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APOLOGY TO BISHOP OF CLOYNE JOHN MAGEE BY TV3 [1999]

added to www.alliancesupport.org on September 27 2006

Rory Connor wrote:
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 11:10:06 +0100 (BST)
From: Rory Connor
Subject: APOLOGY TO BISHOP OF CLOYNE JOHN MAGEE BY TV3 [1999]
To: Professor Vincent Comerford,Ronan Fanning,"Dr. Colum Kenny", Daire Keogh, Dermot Keogh, "Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan", Professor Irene Whelan, Editor History Ireland,John Horgan, Louise.Fuller

Ladies, Gentlemen and Historians of Modern Ireland,
This is the second time that an Irish Bishop was subjected to a sex libel by the media. Over the years there is a certain trend discernible in these libels.

In April 1994 the Irish Times printed the text of the Guardian's apology to the Irish Bishops but gave hardly any background. This is because the Irish Times is the Irish equivalent of the Guardian. However Sam Smyth did a detailed background report in the Sunday Independent.

In September 1999, I think that the media completely ignored TV3'a apology to Bishop John Magee. I found out about the apology several months later when I rang the Bishop's office to find out how his lawsuit was going!

The recent sex allegations against Bishop Eamon Casey were made by a mentally disturbed woman who previously accused other people.

There is a Russian proverb about the intelligentsia; "A fish rots from the head". It means that corruption spreads downwards from intellectuals to eventually destroy the rest of society. That has certainly been the case with our child abuse witch-hunt.

There is a popular misconception that any problems with hysteria and false allegations are the fault of tabloid trash like the News of the World. The opposite is the case. The hysteria STARTED with The Guardian, The Irish Times, RTE etc spread to the mainstream media and ENDED with the News of the World and deranged individuals on the street. The latter ultimately got their ideas from our high-minded intelligentsia.

That is something that historians have no right to ignore. I have not seen the Guardian or TV3 libels mentioned in any history of modern Ireland. Am I overlooking something or do you genuinely believe that these issues are not important?

Best wishes,

Rory Connor
27 September 2006

APOLOGY TO BISHOP OF CLOYNE, JOHN MAGEE BY TV3 on 21st SEPTEMBER 1999.

NOTE: This is the SECOND sex libel directed against an Irish Bishop by the media. The first was in April 1994 when the UK Guardian claimed that an un-named Bishop was linked to a paedophile ring. The Guardian apologised after the Bishop's Conference threatened them with a class libel suit.

The new development now is that TV3 actually named the Bishop of Cloyne. Remember that Mary Raftery's three part documentary "States of Fear" had been broadcast by RTE in April and May 1999 and former nun Nora Wall had been convicted of raping a child in June. (Journalists hurled obscenities at Nora Wall and then dropped the case like a shot when the conviction was reversed in July). The media were on a roll and thought they could get away with anything.

Why was Bishop Magee targeted? Of course anti-clerical journalists would libel ANY Bishop if they got the chance. However John Magee had been secretary to three popes - Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. Thus a successful libel against him would have gone to the heart of the Catholic Church.

But TV3 apologised. The sincerity of their repentance can be gauged from the fact that in October 1999, they broadcast Louis Lentin's documentary "Our Boys". This contained an allegation by Gerry Kelly that he attended the funerals of boys in Artane who had been killed by the Christian Brothers. No boy died of any cause while Gerry Kelly was in Artane!

The following is the text of TV3's apology:

RETRACTION AND APOLOGY TO THE BISHOP AND DIOCESE OF CLOYNE BROADCAST BY TV3 ON TUESDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER IN THE 5.30PM, 7.30PM AND 10.45PM NEWS BULLETINS

It was reported on the 15th September last in the news at 5.30pm, 7.00pm and 10.45pm that the Catholic Church had settled a case with a man who claimed that inappropriate behaviour took place in the Bishop of Cloyne's residence. We wish to unreservedly retract same as it is clear that no such claim was made by the man in question. We are satisfied that there was no basis or truth whatever in the allegations and any suggestion that the Bishop of Cloyne has been compromised in any manner in the conduct of his duties is sincerely regretted and entirely without foundation. We wish to offer an unreserved apology to the Bishop and to the Diocese of Cloyne.

BACKGROUND: BISHOP MAGEE SUES TV3 - Irish Catholic, 23 September 1999, by Pat O'Leary

Bishop John Magee of Cloyne is taking legal action against TV3 "out of pastoral concern and in defence of the truth".

Dr. Magee strongly denies claims made by TV3 that a case for constructive dismissal taken against the diocese at the Employment Appeals Tribunal was linked to allegations made against diocesan personnel.

In a letter read at all Masses in the Cloyne Dioceses on Sunday, Dr. Magee said: "As you may know a case for unfair dismissal against the diocese was withdrawn in the Employment Appeals Tribunal on Wednesday last (September 15) in accordance with terms acceptable to the diocese and the claimant.

"However a news report on TV3 linked this case to a series of allegations which appeared in a newspaper report last weekend.

"I know this matter has caused deep hurt and is of grave concern to you, the priests and people of the diocese.

"I, therefore wish to assure you that the allegations in the TV3 news report are completely without foundation and are untrue. In order to uphold the truth of the matter and to defend the well-being of the whole diocese, I have placed this entire issue in the hands of the diocesan solicitors. Because of this, there is nothing further I can add at this time.

"Assuring you of my concern for you, the priests and people of the diocese, at this time and asking you to keep me in your prayers."

Dr. Magee, aged 62, is the only man to have served as secretary to three popes - Paul V1, John Paul 1 and John Paul 11. He was appointed Bishop of Cloyne in 1987. In recent years, he has championed adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, he robustly defended the family when calling for a 'no' vote in the divorce referendum and he is currently re-ordering Cobh Cathedral to bring it into line with today's post-Vatican II liturgy.

http://www.alliancesupport.org/news/archives/001450.html