The Birmingham Three: Uncontainable!

Blogged by James Preece on 9th August 2010

Bad news for anybody who was thinking they might be able to keep this whole business about the Birmingham Three swept under the carpet.

The situation is now very definitely uncontainable.

Ruth Dudley Edwards (Irish Journalist) has written about the Birmingham Three in Standpoint magazine. She writes...

News from the Birmingham Oratory, which next month the pope will visit on September 19th, the day he beatifies Cardinal Newman. Newman's old home is now mired in a deepening scandal: this started with the ex-Provost having a 'chaste but intense' relationship with a young man and went on to see three of its tiny community banished to separate monasteries. These three — two priests and a brother — have become known as the ‘Birmingham Three', as a sense of injustice mounts about their fate.

I'll be writing in the next issue venomously about the scandalous way in which these men have been treated, and of the apparent inability of the Catholic Church to learn the downside of secrecy and authoritarianism. But for now I'm just putting it on the record that, in a lengthy interview with me, the ubiquitous Jack Valero of Opus Dei, spokesman for the Newman canonisation cause and the Birmingham Oratory, has confirmed unequivocally that the Three are entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever, including, specifically, sexual misdemeanours or homophobia.

The Birmingham Three have been gagged so cannot defend any speculation about them. And speculation there has been. Until now, the main official communication from the Oratory has been a comment that it was 'an internal matter': the laity were enjoined to stop asking questions. But those who know that the punishment of the Three exceeds that of your average clerical child-molester have been speculating all over the religious blogosphere. Are they homosexual? Homophobic? Are they fanatical fundamentalists? Or victims of a political archbishop who will allow Newman to become a gay icon? Since one of the three is my dear old friend Father Dermot Fenlon, late of Gonville and Caius, this atheist has been following events and speculation closely. Quite apart from anything else, events cast an extraordinary light on institutional cruelty.

[link]

You can bully a blogger with guilt trips about how this sort of writing could embarrass the Pope and hurt the Church (because covering up injustice doesn't hurt the Church at all) but you're not going to guilt trip an atheist writer and standpoint magazine aren't going to be bothered if you won't sell it at the back of your churches.

Of course, they could have let the three back months ago... then none of this would have ever happened.

h/t John Smeaton

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+11

Birmingham Oratory Parishioner said...

A light needs to shine on this affair as it is the one thing that is preventing further injustice, such as permanent dismissal without regard to the requirements of Canon law.

And now it is an atheist who has wrested a resounding declaration of innocence, finally, from the slippery Jack Valero! They are "ENTIRELY GUILTLESS OF ANY WRONG-DOING WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, SPECIFICALLY, SEXUAL MISDEMEANOURS OR HOMOPHOBIA".

Attempts at smearing the three may well continue but we can now repeat, as many times as necessary, with grassroots "Catholic voices", the above statement from the official Oratory spokesman, Jack Valero.

Thank-you, Ruth Dudley Edwards!

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Frank said...

Unfortunately, this higher profile publicity may be counter-productive. Some people are so obstinate that they will never amend a poor judgment.

That is not the situation anyone wants to provoke. Sadly, time is running out before the Beatification. And each day must build the discouragement in the hearts of those who hope for a just, reasonable and speedy resolution.

Liberal Traditionalist said...

Quite correct Frank, time is indeed running out but thanks to James and other Voices of Reason, the issue hasn't been allowed to fade away into the darkness.

Even if it's the right & proper thing to do, can't those "Catholic Voices" who sent them away even think their way to do the pragmatic thing.

It won't be pragmatic for them to wait for Ruth's Bombshell to explode.

Think this through for once gentlemen!!

Gregory78 said...

Prayers answered. Hopefully the B3 will be returned to where they belong.

Richard Reeves said...

I think the Birmingham Oratory have a simple choice 1) reinstate the Birmingham 3 before the Holy Father's visit or 2) Expect the "forces of hell" to be unleashed, and more relentless digging by journalists. They had only hope and pray that there are no skeletons in the closet, as the door will be flung wide open for all to see!

Sophia said...

If past behaviour is anything to go by don't be surprised if it's number 2 - the "forces of hell". Common sense and Christ-like wisdom don't seem to be their hallmark.

Troy said...

Two questions for those who sentenced the Oratory 3:

1) They are innocent. When will the sentence be lifted and the damage to their reputations be repaired?

2) How do you defend your actions?

Richard Reeves said...

Troy, how do you reconcile what has happened to them according to
the Church's own law? It is just a nonsense, and can only have been executed by a canon lawyer that is not fit to practise:

Can. 221 ß1 Christ's faithful may lawfully vindicate and defend the rights they enjoy in the Church, before the competent ecclesiastical forum in accordance with the law.

ß2 If any members of Christ's faithful are summoned to trial by the competent authority, they have the right to be judged according to the provisions of the law, to be applied with equity.

ß3 Christ's faithful have the right that no canonical penalties be inflicted upon them except in accordance with the law.

Troy said...

Thank you Richard Reeves for the canon law quotes both here and in other comments you have made - they are very helpful to our understanding of the abuses of this case. I am not a canon lawyer but I agree that it does seem to be impossible to reconcile the treatment of the Oratory 3 with Church law.

Richard Reeves said...

Troy, you're very welcome. Canon law is not my field, and all I have been able to do is locate them in the Code. They would need an expert canon lawyer to interpret but at least they point in the right direction, and appear to clearly point out that what has happened is simply not right.

Sarah said...

"the Three are entirely guiltless of any wrong-doing whatsoever, including, specifically, sexual misdemeanours or homophobia"

The questions remain: why have they been sent away and when are they coming back?

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Honorius said...

Does anyone know the current circumstances of the Oratory Three?

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Robin Carter said...

I have scoured the internet but I can find no new information. It is rather a worry as we do not know if the Frs and brother are in good health or being well looked after.

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Ted said...

Well and truly gagged is the more likely reality.

Honorius said...

How about some truth for Catholics Jack Valero?

But then, neither Jack nor his spinner's apprentices would be reading this blog would they?

http://seraphicgoestoscotland.blogspot.com/2010/08/dont-look-back-in-anger.html

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comment said...

Numerous parishioners have been in touch with them. Believe it or not they were each sent to the abbeys they would go on retreat to so they clearly get on with the members there else they wouldn't go on retreat there.

Alison said...

Ah, the oracle speaks! The comment knows it all and passes on his wealth of knowlege in a most sanctimonious way!
I think Jack Valero should come to you for clarification. You two enjoy the same speak.

Ted said...

Anyone care to ring around and find out if they are still at the abbeys to which they were sent?

I tried and the answer is no.

So where are they?

Paul Massey said...

None of the Abbeys concerned will tell you anything and there is no other information available.
To date, I have not come across one person who has heard from any of the three. This is a cause for grave concern.
Three men have literally disappeared. In this day age whether they are members of a Religious community or not, they do have basic human rights.
If they are not communicating with anyone in the outside world, why not? Who is preventing them?
Whether Fr. Seldon likes it or not, he does not own these men. Much to his obvious dismay and annoyance, people out in the world do care about them and are concerned for their safety.
These men are-to all intents and purposes-missing persons, it's about time the relevant authorities were informed.
The mystery remains. What happened that night when Fr Ignatius Harrison and the sinister Fr. Gareth Jones turned up at the Oratory.
Time we had answers.
Jack Valero can tell us all the lies he likes. Fr. Seldon can hide behind Canon Law and tell us that it’s none of our business...come into the real world gentlemen, three men are missing, this matter has become everybody's business!

Ted said...

The Link below is to Ruth Dudley Edwards' article in the Irish Independent on the issue of the disappearance of Fr Dermot Fenlon, Fr Phillip Cleevely and Br Lewis Berry.

Definitely worth a read.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/victims-of-the-old-authoritarian-weapons-2297886.html

Paul Massey said...

Thanks for the link Ted,an excellent piece!

Disillusioned Oratory Parishioner said...

http://www.birmingham-oratory.org.uk/

Neill said...

I do know that Br. Lewis is very well indeed. Doing a great job where he is and will be ordained priest in April. Our gain is Birmingham's loss :)

Neill said...

I do know that Br. Lewis is very well indeed. Doing a great job where he is and will be ordained priest in April. Our gain is Birmingham's loss :)

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sean said...

This is all little more than piss and wind. None of the three is parish priest so I struggle to see what legitimate interest their 'parishioners' might have in this matter over, say, what goes on in some abbey. As for the 'asked or ordered?' conundrum, surely the easiest harmonisation of this is that an informal request was formally actioned. Of course one does wonder if these crusading journalist types would be so happy for their readership to scrutinise their own employment/holiday/disciplinary records.

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Birmingham Oratory Parishioner said...

Try to find out a bit more about the Oratories and how they work, dear, before posting. They aren't abbeys, they are parishes ... no time for more.

I suggest the Birmingham Oratory website to begin with.

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sean said...

Sorry but if you are going to be 'canonical' about this you need to explain exactly how in canon law a parishioner relates to a member of a religious congregation not their parish priest. I believe the nearest canonical relationship would be through the Holy Father himself.

Yet another Birmingham Oratory parishioner said...

What on earth are you talking about? I am sure I am not the only parishioner to be concerned about the absent priests and brother on humanitarian grounds, nothing to do with canon law (although that also seems to have been violated in this case). These are men we have known for many years and who mean a great deal to us, and of course we want to know that they are all right and to get them back where they belong. And if you had the least clue about how the Oratory "works" in practice, you wouldn't be drawing this ridiculous distinction between the Parish Priest and the other Fathers. They all minister to any of us who wants them to, and we are extremely fortunate to have them.

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sean said...

For a moment forget the goodness of the Fathers and my alleged lack of knowledge of the Oratory. It is your methodology that I take issue with. You allege a violation of canon law yet in the same breath describe one of its basic distinctions as 'ridiculous'. Do you not see that your canonical relationship with the three Fathers is absolutely crucial to your status in these matters. Lacking any status you and your fellows are nothing but a pressure group. Perhaps you will mount a demonstration during the Holy Father's visit? I'm sure that will help.

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Alison said...

Sean, you may choose to put aside the goodness of the Frs. and the Brother. You may choose to ignore the underhanded way this was done, the violation of human rights and yes, The Code of Canon Law.
We have just recieved the sad news that Brother Lewis is being sent to South Africa. No doubt the Frs will be sent to-Lord knows where.
Many decent people who they have helped and minstered to over the years will miss them terribly.It is a sad day.
Now is not the time to be throwing your toys out of the pram...show some respect!

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sean said...

LOL. Presumably I might show respect by filling in the gaps with all kinds of speculation. Just like the Fathers themselves (not).

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comment said...

I'm glad to see a sane Catholic around. Thanks for posting.

Richard Reeves said...

Sean what rubbish you speak - the priests concerned all had a pastoral ministy in the parish, and shared in the "cure of souls" along with the parish priest. Of course the Birmingham Oratory parishoners have a legitimate interest in their welfare. Likewise, if a curate in a parish was badly treated are the parishoners to ignore this simply because he is not "the proper pastor" to use canonical speak?

Sapientia said...

Has anyone seen this article in the Catholic Herald: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/13/birmingham-oratory-brother-sent-to-south-africa/

With Fr Philip having been in Toronto and Br Lewis now going about as far in another direction, the rumour that the three were to be split up for ever seems to be turning into reality.

Free the Three said...

This article and Fr Felix Selden's statement can be read in full at:

www.freethebirminghamoratorythree.blogspot.com

Gregory78 said...

Fr. Gareth must be very pleased with himself, he has the result he laboured and schemed so hard for.
He has much to answer for and he knows it!

Sapientia said...

Yes, indeed, and to think he had the nerve to turn up at the Oratory one Sunday filling in for one of Fathers he has helped to send into exile.

+10

Honorius said...

Don't you mean the Three Amigos - Selden, Harrison and Jones?

A bishops mitre must be being made to measure for each of them as I type.

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comment said...

I just clicked on your G K link and noticed this wonderful little saying: "To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it."

I think this is no victory at all, we've carried our scandal into the secular world as yet another stumbling block for them, as if they didn't have enough. I can't argue that people don't have a right to to demand answers but maybe, as G K said, there are some rights that it's just not right to exercise sometimes.

Reeta Shastri said...

Bro. Lewis Berry would seem to have spent much of the past ten years in the study and promotion of the works of John Henry Newman.

According to Fr. Felix Selden, Bro. Lewis "welcomes the opportunity" to be excluded from the beatification and to work on the other side of the world for an undefined period.I DON'T THINK SO !

Sapientia said...

As a devoted Oratorian, Br Lewis probably welcomes this opportunity in the sense that the only alternative offered to him was expulsion from the Order.