First Irish American saint is now very likely say experts

Father Bill, what planet are you on if I may ask. Who the hell is to blame then. The confessor, who doesn't do his penitent any favours by absolving him without advising him as Christ's mouth piece, to hand himself over to the authorities for a crime he has committed. We are adults as well as God's children.

How is the Vatican to blame for the abuse and subsequent cover up by Irish clergy? The Church doesn't need any self-haters among her members especially those who hold office. We have more than enough who hate us outside the Church. High time to move out of an adolescent stage of rebellion!

Why add the garbage to the good news of this story? why did you feel the NEED to do that?

There is Good & Bad in every Human , Thank God & our Dear Priests & Sisters who Taught us Right from wrong, I was blessed by haveing a Catholic Up Bringing and a Catholic Education.Yes I also know 3 young boys in our parish who were molested by our parish priest here in Boston. but God see's all and the crime has been paid for & the Sinner Punished. It's now time to Move on . lets not blame God. "Don't throw the Baby out with the Dirty Bathwater"

This reminds me of my grandparents in Ireland, their era and their home: Framed sepia photographs of clergy wearing birettas, on the sideboard similar to Fr.Baker's here, and nuns on the mantel in the front parlour. Some of them relatives. All of them 'saints' in their eyes. One said "a lovely Mass". Another was "kind in Confession" All the nuns "had a hard life on The Missions" and so on. A devout romantic Ireland that faded away. I'd like to thank Fr.Tim for the moments of nostalgia his Article brought.

murphy66 "It is said that no Jesuit will ever look you in the eye. Why is that?"because your eye would refect his soul back to him and that is too scary of course.

What right do human men in dresses have to decide whether this man deserves the title saint? What does it mean.? Someone else to worship, which is against Universal Law.

What a disgrace, using this son of the church as a tool, exploiting the spirituality of the Irish as a balm for the abuse committed against so many and a distraction. I can't believe it.

Thank you Fr. Tim. It's nice to read something positive.

Father Duffy should be next ! (Fr.Duffy square nyc)

finally some good news to read!

I'M GRATEFUL THAT HE IS RECOGNIZED. TOO MUCH NEGATIVE PUBLICITY ON THE CHURCH. MUCH IS SADLY TRUE. BUT, THERE WERE AND ARE A MAJORITY OF WONDERFUL PRIESTS AND NUNS SERVING GOD.

Here in Maine, there were fine priests in many parishes during the Great Depression who did everything from using their own, often meagre, salaries to help the poor. They and lay supporters were also big in establishing credit unions. My next-door neighbor, an elderly lady who was a child during the depression, spent time in a Catholic orphanage because there wasn't enough money to feed all the children. She liked the nuns and credited them with giving her a fine education, which I can verify as she's most enjoyable to discuss things with, ranging from our small town to international crises to personal problems.

Born Irish Catholic in Western New York we all heard the stories of Father Baker from our parents. I am very pleased to hear that Father Baker is finally being recognized for all his great work. The Basilica is absolutely beautiful and one can literally sit and just feel the spirit of Father Baker. Congrats to Lackawanna NY for all the hard work and achievement put into getting Father Baker one step closer!!

I too was educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and the Salesians of Don Bosco. Great Boston schools, and as KatyBarry stated, no inappropriate behavior. As in many things today, the good done is overshadowed by the bad. Some were tyrants, some were very tough, but we were educated. We were taught right from wrong.