Archbishop Dermot Clifford steps over into Cloyne to help Bishop John Magee

Late last week it was announced that Bishop John Magee would not be confirming children in his diocese. The reason given by church authorities was that he was a busy man dealing with all the paper work involved in the current child sex abuse cases in his diocese.

Rumour on the ground is that the parents of some children due for Confirmation made it known to church authorities that they did not want their children confirmed by Bishop John Magee.

Then at the weekend it was announced that Archbishop Dermot Clifford had been appointed apostolic administrator of the diocese of Cloyne.

Why has this action been taken now? Just some few weeks ago Bishop Magee received the support of three archbishops and many bishops in Ireland. Do these same men now support and approve the most recent action?

Bewildering actions in a bewildering time by bewildering and maybe even bewildered people.

Is it possible to discern the workings of the Spirit in all this obfuscation?

Truth, transparency, openness, faith?

Power, control, fear, clericalism?

Can church figures not understand the importance of admitting guilt and asking for forgiveness?

There has to be something ironic about all this spinning and obfuscation.

Theory and practice.