John Malone, an individual aspiring to become a monk, raised a grievance suggesting he was declined a place in a religious institution due to his father’s Traveller background. However, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) admitted it could not officially investigate this under the Equal Status Act 2000 aimed at Silverstream Priory’s prior in County Meath.
The monastery’s legal team rejected Mr Malone’s notion that a previous offer was rescinded, maintaining that such an offer was never extended. Mr Malone expressed to the tribunal his longstanding desire to pursue a life as a monk was hindered due to ageist attitudes and discrimination against Travellers.
Evidence disclosed at the tribunal highlighted that the Benedictine monastery had a stipulation that only those between 18 and 35 years of age could join. At the time of his 2022 inquiry, Mr Malone was already 53. Despite this, Mr Malone claimed that the monastery’s novice supervisor extended an invitation for him to use their lodging amenities for ten days in July 2022, promising him a spot in the monastery and an opportunity for an extended stay.
Mr Malone stated that he was also invited to a retreat in County Waterford to meet with the priory’s chief monk or prior. However, upon his revelation of his Traveller lineage, Mr Malone perceived a shift in the senior monk’s disposition, observing that the prior became distant and ceased involving him.
In an email displayed to the WRC by Mr Malone himself, the prior shared his reservations about him stating, “I have some doubts about John. I will tell you when I get back.”
Mr Malone received no communication from the friars until he sent another email on August 16th. In response, the novice master informed him that his interactions with the prior during the retreat had been inadequate for serious discernment. From what the master had observed of Mr Malone’s behaviour during the retreat, he advised him to not join their community. Furthermore, as mentioned before, accepting a person of Mr Malone’s age was an extraordinary circumstance. Hearing the prior’s observation and agreeing with his judgement, the novice master followed suit.
Mr Malone stated his intention to take the matter up with the bishop, leading to a string of legal correspondences until he filed a complaint with the WRC in February 2023. Lawyers instructed by Benedict O’Floinn SC, with Michelle Murphy of James H Murphy & Son as the solicitor, put forward that the prior could not recall any conversation with Mr Malone about his father. However, they accepted that being a part of the Travelling community wouldn’t hinder admission.
Mr O’Floinn argued against the claim that the prior’s opinion had been swayed as it was unfounded and lacked support. They suggested that the lack of invite for Mr Malone to join their congregation was mostly due to the latter’s behaviour during the retreat, and his lack of engagement with the prior. Also factored in was his relatively advanced age. They underlined that these reasons were entirely unrelated to his Travelling community affiliation.
WRC adjudicator, Emile Daly, declared that joining a religious community is not akin to providing a service. She wrote that both parties must mutually agree on the arrangements for living in a religious community – it cannot be forced by one side. Ms. Daly also noted that she didn’t have the authority to delve into the merits of the complaint. She therefore dismissed it as lacking foundation.