Free the B3: Justice for Fr. Dermot Fenlon

Frather Gregory Winterton +

2012-01-22T21:42:00.000Z

FATHER GREGORY WINTERTON +
(link)

Fr Gregory died peacefully at St Joseph’s Home, Harborne, on Wednesday January 18th. He was 89 years old, and had been a member of the Oratory Community for nearly fifty one years and a priest for nearly forty nine years.

According to a very old custom, no sermon or panegyric is given at the Requiem Mass of a Father of the Oratory, so we take this opportunity to record a few facts and memories of Father Gregory.

Cecil John Winterton—he took the name Gregory on coming to the Oratory—was born in Brighton, Sussex on July 9th 1922, the oldest son of the future Major-General Sir John Winterton and his wife Helen, née Shepherd-Cross. He was at school at Selwyn House, Broadstairs (1932-35) and Wellington College, Berks (1935-40). Leaving school in the early days of the Second World War, he was commissioned into the Royal Artillery and saw service in North Africa, Italy and Palestine. He acted as his father’s ADC when General Winterton was Allied Commander-in-Chief in Austria, and Military Governor of the Anglo-American Zone in Trieste. In 1946 John Winterton went to St Catherine’s College, Cambridge, where he read theology. During his time in Italy he had visited the Shrine of St Francis of Assisi and there discovered his vocation to the ministry. Accepted for training by the Bishop of London, he studied for ordination at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, and was ordained an Anglican priest in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, in September 1951. He served as a curate in Northolt, and in 1954 came to Wolverhampton as priest-in-charge of St George’s Church. However, he resigned on January 1st 1955 and was received into the Catholic Church on Maundy Thursday that year. In his early days as a Catholic, John Winterton first visited the Oratory, but it was not until 1961, when he had already been a student for the Archdiocese of Birmingham for five years, that he joined the Oratory Congregation. Fr Gregory was ordained priest in our church on March 9th 1963.

In his early years as a priest, Fr Gregory taught in our Grammar School, St Philip’s, and many still fondly remember him from those years as “Pop G”. Later on he served as a Governor of the School and its successor, the Sixth Form College. He was also a Governor of the Oratory School near Reading, originally founded by Blessed John Henry Newman in 1859. He served as Provost of the Oratory from 1971 until 1992 apart from six months in 1977, when Fr Geoffrey Wamsley occupied the position until his sudden death in July that year.

There are two areas of his life at the Oratory for which Fr Gregory will be long remembered: Firstly, for his work as Parish Priest. For many years Fr Gregory was a familiar figure riding his old bicycle through the streets of Ladywood and Edgbaston. When poor eyesight meant he could no longer use his bicycle, his fast, military style of walking became equally familiar. He was assiduous in visiting the sick and housebound; spent long hours in his confessional; prepared engaged countless couples for marriage and converts for reception into the Church. He loved (like St Philip) the youth, and was a keen supporter and Chaplain of the Legion of Mary. Until well into old age he was a regular pilgrim to Lourdes and attended Oratorian reunions in Rome, Spain and Mexico. His acts of kindness and generosity (often of a financial nature!) were both legion and legendary.

The second great area of his work concerned the Cause for Cardinal Newman’s canonisation. Opened in 1958, the Cause had not made much progess apart from the publication, at regular intervals, of Newman’s vast ‘Letters and Diaries’.

In 1973, Pope Paul VI enquired whether it would be possible to beatify Newman during the course of the 1975 Holy Year. Of course things were nowhere near ready but, galvanised by Papal interest, Fr Gregory devoted increasing amounts of time to furthering the matter. Founding ‘The Friends of Cardinal Newman’ in 1976, giving talks and lectures to deepen knowledge and love of the Cardinal, producing pamphlets and prayerbooks, his work proved successful and interest grew year by year. Combined with the work of Fr Vincent Blehl as Postulator, significant developments occurred, a particular milestone being the Declaration by Pope John Paul II of Newman’s heroic virtues in 1991. After that another eighteen years elapsed before Cardinal Newman’s beatification at the unforgettable Mass at Cofton Park on September 19th 2010. The moment when Fr Gregory was presented to Pope Benedict XVI and, later that same day, when they met at the Oratory House, provided unforgettable pictures: two men in their eighties—one (the Pope) a devoted student of Newman, the other (Fr Gregory) the tireless advocate of Newman’s holiness. It was the culmination of half a life-time’s hard work for Fr Gregory.
At the end of his long life, dedicated to God as a faithful priest and son of St Philip, we pray for Fr Gregory in the words of the Church’s liturgy: “Lord, you gave Gregory, Your servant and priest, the privilege of a holy ministry in this world. May he rejoice for ever in the glory of Your Kingdom, through Christ Our Lord. Amen”

Fr Gregory Winterton, rest in peace

2012-01-19T19:36:00.000Z

Of Your Charity, pray for the repose of the Soul of Fr Gregory Winterton,
priest of the Birmingham Oratory who died on the morning of 18th January

(link)

Fr Dermot Fenlon's 70th Birthday

2011-12-04T09:14:00.000Z

Today is Fr Dermot Fenlon's 70th birthday.

It is also the 570th day since he was sent away from his home at the Birmingham Oratory.

Fr Dermot, wherever you are we wish you a very happy 70th birthday.
Please be assured of our prayers.

Blogs promoting Pushkin

2011-11-29T22:48:00.000Z

(and keeping schtum on the B3 issue)

The Hermeneutic of Continuity (link) - 26.11.2011

Fr Ray Blake's Blog (link) - 24.11.2011

Mulier Fortis (link) - 18.11.2011

Enough to make one vomit

2011-11-29T20:06:00.000Z

Catholic Paterfamilias blog - 28.11.2011
(link)

The Free the B3: Justice for Fr. Dermot Fenlon blog has picked up on this YouTube clip about the launch of a book about a cat.

The video clip that I link to above is nauseating in itself. Placing it in the context of the wrongful and unjust exclaustration of Fr Dermot Fenlon from the Birmingham Oratory and his being homeless as he approaches his 70th birthday really is enough to make one vomit.

But, I'm missing the Nuchurch agenda - three pesky Oratorians who said things about Church teaching that were rocking the bad ship Nuchurch got booted. I would love to have sat in on the meeting that decided "So what if one of them is homeless and soon to be 70 - no one will remember that if we can get a book out about a cat..."

Oh, but we will remember and I think that history will show the Birmingham Oratory to be seriously diminished in the eyes of many in consequence.

Pushkin the cat

2011-11-27T21:36:00.000Z

Cat or Monk, you decide...

2011-11-27T20:54:00.000Z

... the Birmingham Oratory did!

Diversionary tactic, smokescreen, sidetrack maneuver, call it what you will.

2011-11-25T19:02:00.000Z

Pushkin the Pontifical Puss: Tails of an Oratory Cat
St Paul's Publishing

(link)

"PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
When Pope Benedict XVI visited the United Kingdom in 2010 many historic and significant events took place. The head of the Catholic Church was personally welcomed to the United Kingdom by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England; thousands of young people gathered with Pope Benedict in Hyde Park, London to celebrate a prayer vigil; for the first time in history on English soil, the Holy Father declared an Englishman Beatus (Blessed) - John Henry Cardinal Newman. However, for one resident of the city of Birmingham these events were nothing compared with the honour he bestowed upon the Holy Father.

In the Oratory in Birmingham, the former home of Blessed John Henry Newman, lives Pushkin, the Oratory Cat. But Pushkin is no ordinary cat. He is one of many felines who have played an important part in momentous events in history, not only in England, but worldwide.

Pushkin: The Pontifical Puss gives an insight into the life of this extraordinary cat. It details his early life, time spent in Fenton, his encounter with HRH Princess Michael of Kent (in Pushkin's own words, She-who-wears-diamonds) and Pope Benedict (He-who-wears-white).

With the assistance of his Human (Fr Anton Guziel), and illustrations supplied by the Carmelite nuns of the Carmel of the Magnifi-cat, Wolverhampton, Pushkin is delighted to make available his autobiography."

NB: Fellow Oratorians Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry were not allowed to meet Pope Benedict XVI or to attend the beatification of their founder, Blessed John Henry Newman, in October 2011

Heresy and Obedience in Tridentine Italy

2011-11-24T19:38:00.000Z

In the spring of 1972 the layman Dermot Fenlon wrote these moving and humble acknowledgements in the preface to his book HERESY AND OBEDIENCE IN TRIDENTINE ITALY:

“To have finished a book is to be aware of debts and a certain measure of defeat. The debts are easier to recount. (…) There are friends whom I can never adequately thank: my supervisor, whose encouragement and guidance, cautions, queries and corrections, combined with monumental patience and humour, supported me, against the odds, through an education in research, and much more than research; his wife, who generally took my side when it counted; my friends (...) who helped and sustained me, through good and bad times, more than they will ever realise (…)
One’s defeats, like one’s debts, are entirely personal. (…) … but as my mother remarked when I explained the problem, Pole was a man who encountered many disappointments in his own lifetime, and he is unlikely to be much bothered by anything that can happen now.” (Cambridge, 24 March 1972, Eve of the Annunciation, Dermot Fenlon)

Pushkin: the Pontifical Puss

2011-11-13T11:58:00.001Z

St Pauls Publishing (link)

Dr Who at the Birmingham Oratory

2011-10-18T11:56:00.000+01:00

Catholic and Loving It blog - 18.10.2011
(link)

I don't know if you watch Doctor Who but the latest series included a human sized robot filled with tiny people. The robot had the ability to kill an individual and then take on it's form so that people would think they were speaking with the deceased when in reality they were speaking only with a robot imposter.

You may think there is a Birmingham Oratory, you may have been there and seen the buildings, read the newsletter and even had a cup of tea after Mass. What you actually saw was a lot like the robot from Doctor Who. The appearance of the Birmingham Oratory is there, but the Oratory community is gone.

The Birmingham Oratory community has been torn up and spread (literally) to the far corners of the earth. What remains are buildings and a few fragments of what once was, all held up on artificial limbs to look like it is still alive - it is not. Do not confuse the buildings with the community.

What remains is a puppet manipulated from afar by cynical politician Bishops, hell bent on bringing the legacy of Cardinal Newman under their control and silencing the dangerously outspoken Oratorians. Oratorians who once forced Clare Short to abandon her speaking gig at a local primary school, who criticised Tony Blair in the national press...

Are you blind? The press releases are coming from Eccleston Square! Yes, that would be Eccleston We're not really keen on an 'archbishop versus the politicians' headline' Square!

The same Eccleston Square that was paying Jack Valero to "act" as spokesman!

But it's okay, you keep blaming Fr Guy Nicholls - I'm sure he arranged everything.

We ask, "is the Birmingham Oratory downsizing?"

2011-10-18T11:37:00.000+01:00

From Birmingham Oratory newsletter - 16.10.2011
(link)

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO MASS TIMES: Please note that the 5.45 p.m. Mass from Monday to Thursday will be suspended for the time-being. October Devotions will be at 5.45 p.m. Those of you who attend these devotions will be able to receive Holy Communion after Benediction. Friday’s timetable remains unaltered. On Saturday, there will no longer be a Mass at 8 a.m. The EF Mass will be at 9 a.m. (instead of 9.30) and the readings will be in English.

Red Herrings at the Birmingham Oratory

2011-10-04T19:56:00.000+01:00

Catholic and Loving it! blog - James Preece - 4.10.2011
(link)

I'm not a huge fan of TV soap operas and it's been a long time since I saw any. My sister used to be big in to soaps so I used to see bits of them in the background but since I got married I'm pleased to say I'm completely out of touch.

However, judging by some of the emails I've been getting (and some of the comments on this blog) quite a few people seem to be under the impression that I have been getting my soap opera fix from the Birmingham Oratory. They seem to think I care about who said what to who, why it is that so-and-so has never got on with so-and-so, who may or may not have driven who to a nervous breakdown and so on.

Let me spell it out for you: I'm not interested.

This is not about the internal politics of the Birmingham Oratory. It has never been about the internal politics of the Birmingham Oratory! Do you think I am stupid? Do you really think I would get involved in the internal politics of a religious community from 200 miles away based on hearsay over the internet? I wouldn't even get involved in the internal politics of a religious community if I lived next door!

So why am I getting involved? Because the problems at the Birmingham Oratory are not internal...

For example: The lastest rumour from the Oratory is that everything is Fr Guy Nicholls fault... I know nothing about Fr Guy Nicholls so let me ask you: Did Fr Guy Nicholls pay Jack Valero to act as spokesman for the Oratory? No. Did Fr Guy Nicholls put Fr Duffield on a train and tell him to have his photo taken outside Eccleston Square?

I can't hear you... What's that? No?

Did Fr Guy Nicholls arrange the exclaustration of Fr Dermot Fenlon? No, that would require "either the direct approval of either the Holy See or the local bishop". Did Fr Guy Nicholls arrange for the recent press release on the new provost to come direct from the Catholic Bishop's Conference? No.

Fr Guy Nicholls is a red herring and the real culprits are getting away scott free.

500 days of exile

2011-09-25T18:55:00.000+01:00

But he has prayed 500 days
And he will pray 500 more
Only the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary can understand
Our Most Blessed Virgin Mary is taking Fr Dermot by her hand

But he has prayed 500 days
And he will pray 500 more
He’s been walking the way of the cross
It’s been Loss and Gain, Gain and Loss

But he has prayed 500 days
And he will pray 500 more
And we hope and we pray
That one day
he will kneel down at the Birmingham Oratory door…

500 Hail Marys for 500 days of exile

2011-09-23T14:46:00.000+01:00

Our Blessed Lady De Mercede by Fr. Francis Cuthbert Doyle, 1896

Salisbury John writes:
ON Sunday 25th September Fr Dermot Fenlon will have been living in forced exile from his home for 500 days! As Saturday 24th September is the Feast of Our Lady of Ransom may I suggest that from Saturday evening through to Sunday evening we offer up a spiritual bouquet for Fr Fenlon's health and intentions of at least 500 Hail Marys (which is only 10 x 5 mysteries of the Holy Rosary).

Please join us in praying the Rosary for Fr Fenlon, a good and faithful priest, so undeserving of the institutional violence meted out against him. Let's offer up 500 Hail Marys for truth and justice to prevail upon him and peace and charity to be FULLY restored to the Birmingham Oratory.

Elderly Canadian priest suspended for denouncing abortion, homosexual behaviour

2011-09-22T21:23:00.003+01:00

LifeSiteNews.com - Patrick B. Craine - 22.9.2011
(link)

Catholic aide claims gay men are to blame for paedophilia

2011-09-22T21:23:00.002+01:00

Pink News - V King Macdona - 29.5.2009
(link)

Brothers of the Birmingham Oratory

2011-09-21T19:30:00.001+01:00

From left to right: Fr Gareth Jones, Fr Gregory Winterton, Br Lewis Berry, Fr Philip Cleevely, Cardinal Foley, Fr Guy Nichols, Fr Anton Guziel, Fr Paul Chavasse, Fr Dermot Fenlon.

Birmingham Three Recap...

2011-09-21T11:24:00.000+01:00

Catholic and Loving it blog (link) 20.9.2011

I don't know how many of you are new to events at the Birmingham Oratory in the run up to the Papal visit but it's been a while and it might help if I run through it all again.

It was back in May 2010 that The Tablet first carried the news that three Oratorians had been told to “spend time in prayer for an indefinite period by Fr Felix Selden, an apostolic visitor to the Oratory Congregation”. If the Tablet had stopped there that might have been the end of it - such things are an internal matter and helps nobody to speculate on blogs.

Except in this case it wasn't an internal matter, it ceased to be an internal matter when the spokesman for the Birmingham Oratory picked up the phone to The Tablet and named names. However much he might bleat now about privacy, it was the Birmingham Oratory spokesman and not a blogger who made it a matter of pubic record that Fr Philip Cleevely, Fr Dermot Fenlon and Brother Lewis Berry had been “ordered to go on retreat” by Fr Felix Selden. This is the ecclesiastical equivalent of announcing that somebody has been permanently suspended from work - a very public stain on the reputation of these three men and one which they were entirely unable to defend themselves due to the gagging order placed on them by the Oratory.

As the weeks turned in to months some suggested that whatever the three had done to deserve their exile, it must have been pretty serious. Rumours of bullying and possible sexual misconduct began to surface. Friends of the three men were so distressed at the way in which their reputations were being “trashed” that they began to campaign publicly that the three were known to be good holy men a blog was started and an open letter was sent to Fr Felix Selden.

To suggest that these friends and wellwishers were guilty of gossip is outrageous. It was gossip and rumour that they were seeking to dispel.

It was about this time that BBC West Midlands became interested and Oratory spokesman Jack Valero was quick to play things down... “it's just a time away to cool down” he said “they can come back soon and we can continue as normal”. Only a few weeks later Jack had changed his tune telling Radio Ulster that the three “are going to come back at some point, we don't know, it's not going to be soon”. This is the sort of transparency most people would associate with a brick wall.

To their credit, the Oratory did defend the three men and Ruth Dudley Edwards reported that Jack Valero had “confirmed unequivocally that the Three are entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever”. Of course, this only begs the question – if they have done nothing wrong, why are they away? Why can they not come back? This soon became the central mystery of the Birmingham Three. Three men, declared innocent by an official spokesman for the Birmingham Oratory yet exiled from their home for months and looking increasingly likely to miss the beatification of their founder. Why had they been sent away in the first place?

More questions began to be asked, like why is the press officer for Opus Dei speaking for the Birmingham Oratory? Things did't get any less mysterious when it turned out that while Mr Valero is officially speaking for the Oratory he is actually being paid to do so by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and reports to Archbishop Nichol's press secretary. Yet more questions were raised about the role of the mysterious Fr Gareth/Sebastian Jones...

Pressure was mounting, blog entries about The Birmingham Three were getting hits from Rome, I had been on the Radio and Ruth Dudley Edwards was writing in Standpoint magazine and had even got the story on TV. The same questions were repeatedly asked: If the three have done nothing wrong, why can't they come home?

Something had to be done and something was, I can't say exactly how much pressure Brother Lewis Berry was under when he agreed to spend next year at an Oratory in South Africa but it's very hard imagine he did so of his own free will. The youngest of the three had the most to lose and with his ordination hanging in the balance the press release in his name had all the credibility of a forced confession. Fr Philip Cleevely issued a remarkably similar press release about how happy he is to be spending the next year in Toronto. It would not be long until the men who Jack Valero said would be “back soon” announced plans to remain abroad permanently.

Which leaves Fr Dermot Fenlon, the last of the three. There has been no press release from Fr Fenlon, no statement that he is happy about being sent away from his home of twenty years at a days notice despite being 68 years of age. So Fr Fenlon has been well and truly stamped on, according to a report in the Catholic Herald Fr Fenlon is being “forcibly exclaustrated” for a period of five years. In the article Simon Caldwell writes that “Under the Code of Canon Law, a priest cannot be exclaustrated for more than three years unless there is a “grave reason” yet Fr Fenlon has officially done nothing wrong. Such a prolonged period must have “either the direct approval of either the Holy See or the local bishop, who, in the case of Fr Fenlon, is Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham”.

And so the questions remain: If there has been no injustice, why not let the three speak to journalists and tell everbody how happy they are with the situation? If the three have done nothing wrong, why couldn't they be present for the beatification?

More than a year later - why is Fr Dermot Fenlon still in exile?

He's once, twice, three times an Oratorian?

2011-09-20T22:04:00.000+01:00

Catholic Paterfamilias blog (link) 20.9.2011

Recent news that Pushkin the cat has "written" a book would seem to pretty much sound the death knell for the Birmingham Oratory as a place of serious scholarship. What Cardinal Newman would have made of it I would not pretend to guess.

The further announcement today that Fr Gareth Jones is returning to the Birmingham Oratory as assistant to the new Provost is really just the icing on the cake. What's he hoping for? Third time lucky?

And yes, the title is a passing nod to a song title but I don't have the time or energy to parody the entire lyrics of that song to reflect the absurdity and brutal cruelty of what has happened over the past 16 months to Fr Dermot Fenlon.

Perhaps Peter Jennings will be having a special first day cover commemorative stamp set released by some far flung postal service to commemorate Fr Jones' return to the Oratorian fold? If that happens, I do hope we get another press release from Peter with a picture of Archbishop Vincent Nichols holding said first day cover. After all, the good Archbishop must be pleased by this turn of events.

Fr Ignatius Harrison to head the Birmingham Oratory; Fr Gareth Jones to be his Assistant

2011-09-20T19:56:00.000+01:00

An Honour and a Responsibility blog (link) 20.9.2011

The admirable Reluctant Sinner, whose blog I heartily recommend, has posted this news from Peter Jennings, press secretary to the Archbishop of Birmingham.

Interesting, in view of the Apostolic Visitation last year at the Birmingham Oratory. Fr Harrison was the second Visitor (Fr Felix Selden being the first) and Fr Jones the canonical adviser to the Visitation.

I have a funny feeling that it won’t be long before Catholic and Loving it, and others, have something to say on the matter.

Changes within the English Oratories: Fr Ignatius Harrison has been appointed Provost of the Birmingham Oratory

2011-09-20T19:52:00.000+01:00

A Reluctant Sinner (link) 20.9.2011

The Very Rev Ignatius Harrison CongOrat, who is currently the Provost of the London Oratory (more commonly known as the Brompton Oratory) was today also appointed Provost of the Birmingham Oratory. This appointmentby the Holy See follows the sudden resignation of the Very Rev Richard Duffield CongOrat. This information was released in an email by the Catholic Communications Network, though is yet to appear on the Bishops' Conference website's media page.

According to the press release, Fr Duffield resigned for reasons of ill-health, at his own request. Though, especially in light of the recent events at the Birmingham Oratory, in which the community seems to have suffered from internal disagreements, many will wonder whether there is more to this story than meets the eye.

Peter Jennings, Press Secretary to the Archbishop of Birmingham, reports that "Fr Gareth Jones, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cardiff, a former novice at the Birmingham Oratory, has been appointed as Assistant to Fr Harrison."

It was also announced today that Fr Ignatius Harrison will be the new Actor and Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Blessed John Henry Newman, who was beatified just over a year ago on 19 September 2010.

No details have been released as to whether or not Fr Harrison will now leave his position at the London Oratory, or whether there are plans to replace him there.

Please keep both Fr Harrison and Fr Duffield, as well as the London and Birmingham Oratories in your prayers.

New Provost Appointed at the Birmingham Oratory

2011-09-20T16:41:00.000+01:00

Peter Jennings (link) 20.9.2011

The following press release was issued by the Catholic Communications office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, on Tuesday 20 September 2011:

“Fr Ignatius Harrison has been appointed Provost of the Birmingham Oratory by the Holy See, following the resignation of Fr Richard Duffield.

Fr Duffield has resigned for reasons of ill-health, at his own request.

Fr Harrison will also be actor and vice-postulator for the cause of Cardinal Newman, who was beatified in 2010.”

End of release.

"Fr Ignatius Harrison is at present also Provost of the Brompton Oratory in London.

Fr Gareth Jones, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cardiff, a former novice at the Birmingham Oratory, has been appointed as Assistant to Fr Harrison.

Thoughts and comments about these appointments most welcome."

News from the Birmingham Oratory

2011-09-19T20:43:00.000+01:00

Birmingham Oratory Newsletter (link) 18.9.2011

“PUSHKIN THE PONTIFICAL CAT” has written a book of his life
story (one of the chief incidents being his meeting with Pope Benedict
at the Oratory). He hopes that this will be available in November. All
proceeds will go towards urgent restoration work on the interior of our
church and to the Carmelite nuns at Wolverhampton who are illustrating
the book. It will make a wonderful Christmas gift for all.

A little bit more of the jigsaw - or should I say stamp collection?

2011-08-23T22:45:00.000+01:00

Catholic Paterfamilias - 21.8.2011
http://catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/2011/08/little-bit-more-of-jigsaw-or-should-i.html

Over on James Preece's blog things seem to have got a bit warm with Peter Jennings getting very excited about some photos.

A few interesting facts about Mr Jennings:

No public event of any note seems to take place without Peter getting a set of commemorative stamps issued somewhere in the world with endorsement from some bishop or another;
He likes to make his feelings about people very clear;
He's one of Vincent Nichols' boys; and
He was Press Secretary for the Newman Cause.
So, there we have it: an occasionally potty mouthed philatelist press secretary with a predilection for serving prelates.

Now I wonder what Peter knew about what was happening at the Birmingham Oratory when the troubles there began all those months ago and I wonder who he told?

Everybody welcome in Birmingham except Fr Dermot Fenlon

2011-08-17T21:44:00.001+01:00

www.lovingit.co.uk - James Preece on 17.8.2011

Everybody is welcome at the Birmingham Rally for Peace. Everybody that is, except for Fr Dermot Fenlon. Women dressed as Bishops: Welcome. Fr Dermot Fenlon: Not Welcome.

Peter Jennings writes ...

"Under the banner “United Birmingham – One City – One Voice for Peace” the Peace Rally, held in Summerfield Park on Sunday 14 August, brought together people from every faith along with civic and political leaders supported by the Emergency Services whose members come from the families of our multi-cultural community – all citizens of our great City of Birmingham.
...

Having listened to the various addresses made by the speakers, there were recurring and common themes: respect for life and the dignity of everyone created by God; love and care of neighbour; forgiveness and compassion; tolerance and humility; justice and peace. A Creed for us all!"
[Link]

Forgivenes? Compassion? Tolerance? Are those the virtues of a community where a man "entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever" can find himself evicted from his home for over a year?

Source image credit: Peter Jennings

At the end of the peace rally this prayer was said...

Muslims, Christians and Jews remember, and profoundly affirm,
that they are followers of the one God
Children of Abraham and brothers and sisters.
Enemies begin to speak to one another;
those who were estranged join hands in friendship;
communities seek the way of peace together.

[link]
Source image credit: Peter Jennings

I wonder, did Fr Duffield pray that prayer?

Did he mean it?

Brother Lewis in South Africa for good...

2011-07-22T11:14:00.000+01:00

Catholic and Loving it! blog - James Preece - 22.7.2011
www.http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/07/brother-lewis-in-south-africa-for-good.html#comments

Fr Richard Duffield (the monkey, not the organ grinder) writes...

From Fr Richard: - A few weeks ago, Br Lewis requested a formal transfer to the Oratory of Port Elizabeth in South Africa where he has been living since last September. Both communities have now agreed to this. He has asked us to print the message below in the Parish Bulletin:

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to write a few words to you, the parishioners of the Oratory in Birmingham, to explain that I have requested to transfer to the Oratory of Port Elizabeth, in South Africa, where I have been living now for nearly ten months. I am very happy here, and I feel so much drawn to the particular work and life of this community that I want to remain here permanently. I thank the Birmingham Oratory community for the support they have given me in this decision. I am also grateful to the Apostolic Visitor, Father Felix Selden, both for the kindness that he has shown me and for the generosity of his decisions in my regard. I am deeply mindful of the many blessings I received whilst at Birmingham. I am now looking forward to a new future, and I ask you to support me in this with your prayers. If anyone wants to write to me I would be happy to hear from you!”

I would like to add that although the community here in Birmingham is sorry to lose Br Lewis we are pleased that he has found renewed enthusiasm for the Oratorian vocation as it is lived in a house with which we have a long-standing friendship and which some of us know well. We thank Br Lewis for his contributions to the life of this house, especially his work for the Cause of Blessed John Henry Newman; and we thank also the Fathers of the Port Elizabeth Oratory for their continued generosity and for the renewed inspiration they have given to Br Lewis. His address is: Oratory of St Philip Neri 8th Avenue PO Box 5012 Walmer 6065 Republic of South Africa

Evict somebody from their home for doing nothing wrong, force them to miss the beatification they worked so hard for, send them halfway around the world and leave them there for ten months.

What's that? He'd rather not come home?

Is anybody suprised?

A message from Fr Richard Duffield concerning Br Lewis Berry

2011-07-17T21:55:00.000+01:00

Takem from newsletter of the Birmingham Oratory - 17.7.2011

From Fr Richard: - A few weeks ago, Br Lewis requested a formal transfer
to the Oratory of Port Elizabeth in South Africa where he has been
living since last September. Both communities have now agreed to this.
He has asked us to print the message below in the Parish Bulletin:

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to write a few words to you, the
parishioners of the Oratory in Birmingham, to explain that I have
requested to transfer to the Oratory of Port Elizabeth, in South Africa,
where I have been living now for nearly ten months. I am very
happy here, and I feel so much drawn to the particular work and
life of this community that I want to remain here permanently. I
thank the Birmingham Oratory community for the support they
have given me in this decision. I am also grateful to the Apostolic
Visitor, Father Felix Selden, both for the kindness that he has shown
me and for the generosity of his decisions in my regard. I am deeply
mindful of the many blessings I received whilst at Birmingham. I am
now looking forward to a new future, and I ask you to support me in
this with your prayers. If anyone wants to write to me I would be
happy to hear from you!”

I would like to add that although the community here in
Birmingham is sorry to lose Br Lewis we are pleased that he has
found renewed enthusiasm for the Oratorian vocation as it is lived
in a house with which we have a long-standing friendship and
which some of us know well. We thank Br Lewis for his
contributions to the life of this house, especially his work for the
Cause of Blessed John Henry Newman; and we thank also the
Fathers of the Port Elizabeth Oratory for their continued generosity
and for the renewed inspiration they have given to Br Lewis.
His address is: Oratory of St Philip Neri 8th Avenue PO Box 5012
Walmer 6065 Republic of South Africa

What do Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Britney Spears have in common?

2011-07-16T11:05:00.005+01:00

Catholic Paterfamilias blog - 15.7.2011
www.catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com

Well, first our man in purple did his "who knows what's down the road" routine and now he's topped it off by allowing Quest to use one of his gaffs for a get together.

What's that got to do with Britney Spears? Well, I just can't get this song title out of my mind when thinking of the good Archbishop.

Other news:

On a Nuchurch Deathstar, far far away in galaxy about which I know little I have heard that one of Lord Vader's trusty lieutenants has a weighty tome entitled "The case against Obi-Wan Kenobi."

May the Nuchurch farce not cause you to lose your sense of humour.....

The Spiritual Journey of Cardinal Newman

2011-07-03T22:05:00.000+01:00

Fr Corapi joins Fr Fenlon in exile

2011-06-19T20:39:00.003+01:00

CF News - 19.6.2011
www.cfnews.org.uk

Four hundred days of exile...

2011-06-18T15:18:00.000+01:00

Catholic & Loving it! blog - James Preece - 17.6.2011
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/06/four-hundred-days-of-exile.html#comments

Fr Dermot Fenlon has now been exiled from his home in Birmingham for four hundred days.

It's okay though, because he's an old man, so it doesn't matter.

When clerical power authority is used to abuse children sexually we have "safeguarding", but when it is abused to evict an old man from his home we have nothing.

"Today is the feast of St Philip Neri"

2011-05-27T20:53:00.000+01:00

Catholic Family News - 26.5.2011
http://www.cfnews.org.uk/

SAINT PHILIP ROMOLO NERI, also known as Apostle of Rome, was an Italian priest, noted for founding the 'Congregation of the Oratory'.
He was born in Florence, the youngest child of Francesco, a lawyer, and his wife Lucrezia da Mosciano, whose family were nobility in the service of the state. Neri was carefully brought up, and received his early teaching from the friars at San Marco, the famous Dominican monastery in Florence. He was accustomed in later life to ascribe most of his progress to the teaching of two amongst them, Zenobio de' Medici and Servanzio Mini. At the age of 18, Philip was sent to his uncle, Romolo, a wealthy merchant at San Germano, a Neapolitan town near the base of Monte Cassino, to assist him in his business, and with the hope that he might inherit his uncle's fortune. He did gain Romolo's confidence and affection, but soon after coming to San Germano Philip had a conversion. He no longer cared for things of the world, and chose to relocate to Rome in 1533.

After arriving in Rome, he became a tutor in the house of a Florentine aristocrat named Galeotto Caccia. After two years he began to pursue his own studies (for a period of three years) under the guidance of the Augustinians. Following this, he began those labours amongst the sick and poor which gained him in later life the title of 'Apostle of Rome', and also ministering to the prostitutes of the city. In 1538 he entered on the home mission work for which he became famous; like Socrates he travelled throughout the city, seeking opportunities of entering into conversation with people, and of leading them on to consider the topics he desired to set before them.

In 1548 he founded (with his confessor, Fr Persiano Rossa) the confraternity of the Santissima Trinita de' Pellegrini e de' Convalescenti, whose primary object was to minister to the needs of the thousands of poor pilgrims who flock to Rome, especially in years of jubilee, and also to relieve the patients discharged from hospitals but who were still too weak for labour. In 1551 he passed through all the minor orders, and was ordained deacon, and finally priest (on 23 May). He thought of going to India as a missionary, but was dissuaded by his friends who saw that there was abundant work to be done in Rome. Accordingly he settled down, with some companions, at the hospital of San Girolamo della Carità, and while there tentatively began, in 1556, the institute with which his name is more especially connected, that of the Oratory. The scheme at first was no more than a series of evening meetings in a hall (the Oratory), at which there were prayers, hymns, readings from Scripture, from the church fathers, and from the Martyrology, followed by a lecture, or by discussion of some religious question proposed for consideration. The musical selections (settings of scenes from sacred history) were called oratorios. The scheme was developed, and the members of the society undertook various kinds of mission work throughout Rome, notably the preaching of sermons in different churches every evening, a completely new idea at that time. He also spent much of his time hearing confessions, and effected many conversions in this way.

In 1564 the Florentines requested that he leave San Girolamo, and to oversee their church in Rome, San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, then newly built. He was at first reluctant, but by consent of Pope Pius IV he accepted, while retaining the charge of San Girolamo, where the exercises of the Oratory were kept up. At this time the new society included amongst its members Caesar Baronius, the ecclesiastical historian, Francesco Maria Tarugi, afterwards Archbishop of Avignon, and Ottavio Paravicini, all three subsequently cardinals, and also Gallonius, author of a well-known work on the Sufferings of the Martyrs, Ancina, Bordoni, and other men of ability and distinction. In 1574, the Florentines built a large oratory or mission-room for the society, next to San Giovanni, in order to save them the fatigue of the daily journey to and from San Girolamo, and to provide a more convenient place of assembly, and the headquarters were transferred there. As the community grew, and its mission work extended, the need for a church entirely its own, and not subject to other claims, as were San Girolamo and San Giovanni, made itself felt, and the offer of the small parish church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, conveniently situated in the middle of Rome, was made and accepted. The building, however, was not large enough for their purpose, was pulled down, and a splendid church erected on the site.

It was immediately after taking possession of their new quarters that Neri formally organized, under permission of a papal bull dated July 15, 1575, a community of secular priests, called the Congregation of the Oratory. The new church was consecrated early in 1577, and the clergy of the new society at once resigned the charge of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini; but Neri himself did not leave San Girolamo until 1583, and then only by virtue of an injunction of the pope that he, as the superior, should reside at the chief house of his congregation. He was at first elected for a term of three years (as is usual in modern societies), but in 1587 was nominated superior for life. He was, however, entirely free from personal ambition, and had no desire to be general over a number of dependent houses, so that he desired that all congregations formed on his model outside Rome should be autonomous, governing themselves, and without endeavouring to retain control over any new colonies they might themselves send out-a regulation afterwards formally confirmed by a brief of Gregory XV in 1622.
Philip died around the end of the day on 25 May 1595, Corpus Christi that year, after having spent the day hearing confessions and receiving visitors. About midnight he began haemorrhaging, and Baronius read the commendatory prayers over him. Baronius asked that he would bless his spiritual sons before dying, and though he could no longer speak, he blessed them with the sign of the cross and died.
St Philip Neri was beatified by Paul V in 1615, and canonized by Gregory XV in 1622. [Wikipedia]

Revealed: The Terrible Crime of Fr Cleevely

2011-05-19T19:32:00.001+01:00

Catholic and Loving It! blog - James Preece - 19.5.2011
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/05/revealed-the-terrible-crime-of-fr-cleevely.html

I have heard from several sources, that Fr Philip Cleevely would sometimes (or often, depending on the source) stay up too late and be difficult to wake up in the morning. A crime I am often guilty of myself...

This is put forward as an "explanation" for his being evicted from his home, named and shamed in The Tablet, made to miss the beatification of the founder of his community, excluded from a Papal visit to his own home and forced to start a new life in another country.

Presumably the idea is that Canada is on a time zone he can handle?

Seriously? After more than a year this is the best you can come up with?

Let's get some perspective!

For three years, the Cardinal Archbishop of Barcelona has refused to act against a priest in his diocese who boasts openly of having financed abortions.

Now, the priest is a subject of a new book in Catalonian, “Fr. Manel: Closer to earth than to heaven”, which describes the ever-growing popularity of his charitable work with Spanish celebrities. In addition to repeating his claim of having paid for abortions, Fr. Manel Pousa says he has performed “blessings” of homosexual unions, and endorses the creation of female “priests”, according to reports in the Spanish media.

He also states that he regards clerical celibacy as optional, and says he has a girlfriend—but claims that their relationship is celibate.

Although Pousa has never retracted any of his statements, his prelate, Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach, has only given Manel a verbal “warning”, leaving him in his place to continue his leadership of his parish and his other activities.

[link]

If priests who finance abortions and admit to having a girlfriend are given nothing more than 'a verbal "warning"' then do you seriously expect me to believe that Fr Cleevely has had his entire ecclesiastical career called in to question because he finds it hard to get up in the morning?

Obviously.

Where are they now? Part 3 - Fr Gareth Jones

2011-05-16T11:55:00.000+01:00

Catholic Paterfamilias blog - 15.5.2011
http://catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/2011/05/where-are-they-now-part-3-fr-gareth.html
Apologies for the delay in getting the third part of the trilogy up. The Blogger problems on Thursday and Friday caused mayhem (and I have a life outside of blogging).
You might remember Fr Gareth Jones from the Birmingham Oratory saga as the canonist used by Fathers Selden and Harrison.

Ruth Dudley Edwards, in one of her Standpoint articles, described Father Gareth Jones as a "bizarre choice as canonical adviser" and stated that "As a cleric, Jones rarely stays long anywhere: in the Birmingham Oratory, he was twice a novice under Fenlon and was twice asked to leave because he did not fit in."

Anyway, Fr Jones got the chaplaincy at Cardiff University a few months before The Birmingham Oratory Three got their marching orders.
As some will recollect, the reason for the vacancy at Cardiff coming up for Fr Jones to step into was that his predecessor in the position made some comments regarded as thought crimes in Nuchurch circles. What the predecessor said was:
“Let me tell you of course before you go too far, most of the offences are being committed by homosexuals.” He continued in this vein, saying, “stick to the facts: the vast majority of the abuse cases in this country – certainly in America – were not taken against what I would call children, but 95% of the time, taken against teenage boys. Now what does that tell you? Now that is a fact."

The quote above was taken from an old online edition of the the Cardiff University student newspaper on Thursday of last week. However, it would seem that their website has been updated since I copied it and the original article from which the quote was taken is no longer available online.

The predecessor even had the temerity to say the above in front of a live TV audience. Now I have to confess that I have not read the Ryan report and cannot comment on it. However, the predecessor was the communications officer for the Archdiocese or Cardiff and I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of what he said.

Having the temerity to say publicly what he had said, the predecessor obviously had to go (can't have the good ship Nuchurch being rocked by anyone talking about facts and the like - heck they might next go completely off piste and talk about Humanae Vitae or something equally damaging to the Nuchurch brand).
So we have the predecessor out and Fr Jones in at Cardiff. Then a few months later we have Fr Jones in Birmingham and out go Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry (remember that's after Fr Jones had been in and out and in and out of the Birmingham Oratory trying his vocation).

If anyone is struggling to keep up with all of this in and out stuff, just think of it as being a bit like the clerical equivalent of a Key Stone Cops movie - but without the laughs.

My guess is that Fr Jones won't stay long as a university chaplain. He's on the way up the slippery pole of clerical promotion and has a patron in high places. Wales has proven to be fertile grounds for promotion before for others - so why not again?

Oh yes, in case anyone has forgotten, Fr Jones was one of those who made Fr Dermot Fenlon homeless by removing him from his home. Wouldn't it be interesting to know exactly what Fr Jones' patron knew about the reasons for the removal of the Birmingham Oratory Three from their home?

The story in pictures...

2011-05-15T20:34:00.000+01:00

With thanks to http://www.smeatonscorner.blogspot.com/

Birmingham Three Press Conference

"If your name's not down you're not coming in!"

Fr Dermot Fenlon exiled for a year today...and it's still a scandal

2011-05-15T20:26:00.000+01:00

Smeaton's Corner blog - 12.5.2011
http://smeatonscorner.blogspot.com/2011/05/fr-dermot-fenlon-exiled-for-year.html

Last year, prior to the Papal visit to England three Oratorians were ordered to "spend time in prayer" at three separate monasteries hundreds of miles apart and indefinitely. Of the three, Father Dermot Fenlon (described by the Oratory's own spokesman as "entireley guiltless of any wrong doing whatsoever") remains silenced and in exile.

It's no insignificant thing to be ordered out of your home. It's not clear whether Father Fenlon will ever be allowed to come back. Nobody other than Father Fenlon knows all the details of what has happened since in the year of his exile, but an unexpected eviction is quite a serious punishment. Especially when you consider that Father Fenlon was sixty eight when he was exiled.
The eviction occurred last year, 13 May 2010, just weeks before the Pope was to visit England to beatify Cardinal Newman, founder of the Birmingham Oratory.

The official line is that this is an internal matter. But that's where things get even more confusing. Jack Valero, spokesperson for Opus Dei, who was made spokesperson for the Birmingham Oratory on this case last year, said that 'healing' was required both for the community at the Oratory and those who were exiled. But the rest of the community hasn't been exiled. The rest of them have been able to continue living at the Oratory, serving as priests. Their healing regime has been quite different to Father Fenlon's. In the words of Ruth Dudley Edwards, journalist and long-time friend of Father Fenlon, his healing process has involved his reputation being trashed and being moved all over the place. It seems that a major part of Father Fenlon's healing has been to be forced to become a vagrant in exile.

According to Jack Valero, the healing was required to resolve things like things like "pride, anger, disobedience, disunity, nastiness, dissention, the breakdown of charity, that kind of thing." So it would seem that something has gone wrong at the Birmingham Oratory. But apparently Father Fenlon didn't do anything wrong. So why he was exiled from his home? Why can he still not come back?

When Ruth Dudley Edwards told Jack Valero that "Dermot Fenlon has lived in that place for twenty years and it was to be his home forever. His reputation has been trashed, all over the place. Where can he go? He’s at the moment, he’s a vagrant.

Jack Valero said: "well it must have been serious, it must have been a very serious thing to have gone on in that house for that to happen. That’s what I am saying, it's very serious things going on in that house."

Jack Valero didn't directly accuse Father Fenlon of anything, because Father Fenlon, as Jack admits, has done nothing wrong. But this association with him and pride, nastiness (and the list goes on) is a further slur on the good man's reputation.
Because Father Fenlon was ordered not to speak publicly, he has never been able to defend himself publicly.
Since then, things have gone pretty quiet. It was a contentious issue within a small corner of the Catholic population last year, but it seems to have really slipped under the radar now.
But Fr Fenlon still can't come home. His suffering is just being ignored really. Forgotten about.
You can learn more on this most pressing and most serious issue within the life of the Church in England here and here.
The story in pictures...

The crisis one year on. No coincidences

2011-05-14T09:14:00.000+01:00

CF News - 12.5.2011

AN INTERVIEW with Dr Thomas Ward, Vice-President of the National Association of Catholic Families, Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Council for Life.

CF NEWS : Dr Ward, you say there are some remarkable coincidences in the story of the expulsion of three members of the Birmingham Oratory, exactly one year ago this week.

Dr WARD : I believe that what has happened must be looked at spiritually. Yes, and there are remarkable coincidences. Note the date May 13th.

First, on May 13 1917 at Fatima in Portugal.

This is the day on which Our Lady appeared to those three young children, and asked Lúcia Santos and her younger cousins, Jacinta and Francisco Marto "Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the conversion of sinners?" Lucia as spokesman for all three readily agreed: "Then you are going to have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort."

Our Lady finished with a request: "Say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and the end of the war." With that she began to rise into the air, moving towards the east until she disappeared.

Second, it was on May 13th 1981 that Blessed John Paul II was shot in Rome.

And here I'd like to draw attention to his consistent care for families. On that fine May day Pope John Paul II had intended to announce the establishment of a new Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family. Only moments before he could do so, he was shot by Mehemit Ali Agca. He owed his survival, he was convinced, to the protection of Our Lady of Fatima.

As a young bishop in Krakow he established an institute for the study and pastoral care of families; in 1980 he called the first of all his synods of the world's bishops- and the topic was the family. One year later he issued his Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, upon which the National Association of Catholic Families is based. Throughout his pontificate Familiaris Consortio remained his favourite Apostolic Exhortation. He consistently proclaimed that the role of parents as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. It is irreplaceable, inalienable, and incapable of being entirely delegated to others or usurped by others. Later in 1981 he created the Pontifical Council for the Family.

The next year, on the anniversary of the apparition, the promulgation of the Pontifical Institute, and its Apostolic Constitution, was issued - and he entrusted this Institute to the care of Our Lady of Fatima.

Thirdly, on May 13th 2010 there was a significant event in Birmingham, England.

It was on this day, in the immediate run-up to the beatification of the founder of the Birmingham Oratory, Cardinal Newman, three of its members were summarily ordered by the Papal Visitor, Fr. Felix Selden to quit their home at 12 hours notice. For two of them, the Oratory had been their home for twenty years. One was almost 69 years of age.

They were told that they had to go away and pray for an "indefinite period " initially in separate monasteries in England, Scotland and France. Many wondered at the time whether this was to be until after the Papal visit. They were not to communicate with one another.

The question of whether or not these three virtuous and highly intelligent men were ever going to be allowed back to their home was formally put, by a parishioner to the assistant to the Papal Visitor, Fr. Ignatius Harrison of the London Oratory. The question was twice answered with silence.

A yet more disturbing question also put by a parishioner-- on whether Frs. Fenlon and Cleevely were then at imminent risk of being ordered to go abroad -- was also met with silence. (Incidentally, Brother Lewis Berry had been sent to France some five weeks previously.)

CF NEWS : I believe that not one priest in the country spoke up for them. How can you explain this?

TW : Good priests are busy men and there was a great deal of disinformation in the media. This disinformation caused confusion in spite of the valiant efforts of individual lay people to get the truth through. Here I am thinking of James Preece with his blog "Catholic and Loving it" [http://www.lovingit.co.uk/], John Smeaton [www.spuc.org.uk] and of course yourself on CFNEWS. This was one reason for the clerical silence.

The other reason was much more worrying. The penalties that the three Oratorians had suffered were draconian and it was universally agreed that they are virtuous men who are innocent of any wrong doing. For example, on May 26, 2010 their brother Oratorian and their then Provost, Fr. Duffield said in reply to a letter: "I agree with what you say about Fathers Dermot, Philip and Lewis and with the specific examples you give of their virtues. All three have been my friends for many years. They have not done anything wrong" and the matters involved are private and "do not involve any wrong-doing". In a letter to an enquirer (June 5, 2010) the spokesman of the Oratory wrote : "These good and holy men have led exemplary lives and offered wonderful pastoral care to the parishioners of the Oratory "

As I said the other reason for the silence of the priests was more worrying. It was fear. Having seen what happened to the Oratorians they wondered what might to happen to them if they too were outspoken.

CF NEWS : So what were these "virtuous" and "innocent" and "exemplary " members of Birmingham Oratory guilty of?

TW : I believe that the short answer is that they had been guilty of being outspoken defenders of the Papal Magisterium and that they had without compromise (and most unfashionably in England) publicly taught and defended Humanae Vitae and the Church's teaching on abortion.

With great courage and high intelligence Fr Cleevely had defended the inalienable rights of parents to be the primary educators of their children by publishing a radical critique of the Catholic Education Service's notorious policy of collaboration with the State on sex "education". These sensitive and cultivated men had thus bravely and knowingly risked incurring the anger of the episcopate.

I believe that Fr Cleevely also had incurred the anger of the hierarchy by being guilty of criticising Cherie Blair's proposed meeting with Jack Sullivan who was miraculously cured by the intercession of Blessed John Cardinal Newman.

I believe that they had, in a word, been found guilty of mounting an unambiguous defence of Catholic moral teaching on life and the family on the (now muted) Oratory website - a website that was, before the Beatification, one of the most prestigious platforms in the world from which to mount this defence.

CF NEWS : We cannot avoid referring to the fact that an allegation of "homophobia" had been mentioned.

TW: Yes this cruel and untrue accusation was raised in blogs and was implicit in an article the 21st of May 2010 by Ruth Gledhill.

CF NEWS : So, what is the impact in practice of all of this is for Catholic families?

TW : Not long before the eviction of the three Oratorians from their home their web site was put under the control of Mr. Jack Valero then simultaneously spokesman for the Birmingham Oratory, head of the semi-official organisation Catholic Voices and press spokesman for Opus Dei. Strong statements from the Birmingham Oratory website ceased.

The impact of these events is that Catholic families can no longer expect the clear, strong and public support of their priests on parental rights and sexual morality. This is sad and deeply regrettable. However it has the consequence that if we wish the promotion of the catechesis on the family of Pope John Paul, as confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI, we ourselves as families must live and promote it.

Blessed Pope John Paul the Great pray for Catholic families and their priests.
St Philip Neri pray for all Oratorians involved in this crisis.

Silence about the Birmingham Three endangers other "good and holy men"

2011-05-14T09:07:00.000+01:00

Friday, 13 May 2011

John Smeaton - 13.5.2011
http://spuc-director.blogspot.com/2011/05/silence-about-birmingham-three.html
I have long referred on this blog to the co-operation between the Catholic authorities in England and Wales and the Government in its attack on families, on parents as the primary educators of their children, on the innocence and welfare of schoolchildren, and on the sanctity of human life.

Things could not be more serious: and still those episcopal policies, such as lending support to the previous government's legislative proposals which would have facilitated the corruption of our children, remain in force, not least through the continued employment of Greg Pope at the Catholic Education Service (see below).

This evening, on the first anniversary of the expulsion of three "good and holy men" from the Birmingham Oratory, I find myself wondering whether the Birmingham Three, their confreres, and even those apparently acting in authority over them, are all, somewhere along the ecclesiastical line, perhaps unwitting instruments of this policy of co-operation between State and Church - at the expense of the lives of unborn children, of marriage and the family.

Let's look at some of the past year's events:

We had the story in The Times a year ago with its hints of alleged homophobia - re-cycled by A Reluctant Sinner.

Importantly, we had the unequivocal confirmation from a Birmingham Oratory spokesman that the three Oratorians were "entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever, including, specifically, sexual misdemeanours or homophobia".

Equally importantly, however, they remain in exile, in spite of assurances from a Birmingham Oratory spokesman in June 2010 that the Three "can come back soon and continue as normal"

Mud sticks. And since their exile we've had Archbishop Nichols undermining Pope Benedict's teaching on gay unions*, just the day after His Holiness returned from England to Rome.

Before their exile, the Birmingham Oratory website was boldly denouncing the previous government's legislative proposals which would have enabled the promotion and facilitation of abortion, contraception and homosexuality in schools, including Catholic schools. These shocking proposals - fortunately defeated following a strong campaign by SPUC, Catholic clergy, head teachers and school governors and three Catholic bishops - were painted in a good light by Archbishop Vincent Nichols.

And Archbishop Nichols has continued to back the appointment of Greg Pope, the anti-life, anti-family former Member of Parliament as deputy director of the Catholic Education Service as does Bishop McMahon, Archbishop Nichols's successor as chairman of the Catholic Education Service of England and Wales (CESEW).

Many Catholic clergy, three Catholic bishops, and others put up a brave fight against the policy of the bishops' conference of England and Wales on the Children Schools and Families bill - and not least through their courage - we won that campaign.

But silence about the unjust fate of the Birmingham Three - with the exception of lay bloggers - exposes those churchmen and churchwomen who dare to speak out boldly about the wickedness of episcopal policies to a similar fate; and it leaves families, children, parents and unborn children to the tender mercies of the realpolitik of the bishops' conference of England and Wales. God help us.

In a fascinating interview about the Birmingham Three Dr Tom Ward is asked about the silence of the Catholic clergy in publicly challenging what happened.

Dr Ward, a corresponding member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, says:

"Good priests are busy men and there was a great deal of disinformation in the media. This disinformation caused confusion in spite of the valiant efforts of individual lay people to get the truth through ... This was one reason for the clerical silence.

"The other reason was much more worrying. The penalties that the three Oratorians had suffered were draconian and it was universally agreed that they are virtuous men who are innocent of any wrong doing. For example, on May 26, 2010 their brother Oratorian and their then Provost, Fr. Duffield said in reply to a letter: 'I agree with what you say about Fathers Dermot, Philip and Lewis and with the specific examples you give of their virtues. All three have been my friends for many years. They have not done anything wrong" and the matters involved are private and "do not involve any wrong-doing'. In a letter to an enquirer (June 5, 2010) the spokesman of the Oratory wrote : 'These good and holy men have led exemplary lives and offered wonderful pastoral care to the parishioners of the Oratory'.
"As I said the other reason for the silence of the priests was more worrying. It was fear. Having seen what happened to the Oratorians they wondered what might to happen to them if they too were outspoken."

Quite so Dr Ward.
*Pope John Paul II, the great pro-life champion, teaches in paragraph 97 of Evangelium Vitae that it is an illusion to think that we can build a true culture of human life if we do not offer adolescents and young adults an authentic education in sexuality, and in love, and the whole of life according to their true meaning and in their close interconnection.

For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed

2011-05-13T19:27:00.000+01:00

The Birmingham Three: One Year On

2011-05-13T19:19:00.000+01:00

Catholic and Loving It! blog - 13.5.2011
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/05/the-birmingham-three-one-year-on.html

Today marks 365 days of exile for Brother Lewis Berry, Fr Philip Cleevely and Fr Dermot Fenlon.

I wonder, is it "soon" yet?

The Church is divided between those who believe in compromise with the world, cosying up to the establishment and being respectable... and those who believe fidelity to the truth is worth being unpopular.

The Birmingham Three were removed because their presence was making it impossible for lukewarm celebrity Catholics so snuggle up to the Beatification for a bit of publicity. Just like the Vaughan School is being attacked because it's admission policy makes it impossible for rich people in Kensington to get a place.

These things are all about silencing the faithful and accomodating those with power, influence and "prestige". Grubby poor people with too many children are not going to be financing the next multi-million eco-friendly offices of the ministry of social justice voices...

My suggestion to bloggers, families in Birmingham and Vaughan parents? Get united. Start supporting each other and let the exile of the Birmingham Three be the moment hundreds of faithful Catholics rose up to stand in their place.

Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us.

Corresopondence to CF News

2011-05-13T17:46:00.000+01:00

Correspondence to Catholic Family News - 12.5.2011

Father Dermot Fenlon

A GROUP of Birmingham Oratory parishioners and members of the National Association of Catholic Families email : 'It scarcely seems credible that a whole year has passed since Father Dermot Fenlon, Father Philip Cleevely and Brother Lewis Berry were sent away from the Birmingham Oratory, the Oratory of Cardinal Newman, that had been their home for many years. No adequate explanation for their banishment has ever been given to their dismayed and puzzled parishioners, though we have received assurances that 'they have done nothing wrong'. We still await their return a year later, while Father Dermot's confessional with his name still above it remains empty of his presence.

It is noteworthy to us as parents that these three good men were indefatigable in defending the rights of parents as the primary educators and protectors of their children. They defended the Church's teaching in such controversial areas as the nature of marriage and were not afraid to challenge the homosexual rights agenda when it conflicted with such teaching. Their loss is a personal one to parishioners for whom they were a reliable spiritual guide, but further than that, as parents, we feel considerably more exposed thanks to their inexplicably unjust removal. We believe that an inquiry into the conduct of the Visitation is long overdue. Parents have few defenders of their rights left to them: whether our pastors are restored to us or not, we have only been strengthened in our resolve to uphold those rights.'

Hello to our new visitors...

2011-05-11T18:59:00.000+01:00

...from Slovenia, Chile, Japan, Lebanon, Iran and Pakistan, you are very welcome!

Where are they now? Part 2 - Fr Ignatius Harrison

2011-05-11T11:53:00.001+01:00

Catholic Paterfamilias blog - 11.5.2011
http://catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/2011/05/where-are-they-now-part-2-fr-ignatius.html

As with Monday's post, I can't actually say where he is right this minute as he has not let me know (and, to be fair, I did not ask him).

Interestingly, the Fr Ignatius Harrison I refer to is the same Fr Ignatius Harrison who in 1998 wrote an obituary for a fellow Oratorian priest who was HIV+ and was alleged to have sexually assaulted boys of school age. As to the ins and outs of that case and what may or may not have been known by those involved, I refer you directly to the Telegraph and Daily Mail articles on it.

Jump forward from 1998 to this time last year and where is Fr Ignatius Harrison? Well, 13 May 2010 was the date when Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry were given their marching orders from the Birmingham Oratory by Fr Harrison and Co.

So why were the Birmingham Oratory Three given their marching orders? Well, let's look at the Times report on the issue of 21 May 2010 and what an Oratory Spokesman was quoted as saying:

... the disputes centred around Newman’s beatification but at the heart of it were allegations relating to Father Chavasse. “It seemed better for him to stand down so that the matter could be looked into properly,” he said.

“Around 2½ years ago, in the autumn of 2007, Father Chavasse began to form an intense but physically chaste friendship with a young man, then aged 20, which the Fathers of Birmingham Oratory regarded as imprudent.”

In light of the Times article, it would seem that the three who regarded the friendship as imprudent got the boot. They have not returned to the Birmingham Oratory (other than possibly to collect their possessions). However, Fr Chavasse is back in situ at the Birmingham Oratory (or at least until today this link showed him back in situ). Notwithstanding what the last link might say, Fr Dermot Fenlon and his confrères are not.
It's worth noting that the same Oratory spokesman who fed the information to the Times referred to above also subsequently:

"confirmed unequivocally that the (Birmingham Oratory) Three are entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever, including, specifically, sexual misdemeanours or homophobia."

So, to conclude none of this makes any sense at all. Three men who regarded something that was imprudent as being imprudent and are "entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever" got the boot - that's an intriguing form of justice.

Dare one suggest without accusation of paranoia that what happened at the Birmingham Oratory last year is just part of a wider agenda? I suppose I could always ask Fr Harrison.....

Earthquake at the Birmingham Oratory?

2011-05-10T21:58:00.002+01:00

As thousands of people evacuate Rome over fear of tomorrow's predicted 'big one', Free the B3: Justice for Fr Fenlon looks back (with the benefit of hindsight) at another earthquake...

"Earthquake at the Birmingham Oratory: Fr Chavasse steps down as Provost and 'Actor' of the Newman Cause" by Damian Thompson - Daily Telegraph blogs - 15.12.2009
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100019970/earthquake-at-the-birmingham-oratory-fr-chavasse-steps-down-as-provost-and-actor-of-the-newman-cause/

The article opens with the question "what on earth is going on at the Birmingham Oratory?" and it outlines the changes taking place at the Oratory as per the newsletter.
The second paragraph is interesting. "Rumours of trouble at the Oratory have been vigorously circulated for months, and it’s no secret that there was a furious falling-out between the Oratory and its former press officer, Peter Jennings, who was also press officer to the then Archbishop of Birmingham, Vincent Nichols."

Peter Jennings, what this Peter Jennings?

Thompson goes on to ask two very pertinent questions followed by the remark "I'm sure Archbishop Nichols could tell us, though I don’t think he will."

Archbishop Nichols? Hang on, didn't Jack Valero tell us this was an internal matter?

As for the earthquake in Rome, well Raffaele Bendani's prediction for a quake in 1924 was 2 days out, so that would suggest tremors on 13th May...

Marian devotion, Marian vocation

2011-05-10T06:58:00.000+01:00

"You get to know Newman and you realize that he is Marian. The story, as I’ve said, of his turning to the Church in the 1830s and 1940s is connected with that Marian devotion. But it doesn’t come out very much in letters at the time and subsequently. It’s in his privacy of his prayers and devotions and his diaries that one sees the very beginning of what became the very Marian vocation of Newman.”

- Fr Dermot Fenlon CO

Rosa Mystica

2011-05-10T06:53:00.000+01:00

Rosa Pope John Paul II

MARY is the most beautiful flower that ever was seen in the spiritual world. It is by the power of God's grace that from this barren and desolate earth there have ever sprung up at all flowers of holiness and glory. And Mary is the Queen of them. She is the Queen of spiritual flowers; and therefore she is called the Rose, for the rose is fitly called of all flowers the most beautiful.

But moreover, she is the Mystical, or hidden Rose; for mystical means hidden. How is she now "hidden" from us more than are other saints? What means this singular appellation, which we apply to her specially? The answer to this question introduces us to a third reason for believing in the reunion of her sacred body to her soul, and its assumption into heaven soon after her death, instead of its lingering in the grave until the General Resurrection at the last day.

It is this:- if her body was not taken into heaven, where is it? how comes it that it is hidden from us? why do we not hear of her tomb as being here or there? why are not pilgrimages made to it? why are not relics producible of her, as of the saints in general? Is it not even a natural instinct which makes us reverent towards the places where our dead are buried? We bury our great men honourably.

St. Peter speaks of the sepulchre of David as known in his day, though he had died many hundred years before. When our Lord's body was taken down from the Cross, He was placed in an honourable tomb. Such too had been the honour already paid to St. John Baptist, his tomb being spoken of by St. Mark as generally known. Christians from the earliest times went from other countries to Jerusalem to see the holy places. And, when the time of persecution was over, they paid still more attention to the bodies of the Saints, as of St. Stephen, St. Mark, St. Barnabas, St. Peter, St. Paul, and other Apostles and Martyrs. These were transported to great cities, and portions of them sent to this place or that. Thus, from the first to this day it has been a great feature and characteristic of the Church to be most tender and reverent towards the bodies of the Saints.

Now, if there was anyone who more than all would be preciously taken care of, it would be Our Lady. Why then do we hear nothing of the Blessed Virgin's body and its separate relics? Why is she thus the hidden Rose? Is it conceivable that they who had been so reverent and careful of the bodies of the Saints and Martyrs should neglect her--her who was the Queen of Martyrs and the Queen of Saints, who was the very Mother of our Lord? It is impossible. Why then is she thus the hidden Rose? Plainly because that sacred body is in heaven, not on earth.

- Blessed John Henry Newman

Where are they now? Part 1 - Fr Felix Selden

2011-05-09T23:28:00.000+01:00

http://www.catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/ - 9.5.2011

To be honest, I have no idea where he is just now but he might be indulging one of the shared interests that he has in common with certain other catholic luminaries. I tried stamp collecting when I was about 7 but gave it up as a dead loss - maybe I should have stuck with it.

What I am more intrigued by is where he was this time last year and the discussions between him, Fr Ignatius Harrison and Fr Gareth Jones and others involved in the evisceration of the Birmingham Oratory. The Birmingham Oratory was vocally defending the rights of the family and parents as the primary educators of their children.

Sophie Scholl, the White Rose, and Conscience

2011-05-09T19:42:00.002+01:00

From Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation blogspot on 9.5.2011
http://supremacyandsurvival.blogspot.com/

Sophie Scholl, White Rose objector to Nazi rule in Germany, was born on May 9, 1921; she was guillotined on February 22, 1943. Scholl is one of the most admired women in 20th Century German history--but what does she have to do with the subject of this blog?

According to this Catholic Herald story from 2009, she and her White Rose compatriots were very much influenced by Blessed John Henry Newman, particularly by his teachings on conscience:

Cardinal John Henry Newman was an inspiration of Germany's greatest heroine in defying Adolf Hitler, scholars have claimed.

New documents unearthed by German academics have revealed that the writings of the 19th-century English theologian were a direct influence on Sophie Scholl, who was beheaded for circulating leaflets urging students at Munich University to rise up against Nazi terror.

Scholl, a student who was 21 at the time of her death in February 1943, is a legend in Germany, with two films made about her life and more than 190 schools named after her. She was also voted "woman of the 20th century" by readers of Brigitte, a women's magazine, and a popular 2003 television series called Greatest Germans declared her to be the greatest German woman of all time
But behind her heroism was the "theology of conscience" expounded by Cardinal Newman, according to Professor Günther Biemer, the leading German interpreter of Newman, and Jakob Knab, an expert on the life of Sophie Scholl, who will later this year publish research in Newman Studien on the White Rose resistance movement, to which she belonged.
The researchers also found a link between Scholl and Pope Benedict XVI in the scholar who inspired her study of Blessed John Henry Newman:

He added: "The religious question at the heart of the White Rose has not been adequately acknowledged and it is only through the work of Guenter Biemer and Jakob Knab that Newman's influence... can be identified as highly significant."
In his speech Fr Fenlon explained that Sophie, a Lutheran, was introduced to the works of Newman by a scholar called Theodor Haecker, who had written to the Birmingham Oratory in 1920 asking for copies of Newman's work, which he wanted to translate into German. . . .

It was through Haecker that the young Joseph Ratzinger - the future Pope Benedict XVI - learned to admire Newman, who died in Birmingham in 1890.

Conscience is a subtext throughout the history of the English Reformation and its aftermath--beginning with Henry VIII's "tender conscience" about having married his brother's widow. Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons centers St. Thomas More's heroism on his defense of the rights of conscience. Blessed John Henry Newman, as I've posted before, defended the rights and outlined the responsibilities of conscience, properly understood, in reaction to English concerns about the doctrine of Papal Infallibility.

Sophie Scholl's birthday

2011-05-09T07:13:00.003+01:00

Memorial to White Rose

On 22 February 1943, Sophie Scholl was guillotined by the Nazi Regime. She and two other members of the White Rose resistance movement, her brother Hans Scholl and Christopher Probst, were executed for fighting against the tyranny of the State with words.

Today would have been Sophie Scholl's 90th birthday.

Fr Dermot has a scholarly interest in Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistence movement, particularly in the influence and great inspiration of Blessed John Henry Newman on the movement.

Here is an extract from Fr Dermot Fenlon's paper "From the White Star to the White Rose. J.H. Newman and the Conscience of the State".

Newman's question, Haecker's pedagogy, Hartnagel's testimony: it is not idle to speak of prophetic witness. Science without God, education without a heart, produced its nemesis in the Third Reich. The White Rose struggled to resist it. But for the Rose to flower there was need, not of the blood of students. There was need of the blood of Christ, interceding for a fallen humanity. Haecker, Muth, Edith Stein: the school of Newman was the seed ground nurturing a small and heroic movement of German writers, some of whome stand to us as saints and martyrs bearing the witness of effective intercession through the power of Christ's Passion, the source of salvation in the night of terror. Christopher Probst, together with Fritz Hartnagel, belongs to that moment of witness. Willi Graf and Kurt Huber found their way into this company of saints. Hans Scholl? If we are to believe his sister Inge, his request to be received into the Catholic Church points in the same direction. And Sophie?

One of Sophie Scholl's letters

Sophie Scholl is singular. Her letters, from the invasion of France in 1940, disclose a spiritual evolution breathtaking in its sensitivity, sincerity and depth. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that these letters entitle her to recognition as a writer in the company of Anne Frank or Simone Weil. It must never be forgotten that it was through her influence, her letters and her personal gifts that Fritz Hartnagel found in Newman those 'drops of precious wine' that brought him to the testimony of truth in the horror of the Russian Holocaust. After the war FritzHartnagel married Sophie's sister Elisabeth. He insisted Sophie should not be commemorated as a saint. Her letters make it clear that Sophie would have been the first to agree. Hartnagel's fidelity to the truth of her memory, his refusal to simplify or exaggerate, are exemplary, and should remain exemplary for us. Because of Sophie Scholl he became, without knowing it, on the Russian front at Mariupol in 1943, the decisive recipient of Germany's kairos for Newman. We should all keep his name before us in our prayers.

In the darkness of Hitler's Germany, Newman brought home to those prepared to hear, the presence, power and redemptive realiy of the Cross of Christ.

(taken from Internationale Cardinal-Newman-Studien Vol 20 pp.72)

Fr Dermot Fenlon was present at the launch of Frank McDonough's biography of Sophie Scholl on 22 February 2010 and is personally thanked in the author's acknowledgements.

In April 2010 Fr Dermot Fenlon attended the funeral of Christoph Probst's son Michael in Bavaria. There was a profusion of white roses at his gravesite.

On justice as a principle of divine governance

2011-05-08T20:17:00.004+01:00

http://www.cfnews.org.uk/ - 8.5.2011

Free the B3: Justice for Fr. Dermot Fenlon asks...

2011-05-08T14:10:00.001+01:00

...in relation to exclaustration, what constitutes a grave cause?

or being "entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever, including, specifically, sexual misdemeanours or homophobia"?

Exclaustration

2011-05-04T15:03:00.004+01:00

What is exclaustration?

An indult that is granted by a bishop for diocesan communities and by the Holy See for institutes of pontifical right, and that permits religious to live outside the community for a specified time. The religious remain bound by their vows and by the obligations of their profession so far as they are compatible with their status. (Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary)

Involuntary exclaustration

Can. 686 §1. With the consent of the council, the supreme moderator for a grave cause can grant an indult of exclaustration to a member professed by perpetual vows, but not for more than three years, and if it concerns a cleric, with the prior consent of the ordinary of the place in which he must reside. To extend an indult or to grant it for more than three years is reserved to the Holy See, or to the diocesan bishop if it concerns institutes of diocesan right.

What is the effect of exclaustration?

Can. 687 An exclaustrated member is considered freed from the obligations which cannot be reconciled with the new condition of his or her life, yet remains dependent upon and under the care of superiors and also of the local ordinary, especially if the member is a cleric. The member can wear the habit of the institute unless the indult determines otherwise. Nevertheless, the member lacks active and passive voice.

Code of Canon Law

355 days of unjust exile for Fr Dermot Fenlon

2011-05-04T14:09:00.003+01:00

http://www.catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/ - 3.5.2011

The Free the B3: Justice for Fr. Dermot Fenlon blog shows the counter at 355 days today. Not much longer and we'll hit the anniversary of Fr Dermot's unjust expulsion from his home.
Fathers Selden, Harrison and Jones really should be ashamed of themselves but I doubt whether they are.

The English Martrys and Cardinal John Henry Newman

2011-05-01T19:42:00.001+01:00

http://www.gloria.tv/
http://www.cfnews.org.uk/ - 1.5.2011

A prayer of resignation to God's will

2011-04-22T20:25:00.001+01:00

http://www.cfnews.org.uk/ - 21.04.2011

I BELIEVE, my Saviour, that you know just what is best for me. I believe that you love me better than I love myself, that you are all-wise in your Providence, and all-powerful in your protection. My Lord, I will wait on you for your guidance, and, on obtaining it, I will act upon it in simplicity and without fear. And I promise that I will not be impatient, if at any time I am kept by you in darkness and complexity; nor will I ever complain or fret if I come into any misfortune or anxiety.

(Blessed John Henry Newman)

Ain't nobody here but us chickens...

2011-04-06T09:45:00.000+01:00

Catholic Paterfamilias blog - 5.4.2011

http://catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/2011/04/aint-nobody-here-but-us-chickens.html

Dedicated to those members of the Oratorian community who have failed to rectify the outrage perpetrated against Fr Dermot Fenlon (and with my apologies to the late and great Louis Jordan).

Olympic Wit from the Oxford Oratory

2011-04-06T09:35:00.001+01:00

Catholic and Loving It! Blog - 1.04.2011
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/04/olympic-wit-from-the-oxford-oratory.html

Those fantastic wits at the Oxford Oratory pulled a hilarious April Fools Day prank in which they pretended that Fr Anton Webb has been selected to represent Vatican City at the 2012 Olympics.

The joke is on them of course - everybody knows that Oratorian's are best at...

...The Triple Jump!

In step with Newman

2011-03-31T20:31:00.004+01:00

http://www.cfnews.org.uk/
http://www.gloria.tv/

What is to become of Fr Dermot Fenlon?

2011-03-24T14:14:00.000Z

Catholic Pater Familias blog - 24.03.2011

The Free the Birmingham Oratory Three blog posted the cartoon below yesterday.

I'm copying the cartoon without asking their permission so may yet get a letter from them or a lawyer asking me to remove it. That said, unless that blog is actually a front for the Middlesbrough Diocese I'm guessing I should get away with it.

The cartoon does raise a serious issue. Here we have a man who is a renowned academic and known by many to be a holy and good priest who has been expelled from his home by a process which might, if all the reports in the public domain are correct (see James Preece's blog and the Free the Birmingham Oratory Three blog), at best be referred to as unusual. The less charitable might describe the process used against Fr Fenlon as an abuse of process and politically motivated.

They may not like it but Fr Felix Selden, Fr Ignatius Harrison and Fr Gareth Jones are going to find themselves continually facing questions about what has happened to Fr Fenlon (and their involvement in it). The treatment received by Fr Fenlon is a scandal that will only serve to undermine their individual authority and that of the wider Oratorian community.

As to what will become of Fr Dermot Fenlon, I wish I knew the answer. Having done nothing wrong, he certainly doesn't deserve the treatment he has received so far.

Free the B3: Justice for Fr. Dermot Fenlon asks...

2011-03-23T23:15:00.000Z

The Birmingham Oratory - what a difference a year makes

2011-03-09T19:15:00.000Z

Catholic Pater Familias blog - 9.3.2011

Take a look at the links below:

Birmingham Oratory newsletter 6 March 2011
Birmingham Oratory newsletter 12 March 2010

Pretty much a year apart but on 12 March 2010 we had:

"only the Catholic Church also teaches, clearly and consistently, the wrongness of contraception, homosexuality and abortion. What is at stake is her right, in her own schools, to continue to do so, free from State censorship and control."

On 6 March 2011 we get:

"This is because they would refuse to endorse a homosexual lifestyle for children entrusted to their care. They would not stop loving these children. They could not stop them doing what they wanted once they were of age. They simply would not say, as Christians: “This is something we can approve.” Many parents are in the same position on all kinds of issues."

Whilst I appreciate the subject being dealt with in each newsletter is different, there seems to be something of a change of tone. In one we have a clear and concise statement of the Church's position and in the other a degree of vagueness.

I'm not certain where the "all kinds of issues" comes into it unless one is trying to equate religious views on homosexuality with parental views on body piercings and tattoos.

Oh yes, I forgot, Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry were removed from the Birmingham Oratory a couple of months after the March 2010 newlsetter.

Selective Hearing

2011-03-09T13:41:00.000Z

Catholic & Loving It! blog - 9.3.2011

http://www.lovingit.co.uk/

Let me get this right...

Fr Dermot Fenlon is banished from his home at the Birmingham Oratory with absolutely no notice at all mere months before the Papal Visit while Jack Valero tells the world that there's nothing to worry about and it's all perfectly normal for members of a religious community to dissapear mere months before one of the most important events in that communities history even though they've done nothing wrong.

The "visitor" shifts people out and moves a new provost in and the stream of pro-life, pro-family press releases stops. The community has been taken over and silenced.

Austen Ivereigh has nothing to say.

Lesley Anne Night, secretary generral of Caritas International doesn't get to renew her contract and suddenly he's talking about a "Vatican coup".

Update: Today marks 300 days of unjust exile for Fr Fenlon.

300 days of exile for Fr Dermot Fenlon

2011-03-09T13:21:00.001Z

http://www.catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/ - 9.3.2011

This Ash Wednesday marks Fr Dermot Fenlon's 300th day of unjust and enforced exile from his home.

My prayers are with him and also for those who unjustly removed him from his home.

Day 295 of Fr Dermot Fenlon's exile

2011-03-06T13:29:00.000Z

http://www.catholicpaterfamiliasblogspot.com/ - 4.3.2011

The counter on the Free the B3: Justice for Fr Dermot Fenlon blog for the number of days of exile for Fr. Dermot Fenlon is a running indictment against those responsible for his exile.

He is in my prayers.

Happy Birthday Fr Felix Selden!

2011-02-27T22:28:00.001Z

Fr Felix Selden meeting Pope Benedicte XVI

at the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman

at Cofton Park on 19th September 2010

In Step with Newman

2011-02-21T17:34:00.000Z

from Gloria TV http://en.gloria.tv/?media=99247
In step with Newman

Fr Sebastian Jones in conversation with Fr Paul Chavasse

2011-02-19T16:59:00.003Z

from Gloria TV http://en.gloria.tv/?media=29344
On the Beatification of Cardinal Newman

What a Difference a Year Makes!

2011-02-16T21:12:00.001Z

Dr Matthew Doyle - Lacrimarum Valle Blog - 13.2.2011

http://lacrimarum-valle.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-difference-year-makes.html

Some interesting comments on this piece can be read at the Catholic and Loving It! blog.

Question for Archbishop Bernard Longley

2011-02-10T19:39:00.001Z

from Catholic Pater Familias blog - 9.2.2011
http://catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/2011/02/question-for-archbishop-bernard-longley.html

Why has Father Dermot Fenlon not been returned home?

I only ask because from reading James Preece's blog there seem to be a good number of your flock wanting the return of their much loved and innocent priest.

Not your problem but Fr Felix Selden's? Erm, nope - your flock.............your problem........

Man and cat get promotion (but what about Fr Dermot Fenlon?)

2011-02-07T10:49:00.000Z

from Catholic Pater Familias blog - 6.2.2011
http://www.catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/

February is often a time for job changes in the Oratory and there will be one or two changes this year. These will come into effect straight away. Fr Anton will replace Fr. Guy as Parish Priest. Fr. Guy has been Parish Priest for the last ten years and done a tremendous job. He now has a new task, to set up a school of liturgical music at the Oratory. We hope to be able to do this in conjunction with Maryvale. Care for the music and worship of the Church is a strong element of the Oratory’s mission and an area in which Fr. Guy has a particular expertise. Fr. Guy will also be spending some time researching a book as a part of this project. We hope this book can be turned into a doctorate. Although Fr. Anton is relatively new to the Oratory he has considerable expertise as a Parish Priest and Hospital Chaplain in the diocese. He will bring many great pastoral gifts to his new role. Fr. Paul will resume his work on the Cause of Blessed John Henry as the Vice-Postulator but Fr. Richard remains the Actor (promoter) of the Cause since that job goes with being the Provost.

Oh yeah, they've also permanently transported one of those pesky Birmingham Oratory Three chaps to Canada. But hey, the bloke with the cat got promoted and the chap who had the "intense but physically chaste friendship with a young man" is back in. Another chap is off to do musical things.

This whole situation stinks to high heavens. Do they not realise you cannot make people 'disappear' quite so easily these days?

Pushkin the cat was unavailable for comment when I called earlier.

Who's Who at the Society of St Catherine of Sienna

2011-02-07T00:13:00.000Z

http://www.caterinati.org.uk/whos_who.html

Newman Cause website for sale

2011-02-07T00:09:00.000Z

http://www.newmancause.co.uk/

We note that the Birmingham Oratory has closed down the website fot the Cause for the Canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman and put the domain up for sale.

Fr Philip Cleevely transferred to Toronto

2011-02-07T00:00:00.001Z

Catholic & Loving It! blog - 6.2.2011
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/02/fr-philip-cleevely-transferred-to-toronto.html

The man who Jack Valero said would be "back soon" has now been in exile for 269 days. Turns out I was right, his exile is to be permanent.

Here's the "official" version of events from the Birmingham Oratory website...

Fr. Philip has been resident at the Toronto Oratory since last September, teaching philosophy and spirituality to the students in the seminary run by that community. He has found this work very satisfying. Full use has been made of his intellectual gifts in the tasks assigned to him. He has in consequence asked for a definitive transfer from the Birmingham Oratory to the Toronto Oratory. The Fathers in Canada, recognising the contribution he can make to their community’s life and work, have agreed to his request
We would like to thank Fr. Philip for his contribution to the life of the Birmingham house over the last twenty years. We would also like to thank the Fathers of the Toronto Oratory, their Provost Fr. Jonathan Robinson, and Fr. Martin Hilbert and Fr. Daniel Utrecht who were such a support to us in the preparations for the Papal Visit. Our two houses retain close fraternal bonds and we look forward to continued close collaboration in the future.
[Source: Birmingham Oratory Homepage]

Note the official version contains absolutely nothing by way of an explanation of how Fr Cleevely came to find himself resident in Toronto. That despite being an innocent man, despite twenty years residence at the Birmingham Oratory, Fr Cleevely was not allowed to be present in his own home during the Papal visit.

This is a family blog, so I will delete the last two paragraphs I wrote and leave it there.

"Justice for Fr Dermot Fenlon" is still world news!

2011-02-04T20:49:00.001Z

In September 2010, we reported that this blog had had over 15,000 visitors, from numerous countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, South Africa, India and even Vatican City State.

We have now had over 25,000 visitors and our list of 'audience'countries has grown to include regular visitors from Russia, China, Singapore, South Korea, Latvia, Jamaica and erm... Austria.

It would seem that bloggers just have to mention Fr Fenlon's name to receive a visitation from Austria.

Fr Fenlon and Homelessness Sunday.

2011-02-04T20:11:00.000Z

Catholic & Loving It! blog - 1.2.2011
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/02/fr-fenlon-and-homelessness-sunday.html

I must say, I always feel a bit uncomfortable when people refer to Fr Dermot Fenlon as "homeless". I cringed a little when I saw that the Free the B3 blog had ran a blog entry to mark Homelessness Sunday.

My feeling was, I'm not sure it's entirely appropriate to hijack Homelessness Sunday for the cause of Fr Fenlon. I mean, so far as I know, Fr Fenlon has a roof over his head when he goes to bed at night. He doesn't spend his days on the icy streets of Hull, London, Birmingham or Brighton. We risk trivialising a vital issue if we call a man "homeless" when he has (so far as I can ascertain) somewhere to go.

But then I thought again.

Because we also risk trivialising the issue of homelessness if we act as though the homeless are like stray animals that simply need rounding up and putting in kennels with a bit of food, shelter and warmth. The homeless are not animals, they are people. They are people with hopes and fears, hungers and dreams. They are human beings made in the image and likeness of God, they need our time, they need our attention, they need our love. Of course, we should also feed them!

The people on the streets of Hull and Brighton are there, more often than not, because somebody couldn't or wouldn't love. Maybe they had a drink or drug problem, an anger problem, a mental health problem... or their parents did. Maybe they were abused, maybe they were in the way of a second marriage and a new partner who didn't want them around, maybe they made a lifestyle choice that their parents couldn't accept, maybe they just couldn't stop leaving the toilet seat up.

Whatever the reason, and there are many (that's the thing about people - they are all different) it often comes down to this: somebody who should have loved unconditionally, didn't. We are not only dealing with a lack of food and shelter (though of course, we must meet those needs as well), we are dealing with a lack of love.

In this way, Fr Dermot Fenlon is not so very different to the homeless. Fr Fenlon had a home, but somebody found him difficult to live with, somebody couldn't or wouldn't love. Somebody thought that it would be better for everyone if he left. Maybe they had the legal "right" to send him away (maybe) - but as Chesterton reminds us, to have the right to do something is not the same as to be right in doing it.

It's really just a matter of happy circumstance that Fr Fenlon's exile does not mean putting him on the streets of Birmingham. The Oratory would have thrown him out even if it did mean putting him on the streets of Birmingham... Is that an outrageous thing to say?

You mean to say that if Fr Fenlon were sleeping in Cofton Park on a bench in the snow that Fr Duffield would invite him in?

That's good... so it is possible for him to return home?

Say a prayer for Fr Fenlon and everybody who for whatever reason is unable to go home. Some of them are lucky enough to "couch surf" while others find themselves in hostels and the less fortunate find themselves in doorways and prisons. Say a prayer also for those they are unable to go home to - they may need God's mercy even more.

"If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20

Charity begins at home?

2011-02-04T20:03:00.001Z

from Catholic Pater Familias blog - 31.1.2011
http://catholicpaterfamilias.blogspot.com/2011/01/charity-begins-at-home.html

As Fr Dermot Fenlon enters his 263 day of exile from his home at the Birmingham Oratory, when can we expect to hear Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, who is known for his opposition to homelessness, champion Fr Fenlon's cause?

And what of Fr Felix Selden, Fr Ignatius Harrison and Fr Gareth Jones? Do they know what homelessness and exile are like?

For background on Fr Fenlon's plight, the required reading is:

http://freethebirminghamoratorythree.blogspot.com/
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/

The one thing that is clear in this tale of misery is that Fr Fenlon has done nothing wrong (see James Preece's many postings on the subject).

Archbishop Vincent Nichols visits Monument to White Rose Movement

2011-01-31T14:26:00.010Z

www.ccee.ch

Monument to the members of

the Whilte Rose Movement

His Excellency, Monsignor Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster has this weekend attended the CCEE European Congress on University Pastoral Care, presiding over the CCEE Committee Catechesis-School-University, which took place in Munich.

During the weekend, delegates watched the film Sophie Scholl - the Final Days. They also visited the Monument to the members of the White Rose Movement.

Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl & Christoph Probst

were executed by guillotine on 22nd February 1943

Fr Dermot Fenlon, who has an interest in Sophie Scholl and the White Rose Movement, has spoken of the link between the movement and Cardinal John Henry Newman. In a speech given at the international symposium on Newman in Milan, March 2009, Fr Fenlon explained that Sophie, a Lutheran, was introduced to the works of Newman by a scholar called Theodor Haecker, who had written to the Birmingham Oratory in 1920 asking for copies of Newman's work, which he wanted to translate into German.

Monument in front of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, where

Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl and Christophe Probst distributed resistence leaflets.

Homelessness Sunday 2011

2011-01-30T22:53:00.003Z

Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley,
discussing Homelessness Sunday at the Housing
Justice Conference, held in Birmingham in June 2010

Today is Homelessness Sunday, when we remember and pray for all those affected by homelessness. We particularly remember Fr. Dermot Fenlon.

Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, speaking at the Housing Justice Conference in June 2010, tells us that "the experience of being homeless, uprooted from what is familiar, or lacking in lasting security can undermine inner peace". He also says that "the parable [of the Good Samaritan] reminds us how easy it is for good people to walk by on the other side of the road, too scared to get involved, too preoccupied to respond, or simply ignorant about the need."

A priest of his own diocese has today been homeless for 262 days.

The Birmingham Oratory's own newsletter today makes no reference to Homelessness Sunday.

What has Constantinople to do with Birmingham

2011-01-28T10:47:00.005Z

from The Noise of the Crusade blog - 27.1.2011

http://www.thenoiseofthecrusade.com/?p=99

... On a matter quite unrelated, it is now 259 days since Father Dermot Fenlon was forced to leave his home at the Birmingham Oratory on grounds that are yet to be satisfactorily explained by those responsible. Together with Father Philip Cleevely and Brother Lewis Berry, he is one of the three to whom this website is devoted: it is recommended to those seeking a full account of this scandal, as are the observations of James Preece and John Smeaton. Suffice it to note here that Ecclestone Square’s official spokesman Jack Valero (of “Catholic Voices” – who else?) has variously claimed that Father Dermot (a) “can come back soon” (June 2010); (b) is “entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever” (August 2010); (c) was exclaustrated for “pride, anger, disobedience, disunity, nastiness, dissension, the breakdown of charity” (also August 2010). For reasons which will be given, it is submitted that the significance of this last remark is to be found in the fact that the “nastiness” and “dissention” is not alleged to have been directed to other members of the community. Readers will be invited to view this remark as an example of the tendency of establishment liberals to tar defenders of orthodoxy as boat-rockers.

On 21 December 2007, Anthony Blair apparently converted to the Catholic Faith. “Apparently”, because he has publicly dissented from the Magisterium since then, for example on 8 April 2009, when he told the Pope to rethink the Church’s teaching on sodomy. On 15 September 2010 L’Osservatore Romano carried an article by Blair in which he sought to co-opt Newman’s teaching on conscience and the sensus fidelium to the cause of dissent. As John Smeaton observed at the time, (1) the publication of the article was shortly preceded by the announcement of the Birmingham Three’s exclaustration, (2) Father Dermot is “one of the world’s leading expert defenders of Newman’s legacy”, and (3) “since the removal of … the Birmingham Three the Newman Cause blog has had no substantial articles”. It has now disappeared altogether. While the Birmingham Three were at the Oratory together, several articles critical of Tony and Cherie Blair and directly related to the authentic interpretation of Newman appeared on the Newman Cause blog. For example:

“Since becoming a Catholic, Mr Blair has refused every invitation to disown and repent of [his anti-life/anti-family political record]… [S]ome commentators, including Catholics, have sought to justify it by saying that Mr Blair’s silence is because his support for abortion, embryo experimentation, civil partnerships and gay adoption has always been for him, and remains now, a matter of conscience. Now this is the danger in The Tablet’s association of Newman and conscience with the case of Tony Blair. If as a Catholic Mr Blair thinks that his conscience directs him to support such positions, to invoke Newman in defence of his stance would be a travesty. For Newman, no Catholic can be in good conscience in supporting the positions Mr Blair espoused. The impossibility of conscience, enlightened by Faith, justifying adherence to evil is one of the most important of Newman’s lessons for our times.” (October 2009: h/t John Smeaton)

Or this, published on 27 November 2009, concerning Deacon Jack Sullivan’s request that the Times remove from its website an article about a visit to Cherie Blair, which was sprung on him by some PR guy in the pay of a bishop:

“Unfortunately, Jack had not been made aware of Mrs Blair’s public opposition to the teaching of the Church. He undertook the visit in good faith, believing Mrs Blair to be simply a prominent Catholic. … The conjunction of Mrs Blair’s ‘conscientious’ dissent from the teaching of the Church with Jack Sullivan’s apparent endorsement of her could do harm to Newman’s reputation, and that is our reason for posting this clarification. Newman is indeed the great teacher of the rights and duties of conscience. It is of the greatest importance that his teaching is not used to make him the patron of Catholics, like Cherie Blair and others, who in the name of conscience practise dissent from the Church’s teaching. The decision to arrange Jack’s visit to Mrs Blair, and then to publicise it under Jack’s name, has not contributed to upholding a true interpretation either of Newman, or of Cherie Blair.”

If one was to think that the exile of the Birmingham Three, and Father Dermot in particular, was a manoeuvre in a wider campaign to appropriate the thought of Newman to the cause of liberal dissent by removing prominent critics of those who hold court at the heart of Relativism’s Dictatorship, then it is the humble opinion of this commentator that one would not be far off the mark.

The Birmingham Archivium and Library

2011-01-18T21:12:00.001Z

Newman and his Nest: The Home of the Oratorian

2011-01-18T20:39:00.001Z

Catholic and Loving It blog - James Preece - 18.1.2011
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/01/newman-and-his-nest-the-home-of-the-oratorian.html
Home is a very important place to an Oratorian, as Blessed Newman wrote...

"The Congregation is to be the home of the Oratorian. The Italians, I believe, have no word for home - nor is it an idea which readily enters the mind of a foreigner, at least not so readily as into the mind of an Englishman. It is remarkable then that the Oratorian Fathers should have gone out of their way to express the idea by the metaphorical word nido or nest, which is used by them almost technically."

1848 Address (Newman the Oratorian by Placid Murray - Page 94)

Newman spoke a great deal about his home in the Oratory...

"...To come home again! in that word 'home' how much is included. The home life - the idea of home - is consecrated to us by our patron and founder, St Philip, for he made the idea of home the very essence of his religion and institute. We even have a great example in our Lord Himself; though in his public ministry he had not where to lay His head, yet we know that for the first thirty years of His life he had a home, and He therefore consecrated, in a special way, the life of home. And as, indeed, Almighty God has been pleased to continue the world, not, as angels, by a seperate single creation of each, but by means of the family, so it was fitting that the Congregation of St Philip should be the ideal, the realization of the family in it's perfection, and a pattern to every family in every town, and throughout the whole of Christendom. Therefore, I do feel pleasure to come home again... I feel I may rejoice in coming home again - as if it were to my long home - to that home which extends to heaven, 'the home of our eternity'..."
1879 Address (Newman the Oratorian by Placid Murray - Page 118)
Today marks 250 days since Fr Dermot Fenlon was ordered from his home at the Oratory. The Oratory spokesman assured me live on the radio that Fr Fenlon would be home "soon" but Fr Fenlon was not home soon. Fr Fenlon is still not home.

Fr Fenlon is "entirely guiltless of any wrongdoing whatsoever". It's official.

So can he come home now?

Please?

Birmingham Oratory Prayer Chain

2010-11-23T09:33:00.000Z

Lacrimarum Valle blog - Dr Matthew Doyle - 17.11.2010
http://lacrimarum-valle.blogspot.com/2010/11/birmingham-oratory-prayer-chain.html

Please say the following prayer daily for the intentions of:

- The health and welfare of the community of the Birmingham Oratory of St Philip Neri
- The continuity of the tradition established by Blessed John Henry Newman
- The safe return of the three Birmingham Oratorians in absentia

PRAYER TO ST PHILIP NERI

Look down from heaven, Holy Father, from the loftiness of that mountain to the lowliness of this valley; from that harbour of quietness and tranquillity, to this calamatious sea.

And now that the darkness of this world hinders no more those benignant eyes of thine from looking clearly into all things, look down and visit, O most diligent keeper, that vineyard which thy right hand planted with so much labour, anxiety, and peril.

To thee, then, we fly; from thee we seek for aid; to thee we give our whole selves unreservedly; thee we adopt for our patron and defender.

Undertake the cause of our salvation, protect thy clients; to thee we appeal as our leader, rule thine army fighting against the assaults of the devil; to thee, kindest of rulers, we give up the rudder of our lives, steer this little ship of thine, and, placed as thou art on high keep us off all the rocks of evil desires, and with thee for our pilot and our guide we may safely come to the port of eternal bliss. Amen.

(Photo of the bust of St Philip Neri in the Birmingham Oratory House)

Letter to Fr Selden from Matthew Tye

2010-10-18T21:01:00.001+01:00

Matthew Tye FRSA, an employee of the Birmingham Oratory archive and libraries during the summer months and holiday periods of 2005 to 2008, has written to Fr Felix Selden about "the most serious grave injustices" which have taken place against Fr Dermot Fenlon.

Here is an extract:

"As I write, a delegation has already visited local politicians to inform them of this injustice. Further, a parliamentary question has been submitted and will be raised at the highest level at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, Westminster, London. You will no doubt be aware that these are broadcast internationally and recorded officially. If subsequently necessary, a delegation will visit Rome to draw attention to this abhorrent behaviour conducted in the name of Apostolic Visitation by yourself and your delegates."

His letter can be read in full at the Free the Three - Justice for Fr Dermot Fenlon FACEBOOK group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=150421118307744#!/note.php?note_id=126031084117704&id=100001400691871

Cat becomes a star after Pope blessing

2010-10-10T17:17:00.001+01:00

The Daily Telegraph - 8.10.2010

"Pushkin, the Birmingham Oratory cat, has become an unlikely religious hero after the Pope paused during his state visit to 'bless’ the feline and tickle his ears."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8052235/Cat-becomes-a-star-after-Pope-blessing.html

With news of the Pope meeting Pushkin the cat now widespread and indeed some reports claiming that the Pope gave the cat a "blessing", Free the Birmingham 3: Justice for Fr Fenlon asks why Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry were not allowed to meet the Pope and receive his blessing? Surely these three sons of Newman should have been afforded this dignity?

This news story makes a mockery of the Pope's visit to the Birmingham Oratory. It is grossly insensitive and insulting to Fr Dermot, Fr Philip and Br Lewis and it casts shame on those responsible for their exile.

You can help Fr Dermot Fenlon

2010-10-07T20:02:00.002+01:00

Please send your petitions and supplications in support of Fr Dermot Fenlon to:

Father Felix Selden C.O., Delegate of the Apostolic See, Confederation of the Oratory
E-mail: p.felix@oratorium.at

P. Edoardo Aldo Cerrato C.O., Procurator Generalis, Confederation of the Oratory
E-mail: cerrato@oratoriosanfilippo.org

His Eminence the Cardinal Prefect Franc Cardinal Rodé C.M.
Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
E-mail: civcsva.pref@ccscrlife.va

Furthermore, it is a fundamental right of European citizens, acting individually or jointly with others, that at any time they may exercise their right of petition to the European Parliament under Article 194 of the EC Treaty.
Write to: European Parliament, Committee on Petitions, The Secretariat, Rue Wiertz, B-1047 Brussels

2nd Open letter to Fr Felix Selden from Dr Knab

2010-10-06T23:25:00.001+01:00

Dr Stefanie Maria Knab

Fr Felix Selden C.O.
DELEGATUS SEDIS APOSTOLICAE
PRO CONFEDERATIONE ORATORII
S. PHILIPPI NERII
The Oratory Vienna

5 October 2010

Dear Fr Selden,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of 24 September 2010. In case you should ask me why I did not protest publicly about your scandalous ruling at the end of May, the answer is obvious: on the day after his banishment to the Trappist monastery, Fr Dermot asked his companions for “prayer and silence”.

You ask the question “I do not know whether you have examined Fr Dermot medically yourself”. My answer to that is yes, on 21 April 2010

I examined him medically myself at the guesthouse of the Convent of St Crescentia in Kaufbeuren.

It is simply a misrepresentation of the facts in order to protect yourself when you claim, amongst other things, that “To my certain knowledge, thank God, he enjoys good health”.

As you know, Fr Dermot asked for my medical advice in April 2010.

There was also a matter of medication, so I showed him the way to the Crescentia Apothecary. (In November 2001 I was in Rome at the canonisation of our Blessed Crescentia of Kaufbeuren.)

As a hospital chaplain in the Rudolf Foundation Hospital in Vienna you will be aware, dear Fr Selden, that as a doctor I am bound by my duty of confidentiality. I repeat: Fr Dermot also keeps silent about the Apostolic Visitation.

Your sentence on Fr Dr Dermot Fenlon CO of five years’ exclaustration is as much an abuse of power as it is a lack of judgement, since you failed to acknowledge crucial aspects of the case. It is foreseeable that your action against your confrere Fr Fenlon will end up before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Then I will ask Fr Dermot to release me from my duty of medical confidentiality. I will then be prepared to act as an expert witness before the Strasbourg Court.

Since at one time we supported lieutenant colonel Juergen Rose (Munich), who was refusing war service on grounds of conscience, we are also acquainted with the ECCHR. The European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights is a charitable and independent human rights organisation based in Berlin. It was founded in 2007 by a small group of well-known human rights lawyers, in order to protect and enforce by legal means the human rights which are enshrined in the General Declaration of Human Rights as well as other human rights declarations and national constitutions. At the same time we feel committed to the creative and effective use of the law as a driver for societal and social change.

The ECCHR will better enable a network of European human rights lawyers and human rights activists, who will exchange their knowledge and experience in the battle for human rights and together develop cross-border strategies.

Against this background I recommend that you read very carefully the speech of Pope Benedict XVI at Holyrood House, Edinburgh on 16 September 2010 (“and to promote the spread of authentic human rights”).

Say “Yes!” to authentic human rights.

I do appreciate your personal request for making peace (“pacification”):

I will light a candle for you in our parish church of St Martin in Kaufbeuren.

Yours sincerely
Dr Knab
Senior Doctor of the Central Anaesthetic Department, Ostallgäu

PS. Unfortunately I found no answer to my questions in your letter referred to above. A pity!

The Archivium Project

2010-10-02T21:53:00.000+01:00

Cardinal Newman Archivium • Birmingham Oratory from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.

Pope meets Pushkin the Birmingham Oratory Cat...

2010-09-29T10:29:00.001+01:00

but not Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry.

L'Osservatore Romano has made some images available from the Pope's recent private visit to the Birmingham Oratory, which can be viewed at:

http://www.photovat.com/PHOTOVAT/VIAGGI%20BENEDETTO/UK2010WEB/26_UK2010ORATORIO/index.html

'Mean-spirited'

2010-09-26T19:47:00.001+01:00

Catholic Family News - 26.9.2010
http://www.cfnews.org.uk/

In his Telegraph blog, Damian Thompson has commented on Father Fenlon's article about Newman's burial, published by STANDPOINT.

'Not by coincidence, I think, no sooner has the Pope left Britain than Fr Dermot Fenlon, one of the "Birmingham Three" Oratorians mysteriously sent into exile, has broken his silence in an article for next month's Standpoint magazine. . . . It's about Newman's burial and, reading between the lines, I'm guessing that a bitter dispute about the mortal remains of Blessed John Henry Newman formed part of this controversy. What isn't clear is whether Fr Fenlon thinks the Church did the wrong thing in attempting to transfer Cardinal Newman's remains to the Oratory church . . .Is Fr Fenlon trying to send a message to the Catholic world? It's hard to conclude otherwise, given that set into the body of his text is a short article by his Cambridge contemporary and friend Ruth Dudley Edwards. She has written before about the mystery of the "Birmingham Three", but on this occasion I can't believe that Standpoint would have printed her piece next to Fenlon's without his permission. [Update: Daniel Johnson, Editor of Standpoint, says in the thread below that Fr Fenlon didn't read Ruth Dudley Edwards's piece before publication and wasn't involved in the decision to run it. I'm assuming he didn't object to it, though.]

According to Dudley Edwards, Dermot Fenlon "gave up a glittering academic career to be a priest" and lived at the Birmingham Oratory for 20 years before being "suddenly ejected [and] banned from the Newman beatification". She adds:

Officialdom continued the policy of silence and concealment even as the blogosphere came alive with speculation and protest: a spokesman spoke opaquely of disunity within the community. Yet Roman Catholic insiders suggest that it was the Birmingham Three's defence of traditional teachings on sexual morality, and their belief that Church should challenge State, that posed an unwelcome intellectual challenge to the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, during his time as Archbishop of Birmingham . . .

One Oratorian has been transported to South Africa; another has been sent abroad for three years to study; Dermot Fenlon, who is 68 and in frail health, is rumoured to have been banned from his home for five years . . . (G)iven that Fr Fenlon is a distinguished Newman scholar, long-standing member of the Birmingham Oratory and furthermore in frail health, it seems mean-spirited indeed to have excluded him from the beatification and the Holy Father's visit to his community'.

'Catholic Voices' Blog discusses Standpoint articles

2010-09-24T20:38:00.000+01:00

Catholic Voices Media Monitor - 24.9.2010

http://catholicvoicesmedia.blogspot.com/2010/09/birmingham-three-priest-breaks-his.html

2010-09-24T20:35:00.000+01:00

Standpoint Magazine - Ruth Dudley Edwards - September 2010

http://standpointmag.co.uk/features-september-10-newman's-last-mystery-cardinal-newman-birmingham-three-dermot-fenlon (see bottom of page)

For the last 20 years, Dermot Fenlon, who gave up a glittering academic career in Cambridge to be a priest, has lived at the Birmingham Oratory. He has devoted himself to the study of its founder, Cardinal Newman, and the tending of parishioners. In the September issue of Standpoint, I told how, in May, with two other Oratorians, he was suddenly ejected, banned from the Newman beatification ceremony conducted last month by the Pope, and gagged.

Officialdom continued the policy of silence and concealment even as the blogosphere came alive with speculation and protest: a spokesman spoke opaquely of disunity within the community. Yet Roman Catholic insiders suggest that it was the Birmingham Three’s defence of traditional teachings on sexual morality, and their belief that Church should challenge State, that posed an unwelcome intellectual challenge to the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, during his time as Archbishop of Birmingham. One Oratorian has been transported to South Africa for at least a year; another has been sent abroad for three years to study; Dermot Fenlon, who is 68 and in fragile health, is rumoured to have been banned from his home for five years.

Attempts have been made to turn Newman into a gay icon on the grounds that he chose to be buried with his friend Father Ambrose St John. Fr Fenlon’s essay looks at the burial from Newman’s point of view.

Article by Fr Dermot Fenlon in Standpoint

2010-09-24T20:33:00.000+01:00

Standpoint Magazine - Fr Dermot Fenlon - September 2010
"Friends and saints: Newman's last mystery".

http://standpointmag.co.uk/features-september-10-newman's-last-mystery-cardinal-newman-birmingham-three-dermot-fenlon

'Birmingham Three' priest breaks his silence. Was this a bitter dispute about Newman's remains?

2010-09-23T15:19:00.000+01:00

Damian Thompson - Telegraph Blogs - 23.9.2010

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100055002/birmingham-three-priest-breaks-his-silence-was-this-a-bitter-dispute-about-newmans-remains/

"...given that Fr Fenlon is a distinguished Newman scholar, long-standing member of the Birmingham Oratory and furthermore in frail health, it seems mean-spirited indeed to have excluded him from the beatification and the Holy Father’s visit to his community".

'Free the Birmingham 3' campaign is world news!

2010-09-23T15:11:00.002+01:00

In the 133 days since Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry were sent away from the Birmingham Oratory, this blog has had over 15,000 visitors, from countries including:

UK    USA      Vatican City State        Australia      Canada

    France      Germany      Greece      India       Ireland

Italy        Poland       Malta        South Africa     Switzerland

Fr Paul Chavasse returns to the Birmingham Oratory

2010-09-22T20:49:00.004+01:00

Mass of Thanksgiving for the Beatification of Blessed John Henry Newman.

http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2010/09/mass-of-thanksgiving-at-birmingham.html

Photo by James Bradley - IMG_1782

The special Mass took place on the evening of Monday 20th September and was celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley with a number of Oratorians from the various English Oratories, including Fr Paul Chavasse.

Does this mean that Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry will also be allowed to return to their home?

Archbishop Burke's endorsement of Newman Legacy Project is encourageing news.

2010-09-22T14:01:00.001+01:00

Archbishop Raymond Burke, the Vatican's Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, endorses 'Newman Legacy Project'.

Spero News - 21.9.2010
http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=124&id=40182&t=Cardinal+Newman+Society+seeks+funds+to+preserve+legacy+of+John+Henry+Newman

According to Archbishop Raymond Burke... "The Newman Legacy Project will help, in an essential way, to bring the fruits of the heroic holiness of life of the Venerable Cardinal to as many of the faithful as possible, and also to non-believers who sincerely seek to know the truth and live accordingly..."

"Because of the importance of Cardinal Newman, of his life and his writings, the Birmingham Oratory, which he founded and which was his home in the last period of his life, is rightly dedicating itself to creating a fitting archive of his numerous writings, including his correspondence, and of important books and other objects used by him. Clearly, the creation of the Archive requires the generous support of many. I thank The Cardinal Newman Society for its work to garner imporant funds for the Archive."

Open letter to Fr Felix Selden from Mrs Hiltrud Knab, Bavaria

2010-09-21T10:01:00.002+01:00

On Friday Mother Hiltrud made a pilgrimage to Altötting to pray for Fr Dermot and for his cause - the sanctity of life - at the Chapel of the Miraculous Image. Back in April this year Fr Dermot took a pilgrimage to Altötting as well.

Dear Fr Selden

I will begin, if I may, by introducing myself: my name is Hiltrud Knab, and I was born on 30th July 1930 in Marktbreit. I am the mother of eight children: Barbara Hiltrud (born 1953), Stefanie Maria (1955), Martin Theodor (1956), Claudia Elisabeth (1957), Christine Margarete (1959), Michael Helmut (1961), Ingrid Marie (1962), and Monika Eva (1963). My youngest daughter Monika died from viral encephalitis in 1983.

In gratitude for my eight children, and in the knowledge that every human life, from conception to natural death, is a gift from God, and that the fifth commandment “Thou shalt not kill!” holds true for every life, I founded the “Prayer Circle for Life” (Gebetskreis für das Leben) in 1982. I was inspired by the theme of the Day for Catholics in Essen in 1982: “Choose Life” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Since then I have brought my intention for the “protection of unborn children and their mothers” to the Mother of God every week in the Rosary in one of the churches in our town.

In the spring of this year I came to know Fr Dermot Fenlon of the Birmingham Oratory through my son-in-law Jakob Knab. For two weeks he stayed as a guest of the Franciscan nuns at their Convent of St Crescentia. Almost every morning I came across him at Holy Mass, which he concelebrated with the convent chaplains. I found Fr Dermot to be a devout, prayerful and God-fearing priest. I met him in person at the home of my daughter Stefanie and her husband Jakob. Here, too, I sensed how deeply imbued he was by his faith in Jesus Christ. With a combination of my own knowledge of English retained from my schooldays in Marktbreit and Fr Dermot’s broken German we managed to enjoy a very cordial conversation.

He was pleased that I knew of Mary Ward, the great lady of English church history. I told him of the tragic destiny of Mary Ward, who became caught up in the machinery of the hierarchy. The responsible officials of that time were unable to recognise Mary Ward’s charismatic trail-blazing gifts. Whilst I was relating this moving story, Fr Dermot gave me his full attention. It is only in the past few days that I have been made aware that decades ago he was a historian of some repute in the University of Cambridge (Gonville and Caius College).

Fr Dermot also listened with immense sympathy when I told him about my mother, who recited the prayer of John Henry Newman with us when we were children during the dreadful days of the Second World War. It remains one of my best-loved prayers today: “O God, these days are full of affliction, the cause of Christ lies in its final agony ….”.

You, Fr Selden, with your mysterious machinations, have sent a trustworthy and honourable priest into the wilderness. A priest, whose mission and heart’s desire are to preach the word of God and to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. Why have you silenced him? What is the real reason for that? What purpose do you have in mind? Do you really want to destroy the “cause of Christ” in the world and thereby to sacrifice a human being? A verse from St John’s Gospel comes into my mind, when the Jews say to Pilate “We have a law – and by that law he must die” (John 19:7).

Fr Dermot argues unceasingly for the sanctity of human life. It must be respected from conception until natural death as a gift from God. Fr Dermot stands as a symbolic figure for the sanctity of life. What motives do you have, Fr Selden, for banishing one of your brethren, one who speaks out for the protection of human life out of his own deep faith and conviction?

I say to you: whoever kills a human being, whether yet unborn in his mother’s womb or old and no longer in control of his faculties, that person kills the love of God, which strengthens and blesses the person in every phase of his life.

Fr Selden, what heavy guilt could Fr Dermot have brought upon himself, to make you separate him so hard-heartedly and mercilessly from his familiar life in the Birmingham Oratory? Why have you silenced him? What severe offence can you prove against him, that would warrant such an unjust sentence? Do you have an answer to my question? An answer for me, and for all the faithful who “serve life”?

When we read the Bible with an open heart and mind we will discover that the devil attacks those people and those places where the Kingdom of God begins to grow. Do you, Fr Selden, wish to act as the henchman of this bringer of denial and confusion? That would surely be a triumph for Hell! In your capacity as a Catholic priest, you are charged with fighting evil!

So I ask you – no, I beseech you as Delegate of the Apostolic Visitation for the Confederation of the Oratories of St Philip Neri – to prepare a way for grace and justice.

Trusting in the intercession of the tender and immaculate heart of Mary, I beseech you:

Stop the persecution and oppression of Fr Dermot!

Listen to the words of the Judge of the World:

“I was homeless, and you gave me shelter.” (Matthew 25:35)

Listen to your priestly conscience:

Fr Dermot must come home this very week to the Birmingham Oratory!

MARIA MIT DEM KINDE LIEB
UNS ALLEN DEINEN SEGEN GIB!

(MARY, WITH YOUR LOVING CHILD,
GIVE US YOUR BLESSINGS!)

Hiltrud Knab

Pope pays tribute to Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory

2010-09-20T19:59:00.001+01:00

The Catholic Herald - Papal Visit 2010: Pope’s homily at Cofton Park on Sunday 19th September.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/19/papal-visit-2010-popes-homily-at-cofton-park-full-text/

"I pay tribute to all who have worked so hard over many years to promote the cause of Cardinal Newman, including the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory".

Open letter to all Oratorians in the United Kingdom

2010-09-18T21:47:00.001+01:00

To Fr Felix Selden, Fr Ignatius Harrison, Fr Richard Duffield & all Oratorians in the United Kingdom.

With just hours to go before the Holy Father beatifies Cardinal John Henry Newman at Cofton Park, we beg you to allow Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Philip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry to attend this most important event in the life of the Birmingham Oratory.

One can only imagine the humiliation, the pain and the mental torment that these three men are suffering at not being allowed to attend the beatification of the man they have made it their vocation to follow.

Please look deeply into your heart and ask yourself afresh:-

what is it that these three men have done?
do they deserve to be punished so severely?
is there no way that they can be afforded the dignity of standing beside their brothers at the beatification of their founder?

With every good wish,

Friends & Supporters of the 'Birmingham 3'