Copyright 1999 MGN Ltd.   
The Mirror 

December 10, 1999, Friday 

WE'LL RIP YOU UP;  DEATH THREAT TO SINEAD'S BISHOP AS HE SCARES OFF INTRUDER WITH GUN 

Eugene Henderson 


THE rebel bishop who ordained Sinead O'Connor is living in fear of his
life after a death threat, the Irish Mirror can reveal. 

Controversial churchman Michael Cox has had his house broken into and
has been threatened by a hate mail hitman who threatened to
"cut him up". 

Now, wacky pop star Sinead, who goes by the name of Mother Bernadette,
is said to be fearful for her friend's safety. 

The break-in happened recently at Cox's house in Cloughan, near Birr,
Co Offaly, and left him badly shaken. 

He said: "I found an intruder in my house. I was terrified. 

"When I realised someone was in the house, I got a gun and pointed it
at them and they cleared off. 

"Because of my state of health, I can't put up a fight. I'm not capable
of defending myself anymore which is why I have the gun." 

That incident came just weeks after the bishop received a chilling threatening
letter as he lay in a hospital bed recovering from a heart
scare. 

"The writer said they wanted to rip me up with a razor," said the 54
-year-old cleric. 

"The letter made it quite clear what was going to happen to me and called
me an anti-Christ. 

"I can't see why anyone would want to hurt me or break into my home.
I am just a humble little man." 

Those are just two in a series of worrying incidents which have convinced
Cox he may one day be targeted by an attacker. 

Cox has caused turmoil within the Catholic Church in both Ireland and
abroad over the years. 

After setting up the Tridentine Order, he was outlawed by the Catholic
hierarchy. 

Cox is well known for his outspoken views on divorce and celibacy and
he angered the Vatican by defying orders on the ordination of
women. 

In 1998, Cox made dissident priest Pat Buckley a bishop - a move that
angered Church officials. 

But it was his ordination of O'Connor at a secret ceremony in Lourdes,
France, earlier this year that really hit the headlines. 

Cox, who is dogged by poor health, has put his St Colman's church in
Cree, Co Offaly, up for sale. 

For the past four years, he has run his rebel order and preached his
controversial sermons from there. 

He said he planned to go into semi-retirement and move back to his native
Cork but so far no- one has been willing to pay the pounds
70,000 asking price for the church which was built in 1844. 

Now it seems recent events may have convinced him the sooner he takes
a back seat the better. 

Last month, his disciple O'Connor was seen ministering to the poor in
Dublin dressed in clerical clothes and wearing a large crucifix. 

At the time she admitted breaking her vow of celibacy just three months
after taking it. 

O'Connor told reporters that she was in love with a man she had known
for several years and had decided she couldn't live without sex. 

But it seems the singer will be away from her man for the millennium
to be with Cox and his flock in Co Offaly. 

Bishop Cox said: "It's going to be a time of spiritual contemplation."