February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Andrew Bushe
DUBLIN — Breakaway Latin Tridentine Bishop Michael Cox, who ordained singer Sinead O’Connor as a priest last year, has revealed a new way of fighting crime and punishing burglars: he puts an ancient curse on them.
Cox, 54, was devastated after thieves kicked in the front door of his church and home in Birr, Co. Offaly, and took a TV, video players and an electricity generator.
"I want to emphasize that the boot that kicked in my door — that limb will suffer," Cox said. "Mark my words, those people who broke in will feel the wrath of Almighty God.
"Their sleep will be disturbed. Their hands will wither. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if whatever they use to drive around in burst into flames."
The curse is part of a Tridentine rite dating back to the Council of Trent in 1545.
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He said everything inside the walls of his home is consecrated, so it was not just robbery but desecration and sacrilege as well.
Cox, who is suffering from heart problems and other health complaints, said a threat to his life is being investigated by gardai. An anonymous letter called him an anti-Christ and said he would be ripped open with a knife.
"Anyone who would strike me or hurt me would be doing a very serious thing before Almighty God because my body and soul is consecrated. A priest is ordained but a bishop of actually consecrated," he warned.
A former soldier, Cox sleeps with a loaded rifle beside his bed.
The rebel bishop said Sinead O’Connor — Mother Bernadette — is saying Mass regularly and doing an awful lot of good work, Cox said.
"I am very happy with that girl. I call her my little pal, and I know she is doing a lot of charitable work."
Cox is also planning new developments for his church with the appointment of new bishops to the four provinces in six weeks time and he has been elected archbishop.