A disease caused by promiscuity.
A disease that Satan created.
A disease that the Catholic Church...
...can not tolerate at any rate.
We are aware that this is a serious problem.
A problem that Jesus himself would have denounced.
It is our responsibility as Christians to fight...
this sexual promiscuity.
It is the responsibility of each of us...
to stop the spread of AIDS in our society.
We must not forgive...
The church has AIDS!
I have no voice in this conference!
Our fellow priests are dying and the Vatican does nothing!
Open your eyes to what's going on!
Stop this shame before it's too late!
How many of you here are HIV positive?!
How many of you in this room are HIV positive?!
I will not be silent!
Priests are dying in the hundreds.
I will not be silenced.
You can't hide it here!
This issue can not be hid!
This issue can not be hidden, the church has AIDS!
The church has AIDS!
To the airport!
-Good afternoon, Father. -Quiet moment.
I like to be here on my own sometimes.
Father Doherty.
Daniel.
-Good weekend? -Thank you, yes.
Tom.
Jack.
-Where have you been? -Chapel.
If you spend any more time in that place...
you may as well sleep on the fuckin' alter.
-Dean's list up yet? -No, no not yet.
To God, Fitzpatrick's not on it.
Or that other queer fella.
Oh, come on now, where's your compassion?
I haven't got any as far as Ernie is concerned.
You know I don't like that lucky bollocks.
Oh, is this any good, Danny?
Brilliant, half-way through it already.
We better read it before he gets here.
I hope he's better than the last fella.
A wee bit shorter too.
Holy Mary, my ass is killin' me by the finish.
Oh well, we must suffer for our faith boys.
We must shite!
Come on, find your man!
The biggest danger is that center forward they've got.
If we can stop him we're in with a chance.
He toss?
-Apart from him. -What's wrong with him?
The best this place has seen in a long time.
-That can be the fittest look. -He's keen to play.
Looking at you again, Danny.
No, he's not. He might be lookin' at you!
You never know he might come knockin at your door at midnight...
with two cups of cocoa and a hot water bottle.
-Bollocks! -Them as well.
No, you don't have long to go till your ordination,
don't throw it away now.
The long winter nights will soon be on us.
-What's a fella to do? -Do what the rest of us do.
It's a good team, Paul. We should do well.
This could become Galcranagh year to win the league.
Yes.
Especially with a little help from him.
Yes!
Me too!
We thought you'd be good for the team.
Oh, we will be!
I've been looking forward to this, thanks!
Yeah, thanks.
No problem.
We need all the talent we can get.
See you tomorrow lads, get plenty of sleep.
That fella gives me the jitters, Danny.
Don't be stupid, best captain this town's ever had.
Fair enough. Hey, are you going to the dance?
Yea...
Go on Danny!
At last! Yes!
# From the dark end of the street to the bright side of the road. #
# Into this life with a bump, maybe sometimes... #
Four pints
-Cheers, lads! -Cheers!!
-Whew! -Fair play, chaps!
-Stop talking business. -Meet my sister.
-Hello, Dublin. -Nice to meet you.
Whew!
# Help me si ng my song. #
# From the dark end of the street to the bright side of the road. #
How's it going Daniel?
I hear you won today, congratulations.
-Were the man of the match? -Hardly.
How are you Decklin?
See your woman over there?
Which o ne?
-The one with the big jugs. -They've all got big jugs.
The one in the pink top, anytime you want a ride...
she'll be happy to oblige. She loves fucking priests.
Hasn't been out with any one else since you joined the priesthood.
You broke her heart.
God had other plans for me.
Sure has, Daniel. Sure has.
Enjoy yourself.
# From the dark end of the street to the bright side of the road. #
On my way, Ma thanks.
Be back at the weekend Daniel?
Yeah.
-Good, see you then. -See you, Ma.
Heya-Whoa!
# Your love's waiting, till that hurt slips away. #
# He's parked close beside you. Even true love fades. #
# Even true love fades. #
Fred, Fred, what's happened?
Jesus, Foley, you must know someone in the Archon.
How the hell did you find out so quick?
I got a message from Father Sweeney.
He told me there's a story I might be interested in.
Poor bastard splattered himself.
Who?
Father Sweeney. Suicide.
Big time.
God's police, you'd better fuck off,
this is private property.
David Foley, Galcranagh Gazette...
any chance I can ask you a few questions?
No!
Bishop, can I ask you a few questions about Father Sweeney.
Got any comments to make whatsoever?
Please, just a few moments of your time, that's all...
Foley, now, that's enough!
Foley!
Can I ask you a few questions?
Please just a few moments of your time.
I'll be wanting a statement from you, Foley.
-I'm very sorry about that... -Okay, okay.
Right if your ready we'll go inside now.
I'll get the door for you.
I have to warn you It's not a very plesant sight.
On the general level of academic work this year so far,
has been exceptional.
The teaching staff tell me you've all worked very hard.
This coming week sees a visit of Father Joseph Venice...
from the Jesuit order who will be giving a lecture.
And for those of you who haven't heard him yet,
you've got a treat in store.
His talk will be based on his best selling book;
The Longer Road.
Now, I wouldn't like to let this morning pass...
without congratulating our hurlers...
on getting back here in one piece.
Well done, boys. Keep up the good work.
Well done yesterday, you did a great job for your first game.
Thanks for giving me the chance.
Last night was good, wasn't it?
They were deadly.
-They were great! -Yeah.
Father Dowling tells me you're way ahead of your year.
How did you know about that?
Look, I'm having a few people over to my room tonight,
we're going to take a look at Saint Paul's letters to the Thessalonians.
I wonder if you'd like to join us?
I've got some work to do,
I suppose a couple of hours won't hurt.
-Yeah, allright. -All right?
See you.
I'm so sorry Matthew.
-Been up to the house? -No, no, have you?
Yeah, they wouldn't let me in.
They said it was suicide.
You sure?
Did he leave a note?
I don't know.
Why didn't he talk to me?
It's just such a waste!
It's such a terrible waste!
Galcranagh Gazette.
Anyone call?
O'Brien wants a word with you.
I heard your message Davey. What happened?
That priest who phoned me, Father Sweeney,
Parish of Dandur, shot himself.
Shot himself, suicide.
Looks like it.
-Do we know why? -Not yet, I'm working on it.
Liz was looking for you.
Yeah, I know, I was supposed to take Martha to school.
Ah, get her some flowers.
She'll throw them at me!
Galcranagh Gazette.
No way, I don't believe you.
I'm telling you, it's true!
Father Doherty drank the eye bath?
-Yeah, he swallowed it down in one. -What did the doctor say?
She was just after telling him to take one of these three times a day.
The eyes nearly popped out of her head.
She goes, "No, you're supposed to bathe your eye in it,
not freakin drink it!
He thought it was booze,
it's a wonder he didn't poison himself.
You been telling jokes again Daniel?
Look, I'm sorry lads, I'm going to have to postpone the class...
for an hour or so. I hope that's okay.
Be back as soon as I can.
Hello, Galcranagh Gazette.
Who's speaking?
Call for you, Davey.
Foley.
-David, it's Jack Dowling. -Hi, Jack.
Listen I've got to be quick cause I'm calling from the seminary.
Mhmm.
I need to talk to you about Father Sweeney.
-Are you okay Jack? -Yes, I'm fine.
Paul couldn't come, too much work. It's unusual for him.
But I don't know where the others are. They should be here by now.
I'm looking forward to Father Joseph coming,
I've heard so much about him.
He's great. Have you read his book yet?
How do you find the time?
Study, community service, hurling captain.
This is nothing compared to what it will be like working in parish.
Aye, you'll be there this time next year.
Can't wait!
-It's okay. -Not for me it isn't.
C'mon, we all need someone. We're all human.
And we're also called to God!
You made a promise Noel, we all did.
And you're going to keep that promise for the rest of your life?
Yeah!
Look, it doesn't matter to me what you are,
that's up to you.
-I better go. -Don't go.
-I'm going. -You don't have to.
I won't say a word.
For fuck's sake Noel.
Just leave me alone.
What have you got Davey?
Frank Sweeney had HIV.
What?
And when the church found out about it...
they threatened to kick him out and leave him to fend for himself.
He was so distressed at the thought of losing his own parish...
that he killed himself.
Poor bastard. So who's the boyfriend?
Don't know yet, the rumor has it,
it's somebody high up in the church.
Who? The pope!
I'm seeing Father Francis, he should shed some light on the proceedings.
Your work is good Daniel.
And you're well liked.
But unfortunately I have no choice in the matter.
What do you mean father? I don't understand.
You have to leave.
What?
God and your conscience spoke for you Daniel,
that's why you went to Father Doherty.
I didn't go to Father Doherty,
I just bumped into him. What are you talking about?
He saw you leave Noel's room.
I don't believe this, what you're saying is I'm guilty by association.
No, what I'm saying is you know the rules.
Students are not allowed to be alone together at night.
I don't believe this!
Nothing happened in Noel's room.
Look, take a year or two off, see how you feel then.
I know how I feel now.
I want to be a priest. I've always wanted to be a priest.
-You're not ready. -You can't do this to me.
-I have rights! -Not here you don't.
Pack your things and go.
What the hell are you doing!
What did you say to Cathal?
I didn't, I saw you come out of his room.
Nothing happened in Noel's room you stupid man!
We're just doing what's right.
You have a fucking warped idea of what's right and wrong!
Let him go!
You're sick!
What the hell did you tell you Cathal for?
I didn't, okay?
This is Doherty's doing, he's nothin' more than a fucking drunk.
What exactly did you tell him!
He saw me coming out of your room.
But nothing happened!
I know, that's what I told Cathal.
-This will kill my mother. -They can't do this to us.
They just have.
Oh dear God, Daniel! What have you done?
Nothing mom, I swear to God.
You must have done something!
I told you, I've done nothing!
What are people going to say!
Fucking hell, this is my life!
Don't you swear at your mother!
-I wasn't swearing at her. -It's not just your life.
You being thrown out of that seminary effects...
everybody's life in this house, do you realize that?
I mean your father and I had a son we thought was going to be priest,
now we have a son who's on the doles!
What about our Euro grant?
I went to see those bastards today.
That father Cathal is on the selection board,
what the fuck is he going to think!
They're two of our brightest...
That is not the issue!
Okay then, what is! The boys did nothing.
That might be so, but we can't have this sort of thing...
going on in the seminary!
I don't believe what I'm hearing.
Noel Kinahan approached Daniel McLaughlin.
Daniel said no and now both their lives are ruined,
how can that be right?
It's not a question of what's right or wrong,
it's a question of what's acceptable here,
and that's not acceptable.
There's nothing more to say, it's time you left.
You can't keep pushing this aside.
Priests can't deny their sexuality, gay or otherwise.
You made the sacred promise of celibacy,
I don't see you breaking it.
It's being broken every day, all over the world.
No, not blatantly it isn't.
Oh, so as long is it's behind closed doors it's all right.
Noel Kinahan and Daniel McLaughlin...
are out of here and that's the end of it.
But the likes of Noel and Daniel...
are the life blood of the church.
They are the future.
When I came here there were nearly 50 seminarians,
the place had life!
Five years later look at it, it's almost empty, it's dead.
The church must evolve, we can't live with celibacy any longer,
it's killing us!
I forbid you to voice your opinion here.
You're here to teach Christ's message.
-Christ died for change. -Enough Jack!
Enough.
My decision has been made.
It's good Davey,
as usual but you're going to get yourself into trouble...
...if you're not careful. You always do this.
You know I reckon there's more to come.
I think Sweeney didn't kill himself solely because he was HIV.
The guy had it for five years.
Oh, God.
Oh, come on, try and understand,
it's a good opportunity for me.
Understand what?
That you're never home, that you never see your daughter?
You're missing out on the most important time of her life.
This won't happen again, once it's gone, it's gone...
and in ten years time you'll have a teenage daughter...
on your hands that you won't even know.
But I'm doing it for her, I'm doing it for you.
Oh, Bollocks. You're doing it for David Foley.
No, I suggest that you do it now.
You know this could get out of hand.
It's too late to stop it now.
I don't think there's anything to worry about,
it's only a local story.
Ah, yes, local, until the national press pick up on it.
I think we should let it run it course,
it will fade away.
Maybe it won't fade away.
This Foley character wants to make his name.
Find out who else he's been talking to.
I have a bad feeling about this,
it's here in black and white.
"Local priest ostracized, HIV, no suicide note."
We should let Rome deal with it.
God will protect us, Father Hennesey...
just as we have a duty to protect his church.
Oppression never works.
Sometimes we have no choice.
-How are things with you and dad? -Same.
Never had a decent conversation with me in his whole life.
Sure, you know what he's like.
It's a long time since we were up here together.
Years.
Just remember I told you I was going to be a priest,
and you said you were going to be a pilot.
Oh, pilot, Jesus, at least you got closer than me.
Not yet I haven't.
-What are you going to do? -I don't know.
I went to see Father Doherty,
he wants me to talk to Foley.
-That cunt? -Every one is to you.
Foley's all right.
You scared?
No, God's on my side, he knows what happened.
What about you? You've got to get out of here.
I will.
Tell me, you didn't do anything did you?
With that queer fella?
You cheeky little bollocks! Come on!
Last one down's a poof!
Oh, shit.
Have they let you out Daniel?
A few days off Mrs. McGlynn, community study.
You were made for the priesthood Daniel.
I saw that in you when you were only this high.
The way you help people and all.
I was told you had a fight with one of the main fellas...
up at the seminary there, and that he'd thrown you out.
There wouldn't be any truth in that now would there, Daniel?
Oh, about the same amount of truth in the rumor about the pope.
What's that?
He's married and has four kids with a black lesbian.
God forgive you!
You devil you, you'll bring bad luck on us all!
See you later Mrs. McGlynn.
You knew Frank Sweeney, Jack.
Yes.
He was ill.
Yeah.
He was struck down by God for what he was up to.
My God isn't vengeful.
Did you talk to the press about this?
-No. -I hope not, Father.
This is an internal matter for the church to deal with...
and as diocesan communications officer,
that's my job.
We don't appear to be dealing with it very well.
Sweeney and his like are sinners in the eyes of God.
We have a duty to protect his kingdom and to root out evil...
...wherever it be found.
So what you going to do about Sinead, you gonna call her then?
Don't think so.
Come on, she's still crazy about you.
I have enough on my plate at the moment.
Go on, go on!
What's the matter with you two?
We're worried sick, that's what's wrong with us.
Any tea?
That's all your good for is drinking tea.
Why don't you go and find some work!
Do something useful with yourself for a change.
Dad!
So Daniel, tell us, what's going to happen now, hmm?
What is going to happen now...
that you're not going to be a priest anymore?
That's not decided yet.
He's nothing but a useless bastard!
Fuck off! I've had enough!
Don't you fuckin' talk to me like that you little bollocks!
Sean!
Looking for a good hiding!
You started all of this you know!
What are you talking about ma?
This has nothing to do with me!
It has everything to do with you.
I'll be going back to the seminary.
You'd better be!
Or I go and see that Cathal fella myself.
-Good morning every one. -Good morning Father.
Welcome to Saint Saviors Seminary here in Galcranagh.
I'd just like to apologize for the late start.
There are some things, even we as men of God...
don't have control over.
I'd also like to welcome our special guests,
and in particular to extend a very warm welcome...
to his Lordship, Bishop Michael Quinn.
This is a special day.
A day when we can welcome back an old friend,
a man who has traveled as much as, if not more than,
Saint Paul himself.
So without further adieu, would you please welcome...
Father Joseph Venice.
Thank you, Father Cathal. Good morning every one.
-Good morning, Father. -Bishop.
It's good to be back.
And it was worth the four hour delay in Rome...
just to hear myself compared to Saint Paul.
For the past two years I've been working with a...
United Nations committee.
We visited some of the world's poorest countries,
countries which we in the west have described as
developing, or even underdeveloped.
But...
If I'm honest.
And I hope you think I am,
then I have to tell you that the moral sophistication...
that I encountered in some of these countries...
makes us in the west seem shamefully underdeveloped.
-Welcome. -Thank you, sorry I'm late.
My talk's about morality.
-Good subject. -I think so.
And in particular, how morality,
how Christian morality fits into an increasingly...
skeptical world in which morality is in decline.
You have to leave.
Why? Don't touch me!
Please forgive the interruption ladies and gentlemen.
If you'd like to wait in my office Daniel,
we'll deal with this later.
Deal with what exactly?
This is not the time or the place.
Please father, conti nue.
What better a time or place, Father...
than when we're discussing morality?
This is unfair to Father Joseph, Daniel.
-He's come a long way. -Let the boy talk, Emil.
Don't make it worse.
Get off me! I've a right to be here...
just as much as anyone else, I've done nothing wrong!
He deserves to have his say.
Get off me!
Let's hear what you have to say Daniel.
Stay here.
Father Cathal has thrown me out of the seminary...
because a priest, that priest made an assumption about...
-my relationship with another student... -That's not true!
...who was also kicked out not far from ordination, and that too is wrong.
Not for you to say what's right or wrong here,
that's my responsibility.
It's a collective responsibility, we weren't consulted.
Look, you overreacted.
Don't you tell me what I did or didn't do.
What are you going to do now?
Dismiss me for a second time in front of all of these people?
Get your house in order.
I don't know what to do anymore.
Sometimes I can't see the point in going on.
Come on Jack, we all go through this.
The dark night of the soul and all that. It's a test of our faith.
It's not my faith in God I'm losing, it's the organization.
The hypocrisy... the hierarchy, the double standards.
It took courage to do what you did today.
Thanks, but I don't think it's done me any good.
It will in the long run.
Daniel, I think you should talk again...
to that journalist that you mentioned.
Let him print your story.
You are the new generation of the priesthood.
You have a voice, let it be heard.
Jack, what's the matter.
I was the one who spoke to Foley about Frank's death.
Told him what I knew.
You do have freedom of speech here in Ireland,
as far as I know.
I lied to Father Cathal, told him I hadn't.
Three our fathers and two bloody mary's.
Daniel, what do you say?
She's going to get you, she's going to get you,
she's going to get you!
Oh... she got you!
You must be Francis. David Foley.
-Good to meet you. -You too.
This is my wife, Liz and this is my daughter, Martha.
Hello.
-Hi. -Hello.
Uh, is this a good time?
-Yes. -No.
-I want some ice cream. -Come on then let's go.
-We're going home David. -Oh, come on Liz.
Liz!
Terribly sorry about that.
Thanks for meeting me at such short notice.
No problem.
I really liked your article.
It's very sad. I'm so sorry.
You were good friends with Frank Sweeney then, yeah?
Yeah, we trained together in the Irish College in Rome.
You know there's a rumor going around...
that Frank was having an affair with somebody high up in Rome.
Do you know anything about it?
No.
Are you sure?
Yeah, because I was Frank's partner.
You?
Yeah, it started out just before we left Rome.
Does anybody else know about this?
Wel I... they know everything, but no, not officially.
Except for Jack Dowling.
Would you be prepared to talk about this on the record?
# In my hands, you might see... #
# something special that he gave to me. #
# In my hand, yeah... #
They're nothing but a bunch of queers anyway.
God forgive you Marie, don't say that about those holy men.
Oh, where have you been!
They're men aren't they, they're all the same.
Yup!
-If you can't pop the pink pop the prune. -Whoa!
That's disgusting!
-So are they. -That's not true.
You're better off out of it Daniel.
All that freakin studying ain't worth it.
-It's my life Marie. -Not anymore it isn't.
Let's get more drink.
-Daniel? -Pint.
I'll have a whiskey.
-Hi. -Hi.
Fancy seeing you here.
I'm sorry I haven't been in contact.
I thought it was best.
I know, it's good to see you.
You too.
I heard about the seminary, what's going to happen?
Don't know.
You going back?
I don't know.
I hear you're out of the fortress, Daniel.
For the time being, yeah, who told you?
Small town, it was probably that whore in McGlynn.
-What you having, Sean? -Whiskey.
-Are you buying Marie? -Not for you turtle.
Ah, what's that supposed to mean.
Away and fuck yourself.
He couldn't if he wanted to from what I've heard.
No prick.
Aye, sure, you two'd know all about pricks, wouldn't you?
What the fuck d'you mean by that!
You've had more between you than a second hand dartboard.
Fuck off home to your wife and small one, you fucking shite!
Look who's talking... the new tailbike.
You fuckin' bastard!
-You fucker! -No!
Stop it, please. We have to go, come on! Jesus, God!
Cock.
I reckon it's all to do with cock.
If you've got a big one you're okay.
If not you're fucked.
Are we from the same family, huh?
What do you think Sinead?
-About what? -Cock.
Only joking, father.
No, I mean about this place.
Do you ever think about getting out?
Oh, I like it here. It's my home.
I know every one.
That's the problem, every bastard knows every other bastard.
Yeah, but this is where I'd like to settle down.
With our Daniel?
Maybe.
Good on you girl.
You two should go away and get married,
set up your own parish, and I guarantee...
all the young people from around her would start going to mass again.
Come on Marie, let's go.
I think these two want to be on their own.
Good luck.
See ya.
# Blue mountain river, if only for a while. #
# Take me to the river, I lay down by your side. #
# The world is full of madness and I find it hard to smile. #
# I'll sleep with you through winter and wait for summertime. #
# Blue mountain river, comfort me awhile. #
# I'll follow down the river. I'll follow you tonight. #
# I listen to your whispers. You dance and turn tonight. #
# We'll stay awake together, watching silver in the sky. #
# Blue mountain river, I wan t to rest awhile. #
# Your changing my reflection, and the seasons in my mind. #
# And these days go on forever. I'll need my own time. #
# Take me where you're goin, and I'll be right by your side. #
Let me just put this here.
How long were you and Frank together?
About five years.
The church knew he was HIV positive?
-Yes. -When did they find out?
They found out about three years ago.
Around the time of the Vatican incident.
Yes, that's what promoted us to go.
We went there to a special general council meeting.
We were supposed to be discussing...
the church's viewpoint on HIV and AIDS.
Frank and I felt that some good might come of it.
It was total whitewash, they were skirting around the whole main issue,
that priests are dying of AIDS...
and that it's being ignored by the council.
By the third day I was so bored that I decided not to go,
but Frank went anyway and he'd gotten so angry
and frustrated that he stood up with a banner saying
"the church has AIDS".
I bet that didn't go down too well.
No, the heavies moved in and he was whisked away.
The church has AIDS!
I'm living with HIV and I have no voice in this conference!
He was strip searched and questioned...
He could have been a terrorist, they said.
Eventually after checking they believed who he was...
and he was bundled out of the building into a waiting car...
and then to the airport.
The church's response to that whole incident was the final straw.
That's when I left the priesthood.
I don't remember seeing anything about it?
If the Vatican doesn't want you to know about something, you won't.
You sure you want to go public with this?
Yes.
I don't want Frank's death to be in vain.
A sympathetic photographer sent Frank this,
I thought it might beuseful.
Jesus.
There's no point in me going to Bishop Queeny or Cathal.
So he'll just dump you like that?
Yeah.
Even if nothing happened?
Yeah.
Anything remotely to do with sex is taboo,
and they know it goes on but as long as it's out of sight...
they turn a blind eye.
So what you're saying here is that the common threat is celibacy.
-Or lack of it. -Yeah.
Well you're celibate aren't you?
-At least they got one. -Yeah.
From the moment I joined the seminary...
...until last night.
Welcome to the human race Daniel.
I have nothing to say.
I have things to say worth hearing.
Far too much...
Christian fucks!
Something's not right here.
I'm pulling over.
They've stopped.
Fuck this!
Daniel!
Jim!
Davey... we need to talk.
What's the problem?
This is very difficult for me.
What is?
I don't want this next article on the Catholic Church.
-What? -No more, okay?
Cut the shite Jim, what the fuck's going on?
I don't want to do this, Davey.
I was like you when you started out.
I know exactly how you feel, but this thing,
it's... it's too big for us.
It's out of my hands.
What the fuck you talking about, out of your hands?
Since when has anything been out of your hands!
You're the fucking editor!
Since today, it's from on high.
From who, God? Oh, screw that!
More powerful than God.
But it's your paper Jim, you say what goes in it!
Not anymore, Davey.
Hang on a minute, we're a local paper aren't we?
Aren't we!
We report things that are relevant to the local people...
and they don't know what's going on.
And you don't either!
-You have no real evidence! -But I'm finding it Jim!
This is a story of the church's hypocrisy!
The world is full of hypocrisy!
Yes it is! And it's up to journalists...
like me and you to point it out!
Look, you've got to drop it and that's final.
You're serious aren't you?
You've had a visitor.
What the fuck have they got on you Jim, eh?
Just drop it okay?
No!
No way!
Absolutely no way!
You're not publishing it in this paper...
and that's all there is to it, so fuck off!
Shame on you Jim.
Shame on you.
I can't print it.
Trust me on this one Meg, it's good.
And more importantly, it's true.
Oh, and Foley gets the credit, okay?
It's his story.
It's me and you Lucy. Good night.
Frank sent this to my office in Rome...
with a note asking me to give it to you the next time I saw you.
I thought it was a bit odd at the time.
Oh God!
I'm so sorry Matthew.
I knew there had to be a note.
Did you ever know about any of this?
No.
Poor Frank, must have been torture.
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
It's hard to know what God's will is when...
...when things like this happen.
The goodness of God and the business of suffering,
it's the eternal question, we may never know the answer to it.
Sometimes we prefer to blame God...
for the pain of our human condition, but he didn't kill Frank.
God's will, will be revealed to us in time.
That's why we need faith.
Yes, thanks.
The young priest who killed himself and Daniel being thrown out...
is all part and parcel of the same thing.
It says here... it's all a cover up.
Credit it, huh?
Ah, you can't believe everything you read.
If it's written in here there must be some truth in it now.
Your mother will be upset, hey Mary?
-...when she sees this. -What?
The newspaper article, you've not seen it yet?
All this talk about priests up to no good,
even in the Vatican itself.
And Cardinals, close to his holiness with this... HIV thing.
What sort of devil talk is that anyway!
Your poor mommy will be beside herself, Mary.
What do you say, huh?
Go fuck yourself!
O'Brien's finished.
He assured me it would not be published.
Then how the hell did The Irish Times get hold of it!
I don't know.
Come.
Sorry.
Things are moving quickly,
they want you to appear on television tomorrow afternoon...
on a live debate about celibacy.
That might not be such a good idea.
I don't think we have a choice, we have to respond.
No doubt Foley will be there.
We need to give them an answer.
Let me think about it.
What about this young McLaughlin boy.
He was a good student.
We may have to reinstate him.
It might take the wind out of things,
especially on live television.
I'm not so sure, that would really give the press...
something to write about.
I don't want anything more from Foley.
Do you understand me?
Yes.
Do we know the boy's family?
Well Carl does, he's on the European Grant Selection Committee...
and knows his father.
See what can be done there.
I want to know who at the Irish Times gave the go ahead...
for this to be published.
I want everything that we have on Foley...
and everything that we don't have.
The same on the McLaughlin family.
We will deal with this fiasco once and for all.
And I want it done properly before Rome gets involved.
Get Cathal and Dowling in here now.
The fuckin' Irish Times!
The whole town's talkin' about it.
Well so fuckin' what! If they've nothing better to do!
Marie!
You watch your language young girl in this house.
And you calm down, calm down everybody.
Well who cares what people say anyway?
-I do! -We do!
Me and your mother do.
Oh, that's right keep up appearances for the neighbors,
never mind about your son's life.
Don't you talk to me about appearances.
Oh, you'd know about all that would ya!
Just stay out of this Sean, will ya!
Fuck off, why should I!
Now look, if Daniel ends up going in...
If all Daniel wants to be a fuckin' priest...
then no bastard should stop him!
Stop, Sean! That's enough Sean!
Leave it.
What the fuck are you going to do about it short ass?
Sit there and listen to bollocks here...
worrying about what the fucking neighbors think?
-Throw him out! -You're not worth it, cunt!
I've had enough of this, that fella's out of my house for good!
Worse than fuckin' children, ya know that?
And you hangin' around with Sinead again doesn't help either.
Dad you don't understand.
Daniel and Sinead are meant to be together,
they always have been.
Jesus Christ! I won't listen to the lies.
Don't! Don't dad, please don't!
Liz, answer the bloody phone.
Hello.
Oh, hey, Daniel. how you doing?
Yeah, I just got up.
The Irish Times, you're fucking kidding me.
How the hell did they get hold of that?
Yeah.
What's it say?
Yes, I'll call you back, are you at home?
You're being transferred to a parish in Barlindun,
we think it will be better for you.
You mean it will be better for you.
It's a pity you did n't think about this...
before talking to Foley and his like.
I have a right to say when things are wrong.
That is just your opinion.
There are plenty in the church who do not want change.
And there are plenty who do.
You know you're lucky that you're getting a parish.
I can serve God wherever I am.
Time to leave Jack.
What you did to Noel Kinahan and Daniel McLaughlin was wrong,
and what you did to Frank Sweeney was contemptible.
The Catholic Church is destroying itself from the inside.
Don't blame me, examine your own conscience.
My conscience is clear.
I hope so Aman.
I do hope so.
He'll go straight to the press just like Matthew Francis did.
No he won't, he's too weak.
What are we going to do about this TV debate?
You and I will go.
As the local bishop I think I have slightly more credibility...
than a second rate journalist.
We will let Foley discredit himself.
He won't back down there.
We'll see.
That's fine for me, yeah, yeah, I've got the details.
Listen, can I call you back?
It's just my other phone is ringing.
Okay, yeah. Talk to you then, bye.
Liz!
Hello?
Who is this?
Hello?
Ah, for fuck's sake.
If you speak out on television they'll never let you back in.
They won't let me back in if I don't,
they've made that clear.
This is my last hope.
You never know, half the country might petition the pope on we behalf.
I never thought it would end like this.
It's not over yet, Ma.
Sinead's not helping.
Your father's right about that one,
she is interfering with your vocation.
I haven't got a vocation at the moment,
at least not one I can do anything about.
And anyway, if I love a person,
why can't I have both?
Because that's not Catholicism.
Have you thought enough about this?
I have, I've thought about it a lot.
And I've chosen God.
I obviously picked the wrong one.
I don't mean that.
But I'm sure he wants me to be happy...
and Sinead and I get on great.
I know that.
Do you know how many priests are no longer priests...
because they fell in love?
Priests shouldn't be falling in love.
They're human to o... just like me.
You're right.
Wild horses wouldn't have stopped your daddy and me getting married.
# He was born and raised in Ireland. #
# In a place called Casamay. #
# He was his father's only son, his mother's pride and joy. #
# And dearly did his parents love that wild colonial boy. #
Good luck to you Mickey.
You too, John, you too, and your family.
Don't talk to me about fuckin' families.
They fucking well bleed ya of everything.
No thanks for anything. Fuck it!
What's all this I hear, John, about your young fella Daniel?
He's not one of them queer boys is he?
Jesus, no! Bad rumors is all.
On my way home.
I'm sorry...
You didn't get the grant thing, John.
-What? -The Euro...
Lena McGlynn was saying that tonight...
How the fuck does she know?
Sure she knows your father before you know yourself.
Fuck!
Let them keep their shiny Euros anyway, not worth a shite.
-I'll see at mass, Mickey. -Good luck.
-Daniel. -Bishop.
I'll get straight to the point given we that are...
about to appear live on national television.
What you are doing and what you have said about the church...
that you have devoted your life to... is wrong.
And so was my dismissal.
We had to dismiss you. I had no choice.
You?
Under the circumstances I have decided to...
consider your reinstatement,
if not at Saint Savior's then at another seminary.
-What's the catch? -There's no catch.
You admit that your behavior was inappropriate and that you now realize...
that the seminary behaved correctly under the circumstances...
and that way you can continue to fulfill your calling.
There's more to it now.
-That shouldn't concern you. -It should concern all of us.
Where the fuck are my family!
I've got your family!
You touch them, I'll come after you, I swear to God,
I don't care the fuck who you are, I'll kill you!
I'll fuckin kill you!
We haven't touched your family.
But see how easy it is if we want to!
Who is this, for fuck's sake?!
Very carefully, I want you to go into that studio...
and retract everything you said in your article.
No, I won't do that!
Are you listening to me Mr. Foley?
I'm a fuckin' journalist!
God's church needs to survive,
there are forces of evil out there that wish to see it destroyed.
Where would we be if we didn't take a model stance, hmm?
That depends on your viewpoint.
Fucker!
Are you listening to me Mr. Foley?
Mr. Foley, come on we're waiting for you,
we're live in three minutes we need you in...
Give me a minute!
You're not listening Mr. Foley,
retract everything.
You touch them...
If you harm them in anyway I will fuckin' kill you!
Come on Mr. Foley we really have to hurry...
You fuck!
You know Daniel, it's a pity that your father's Eurogrant...
was rejected because I think that a quiet word...
to the committee would help them to reconsider.
It would be a shame to bring further hardship on your family.
-This way gentlemen please. -Yes, just a moment please.
Think how proud your mother would be on the day of your ordination.
Say hello to Lucy daddy.
It's important.
It's always important with you,
what's more important than your family?!
Stand by studio.
Applause in five seconds, four, three...
Thank you, good afternoon...
welcome again to Afternoon Live with yours truly, Gaye Burn.
Today on the show we are debating the issue of...
celibacy in the Catholic Church.
Let me in troduce to you our panel of speakers...
in the show today.
On my left, we have David Foley who is a journalist...
with the Galcranagh Gazette and he's also the author...
of an article in yesterday's Irish Times which is entitled,
"Celibacy, the C word, can Catholicism survive?"
We're also joined by Daniel McCloughlin,
who's recently been expelled from Saint Savior's seminary in...
Oh, Daniel's got make up on, the queer, look at him.
He's good looking fucker though isn't he?
Shhh, quiet down I can't hear.
We're joined by the local Diocesan bishop,
his grace, Michael Quinn and with him he has his Diocesan...
Communications Officer, Monsignor Thomas.
What sort of bollocky name is that, huh?
And we also have the outspoken former Catholic priest,
Father Matthew Francis.
And I want to start with you David Foley...
and your assertion in your article that the Catholic Church and...
the priesthood will not see out this century unless...
they remove celibacy as a pre-requisite for the priesthood.
Umm, yeah, yeah, that's right.
I believe that the church may well be in trouble if it doesn't...
at least deal with the possibility of the celibacy issue.
Um, I um, um...
I, I'm not saying that celibacy is wrong,
it's a choice for the individual.
But you did say that in your article, David.
Um, yeah, what I um, what I...
Well I'll quote you from the article if I may,
you're talking about the recent suicide of the gay priest...
Father Frank Sweeney and you say, and I quote,
"That this incident only serves to highlight...
the dilemma now facing the wider church;
the question of celibacy".
Now that, I'd say is pretty clear cut.
-Um... -Bishop...
The more serious accusation made in Mr. Foley's article...
is that priests, priests that are close to the pope,
the Holy Father himself are in relationships...
and of course this is preposterous.
Preposterous David Foley.
You know I, um...
Come on Davey, what's wrong with you!
Forget David Foley go to Daniel!
Can I just go to Daniel McLaughlin for a moment.
Sorry, father.
I'm sorry, look, excuse me, I know you feel strongly...
about this topic and thank you for joining in.
I will come back to David Foley in a few moments,
but first of all, Daniel, I want to clarify this poi nt.
This whole issue is not about sexual orientation,
the church is in this mess because it expects...
Catholic priests to live celibate lives and that for many is a tall order.
Daniel, you knew that before you went into the priesthood.
Yes.
And now you're faced with a difficult choice.
I want both.
I want to be ordained as a Catholic priest...
and I want to be married to the girl I love.
You tell him!
Your grace, it really prompts the question,
why can not this obviously sincere and dedicated young man,
why can not he be married and serve...
as a priest at the same time?
It goes against everything that Christ stood for...
and would tear the Catholic Church apart.
-Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish! -Nonsense!
Monsignor, that really isn't quite true is it?
Professor Martin O'Connor of Trinity College,
would you outline briefly for us the history of celibacy...
in the Catholic Church.
For many centuries after the time of Christ...
priests were allowed to get married...
and those priests that did get married...
were leaving their wealth and property to their families...
and the church wanted to prevent them from doing this.
So in the 12th century they brought in celibacy.
You see the church was losing too much and...
it wanted to build its wealth and extend it's empire.
Greed!
Bishop, has more to do with wealth and power?
It is also about God and that unique relationship...
with Him... that comes about through celibacy.
Are you celibate, Bishop?
Bravo, wheww!
-Sit down?! Down! -Quiet!
I think this is an inappropriate forum in which to discuss one's private life.
Just a moment...
Not when we're discussing the life and death of others.
Excuse me, I'll answer the question if I may.
Please, just a moment.
Most people I know who serve God are celibate, Daniel.
The deep spiritual relationship that results...
from such a union sustains our need.
You didn't answer my question Bishop.
Are you celibate?
Answer the question!
Do you practice what you preach!
How dare you!
No, how dare you, Quinn!
How dare you!
This is a note that was left to me by my partner.
Father Frank Sweeney, before he took his own life.
If I may, may I read the note Gaye?
I think you had better Matthew, yes.
Matthew, Bishop Michael Quinn and I had an affair...
when we were in Rome together.
...this nonsense, I am leaving. What do I do with this?
Somebody please take this...
...return to Ireland and he threatened to rid me...
of my parish unless I continued to see him!
Get out of my way!
Serves the cunts right for not giving us the grant, huh!
I don't have the moral courage to do...
what you have done and I am unable to tell you.
I am so sorry.
This is the only way out left to me.
You're too good a man to hurt like this...
but I can't live with myself a day longer.
I pray that we will be together one day in the loving arms...
of the God we both serve.
My love always...
Frank.
-I love you so much. -I love you too Sinead.
# You say you want a diamond on a ring of gold. #
# You say you want your story to remain untold. #
# But all the promises that we made, from the cradle to the grave. #
# When all I want is you. #
# You say you'll give me a highway with no one on it. #
# Treasure to still look upon it. All the riches in the night. #
# You say you'll give me eyes of the moon of blindness. #
# A river in a time of dryness. A harbor in the tempest. #
# But all the promises that we made, from the cradle to the grave. #
# When all I want is you. #
# You say you want your love to work out right. #
# To last with me through the night.
# You say you want, diamonds on a ring of gold. #
# Your story to remain untold and your love not to grow cold. #
# But all the promises that we made, from the cradle to the grave. #
# When all I want is you. #
# All I want in the world is you. #
# All I want in the world is you... #
Subripped by Andante