The McCanns, Uncle Brian Kennedy, and the Catenian Association (Leicester Circle)

What is The Catenian Association?
http://www.thecatenians.com/pages/default.aspx

The Catenian Association is an international brotherhood of practising Catholic laymen who meet socially, at least once a month, in local branches, known as Circles. Members refer to each other as 'brother'. This reflects the strength of the mutual support they give to each other and their families, which is based on the shared values of their Catholic belief and practice.

In an increasingly secular society, the Association provides a sociable and supporting haven (an oasis of calm) for those facing challenges to their beliefs and moral values in their business, professional and family lives. Through their membership Catenians are helped to enjoy and fulfill their various vocations in life. Firstly as baptised Christians and also in their family as a husband and father; in their chosen profession or workplace; within the civil community and within the church.

The Association's name is derived from the Latin 'Catena' (a chain) with the Circles being the links in the chain. The emblem consists of a continuous chain of links surrounding a cross. This symbolizes that our Catholic faith is at the centre of all we do.

The Association is not a fund raising agent for the Catholic Church, nor is it a Catholic action group. However, it is a group of active Catholics. On an individual basis, Catenians take an active part in the life of their parishes and many play a leading role in their dioceses and Catholic lay organisations locally and nationally. The Association is non-political though Catenians are prominent in many aspects of public life and service.


Circle Name: Leicester (UK)  http://www.thecatenians.com/pages/locate_a_circle/uk/circle_details/default.aspx?circleID=631BFBD1-57E4-4BB0-8522-994500E4911E
Circle Number: 53 Inaugurated: Nov 12 1920 12:00AM Meeting Times: 7:00:00 PM Meeting Date(s): 3rd Wednesday of the Month

Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6ES phone 0116 255 5599.  Dinner follows.
For further information please contact Head office on 02476 224533

Where did the PJ Stay on their visit to the UK?

HOTEL CHANGES RULES
The stay of the team of the Judiciary Police of Portimão in the Ramada Hotel, in Leicester, altered the internal rules of that unity. The bar, which was usually open not for guests until 01h00, now closes at 23h00.  http://joana-morais.blogspot.com/2008/04/pj-wants-mccanns-in-location-of-crime.html

Is this the same hotel? What a coincidence if certain people from Leicester who were involved in this case where also part of this group.  Who organised accommodation for the PJ?

Very Interesting, thank you Sharon. As far as I'm aware, there's only one Ramada Hotel in Leicestershire. This case get murkier & murkier.

I've studied 'secret societies' for a few years now, and despite coming from Catholic ancestry, I've only recently
come across the Catenians. Not surprising though, they do seem rather 'elite' (& gentlemen only). Fascinating bunch!

For those that are interested, here's a bit more info on the connections between the Catenian Association and the McCann case.

https://jillhavern.forumotion.net/t3258-michael-linnett-director-of-the-madeleine-fund?highlight=linnett

This report was from the Independent, September 1999

Alarm over secret Catholic 'mason' group

Sophie Goodchild
Sunday 26 September 1999 00:02

HOME OFFICE ministers are becoming increasingly concerned about the secretive activities of a group of Catholic "Freemasons", the Catenians.

A special report by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee has highlighted fears that members of the Catenian Association, which is thought to include top-ranking police officers and judges, are using their influence to pervert the course of justice.

The role of the Association came to light during a two-year investigation into Freemasonry conducted by the Committee.

Acting on the advice of the Committee, the Government has ordered the police and judiciary to set up their own databases listing membership of masonic lodges. But individuals are under no legal obligation to reveal their masonic links; and the database will not cover Catenians.

The report, Freemasonry in the Police and the Judiciary, states: "It is estimated that they [the Catenians] number around 11,500. Although this figure shows that the Catenians are far fewer in number than the Freemasons, this does not mean that similar concerns are not raised relating to their influence on the criminal justice system. Where points of principle relating to secretive societies are made in this report, they apply equally to other organisations of the same nature."

The Freemasons have attacked the Government for scrutinising their activities while not also focusing on groups like the Catenians who, like the Freemasons, are exclusively male. Catenians are hand-picked from the Catholic community and, to gain entry, applicants must be sponsored by a member.

The membership list is a closely guarded secret and new recruits are required to take an oath of allegiance to their "brothers". These oaths are made at secret ceremonies, held in hotels or golf clubs, where members wear special insignia including a Maltese cross and ceremonial collar denoting the "circle" to which they belong, as well as pendants and sashes.

The organisation, which was founded in 1908 in Manchester as the Chums Benevolent Association, has its own website. This describes the organisation, which operates worldwide, as a brotherhood that meets to "foster and develop social bonds among members and their families".

The Catenian Association is quick to quash any parallels between the activities of its members and those of Freemasons. "Like most organisations we regard information such as our list of members as privileged," added a spokesman.

"I don't like to use the word 'secretive' but many people would not answer if you asked them if they were a member. It's not like being a member of a tennis club."

Members might find the following link of use.

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/56341871/the-catenian-association-regulations-contents-april-2016

Alternatively try this..

THE CATENIAN ASSOCIATION RULES - APRIL 2016

https://thecatenians.com/assets/Uploads/Restructure/Post-Restructure-4.The-Rules-08042016.pdf

Silentscope

This may interest you as the Red Shoe club did.

The History of the Chums Society.
https://middlesbrough-diocese.org.uk/the-catenian-association-a-centenary-history-1908-2008/

Investigation was complicated by the fact that you do not have to be a Secret Society Member in order to receive assistance from them.