I'LL PRESIDE OVER MY OWN FUNERAL; Rebel Bishop Buckley Reveals Plans for End.
The Mirror (UK) Apr 17, 2009 by JILLY BEATTIE
REBEL Bishop Pat Buckley is to preside over his own funeral, the Daily Mirror has learned.
The gay cleric has been recording a funeral service to be played at the Oratory in Larne, Co Antrim, when he dies.
He has decided the final image his mourners will see on screen will be a recording of him walking into the sunset near the harbour at Larne.
And true to form, the funeral anthem will be a country and western number - When The Cowboy Rides Away by George Strait.
Fr Buckley, 57, said: "I'm doing it myself because I don't think there'd be too many Catholic bishops or priests who'd like to preside over my funeral.
"I'm working on it currently but I'm hoping it will not need to be a used for a good while yet.
"I'm a country and western fan and the words of the song are every appropriate to me because they're about a cowboy who had lots of battles in his life, but he just kept on going.
"It's a lovely song and I have it recorded on to my i-phone.
"I haven't finished writing my funeral service yet but I've got some of the words done and a few of the songs sorted.
"I think it will be dignified and fitting and it suits me perfectly to do it this way." The bishop, originally from Tullamore, Co Offaly, lives at works at the Oratory, a house which belonged to the Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor.
But he refused to leave following his suspension from the priesthood in 1986 by Cahal Daly, who was then bishop.
Openly gay, Fr Buckley has become known as an unofficial chaplain to hundreds of disaffected and alienated Catholics and christians from across Ireland and further afield.
He is actively involved in the lesbian and gay community and his ministry involves giving same-sex blessings as well as holding spiritual seminars for gays and lesbians.
WHEN THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY
I knew the stakes were high right from the start.
When she dealt the cards, I bet my heart.
Now I just found a game that I can't play, And this is where the cowboy rides away.
Chorus:
And my heart is sinking like the setting sun, Setting on the things I wish I'd done.
Its time to say goodbye to yesterday.
This is where the cowboy rides away.
We've been in and out of love and in-between.
And now we play the final showdown scene.
As the credits roll a sad song starts to play, And this is where the cowboy rides away.
Chorus:
And my heart is sinking like a setting sun, Setting on the things I wish I'd done.
Oh the last goodbyes the hardest one to say, And this is where the cowboy rides away.
Oh the last goodbyes the hardest one to say.
This is where the cowboy rides away.