In this episode of the Your Radical Truth podcast, host Margaret Mary O’Connor explores often ignored conversations about the challenges facing the Catholic Church today with Bishop Cáit Finnegan-Grenier.

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Their conversation delves deep into the concealed truths within the Catholic Church, addressing issues like abuse scandals, the role of women in the church, and the transformative power of Celtic spirituality.

Bishop Cáit Finnegan-Greiner’s Extraordinary Journey

Born into an Irish family with a profound love for music and poetry, Bishop Cáit Finnegan-Grenier draws her spiritual inspiration from her beloved grandmother. Cáit‘s spiritual journey led her to become an ordained priest in the Celtic Christian Church and a member of the Order of the Merciful Christ.

Yet, it wasn’t a direct path to becoming an ordained priest. Cáit didn’t grow up thinking of what being a priest would be like.

It happened because of falling in love with the most unlikely of men. In 1980, Cáit married her husband who was an ordained priest.

Their timing was such that Pope John Paul II announced a halt to laicizations around that time, effectively closing that door on their marriage within the church. As a result, they proceeded with their marriage in an Episcopal service, but their hearts remained steadfast in their Catholic faith.

In the Catholic Church, laicization is the process of removing a bishop, priest, or deacon from the status of being a member of the clergy.

Their journey was not without trials and tribulations. Yet, it led them to establish the Good Tidings Ministry, where they addressed the painful issue of sexual abuse by priests and religious figures within the Church.

This experience solidified Cáit‘s belief in the urgent need for dedicated individuals within the Church who serve willingly, rather than feeling confined by clerical entitlement. Cáit‘s ministry extends to providing spiritual guidance to abuse victims and priests transitioning from clerical life.

Bishop Cait’s Personal Journey

Shifting the focus to Bishop Cáit‘s personal journey, the conversation shits to Cáit’s marriage to her husband, a former Catholic priest, in 1975. Their unique love story defied traditional norms and was marked by challenges due to the Church’s changing policies regarding married priests. This struggle illuminated the difficulties faced by married priests and their spouses within the Catholic Church.

The Birth of Good Tidings Ministry

Cáit and her husband recognized the need for support within their community and founded Good Tidings Ministry. This ministry provided assistance to individuals dealing with issues related to marriage and the priesthood. They offered support, legal guidance, and a network for individuals navigating complex relationships involving priests.

Confronting Abuse Within the Church

Bishop Cáit and Margaret delve into the abuse scandals within the Church and the need for accountability. They discuss the reluctance of the Church to confront abuse by nuns and the parallels between the victims of abusive priests and those of abusive sisters. Bishop Cáit emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the wrongdoing, moving past institutional structures, and protecting all victims.

Celibacy and Its Impact

The discussion also touches upon the role of celibacy in the Catholic Church and its impact on priests. Bishop Cáit acknowledges that celibacy can pose challenges, and some priests may not be truly called to it, leading to loneliness and struggles. She believes that celibacy is a significant issue in many ways, affecting the priesthood’s image and attractiveness to new vocations.

The Celtic Christian Church

Bishop Cáit shares her journey into the Celtic Christian Church, a spiritual home that welcomes individuals of diverse backgrounds, orientations, and experiences. The Celtic Christian Church offers an open, inclusive, and spiritually enriching environment.

Bishop Cáit represents the courage of individuals who are committed to uncovering hidden truths and advocating for change within the Church. It also highlights the transformative power of Celtic spirituality in providing an inclusive and welcoming spiritual home for people from all walks of life seeking an alternative to traditional Catholicism.

About Bishop Cáit Finnegan-Grenier

Bishop Cáit Finnegan-Grenier, born in New York City in 1951 to a loving Irish family, inherited a deep passion for music and poetry from her ancestors. Her grandmother, Nellie Farrell, imparted the rich heritage of Irish history, unwavering faith in God, and the significance of family and love of music. Cáit cherishes the profound joy of living her faith within the CCC, guided by the principle that to whom much is given, much is required.

As an ordained priest in the Celtic Christian Church and a devoted member of the Order of the Merciful Christ, a Celtic religious order committed to prayer and acts of mercy, Cáit‘s spiritual journey has been intertwined with her husband Joe+ since their marriage in 1980.

Together, they have a beloved adult daughter and have resided in the St. Ciaran’s House of Prayer community in PA since 1986.

Cáit lost her husband suddenly seven years ago. Yet, she carries on the ministry they began together.

Their ministry journey began in 1983 with Good Tidings Ministry, addressing the painful issue of sexual abuse within the Church. This experience deepened their conviction for prayerful and spiritual priesthood, leading Cáit into a ministry of spiritual direction, particularly for victims of abuse, priests, and religious. They expanded their mission to offer guidance and support to those wounded and marginalized by the Church.

Cáit‘s love for music, especially traditional Gaelic tunes, inspired her to compose Irish and Celtic Christian music, culminating in her anthology “Ancient Ghosts and Green Heart Songs.” She uses various instruments to enrich her songs, reflecting her passion for this art form.

Beyond music, Cáit is captivated by Christian Church history, producing internet radio shows, conducting personal interviews, and recording spirituality discussions. She also has a penchant for liturgy, gardening, genealogy, Irish history, reading, cooking, and animals, which has led her to establish St. Ciaran’s Critter Connection, supporting local animal rescue efforts.

Cáit enjoys assisting couples in planning their weddings, ensuring the celebration reflects their unique love and spirituality. Her approach emphasizes sharing God’s love rather than imposing it on others.

Visit The Celtic Christian Church to learn more about Bishop Cáit

About Margaret Mary O Connor

Margaret Mary O Connor, as a member of the Catholic Laity, thought she knew everything about the Catholic Church, at least until she came upon a centuries-old Scandal of lies and cover-up by the Hierarchy of that Church. Frankly, she was fed up being lied to by her own Church, about its own past Church s History on Women priests. With that realization, she truly felt in that moment the monumental feeling of betrayal by her own Church.

Follow Margaret, as she travels down this Highway of Radical Truth where lies and outright coverup will be disclosed. Millions of Catholics are unaware of that past presence of Women Bishop s, Women Deacons, as well as Women Priests, all there hiding in plain sight, in Early Church History.

As the complicity of this centuries-old Scandal continues, Margaret wants her fellow Catholics to learn the actual truth of this matter for themselves. She strongly believes, at a minimum, any Catholic deserves the actual truth of this matter. To say that change is needed is hardly an understatement. She doesn’t let the Church s betrayal stop her from uncovering some very fascinating Church Skeleton s   one which very well might help solve our current priest shortage issue today.

Margaret Mary O Connor has been called, The Modern Day David on many occasions.

On a mission to reveal carefully guarded secrets of the Catholic Church, she unveils the truth through her well-researched writings.

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