Michael Ledwith
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dr. Michael Ledwith (also spelt Míċeál Ledwith), a native of Taghmon Co. Wexford, Republic of Ireland, is now an author and teacher at Ramtha's School of Enlightenment, Yelm, Washington. it is described as "as a school of ancient wisdom."
The matter of Dr. Michael Ledwith's sudden resignation as President of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, Catholic Ireland's National Seminary and Pontifical University, was a result of the covert homosexual culture, and paedophilia scandal cover up then existing throughout the Roman Catholic Church. This was particularly notable in the rigid authoritarian church in Ireland. Official attempts to cover up allegations of sexual harassment made by young seminarians in formation were uncovered. Eventually, the outrages were debated nationally in the Irish Senate. In November of 2005, Senator Dr Mary Henry, stated of the cover up attempts: "With regard to Monsignor Ledwith, I was dismayed to read the response of the bishops to whom complaints were made by six senior seminarians, as they are described in the report, as well as the senior Dean of Maynooth College, Fr. Gerard McGinnity. Cathal Cardinal Daly, one of the surviving bishops indicated in his statement to the inquiry that it was entirely untrue that any seminarian had mentioned homosexuality to him in connection with Monsignor Ledwith."[1]
Ledwith had been nominated to be President of St. Patrick's by the then Bishop of Ferns, Dr. Brendan Comiskey. Comiskey resigned in disgrace on account of sex abuse cases in his diocese, and Ledwith paid compensation in 2002 to a child who alleged abuse.[2] The diocese's history of abuse was investigated by the Irish government and published as the Ferns Report.
Dr. Ledwith was appointed during the tenure of Tomás Cardinal O'Fiaich and Archbishop of Armagh, himself a former President of the College. Dr O'Fiach had served with Dr. Ledwith on the College staff until his appointment to Armagh in 1977. Dr. Ledwith, was, allegedly supported in the cover up by Dr. O'Fiach's successor, Cardinal Daly, who succeeded Dr. O 'Fiach. A bishop since 1967, he was associated socially and professionally with Dr. Ledwith. As President of the National seminary, Dr. Ledwith was in direct line for a senior church appointment. He was a leading candidate for a Primacy of Dublin or Armagh, and perhaps could expect eventual appointment to Cardinal.
Dr. Ledwith was Chairman of the Committee of the Heads of Irish Universities, and a member of the distinguished International Theological Commission, which set up in 1969 to advise the Pope on theological matters.
