‘Offensive’ priest – A welcome intervention

John Buckley, the Bishop of Cork & Ross, is the quiet man of the Irish Catholic Church hierarchy.

He rarely makes public pronouncements on non-liturgical matters. This makes his response to hurtful comments made by a priest at a funeral Mass in the city all the more forceful and all the more welcome.

Bishop Buckley described as “offensive” and “entirely inappropriate” remarks made by the priest who asked mourners to pray that former lord mayor of Cork, John Murray, would not be found guilty of sex assault charges.

In a statement, Bishop Buckley said the diocese was unaware that these comments were going to be made and sincerely regrets the obvious hurt they have caused.

Last Friday, Murray, aged 83, of Gregg Rd in Cork, was found guilty of the sexual assault of a teenager. He is to be sentenced on Monday.