My response to a recent inquiry as to my well being...
"Ok thanks. I felt sad on Sunday evening because a young monk, Dom
Augustine, was solemnly professed at F'bro Abbey. I wish him well and
pray for him of course though wonder how someone formed under the
current administration could become a good monk, but all things are
possible with God and maybe it will be this younger generation that will
turn things around? We can but hope and pray!
I was sad
because he looks like myself and my confreres who never got to even see
if we might have even approached Solemn Profession thanks to the
activities of Cuthbert and others.
That sadness didn't last too long. Monday I was off on my road
racing cycle and a facebook group for former monks / sisters and ex ministry
priests that I'm an admin for has really taken off so much so that we
are forming national sub facebook groups in order to try and facilitate
real meet ups for facilitating the expressed need for fellowship or at
least some video conference calls perhaps to begin with."
I first became aware of +Pat when trawling through the internet trying to find other articles that would lead me to others with experience of Cuthbert's abusive behaviour.
I commented a reply on +Pat's blog and he made almost immediate contact.
The result was, a week before the original blogpost here, this post appeared on +Pat's blog "Thinking Catholicism"
Some of us were initially more enthusiastic than others about seeing this as the beginning of the end to Cuthbert's misrule but as time went by it became painfully clear that generations of complainants have risen in protest and fallen through the attrition of indifference.
Sad to say that it felt too that +Pat was becoming indifferent.
I'm sure +Pat must have been in receipt of much information accurate and deceptive that left him unsure about me / us.
Perhaps to make it worse there were a few failed attempts at "Being Church" together.
The thought of possibly being Ordained coupled with knowing Pat and his friends less than I dare to say I feel I do now, against the contorted stressed and neurosis of my state left me sometimes both attracted and reticent.... I can only say that were I living locally and had met +Pat and his friends without the inevitable baggage, hopes and fears and over invested life long looking for a hero to worship and "Save" me.... (To paraphrase the song "You Gotta Search For The Hero Inside Yourself!") I like to think we would have been friends.
It is sad to see both his blogs, the result of doubtless many hours of work, tears shed alone and with victim / survivors being removed from the internet.
In the second Pat refers to his legacy in which he hopes people will continue his campaigning and offering a listening ear to victim / survivors and those in trouble.
In my small attempt to that end, here is a link to a facebook group that to my complete amazement has really taken off and we're honoured and priveliged to share in peoples lives, their spiritual lives and their struggles, bearing each others burdens in mutual support. We'd welcome you to join us!
Saints of God, come to his aid! Hasten to meet him, angels of the Lord!
May Christ, who called you, take you to Himself; may angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham!
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him!
To paraphrase one of our fellow Farnborough Concerned....."At Least They Never Fail To Meet Our Expectations!"
No, that would take probity and humility!
Speaking of humility it appears Abbot Cuthbert has acquired, at some not inconsiderable expense, that most essential accoutrement for an Abbot, namely a "Coat Of Arms" and personal Crest!
A cleric from the USA has blogged about it and how, apparently, after much encouragement Abbot Cuthbert started the application four years ago after becoming Abbot Visitor of The English Province, Subiaco - Cassinese Congregation OSB.
At that time he also became a Trustee of the ST MARY'S PRIORY FERNHAM RESIDUAL FUND and I note that Cuthbert is now the longest serving trustee! (Fancy that! - You'll love the income / expenditure details!)
Anyway...You can check out the "Coat" and Abbot Cuthbert's explanation of the symbols via the blog mentioned....meanwhile our own Heraldic enthusiasts have been busy considering this rather dissonant account and have instead come up with a more fitting design explained thus:
The lightening is ubiquitous and is the judgement Of Heaven with St Michael in the vanguard.
Cuthbert may believe that his house stands firm, that it is built on Rock, but it is not. It is built on the shifting sands of his arbitrary, capricious, psychopathic narcissism. With the company of heaven from above and the Immensi Tremor Oceani from below, it's collapse is certain!
We may discern God's blessing in this for like an addict, sometimes it is only by reaching rock bottom and losing everything, can a person then see their folly and begin rebuilding their life and relationships on firmer foundations.
Besides prayer, have nothing to do with the place. Do not support it with your alms or business....and most, please, please most.... warn anyone thinking of joining what has happened to so many others before.
To sum it up pictorally we have come up with an alternative crest for Abbot Cuthbert which we feel needs no explanation....
We think the word is getting out!
And so to finish with a song!
To the tune of the Dad's Army theme!
"Who do you think you are kidding Abbot Cuthbert,
If you think you're on a home run?
The Poles and the Slovaks have clocked your little game.
You're moving on to Africa to do the blinkin same!
So who do you think you are kidding Abbot Cuthbert?
