CNI Comment – There has been substantial reaction to what is perceived as the Vatican’s attempt to silence three Irish priests who have a track record of communication with the general public and other churches. Those who may see this enforcement simply as an internal matter to the Roman Catholic Church should consider the ecumenical fall out which may not necessarily be articulated in public. As one of the report headlines here states : “Fr Flannery may not be burned at the stake but the censure itself is frightening”. That it came as the Pope spoke on matters of priestly discipline n the foremost service of Maundy Thursday leaves little room for doubt that this is an action considered and sanctioned at the highest level in that church.
Vatican gag order under fire from 800 priests
Independent.ie – A group representing more than 800 priests has branded the silencing of a Redemptorist cleric over his liberal views as unfair.
The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) said the intervention by the Vatican against Fr Tony Flannery was ill-advised and said it could exacerbate the perceived “disconnect” between the Irish church and Rome.
Fr Flannery, a founding member of the association established less than two years ago, has had his column with the religious magazine ‘Reality’ discontinued after the Vatican stepped in. In its statement, the ACP said it was “disturbed” Fr Flannery was “being silenced”.
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=13944
Nobody expected the return of the inquisition
Irish Examiner – The investigation is also seen as a crackdown on the Irish priests’ association, which has called for major changes in the Church, including its teaching on sexuality. Some of the association’s members, including Fr Flannery, argue that priests should …
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/nobody-expected-the-return-of-the-inquisition-189756.html
Vatican moves against turbulent Irish priest
Slugger O’Toole – Colm Kelpie has a few examples of why the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith acted to close down Father Tony Flannery’s column in the Redemptorist’s Reality magazine.
– “Many of us priests are very frustrated with the way the Vatican conducts its business.”
– “To hear someone in the position of the Taoiseach speak so strongly, so eloquently, and with such dignity, in challenging the Vatican was good.”
– “Many reforms are needed in the church, and there is little or no discussion allowed at any level.”
– “We cannot have any event (the Eucharistic Congress) dominated by a phalanx of mitre-wearing bishops surrounded by large groups of clergy.”
Father Flannery coincidentally is a founding member of the Association of Catholic Priests (IACP). His problem may be less what he says than that what he says has considerable influence outside the hierarchy…
http://sluggerotoole.com/2012/04/07/vatican-moves-against-turbulent-irish-priest/
Silenced priest receives global support
Irish Examiner – The dictat was then passed on to the Irish order. Fr Flannery is still allowed to say Mass. Fr Flannery has written several books and been a vocal critic of the Church’s opposition to artificial contraception, the ordination of women, and celibacy.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/silenced-priest-receives-global-support-189765.html
Pope chides Catholics who query key beliefs
Irish Times – Furthermore, the pope’s words this week re-echo criticism of the Irish Catholic Church expressed last month in the Holy See’s summary of the recent Apostolic Visitation to Ireland: “ . . . the visitors also encountered a certain tendency, not dominant
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2012/0407/1224314495818.html
Church accused of using FBI-style tactics to watch and silence priests
Irish Independent – Fr Flannery declined to comment when contacted by the Irish Independent yesterday. He said he wanted “time to reflect on this”. Fr Egan described the Vatican’s actions as “a problem”. “The reality, too, is that, there are people sitting in churches on …
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/church-accused-of-using-fbistyle-tactics-to-watch-and-silence-priests-3073843.html
Theologian claims there is ‘ominous divide’ in church
Irish Times – As controversy over the silencing by the Vatican of Redemptorist priests Fr Tony Flannery and Fr Gerard Moloney grows, an Augustinian priest has written about “an ominous division” in the Catholic Church. Theologian Fr Gabriel Daly has said “one party is now in control and is presenting its views as ‘the teaching of the church’.”
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0409/1224314549035.html
Fr Flannery may not be burned at the stake but the censure itself is frightening
Irish Examiner – Currently, if a positive view is taken, the Catholic Church in Ireland is just beginning to emerge from the worst scandal in its history. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, while seeking to take an optimistic view, has been less than confident about it in …
http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/terry-prone/fr-flannery-may-not-be-burned-at-the-stake-but-the-censure-itself-is-frightening-189865.html
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin: Teachings of Jesus should not be suppressed by fear
Independent.ie – This year we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. The council changed the face of Catholicism in Ireland. It was an extraordinary event, which was the fruit of a spirit-filled insight of an almost 80-year-old man: Pope John XXIII….. In his opening speech to the council, Pope John took a direct shot at those who were fearful of renewal. Reformers and traditionalists in the church alike can all too often be men and women with a mission — but men and women with gloomy and stern faces. The church at all times has reason to rejoice. Jesus loves his church and will be with his church. The Easter liturgy is filled with references to how, throughout history, God remained faithful to his people while that people failed God.
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/archbishop-diarmuid-martin-teachings-of-jesus-should-not-be-suppressed-by-fear-3073743.html