11th April, 2002
If I go down, I'll bring Comisky with me".
Words spoken by Fr. Sean Fortune a few years ago - and now from
the grave he has kept his promised threat. I watched the BBC
documentary, which was shown on RTE two weeks ago, and one scene
from it sticks in my mind. Bishop Comisky arriving by car,
getting out and singing, "I will survive", then the BBC
reporter arrives with the microphone, and the Bishop is gone in a
flash, telling the interviewer that he has to say mass. The next
scene was this week, the mass for the founder of the Christian
Brothers. The chief celebrant was Cardinal Connell, with his
comment to a reporter, "It's a beautiful day", whilst
grown men were outside the church crying. Then the press
conference on RTE on Monday night saw a different man, the
aloofness and arrogance was gone, an inquisition of church
leaders by the people, and the people demanded answers. We all
want answers. No more €100 an hour P.R. consultants to write
your scripts, talking of love, forgiveness, healing, openness. I
heard one priest mention, "Healing the scars". Scars
cannot be healed, they are with you for life.
Did you watch 'Questions and Answers' on Monday night? One of the
speakers was Fr. Sean Fagan, from the Milltown Institute, and
that man made more sense in five minutes than all this P.R.
rubbish I've heard in the last few weeks. According to Fr. Fagan
there is now a new directive from Rome, courtesy of Cardinal
Ratzinger, who seems to be so conservative he makes Maggie
Thatcher sound like Fidel Castro. The new directive from the
Cardinal is that all complaints of Paedephilia are to be kept
secret and reported only to Rome, where they will be dealt with
by a jury of priests. However, Irish law dictates that you are
obliged to report to the Gardai any criminal sexual act upon a
minor. So where does that leave the Bishops? I only speak as a
father and a grandfather, but to the Bishops I say, "As a
man, do the right thing, give those evil people up to the civil
authorities, because it's the right thing to do. If you do not
then you are as bad as they are. All it takes for evil to triumph
if for good men to do nothing. Incidently, come home Eamon Casey,
all is forgiven."
Last Friday night was another great night in Douglas. The
occasion was the selection of a Douglas Rose to go through to the
Cork finals. Congratulations to Lisa Kenny, who represented
Douglas Village Shopping Centre, winning on the night to become
our Douglas Rose. A special word of thanks to all the other
lovely girls, who made the night one of the best ever. There are
quite a few people we would like to thank... the local
businesses, who continue to support this community based night,
Claire Caulfield of 'All That Blooms' flower shop (next to the
Silver Key bar) for the lovely red roses and the bouquet for the
winner, the three judges, Helen O'Sullivan, Simon Coveney and
Carol Anthony, who had such a difficult task picking a winner,
and then presenting the winner with a fabulous gown from their
bontique 'Havana' in town, plus a complete makeover for the Cork
final. Our MC on the night was the incomparable Noel Welch, who
always does a great job, Brendan Kelly, who backed the girls who
sang with music. The band were the fantastic 'Lightning Strikes'.
It was the first time I've heard them and they were superb. A
special thanks to duty manager Jim Casey and his bar staff at
Rochestown Park Hotel, who were always on hand to ensure
everything runs smoothly, and Liam Lally, who continues to
support our Douglas Weekly rose night. Finally, a very special
thank you to the friends, family and supporters who turned up on
the night. I spoke with Jim Casey the following day and Jim
complimented the great support and conduct of everyone who was at
the show. This was our 4th year holding this event and I can
honestly say that it is all of you who continue to make this
annual event such a great success!!
Speaking of entertainment, my friend Gary O'Donovan or the
Rochestown Inn tells me that they have some great live music
shows lined up for the 'Inn during the next few months. I'll be
checking it out during the next few weeks, so when you see me
coming through the door, say 'cheese'!
Speaking of music, my son ordered two DVD's through the internet,
both live albums - Glen Campbell Live in Concert last year. This
guy is 65 years old and is as good, if not better, than ever. The
other live concert DVD was in Reno Nevada from last year. The
artist is folk songwriter and singer Gordon Lightfoot. I know an
old friend of mine, Ann Kearney, now married to James Kelleher in
Passage West, was a great Gordon Lightfoot fan. Anne, get this
DVD, you'll love it! The voice is as good as ever, and the
backing group is awesome.
Finally, can I make an important point. In the past week a couple
of my advertisers have telephoned me to ask whether the Douglas
Weekly is involved in any other publication bearing the Douglas
name. The answer is NO, and the Douglas Weekly is not connected
with the Douglas Tidy Town committee in trying to sell
advertising, and nobody has the right to use my name, or that of
the Douglas Weekly, in trying to sell advertising, except the
Douglas Weekly staff, and you all know where we are situated, in
St. Patrick's Mills, the heart of Douglas.
Phil Goodman called in to the office to tell us that she and some
friends are having a coffee morning in aid of the Cope Foundation
in St. Columba's Hall (another heart of Douglas) on Friday
morning, April 19th at 11.00am - music is by Phil's husband
Steve, put the kettle on Phil, I'll be there, and one question,
'How does Steve sound at 11.00am in the morning?! I can't wait!!
Bye for now,
Michael O'Hanlon.
