the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community.
There has been no official confirmation of the successor to Bishop Patrick Walsh of Down and Connor, but Patsy's story is based on a well-placed source. This news follows John Cooney's report in Saturday's Irish Independent that the bookmakers Paddy Power have suspended betting on the appointment following a curious flurry of bets on Thursday. In the space of four hours, no less than 67 bets were placed on Monsignor Treanor as the next bishop of Down and Connor. According to John, some "church-watchers ... suspect the unthinkable -- that a priests' syndicate was banking on ecclesiastical insider knowledge."
It is expected that the Vatican will make an official announcement of the appointment at Easter.
Comments
Here鈥檚 some food for thought for any Roman Catholic Priest or Protestant Minister who has the tendency for a flutter.
The Bible says nothing about gambling, but that doesn鈥檛 mean that it is O.K. to gamble, but it does violates biblical principles, covetousness greed and stealing, there may be those who argue it is by mutual consent but that does not absolve the argument of stealing because your neighbour loses winning in gambling is the equivalent to stealing, it is sinful to create wealth without working for it, the spirit of Christianity is to work for wealth and to give to those in need (Christian charity) there are four righteous biblical principles to gain wealth.
鈥 Inheritance Hebrews 11 v 8
鈥 Labour Ephesians 4 v 28
鈥 Charity Acts 4 v 35
鈥 Investment , buying and selling Luke 22 v 36
For every winner there are more losers, winning at the expense of others should be avoided in all forms as it causes suffering in some shape or form, to gamble is to live by chance as it negates the divine providence of GOD, GOD is sovereign and controls all even the shake of dice, Proverbs 16 v 33 but that doesn鈥檛 mean that we have to test GOD, for to test GOD is sin, Jesus said unto him,(the Devil) It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matthew 4 v 7
When government sponsors gambling it goes against the biblical principles of government because it works against the poor and needy the vulnerable of society whom government should be directly helping not by putting spin on lotteries by saying we are helping good causes because this argument doesn鈥檛 morally legitimize gambling, gambling is economic fraud and is a dishonest way to seek wealth.
In America the equivalent of $4000 is spent on gambling for every man woman and child is this not obscene why should the poor give their income to the rich. Leviticus 28 v 22
There are three interesting aspects to this story. Firstly Mgr Treanor himself as candidate for bishop. I don't know him but people tell me he is a good guy and could be a good choice (and potential future candidate for Armagh to boot). We'll see. At least good to move away from the series of education bishops.
Then the leak - this can only have come from the nunciature or from another bishop but who is there to investigate the matter. I'm sure Rome is annoyed but what can they do?
And the gambling. The previous commentator was quite convincing on gambling in general, but leaving that aside, using insider informatio to defraud a bookmaker sounds like a crime to me. I wonder is Paddy Powers going to take this further.
Oh, and by the way, if the story is true and he is to be the bishop, congratulations to all those involved in the Stop Donal Campaign, the ecclesiastical equivalent of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. And congratulations to the internet in general for making it possible to have some open debate and information sharing about candidates. The days of the discreet terna from the nuncio are over.
In your interview (Sunday 24 Feb) with the new Bishop you asked for reasons why the figures for those applying for ordination are at an all time low. How come William, you failed to mention just the small, minor issue of the of the complete disillusionment of practically the entire Catholic people with, not only the sex acts against children by the clergy, but also the complete refusal of the Church to really and faithfully come to terms with it. The Bishops failure to address the issue shows that the church is still in denial and thus has lost all credibility. You similarly, in not raising the issue have lost a certain amount of objective credibility in my opinion. I have admired your openness and honesty on many subjects over the past, and while not always agreeing with you I respected your views as they made me think. I'm afraid you have done little for your reputation as a journalist, thinker and Christian by this failure.
Smasher you say that you used a google image search, using the words 'RUC catholic church' and that is where you found the photograph you used. I conducted a number of 鈥済oogle image searches鈥 using those words and cannot find that photograph (even tried google.ie, as you claim to be from the south. Still wasn鈥檛 there!). Did do a "google image search" using the individual's name and surprise, surprise there it was. I think you used his image purposely and fully cognisant of how it would be perceived.
If, and its a big "if", you were not suggesting that the individual concerned was the source of the leak, then state it now and remove the image!
Would you agree that it is entirely possible that the source of the leak may be someone not in the nunciture, a bishop or someone working for them?
Andy - of course the internet does change you know from time to time. When I used the google image search for RUC catholic church, that photo was, I think, the fourth photo to appear and the only one with a picture of a policeman.
Oh, I see - you think I meant the other person who appeared in the photo. who is he? - I presumed he was just some generic actor/priest.
What do you mean I "claim to be from the south"? Do you think I don't know where I live?
I have no idea where the leak came from. It could simply have been a luckly guess based on delay appointing a bishop and presumption it would be outsider. Otherwise it had to start in Rome but after that it could have branched in several directions.
Reference to Ian Paisley Jnr was meant to be humorous - not suggesting he was involved in any way.
I think the business of leaking information about the new bishop and the subsequent Paddy Powers debacle is shameful - demeaning of both episcopate and priesthood.
I cannot believe, however, that it was anyone in the Apostolic Nunciature - or, for that matter, any Irish bishop - who leaked this important information before it was due to be properly presented in the public forum.
It was, more than likely, a priest with access to privileged information and who - as the saying goes - "cannot hold his own water".
Whoever it is - he is, at best, silly, immature and gravely lacking in sound judgement - or, at worst, he is devious and intent upon making mischief.
I hope they find whoever was responsible for this embarrassing episode which has marred an otherwise joyous occasion - a new bishop - at long last - for Down and Connor.