Ireland’s Maynooth Seminary: Gays Still Favored, Orthodox Still Punished

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Ireland's future, with the legalization of same-sex marriage already passed and abortion up for a referendum next year, doesn't look bright. An inside source at Ireland's national seminary gave an update that produces more concerns than hope.

On Wednesday, Church Militant spoke to an inside source at St. Patrick's College, Ireland's national seminary in Maynooth. The seminary, founded in 1795 and built to house 500 seminarians, has produced 11,000 priests. Once the largest seminary in the world, the now scandal-ridden seedbed of priests is but a shadow of its former greatness.

Currently only 30 seminarians attend and half of them are gay. "It doesn't take a scientist to figure out the femininity displayed by these 'men,'" said the source.

Three seminarians were expelled just this month for being too orthodox, while the hierarchy continues to shelter two deacons caught last year using the gay dating app, Grindr, used for hookups.

"All had completed four years, which included philosophy, pastoral year and the first year of theology," the source related.

One seminarian was expelled for challenging his professor's questionable orthodoxy. The seminarian "was told to go because he challenged a lecturer when he said there was no Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. This was reported to the bishop and he was subsequently let go," the source related.

A directive came out that he and two others were told to leave as they were "unsuitable for priesthood due to their orthodoxy," said the source.

These expulsions are occurring while two deacons from Maynooth, allegedly caught using the Grindr app, are being protected by Abp. Diarmuid Martin of Dublin. One is being housed by the bishop and has been seen leaving his residence. Martin refuses to answer any of the media's queries about them.

"Sadly both are featured in the college hall wall where large photos depict each year the graduates with diaconate," said the source. "Both are still mentioned as active deacons in the college's annual book despite the accusations surrounding them."

About half of the teachers at Maynooth are orthodox. They're easily identifiable, said the source, as they "wear the collar and will always say a pre-lecture prayer." The liberal priests never do either.

Write to the administration at Maynooth Seminary here:

President Msgr. Hugh G. Connolly: President@spcm.ie

Vice President Michael Mullaney: michael.mullaney@spcm.ie

Director of Formation Paul Prior: Paul.Prior@spcm.ie

Director of Formation Michael Collins: michael.collins@spcm.ie

Watch the panel discuss the hope of the once Catholic country in The Download—Ireland's Collapse.

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