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Home Page > News > Dublin priest leaps to defence of Pope Francis and his actions during Junta regime

Dublin priest leaps to defence of Pope Francis and his actions during Junta regime

Fr John O’Connor served under Fr Bergoglio in Buenos Aires

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 7:10 AM

Updated Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 10:11 AM

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Pope Francis waves the crowd from the papamobile during his inauguration mass at St Peter's square on March 19, 2013 at the Vatican.

Photo by AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO Source: AFP

Fr John O’Connor worked in Buenos Aires for 31 years when Pope Francis, then Fr Bergoglio, was his superior.

Now parish priest in the Dublin village of Shankhill, Fr O’Connor has told the Irish Times that allegations that the Pope did not do enough to help victims of the military junta were ‘unfair’.

The report says the claims relate to 1976 when the then Fr Bergoglio was Jesuit provincial in Argentina and two priests were kidnapped by the military.

They were released after five months but critics have alleged the Pope did not do enough to help free them.

But Fr O’Connor has claimed: “Fr Bergoglio was wonderful at defending priests.

“Was there anything he could have done, number one, and what did he actually do? What he could have done is speak out and look for them and according to him, that’s what he did.”

Fr Bergoglio was appointed Archbishop Bergoglio in 1998.

Fr O’Connor added: “He was extremely supportive of priests of his diocese. He was extremely forthright and stood up to the drug barons and anybody who put priest’s lives in danger.”

The report adds that in 2001 Fr O’Connor invited Archbishop Bergoglio to celebrate the 25th anniversary Mass of three priests and two students killed by the military in the same year the two priests were kidnapped.

The paper says that in his sermon, a copy of which Fr O’Connor retains, Archbishop Bergoglio referred to the victims as ‘martyrs’.

The Dublin priest continued: “Most of the bishops would be very diplomatic and very careful about what they said. Bergoglio on the other hand was very forthright in his condemnation of what happened.

“Most of the bishops were very much with the establishment, whether it be the military dictatorship or the democratic government.

“Archbiship Bergoglio was definitely a breath of fresh air and a very simple, very unassuming man who wanted separation between Church and State.”

See more: Vatican , Irish News , Irish Catholic Church , Irish Catholic Priest

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Scouse Tony | Mar 20, 2013, 11:21 PM EDT

As others here have said it's easy to pass judgement when we haven't had to live under a regime who routinely sent their critics on a one way flight over the South Atlantic, he was responsible for the well-being of many priests and their congregations so who knows what deals he had to make for the greater good. What is past is past and can't be changed but lets a least allow him some time to put a dent in the cushions before we get the pitchforks and torches out.

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glounlathan | Mar 20, 2013, 06:24 PM EDT

What did the critics of this Pope do in their lifetime for anyone in these situations? I remind poeple of Pope Piux during the Second World War. He was also a victim of unfair critism, but he knew well what Monsignor Flaherty was up to. Some of these critics remind me of the people who want the government to do everything for them, but who are too lazy to go and plant a few vegetables for themselves; they have plenty of time to work on a lawn that feeds nothing but their vanity.

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thetint | Mar 20, 2013, 12:08 PM EDT

One of the Jesuits - Orlando Yorio - accused Jorge Bergoglio of handing them over to the Junta.

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merefalow | Mar 20, 2013, 11:28 AM EDT

if you were in those countries you kept your head down and your mouth shut,it didnt matter who you were,priests were no diferent,They disappeared to.These were the governments that the usa cia and british goverments ran with,trained and supplied,pinochet,mass murderer,best friend of regan and thatcher.She actually kissed him.

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handsome68 | Mar 20, 2013, 10:33 AM EDT

Having heard some of what he said to an interviewer some time before he became Pope, Pope Francis seems an honest, forthright man, which bodes well for the Roman Catholic church, but maybe not so well for his personal security. May God give him life and breath to speak the truth during his pontificate.

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pilib04 | Mar 20, 2013, 09:39 AM EDT

There were plenty of priests throwing themselves up to defend Ratzinger when he was accused of membership (correctly so) of the Nazi Youth. The questions surrounding Pope Francis may never be answered. However, his refusal to testify at the hearings/trials on the 'disappeared" did not reflect "good faith." Having said that, his humility is going a long way to soothe some of those offended. It would be nice to hear an unambiguous apology.

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