Post by Alaisdir Ua Séaghdha on May 27, 2008 13:36:04 GMT
The Ferns Diocese has a Catholic population of around 100,000 in 49 parishes served by 131 priests. It is made up of most of Co Wexford and some of Co Wicklow. Its official website is: www.ferns.ie/.
Bishop Brendan Comiskey SS.CC. became Bishop of Ferns in 1984 after serving as an Auxilliary Bishop in Dublin since 1979, a few months before the indult Quattuor Abhinc Annos took effect and served until his resignation in 2002. The Dublin Auxilliary Bishop, Mgr Eamonn Walsh was Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until Bishop Denis Brennan took office in 2006.
Father John Brady CSSp (English province) retired to a property belonging to him in Wexford and actively supported the SSPX for many years, both at the Society's chapel elsewhere in Ireland and at his own oratory on the outskirts of Wexford Town. Over time, he became disaffected with the SSPX and though he essentially stood as an independent priest, he has tried through approaches to both the diocese and his congregation to reconcile himself unequivocally with the Church. These approaches, and representations made by others on his behalf, have not been responded to by either diocese or order. Given that Fr Brady has tried his best in this regard, his apostolate must be seen in a positive light and it is not his fault that he can be seen in an irregular light. Most notoriously, the diocese recently attempted to prevent him solemnising a marriage.
The Ferns record on the indult is easily summarised. In 2001, Bishop Comiskey permitted an annual Mass in the Pugin Chapel in Edermine House outside Enniscorthy. This has been organised since then by the LMSI. In addition, at least one traditional marriage has taken place in the diocese since Summorum Pontificum took effect. Fr Brady had solemnised marriages and performed baptisms in a number of churches of the diocese including at St Aidan's Cathedral in Enniscorthy and at Our Lady's Island, the most prominent place of pilgrimage in the diocese. In the circumstances, the actions of the Ferns diocesan authorities seem inconsistent.
Bishop Brendan Comiskey SS.CC. became Bishop of Ferns in 1984 after serving as an Auxilliary Bishop in Dublin since 1979, a few months before the indult Quattuor Abhinc Annos took effect and served until his resignation in 2002. The Dublin Auxilliary Bishop, Mgr Eamonn Walsh was Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until Bishop Denis Brennan took office in 2006.
Father John Brady CSSp (English province) retired to a property belonging to him in Wexford and actively supported the SSPX for many years, both at the Society's chapel elsewhere in Ireland and at his own oratory on the outskirts of Wexford Town. Over time, he became disaffected with the SSPX and though he essentially stood as an independent priest, he has tried through approaches to both the diocese and his congregation to reconcile himself unequivocally with the Church. These approaches, and representations made by others on his behalf, have not been responded to by either diocese or order. Given that Fr Brady has tried his best in this regard, his apostolate must be seen in a positive light and it is not his fault that he can be seen in an irregular light. Most notoriously, the diocese recently attempted to prevent him solemnising a marriage.
The Ferns record on the indult is easily summarised. In 2001, Bishop Comiskey permitted an annual Mass in the Pugin Chapel in Edermine House outside Enniscorthy. This has been organised since then by the LMSI. In addition, at least one traditional marriage has taken place in the diocese since Summorum Pontificum took effect. Fr Brady had solemnised marriages and performed baptisms in a number of churches of the diocese including at St Aidan's Cathedral in Enniscorthy and at Our Lady's Island, the most prominent place of pilgrimage in the diocese. In the circumstances, the actions of the Ferns diocesan authorities seem inconsistent.