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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Decision to remove Eamonn Casey's remains came in response to furore over documentary last year
It is unusual for church authorities anywhere to disturb the remains of the deceased, not least a deceased bishop. The decision by diocesan authorities in Galway to remove the remains of Bishop Eamonn Casey from the crypt in Galway Cathedral to the care of his family is thus a rare event – and the length of time it took to reach it shows how delicate it was. The decision came in response to the furore which followed the broadcasting a year ago by RTÉ One of the documentary, Bishop Casey's Buried Secrets , made in association with the Irish Mail on Sunday newspaper. It recalled how four people independently accused Bishop Casey of child sexual abuse and a separate child safeguarding concern was also recorded against him. The significant public reaction led to the diocese commencing a period of consultation on what to do. The explanation given for the removal of the remains from the crypt at Galway Cathedral was somewhat opaque. 'Significant consensus emerged around the unique role of a cathedral as a place of unity rather than division, healing rather than hurt and peace rather than disquiet,' said a short statement from Galway's diocesan authorities on Saturday. And so Casey's remains were removed to the care of his family. The statement noted how 'the continued resting of the mortal remains of Bishop Eamonn Casey in the crypt of the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway, was a deeply felt matter that affected many people in different ways'. READ MORE It referred to another statement issued by the diocese in July last year, following the programme, when it appealed 'for time and space' to allow 'for appropriate reflection and consultation' on the issue. [ Garda will not reopen Bishop Eamonn Casey investigation Opens in new window ] The documentary included an interview with Bishop Casey's niece , Patricia Donovan. In her first television interview, she outlined in detail the abuse allegations she first made against Casey in November 2005. These were investigated by gardaí at the time – who questioned Casey – but no charges were brought. Casey, who fathered a child with Annie Murphy in the early 1970s, denied all accusations of child sexual abuse made against him. Before he died in 2017 it was known that he faced such allegations involving three girls. An Garda Síochána and the church authorities were notified by the Limerick diocese after it received the complaints in 2001, 2005, and 2014. One involved Ms Donovan, another involved the late Ellen Murphy, and the identity of the third woman has not been revealed. After his death another woman made an allegation of child sex abuse against him, and a child safeguarding matter concerning him also came to light. [ Bishop Eamonn Casey's remains removed from Galway cathedral Opens in new window ] The programme disclosed that Ms Murphy alleged Casey abused her in the 1950s when she was 15 and at St Joseph's reformatory in Limerick, where he was chaplain. In 2001 she initiated High Court proceedings against him and also applied to the Redress Board, set up to compensate people who had been in residential institutions as children. She received €40,000 in redress and dropped her High Court action. She made no formal complaint to the gardaí about her alleged abuse by Casey. In 2019, two years after Casey died, Limerick diocese paid €100,000 to a woman over alleged abuse by Casey when he was curate at St John's Cathedral in Limerick between 1955 and 1960. Canon lawyer Fr Aidan McGrath told the programme that 'disciplinary measures' had been taken by the Vatican where Casey was concerned. 'Whether they were punitive or not, I would doubt it. An allegation, ultimately, until there's evidence to back it up, is not proof. Until he's proven guilty of something he's given the benefit of the doubt. And it looks as if that's what happened,' he said. However, for most of his later years Casey was suspended from public ministry by the Vatican. His funeral Mass at Galway Cathedral in March 2017 was concelebrated by 11 bishops and 61 priests with more than 1,600 people in attendance, including President Michael D Higgins.
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Church removes remains of Bishop Eamonn Casey from cathedral crypt
The remains of an Irish bishop accused of sexual abuse have been removed from a cathedral crypt and placed in the care of his family, his former diocese has said. Eamonn Casey gained worldwide notoriety in 1992 after it came to light that he had a son with American divorcee Annie Murphy and had paid her thousands for his upkeep in the US. Advertisement The bishop died aged 89 in a nursing home in the west of Ireland in 2017 after a long illness. He was interred in the crypt of Galway's Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and Saint Nicholas after his funeral mass was held there. Last year, an investigation by the Irish Daily Mail and RTÉ revealed allegations of sexual abuse against the former Galway bishop. At the time, the Galway Diocesan Office said it would begin a period of 'careful consideration and consultation' about his remains. Advertisement On Saturday, it announced that his remains had been 'entrusted' to the care of his family. It said the presence of the bishop's remains at the cathedral 'was a deeply felt matter that affected many people in different ways'. In a statement, it said: 'The diocese would like to thank everyone for their understanding of the situation, for their patience and for their respect as this process was undertaken and brought to a conclusion. 'Significant consensus emerged around the unique role of a cathedral as a place of unity rather than division, healing rather than hurt, and peace rather than disquiet. Advertisement 'Now, with the assent and co-operation of members of the late Bishop Eamonn's family and following prayers for the dead, his mortal remains have been moved from the cathedral crypt and entrusted to their care. 'It is their express wish that the arrangements they have made for Bishop Eamonn's final resting place remain private.' No information on when the removal took place was provided in the statement. The diocese said: 'The members of Bishop Eamonn's family involved ask that their earnest desire for privacy be respected at this time. Advertisement 'We pray that God will continue to draw all those who have been affected by this matter into his healing love.'
CBS News
14-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Bishop Mark Eckman to be installed as 13th bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Bishop Mark Eckman will be installed as the 13th bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh on Monday, following the retirement of longtime former Bishop David Zubik. Bishop Eckman will have the authority and responsibility to govern and care for the Catholic Church in the six counties of the Diocese of Pittsburgh: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington, according to a news release from the diocese. Solemn vespers took place in Saint Paul Cathedral on Sunday afternoon ahead of Monday's Installation Mass. The Installation Mass is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Those attending the service are asked to be seated by 1:30. The Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez, metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside. During the Mass, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio who represents Pope Leo XIV in the United States, will present Bishop Eckman with the official decree, also known as the papal "bull" from Pope Leo XIV, declaring his appointment to Pittsburgh. Who is Bishop Mark Eckman? A South Hills native, Bishop Eckman is a longtime Pittsburgh pastor who has also served in several diocesan-level roles. He was ordained an auxiliary bishop in 2022 and assisted Bishop Zubik with pastoral care of the diocese. Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Eckman to succeed Bishop Zubik on June 4 due to Zubik reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75. "With a grateful and humble heart, I accept this appointment and ask for the prayers of all the faithful," Bishop Eckman said at the time of his appointment. "Together, we will continue the mission of Jesus Christ with hope."
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
David Zubik's tenure ends: Installation here for new Pittsburgh bishop. How to watch
The tenure of Beaver County native bishop, David Zubik, officially ends July 14 with the swearing-in of new Pittsburgh Diocese Bishop Mark A. Eckman. Pope Leo XIV appointed Eckman June 4 to replace Zubik, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 for bishops. Economy native Zubik had been Pittsburgh's bishop since Sept. 28, 2007. The installation Mass for Eckman as the diocese's 13th bishop will begin at 2:30 p.m. Monday at St. Paul's Cathedral. The event is open to the public, but everyone is asked to be seated by 1:30 p.m. Numerous cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and clergy will take part in the Mass. The Most Rev. Nelson J. Perez, metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside. Many ecumenical and interfaith guests will be present as well. During the Mass, Cardinal Christophe Pierre will present Eckman with the official decree – or papal 'bull'– from Pope Leo XIV, declaring his appointment to Pittsburgh. Eckman will be seated at the cathedra – the bishop's seat – which symbolizes the authority that Jesus has given to diocesan bishops as the successors of the apostles. After the Installation Mass, all are welcome to a reception in Oakland Catholic High School, 144 N. Craig St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. As the diocesan bishop, Eckman will have the authority and responsibility to govern and care for the Roman Catholic Church in the six counties of the Diocese of Pittsburgh: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington. A South Hills native, Eckman is a longtime Pittsburgh pastor who has also served in important diocesan-level roles. He was ordained an auxiliary bishop in 2022, tasked with assisting Zubik with pastoral care of the diocese. There will be live-streaming options for those who want to watch the installation. Solemn vespers will be live-streamed at: The Installation Mass will be live-streamed at: This will include commentary beforehand and limited explanations during Mass by the Rev. Michael Sedor, judicial vicar of the diocese, and Jennifer Antkowiak, diocesan director of communications and community relations. The Installation Mass will be signed for members of the deaf community. This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Zubik's replacement being installed as new Pittsburgh bishop
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fortune-telling die among castle's quirky finds
A medieval toilet and a jet die used to predict the future were some of the findings that could help build a picture of everyday life at a medieval bishop's palace. Archaeologists at Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, finally put down their trowels last Friday, ending more than seven years of excavations at the site. A detailed analysis of the findings, which could take up to two years, is currently under way. The final summer of digging culminated with the discovery of a huge medieval wall, but other interesting objects - from mundane to magical - have also been found since 2018. At least three medieval toilets have been found over the years "dotted around the site" according to John Castling, the Auckland Project's archaeology curator. "One is ironically very near to where the toilets are now for our visitors," he said. The latest one was found in June. The facility, known as a garderobe, is next to the Great Hall, where the bishops and their guests would have feasted. It might not seem particularly hygienic today, but at the time it was a "much cleaner way" than most people had in their houses, Mr Castling said. "It's demonstrating the power and importance of the bishops and their households." It is believed the toilets were last used in the 13th Century. Described as one of the most "rare and unusual" findings at the site, a whale baleen was discovered "sandwiched" between off cuts of 17th Century glass. Baleen is found inside the mouths of some whale species and is used instead of teeth to help filter prey. If a whale washed up on a nearby shore, it was claimed by the bishop as a token of their semi-regal status but also as a resource, Mr Castling said. The baleen was used in a similar way to modern day solid plastics and was put in items such as corsets, painting brushes and gauntlets. "In the modern world we tend to think of whales as beautiful creatures that are not a resource," Mr Castling said. "But in the medieval period they were viewed with a degree of reverence, but they were also seen as a resource that could be used if it washed up on the shore." A jet die was also found, but it was not used to play games. Instead, in the medieval period people believed the item could help predict the future. Mr Castling said there were not many similar dice in the UK and most were found in religious sites. When rubbed, jet sparks and gives off static. "When you first say to people, they had dice which they used in order to try and discern the future, that sounds completely alien to our modern rational world," Mr Castling said. "But it produces something that feels magical." Some items at the site have travelled from further afield. Archaeologists have found a 17th Century knife, believed to have come from Amsterdam, as well as French jettons, coin-type objects used in calculations. An amphora though to originate from south-west Spain was also discovered last summer. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Surprise wall find as years of excavations end Uncovered 1650s house captures 'a moment in time' Durham University The Auckland Project
