PRAISE FOR FR. McMANUS’ MEMOIRS AND HIS WORK
Note by Barbara Flaherty, Monday, February 9, 2026, on Sunday World interview with Fr. McManus: “SMEARED | Campaigning cleric was branded ‘Provo Priest’ over equality efforts.” By Hugh Jordan. . .Friday, August 22, 2025.
(But first, Fr. McManus’ correction must be given here: “I appreciate Hugh Jordan’s article. However, a point of clarification: I did not ‘decide’ to go to America. I was, in effect, deported from England by collusion of Church/State, because I would not give my Religious Superior “a promise without mental reservation or equivocation,” never again to condemn England’s racist and anti-Catholic oppression in Ireland”).
To read the article, place this link into your browser:
https://irishnationalcaucus.org/blog/smeared-1/
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Last year, 2025, was the first time that there were more Catholic workers in Northern Ireland than Unionist/Protestant” workers—according to the 34th Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s Fair Employment Monitoring Report (2023).
When asked by the Sunday World if he was “proud” of this remarkable development—the result of his historic MacBride Principles campaign—Fr. McManus said he was “grateful.” No vainglorious boasting from this Fermanagh man—he keeps his eyes on the prize; does his duty; preaches the Gospel of justice and peace, because “… Action on behalf of justice is a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel…” Justice in the World, Synod of Bishops. Rome. November 30. 1971.
We are pleased to produce this updated Quick Reference Guide to quotes regarding the work of Fr. McManus since 1971for unity, justice, peace, and solidarity in Ireland.
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Fr. Mc Manus said:’’ Although these quotes are about me, I have always been vividly and humbly aware that without dedicated Irish-American and good Members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, I could not have accomplished anything. In particular, I am deeply grateful for the magnificent work and dedication of Barbara Flaherty, Executive Vice President, Irish National Caucus.”
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“Thus, McManus became Britain’s nemesis in America, the driving force that would eventually erode Britain’s influence within the U.S. government.”—Joseph E. Thompson. American Policy and Northern Ireland: A Saga of Peacebuilding. 2001.
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“[Fr. McManus] stood out against powerful forces in a fight for justice and fairness. I didn’t always agree with the causes he supported, but I admired his persistence, his courage, his relentlessness. And admiration that one person, almost alone, could make such impact on public policy in the United States.”—Vincent Browne’s speech at book launch of Fr. McManus’ Memoirs, My American Struggle For Justice In Northern Ireland. Dublin. 2011.
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“…The Irish National Caucus … has been influential in getting Congress to see Northern Ireland as a human rights issue.”—The Washington Post. 1981.
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“Fr. Sean McManus is a man to be reckoned with when it comes to advocating causes. His espousal of the MacBride Principles back in the 1980s caused fits for the British government … McManus has also been a constant watchdog in Washington on Irish affairs and has been hugely successful in setting the Irish-American agenda over the past 30 years.”—Niall O’Dowd. Editor of The Irish Voice, New York. 1990.
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KEY DUBLIN WRITER
These and other smears were deployed against Fr. McManus for decades, especially when he was promoting the MacBride Principles on fair employment. Britain smeared the INC as a front for the Provisional IRA. David Burke, “The MI6 Smearmeister: A Sordid Tale of Smears, Lies, and Deception. “Irish Echo, March 15, 2023.
David Burke is a Dublin barrister, author of three important Irish books: An Enemy of the Crown; Kitson’s Irish War; and Deception and Lies. He is also a most prolific writer for The Village Magazine, Dublin. He is a leading expert on England’s dirty tricks and malfeasance in Ireland, North and South.
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“The [MacBride] campaign is being run by the Irish National Caucus… The move, inspired by Father Sean McManus, who has been consistently opposed to British policy, is particularly well-timed. For even if the law is never passed, it provides an opportunity to link, however tenuously, the issues of South Africa and Northern Ireland. The MacBride Principles also call for the same kind of affirmative action programs for Catholics, which American companies already use in the employment of women and blacks in the U.S.A.”— “New York Threat of Ulster Shares Boycott.” Will Ellsworth-Jones. The Times. London. January 6, 1985.
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“Fr. Sean McManus has spent a lifetime leading the fight to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland. That so many Americans and, particularly those in American government leadership roles, joined in the effort to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict is a credit to his courageous and inspiring leadership.”—Bill Flynn, Chairman Emeritus, Mutual of America Chairman, National Committee on American Foreign Policy. 2011.
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RAYMOND McCORD, SR., FAMOUS VICTIMS CAMPAIGNER
“I am a Protestant (which normally I would not mention). However, I had to turn to a Catholic priest, Father Sean McManus, to seek justice for the murder of my son, Raymond Jr. Father McManus helped me get a powerful Congressional hearing into young Raymond’s murder and expose state collusion in his murder.”— Raymond McCord Sr., Belfast. 2011.
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Richard Kerr, Belfast Protestant of abuse by top British public figures.
“The support of the Irish National Caucus in Washington is a true blessing to me. Fr. Sean McManus has kept the U.S. Congress informed about my case, as he has for so many others over the years. Fr. McManus points out that ecumenism is at its best when Protestants and Catholics not only pray together for peace but also work together for justice. My sentiments exactly.”
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“After being ‘transported’ out of London 1972, [Church and State] sent Fr. McManus to far-flung America. …They thought it was a safe enough place to banish him after he attacked the British Government and its policies in [Northern Ireland] in the early 1970s. But how wrong [they] were. Some political observers in America say he was light years ahead of his time when he set up the Irish National Caucus to fight for justice and rights for [Catholics] back home in Northern Ireland.”—John Cassidy, Sunday World. Belfast. March 18, 2007.
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History and an Anniversary, Too
By Ray O’Hanlon, Editor, Irish Echo, New York City. February 7, 2024.
When he founded the Irish National Caucus on the sixth day of the second month of 1974, Fr. Sean McManus could only dream of the kind of scene that took place at Stormont on the third day of the second month in 2024.
The Saturday, February 3 descent of stairs in order to ascend to the highest political office in contemporary Northern Ireland saw Michelle O’Neill take center stage in a sea change in the North’s political life.
“A defining moment indeed. One of hope, progress, and solidarity,” was how Fr. McManus described the moment.
Three days later, on Tuesday, February 6, the Fermanagh-born priest was celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his founding of the Irish National Caucus, the Capitol Hill-based lobbying and advocacy organization that has been hugely instrumental in educating and enlisting the help of congressional leaders in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Northern Ireland – and also in paving the road to Michelle O’Neill’s stairway to political heaven. Hope and history do indeed rhyme, or in this case coincides.
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“Fr. McManus, from his Capitol Hill office, has been a prominent and influential figure in the quest for progress and peace with justice in Northern Ireland, blending knowledge of his native land with experience drawn from his years of dealing with the intricacies of the political system in his adopted one. His has been a unique role. Long may it continue.”—Ray O’Hanlon. editor of The Irish Echo. New York. 2011.
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“The master … in publicity terms, is Father Sean McManus, a burly, plausible charmer whose Irish National Caucus has taken center stage … the good Father has made himself expert in congressional lobbying techniques … I spent a long and, to be perfectly frank, rather enjoyable afternoon with Father McManus in his Capitol Hill office … and it became clear that he hadn’t been raised as a clerical apologist for nothing.”—Christopher Hitchens, public intellectual, author of God Is Not Great, and The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice. The Spectator. England. October 5, 1985.
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“I support the Irish National Caucus in its important work for justice and peace in Northern Ireland and would be proud to be associated with this worthy organization.”—Rep. Peter T. King (R- NY) 1994.
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“I am writing to express my desire to become a Congressional Friend member of the Irish National Caucus. The organization has a formidable record of working on behalf of Ireland, and the equality for the Catholic minority. As a member and an Irish=American, I would be proud to continue this important endeavor.” —Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA). Feb. 12, 2015.
When the British Embassy confidentially reports — as distinct from its public propaganda — to the British Government and the Northern Ireland Office, it is in no doubt as to whom is behind the MacBride Principles. Their Spying-Reports explain that the Mac Bride campaign is “instigated,” “canvassed” “incredibly well organized,” etc., etc., by the Irish National Caucus. And even said the Irish National Caucus was non-violent, while the British Embassy always said the Caucus was funding the IRA and shipping guns to Ireland! — Fr. Sean McManus
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In Praise of Father McManus
By
Congressman Ben Gilman, former Chairman,
House International Relations Committee
February 2003
http://www.irishnationalcaucus.org/in-praise-of-father-mcmanus/
As I retire from Congress, I want to pay tribute to Father Sean McManus, the President of the Irish National Caucus.
For 30 years as a Member of Congress, I have been privileged to work for many good and noble causes around the world. None has given me more pleasure than my work for equality and peace in Ireland.
Throughout my 30 years of congressional work, Father McManus has been constantly by my side – encouraging, guiding, and giving invaluable advice from his unsurpassed knowledge of the Irish issue. No one has done more than Father McManus to keep the U.S. Congress on track regarding justice and peace in Ireland. Indeed, I believe historians will record that no one since John Devoy (1842-1928) has done more to organize American pressure for justice in Ireland. (The only difference being that Father Mc Manus – in keeping with his priestly calling – is committed to nonviolence).
During the past 30 years, the fingerprints of Father Mc Manus are over every piece of Congressional action on Ireland: from the formation of the Ad Hoc Congressional Committee For Irish Affairs in 1977 (which in turn sparked the formation of the Friends of Ireland in 1981) to Congressional Hearings on Northern Ireland, once banned until I became Chairman of the International Relations Committee in 1995; from individual human rights cases, like the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four to the political assassinations cases of Pat Fincucane and Rose Mary Nelson; from the Hunger Strikes of Bobby Sands and his nine colleagues to the general mistreatment of political prisoners; from individual cases of anti-Catholic discrimination to the full, frontal and triumphal campaign of the Mac Bride Principles; from stopping the sale of U.S. weapons to the RUC to putting human rights conditions on U.S. dealings with the Northern Ireland police.
Summarily, Father McManus’s doctrine “that the United States must not subsidize anti-Catholic discrimination in Northern Ireland” has now become U.S. law and policy. Accordingly, it has been my honor and privilege to have given Congressional shape to Father McManus’ dream for his beloved Ireland.
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MACBRIDE
“The Mac Bride Principles—a corporate code of conduct for American companies doing business in Northern Ireland—were launched by the Irish National Caucus on November 4, 1984. The Mac Principles both symbolized and effectuated the Caucus’ major campaign to stop U. S. dollars subsidizing anti-Catholic discrimination in Northern Ireland. The Principles became law in 18 U.S. states and numerous towns and cities. In October 1998, the MacBride Principles were passed by both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into U.S. law. Chairman Gilman took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to welcome this singular achievement, saying: “I want to make a special note regarding Father Sean McManus. No one has fought harder against discrimination in Northern Ireland. Father Sean single-handedly brought the MacBride fair employment principles to … enactment.” — Chairman Ben Gilman (R-NY), October 1998.
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Scourge of British Government
“Advising Congressman [Richard Ottinger, D-NY], and helping him in the talks [in Belfast] was Fr. Sean McManus, the Washington-based Redemptorist priest ordained in England and now a scourge of the British Government. The lime-and-so-da drinking cleric is not liked by British diplomats in the American capital, where he leads the Irish National Caucus, a lobbying group aimed at influencing American foreign policy with the target of Irish unity, freedom, and peace.”— “Americans in Ulster Maelstrom.” Daily Telegraph. London. August 18, 1983.
“In 1983, we succeeded in getting Bill, HR3465, introduced in Congress: ‘Requiring United States persons who conduct business o control Enterprises in Northern Ireland to comply with certain fair employment principles.’ Congressman Dick Ottinger(D-NY) was its chief sponsor. We brought him to Northern Ireland to highlight this new, important development—the precursor of the Mac Bride Principle ten years later. So, you see how long we were focused on the American companies in Northern Ireland.”—Fr. Sean McManus.
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“Fr. Sean McManus is the man who put Northern Ireland on the map in America. As head of Washington-based lobby group the Irish National Caucus, which he founded in 1974, he continues to fight the fight over sectarianism and justice—British governments have been and gone, Fr. Sean is still here. He famously championed the MacBride Principles, which called on US companies investing in Northern Ireland to operate a fair employment practice. It made him a hate figure for Unionists and a constant prick in the side of the British.”—Richard Sullivan. Sunday World. Belfast. January 4, 2018.
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No … U.S. initiative … [on Northern Ireland] would have come about had it not been for the activities of the Irish National Caucus. — Sunday News (Belfast), 1979.
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“The [MacBride] campaign is being run by the Irish National Caucus… The move, inspired by Father Sean McManus, who has been consistently opposed to British policy, is particularly well-timed. For even if the law is never passed, it provides an opportunity to link, however tenuously, the issues of South Africa and Northern Ireland. The MacBride Principles also call for the same kind of affirmative action programs for Catholics, which American companies already use in the employment of women and blacks in the U.S.A”— “New York Threat of Ulster Shares Boycott.” Will Ellsworth-Jones. The Times. London. January 6, 1985.
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“The MacBride campaign, directed by the Irish National Caucus, won the support of the AFL-CIO and of several religious institutional shareholders, including several Catholic orders and several major Protestant denominations.”—The Wall Street Journal, 1988.
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PRESIDENT RICHARD L. TRUMKA, FORMER PRESIDENT, AFL-CIO
“I know that Father McManus has moved the needle [on justice and human rights], and, Father, for that, I offer you, on behalf of the entire AFL-CIO, a sincere Thank you.” — President Richard L. Trumka, AFL-CIO, February 3, 2016.”
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“The fanfare of publicity about new and tougher action against job discrimination, for example, is designed, at least in part, to help the British Government to counter the extremely effective campaign on the MacBride Principles which is being waged by the Irish National Caucus in the United States.”—The Irish Times. Dublin. 1987.
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“We did not take him [INC President, Fr. Sean McManus] very seriously at first, but the MacBride Principles have caused serious problems and cost millions to try to counteract.”—A Senior British official in Northern Ireland—Sunday Life. Belfast).1992.
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“A spiritual and magnanimous man, McManus is undeniably a brilliant tactician. His fine book chronicles a long and vibrant journey of an astute, intelligent, and politically committed mind in action. …Many elected American officials of all ethnic backgrounds were convinced by McManus of the urgency and legitimacy of the issue and became supporters of his unceasing efforts. His crowning achievement came when after a laborious campaign the MacBride Principles were signed into law by President Clinton.”—Joe Martin. Real Change. October 27, 2011.
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LAUNCHING OF THE MAC BRIDE PRINCIPLES, AS DOCUMENTED IN FR. MC MANUS’ MEMOIRS
On Monday, November 5, 1984, the Irish National Caucus announced the launching of the MacBride Principles. Thus, the Principles were “christened.”
Our press release carried the heading, “Caucus’ New Plan to Combat Discrimination” and went on to say: “The Irish National Caucus today announced a major new initiative to combat employment discrimination in Northern Ireland … The Caucus has endorsed a set of Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Principles for Northern Ireland that have been sponsored by Seán Mac Bride … ‘This approach,’ said Fr. Sean Mc Manus, ‘… is the way for Americans to deal with anti-Catholic discrimination.’ ”
The Irish Echo (New York) captured the historic moment accurately with the headline: “Caucus Proposes New Initiative to Stop Discrimination in Northern Ireland.”
The Sunday Tribune reported: “The nine-point employment code, which was drawn up by the Washington-based Irish National Caucus (I.N.C.) is sponsored by Seán Mac Bride S.C., leading Northern Ireland trade unionist Inez McCormack and Northern surgeon Senator John Robb, and Father Brian Brady.” That was the very first occasion the Mac Bride Principles were mentioned by name in the Irish or American media. Thus, a historic initiative was conceived, born, and christened
We wanted to mention Comptroller Goldin’s name in our announcement, but at that stage, he was not prepared to associate his name with the Principles. In fact, he backed out at the last moment, after I had told Seán Mac Bride that he would join us in the announcement. The first New York politician, in fact, to publicly associate himself with the Mac Bride Principles was City Councilmember Sal Albanese (D-Bay Ridge). I had been advising Goldin to associate himself publicly with the Mac Bride Principles otherwise, other New York politicians would beat him to the punch. But he thought it was just a tactic to stampede him into supporting the Principles earlier than he wanted to.
Caucus Launches Mac Bride Campaign
The moment Council member Albanese read The Irish Echo’s report on the launching of the Mac Bride Principles, he contacted the Irish National Caucus with a view to introducing a Bill in the New York City Council. He and the Caucus worked on the drafting, and on December 19, 1984, a Bill was introduced: #878. This was to be the very first Mac Bride Bill in the U.S.
And so, the Mac Bride campaign had formally begun. The New York Daily News reported: “City Councilman Sal Albanese (D-Bay Ridge) will appear at City Hall tomorrow in a rally with Rev. Sean McManus, National Director of the Irish National Caucus, to seek support for the bill.”
The Irish Echo announced: “Fr. Sean McManus, national director of the Irish National Caucus, will hold a press conference with Councilman Albanese at City Hall on Jan. 3 at 10:30 am, calling on Irish groups to support Intro. No. 878.”
The Chief Leader said: “The Irish National Caucus has chosen New York City to be the first where pension fund investments will be used to increase pressure for equal rights for Catholics in Northern Ireland … .”
The Catholic New York newspaper said: “Father Mc Manus was present at City Hall recently to speak in favor of the [Albanese] legislation … Father Mc Manus said that proposed legislation is ‘eminently reasonable … One of the most effective ways for us to combat the situation is to get the investors involved and make them aware they are supporting anti-Catholic discrimination,’ he told Catholic New York.”
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“Perhaps the Caucus’ boldest success has been its efforts to create … The Committee for Irish Affairs.”—The New York Times. 1979.
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“As Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Irish Affairs, I … commend the Irish National Caucus for your steadfast advocacy on behalf of human rights …Fr. McManus is ‘The Apostle of Human Rights for Northern Ireland.’”—Rep. Mario Biaggi (D-NY). 1980.
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Fr. McManus chairs the launching of the Ad Hoc Committee for Irish Affairs.
(l-r) Congressman Edward P. Beard (D-RI), Fr. McManus, Congressman Mario Biaggi (D-NY), and Congressman Leo C. Zeferetti (D-NY). Washington, D.C. September 27, 1977.
A NOTE BY FR. SEAN McManus
“The Irish National Caucus proposed the formation of the Ad Hoc Congressional Committee for Irish Affairs and asked Congressman Mario Biaggi to chair it. He said he would if I could get all the Irish American Organizations to endorse him as Chairman, and if I would hold a Press Conference on Capitol Hill, and officially appoint him to the position … That he felt would validate the idea of an Italian chairing such an Irish Committee. And it did.
In our Press Release, I said: “I explained the reason for the formation of the new Committee and why an Italian congressman was asked to be chairman: Congressman Biaggi was selected by us because he has truly distinguished himself by his consistent and outspoken concern for my country. Although his ancestry is not from Cork, Kerry, or Fermanagh, the Congressman has shown more compassion than some congressional leaders with Irish names. On behalf of the National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Irish National Caucus, and all Irish American organizations, it gives me deep pleasure to appoint you, Congressman Biaggi, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Congressional Committee for Irish Affairs.”
We soon had 130 Congressional Members, even though we were viciously opposed by the British Embassy in Washington (and, shamefully, by the Irish Embassy).
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MEMOIRS
MY AMERICAN STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
“My American Struggle for Justice in Northern Ireland, and this Third Edition, is a hugely important book. It is probably the most significant memoir in the historiography of Irish-American nationalism since Recollections of an Irish Rebel (1929) by John Devoy.” —Washington Irish Committee.
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“The intrepid Fermanagh-born battler for justice, Fr. Sean McManus, has published the definitive book on Irish-America’s fight for justice in the North of Ireland, including the epic MacBride Principles campaign.”—Máirtín ÓMuilleoir, Belfast Media, President of The Irish Echo. 2011.
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“Fr. Sean knows the history of the struggle for justice in Northern Ireland as well as anyone—he lived it. A very important book.”— Ray Flynn, former mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. 2011.
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“As a writer, singer, and performer of Irish ballads, I know the value of voice, words, and thoughts that expose injustice (as this book does). Over the last 40 years, Fr. McManus has been the powerful voice that has kept the U.S. Congress involved in the struggle for justice and peace in Ireland.”—Derek Warfield, (Young) Wolfe Tones. 2011.
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“The word I always associate with Fr. Sean McManus is adamantine (unbreakable): Made of or resembling adamant. Having the hardness or luster of a diamond. I have seen him in action countless times on Capitol Hill, so I can fearlessly proclaim that his book will gleam with the luster of a diamond. Tolle, lege! [Take up and read] –” Tom Halton, Former Professor of Greek and Latin at The Catholic University of America. January 5, 2011
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“Fr. McManus … has released this must-read tome for anyone interested in the long struggle for full Irish freedom … The book documents the priest’s successful struggle to incorporate the MacBride Principles (business ethics for American companies doing business in the north of Ireland) into U.S. law. This is not a work of fiction, though the herculean task Fr. McManus set for himself and his Irish National Caucus lobbying effort on Capitol Hill would appear to qualify as such.”—Bryan T. McMahon. The Ponchatoula Times. Florida. June 28, 2013.
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“So, from Kinawley to the halls of Congress, your story—which I thank you for—is hard to put down. May this year be one of deepening justice and peace for Ireland.”—Jim Douglass, noted author on nonviolence. January 8, 2012.
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TIP 0’NEILL
“It all started with Father McManus. When he came over here, we were all sympathetic to him.”—House Speaker Tip O’Neill (Irish America). 1986.
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HILLARY CLINTON
Former First Lady, Former Senator (D-NY), Former U.S. Secretary of State.
“Thank you [Fr. McManus, for your gracious invitation to become a ‘Congressional Friend’ of the Irish National Caucus. The warm welcome that I have received from the Irish people on my visits there has gladdened my heart and made me always hopeful that people throughout Ireland will live in a climate of peace and nonviolence.”—Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). 2003; appointed U.S. Secretary of State by President Obama in 2009.
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KENNEDYS, FATHER AND SON
“I support the Irish National Caucus because it represents a compelling voice for fair employment, legal justice, and lasting peace in Northern Ireland.”—Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-MA). 1988.
“Dear Fr. McManus … I would be honored to be a Congressional Friend of the Irish National Caucus. I support your nonviolent work for justice and peace in Northern Ireland with full equality for the Catholic minority. Additionally, I support continued American involvement in the Irish peace process.”—Rep. Joseph Kennedy, III, December 13, 2012.
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“For the past nearly 50 years, Fr. Sean McManus has been championing, almost single-handedly, the struggle for peace with justice for the partitioned six counties of Northern Ireland.” His has been the constant voice keeping the U.S. Congress, international media, and the entire Irish-American community informed and constantly up to date with the truth. He withstood attacks of the English Government for his relentless efforts in fighting for the ultimate adoption of the MacBride Principles. Fr. Sean’s ongoing work and efforts on behalf of Mr. Raymond McCord, a Protestant from Belfast, has become another example of his vital role in the search for peace with JUSTICE irrespective of one’s religion.“—Bob Bateman, Past National Historian, Ancient Order of Hibernians. AOH Liaison to the Irish National Caucus and Congressional Ad Hoc Committee for Irish Affairs (1976-1982). (Great-grandnephew of the Fenian Captain Timothy Deasy).
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“It makes one want to stand up and cheer.” Author Sharon Chang, 2011.
“Northern Ireland’s most diligent champion in America.”— Sharon Chang. February 6, 2020.
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“In the decades since [going to America on October 2, 1972] the strongly pro-republican Fr McManus has been a prominent figure in Irish-America as head of the Irish National Caucus, where he been a loud critic often of both the Irish and British governments as well as an active lobbyist on Irish and Irish-American interests … a still vigorous, strongly spoken 81-year-old priest.”—Mark Hennessy. “The last confession of ‘Disappeared’ IRA man Joe Lynskey – a priest recalls, more than 50 years on”. Irish Times. Dublin. Saturday, April 26, 2025.
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“[Fr. McManus] a Fermanagh native, is well known for his work with Washington, D.C.-based Irish National Caucus (INC), which he founded in 1974. In 1984, the INC launched the MacBride Principles, a code of conduct for US companies doing business in the north designed to combat anti-Catholic discrimination. The Redemptorist priest continues to be a strong voice on Irish-American affairs in Washington.
In a recent book, The Sorrow and the Loss – The Tragic Shadow Cast by the Troubles on the Lives of Women, Dillon provides new details of how another of The Disappeared, Jean McConville, was abducted, killed, and buried by the IRA in 1972.
“I think the intervention of Fr. McManus after reading the book is critical to understanding a complex part of our history,” Mr. Dillon said. “I believe it could not have been easy for him, but he is a truth teller.”Connla Young. “Priest heard Joe Lynskey’s confession before killing.” Irish News. Belfast. Monday, May 19, 2025.
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https://irishnationalcaucus.org/blog/more-praise-for-fr-mcmanus-memoirs-and-his-work
