Concerns raised over creation of ‘MAGA beachhead’ at historic Waterford site

A political party has raised concerns over the creation of what it described as a “MAGA beachhead” in County Waterford.

People Before Profit has expressed concerns over a US Catholic university’s establishment of an Irish campus at Mount Melleray in the west of the county.

The abbey was home to Cistercian monks for nearly 200 years before closing its doors in January of last year.

Earlier this year, the Florida-based Ave Maria University announced its plans to open a campus at the location, following discussions with the Cistercian Order.

Mount Melleray has now reopened its doors, with 91 students from the Catholic university arriving for a study abroad semester.

However, People Before Profit has raised concerns over the establishment of the study abroad programme.

A party spokesperson said: “On Sunday, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan, held a mass for elite donors and students at a new Ave Maria University offshoot in Mount Melleray, Waterford.

“The Ave Maria University is a private institution based in Florida, USA and functions as a training ground for far-right politicians.

“The bishop has teamed up with an American pizza billionaire Tom Monaghan and wants you to believe the takeover of Mount Melleray is a holy miracle but here are the facts they are hiding.”

They went on to outline a number of arguments against the establishment of the campus at Mount Melleray.

The party argued that the Department of Further and Higher Education did not approve or accredit the site as a university campus.

The Department did say in February that it had not received any communication about the proposed establishment of the campus.

However, there appears to be no legal requirement for foreign universities to be accredited in Ireland before bringing their own students here.

The party also argued that the abbey’s legal planning status is for hostelry and pilgrim lodging not for a “commercial, international third-level campus”.

Project manager Seamus Savage had previously said that planning permission may be required for a change of use of the building.

In March, he said that pre-discussions had taken place with Waterford City and County Council.

However, no planning permission was subsequently sought by the university or the order.

The party further described the campus as a “MAGA beachhead”, as well as “an unapproved, unzoned ideological training ground financed by a US billionaire who funds far-right political lobbying”.

The founder of the university, Tom Monagahan, has long been a supporter of Republican political candidates in the United States.

Former US Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the university in March 2019 and passed on the best wishes of US President Donald Trump.

He described President Trump as “a great friend” of the university and finished his speech by saying “we will make America great again”.

However, there is little evidence to suggest that Ave Maria itself teaches partisan political allegiance as part of its curriculum.

People Before Profit also highlighted Mount Melleray’s status as a registered charity.

A party spokesperson said: “Religious orders in Ireland, including the Cistercians and the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, operate under charitable tax-exempt status.

“When they lease a massive asset like Mount Melleray Abbey to a multi-million-dollar American university entity, they are acting as commercial landlords.

“Yet, because of their archaic legal status, this transaction avoids the standard commercial taxes that any ordinary Waterford business would have to pay.”

They continued by arguing that any money earned through the study abroad programme should be paid as redress to victims of historical abuse.

“The Irish State has had to foot the bill for hundreds of millions of euros in compensation to survivors of industrial schools, Mother and Baby Homes, and clerical abuse because the religious orders have consistently dragged their feet, hidden their wealth, and refused to fully pay their agreed shares.

“While Bishop ‘Phonsie’ Cullinan can roll out the red carpet for 1,000 wealthy MAGA donors and celebrate a multi-million-dollar international lease, the institutional Church claims poverty when it comes to liquidating assets to pay comprehensive, uncompromised redress to victims of institutional abuse.

“If any real morality or justice existed in Irish law, a 100% retribution tax would be slapped on every single commercial lease, land sale, or property transaction executed by the Catholic Church.

“Every single cent generated by leasing Mount Melleray Abbey to Ave Maria University should be immediately seized by the state and ring-fenced directly for survivor support services and unpaid redress funds.”

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan celebrated a special Mass at Mount Melleray to mark the reopening of the abbey on Sunday last.

Several hundreds of people were in attendance, with a large number of clergy, university staff, students and locals present.