If it's publicity Mother Bernadette Mary O'Connor is seeking, she could not have joined a better order. Ireland's two most famous Tridentines to date are past masters at generating controversy and, with her on board, they will form a holy - or, depending on one's view, unholy - trinity to be reckoned with.
Bishop Michael Cox (53), who ordained the Dublin-born pop star a priest in a hotel bedroom in Lourdes, is the pioneer among them. In April 1982, he set up his own religious order - the Irish Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church - and became bishop superior. The church offered marriage annulments to people who became members.
From Mitchelstown, Co Cork, Bishop Cox was a Dun Laoghaire harbour policeman before getting involved in the Tridentine church. In the mid-1980s, he lived in Monkstown, Co Dublin, where he offered Tridentine Latin Masses. He was ordained in 1987 by Roman Catholic clergy who were followers of the Tridentine church, and made a bishop in 1992. His ministry is based at a former Protestant church, St Coleman's, at Cree, near Birr, Co Offaly.
Most recently, he attracted attention for setting up a telephone confession service. Callers to the 1570 premium line were charged £1 a minute and invited to leave details of any medical problems, for which a Latin Mass would be offered the following Sunday.
Until this week, Bishop Cox had been on good terms with Bishop Pat Buckley, whom he consecrated a bishop last June. The act automatically led to Bishop Buckley's excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church. At the time, Bishop Cox said: "If I, as a traditionalist and he, as a liberal, can co-operate it will give great example to the church on accommodating both."
Co-operation was thin on the ground yesterday, however, as Bishop Buckley criticised the ordination, saying the bishop had "embarrassed" the Tridentine church. "I feel I have to put some distance between me and this act. I would not like anyone to think that I approved of it."
Bishop Buckley added: "I have always liked Sinead O'Connor because I think she has suffered a great deal in life but she can be quite contradictory and would not be competent yet in script or liturgy."
Bishop Cox, however, said he did not doubt the singer's motives, adding "I'll stand by the decision until I die". The bishop, who has been suffering from a serious hernia problem since the mid-1970s, said he had offered his church to Ms O'Connor and "she has vowed to take over when I'm gone".
