Sir, - I am a priest of the Dublin diocese who at one time studied at Clonliffe College with Pat Buckley. Pat tends to present himself as a prophet and, of course, it fits in with the image of a prophet that he sees himself as someone who is persecuted by the establishment. The opposition of an authentic prophet is, ultimately, constructive. Pat has many good qualities, not least of which are a good sense of humour and a facility with language. I think, however, that he backed himself into a corner a good many years ago, and is now trapped in a cycle of destructive sniping.
If Pat Buckley wants to argue with the authorities of the Church, there is nothing to stop him. He has been doing it for years. But the death of a young man is already a very difficult time for his family.
I think it is important to establish a few facts:
1. Pat Buckley's nephew was not denied a funeral Mass in his parish church. Nor was he denied a Christian burial. (In 20 years as a priest, I have personally never known a case in which a person was denied a Christian burial, if it was requested.)
2. Pat Buckley himself would have been welcome in the congregation, as a member of the family.
3. The problem is that Pat wants to present himself as a Catholic priest, whereas the ministry he exercises is not related to any appointment from any bishop. In some respects at least, his ministry is not compatible with the core teaching of the Gospel as understood and proclaimed by the Catholic Church.
By requesting permission to celebrate the funeral Mass, he put Archbishop Connell in an impossible situation. Of course compassion is a virtue. Of course Pat Buckley's family are entitled to the same pastoral care as any other family in the diocese. Too often, however, in our concern to be compassionate, we overlook that other essential Christian virtue, the truth. As Jesus himself said on one occasion, it is the truth that sets us free. - Yours, etc.,
Foxrock, Dublin 18.