Celebrity priest Fr Brian D’Arcy is the latest member of the Catholic clergy in Ireland to be censored by the Vatican.
Reports on the BBC website, and in The Tablet news magazine, claim that D’Arcy’s Sunday World newspaper columns are vetted by a church censor on a weekly basis.
D’Arcy has a huge following among young people and was portrayed in the past as “Father Brian Trendy” by famed comedian Dermot Morgan.
The reports state that D’Arcy's sometimes outspoken views on the Catholic church have been the target of the Holy See’s main theological watchdog.
The Tablet article claims that D’Arcy’s work has been targeted by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the theological watchdog.
The BBC has seen the report which suggests that D’Arcy’s column for the newspaper is now submitted to ‘a church censor’ before its publication. The article also states that none of his columns have yet been edited.
Censorship of the D’Arcy columns was introduced after an anonymous complaint and involved the worldwide superior of his Passionist institute.
The Northern Ireland based cleric has often criticized the structure of the church in Ireland and its stance on the use of contraception.
In his most recent Sunday World column, Fr D’Arcy argued for the need for the Church to pay heed to the results of a recent survey on female ordination and the right of priests to marry.
The Enniskillen resident is the latest high profile victim of the Vatican clampdown on criticism.
Fr Tony Flannery, founder of the Association of Catholic Priests, has also been investigated by the Vatican for his liberal views.
His monthly column in the Redemptorist Reality magazine has now been shelved.
An Apostolic Visitation, personally appointed by Pope Benedict, has reported a ‘certain tendency’ within some Irish priests to hold and profess opinions at odds with those of the Magisterium, the Church’s superior teaching authority.
The Congregation has also criticised the group representing most of the nuns in the United States, claiming that nuns were devoting too much time and work to societal and social justice issues and not enough on religious teaching.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.eiriamach | May 03, 2012, 07:30 AM EDT
IrelandNorth, it's not about how weird Fr. D'Arcy might be. I don't know him at all, but I believe barneyjo, who does know him or knows his work and character. It's about the censorship imposed on him by the Vatican, the suppression, the absolute control exercised by fearful orthodox heretic hunters. For centuries as the Christian faith was establishing itself and helping shape Western culture, it helped to have a hierarchical organization with control from the top down. Yet that organization did not keep the Church unified past the end of the middle ages. Now it's a completely dysfunctional structure, corrupt and anti-humane. It should have changed radically during the Reformation; it's late for reform now. Too late? Maybe. In this century, it cannot prevail against freedom of conscience and freedom of speech, or against widespread calls for reform.
IrelandNorth | May 01, 2012, 08:27 AM EDT
Father Brian D'Arcy wasn't nicknamed Fr. Trendy by Irish comedian Dermot Morgan for nothing. Seems somewhat of a adept whingemeister and self-publicist to me. Whatever's fashionable, he's got or had it done to him. Me thinks he's now joined the ranks of the professional 'Benny Bashers', to soften up Ireland for the Orangemen Order. Roadsign: CONSTITUTIONAL FENG SHUI AT WORK - REFORMED UNITED IRELAND AHEAD - 32 KM!
KatieMurphy | Apr 30, 2012, 11:25 PM EDT
EAmon - I use about one wine bottle a year and havent had a beer or hard drink in years/ BTW why dont I drink much - because I have wierd nightmares if I do. Maybe its time - Honestly I just thought of this one - that I should go see a hypnotist. Was I one of the 21 % OF the molested kids who is female?
KatieMurphy | Apr 30, 2012, 11:22 PM EDT
In the old days the good Father would have been tortured and burned at the stake. Anmd if we let the church get away with what it is doing re D'Arcy, the nuns etc, it will soon be back to the 'good old days".........................................As fpr George dillons comments about hypocrites, we're talking about refoming the church and punishing the vilest of vile "holy people". A big difference from 'economics"
GeorgeDillon | Apr 29, 2012, 02:11 PM EDT
It's funny. The same hypocrites who spew out bile about rule from Rome in religious matters are quite happy to accept rule from Brussels (or is it Frankfurt?) in politics and economics.
EamonnDublin | Apr 29, 2012, 09:56 AM EDT
"Come down from the mountain Katie Murphy; You've had too much of the rare oul' Mountain Dew". (With apologies to "Katie Daly") Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
OBPiper | Apr 29, 2012, 12:41 AM EDT
I'd love to see the Ould Celtic Church returned to us one way or another!
OBPiper | Apr 29, 2012, 12:40 AM EDT
southcountykelly, my message from Christ isn't his sacrifice or I'd have to give equal worship and regard to the many who regularly sacrifice their lives as martyrs out of conscience, military duty, police duty, fire duty (remember 9-11?). Those messages are weighty, but Christ's message of Love transcends it by far for me.
pilib04 | Apr 28, 2012, 09:55 PM EDT
biggles008, you could say that about thousands of priests around the world. Problem is, it's usually a cardinal who becomes pope. Most of them are worthless pedophile hiders.
barneyjo | Apr 28, 2012, 07:20 PM EDT
@GeorgeDillon - Ah but George, I have an advantage in that I have been a regular attender of the "Novena of Hope" which takes place at the Graan Passionist Monastery every year. I have seen the church brimming over with the faithful from pretty much all 32 counties of Ireland represented, if the number plates in the car park are anything to go by. Y'see George, for years in Ireland, Brian Darcy was the only priest brave enough to talk about abuse in all of its forms, including priestly abuse. Back then, not many took him seriously, regarding him as a nutcase, perhaps not wanting to believe that abuse by priests could actually occur. Boy were we all wrong. And we know now that Brian Darcy spoke with authority, as he was a victim of clerical abuse himself during his years of priestly formation. He is regarded as a beacon of hope by many, many Irish Catholics, still practicing, and all of whom will follow Brian D'arcys case with interest. I know something of the man and believe me when I say, he is one who will NOT go quietly; and why should he???
biggles008 | Apr 28, 2012, 04:07 PM EDT
Fr Brian D’Arcy would make a better pope than the present one
southcountykelly | Apr 28, 2012, 03:31 PM EDT
I still contend that the active members of the Catholic Church, take control of the Church, do away with canon law, and all of the self imposed rituals that have separated its members from Jesus' real message...salvation through His death on the Cross. We recieve His message through the Bible.
KatieMurphy | Apr 28, 2012, 01:04 PM EDT
rugbyplayer says thaqt the Church in Ireland should join with the church of Ireland. I'm all for that one. The sooner the better the catholic church of Rome is seen as thelongest lived tyranny on the planet ,the better...............Of course what's happening is that the church is splitting, within ten years Rome will be looked upon as a mad circus or asylum.
KatieMurphy | Apr 28, 2012, 12:57 PM EDT
the tyrants of Frankenstein s Castle in Rome are doing God's work - destroying with their medieval mind set the church of the endless hidden molestation of children, the church of Pope Bennie who in 2009 UNexcommunicated a Holocaust deniers, Bishop Williamson. The tyrants of Rome look in the mirror every day and effectively say to themselves "I am god", sure!!!!!!.....................BTW the CDF is the successor to the anything but Holy Inquisition of torture and burnings at the stake. ...................Let the old foggies who believe in the madness continue to rule and we will soon be free of the extremists - cradle catholics who no longer have even the ability to use the brain God gave them and instead play parrot............... Freedom from the church is near. the only Question is whether the hierarchy will join hands with the nutcase Talibans...........As I note in Eirlamach comment below - The pope tells another lie - he's for freedom of speech - his only and his lackeys.
eiriamach | Apr 28, 2012, 09:52 AM EDT
Fr. D'Arcy has a wry sense of humor. According to the BBC News, he said, "I shall continue my ministry in communication because I believe that the church cherishes freedom of speech as an inviolable principle. Pope Benedict made a fervent plea for freedom of expression on his recent visit to Cuba." He criticizes the Vatican's hypocrisy in words that ostensibly praise the Vatican for a virtue it does not have!
GeorgeDillon | Apr 28, 2012, 08:56 AM EDT
What you write is garbage, barneyjo. The only "Catholics" Darcy would take with him are ones who left years ago. Don't be so dumb.
GeorgeDillon | Apr 28, 2012, 08:55 AM EDT
"There were two colonial powers in Ireland. One is partially gone." Which one? The EU?
jamesjlavelle | Apr 28, 2012, 07:57 AM EDT
There were two colonial powers in Ireland. One is partially gone. There is dochas.
Collette2 | Apr 28, 2012, 03:25 AM EDT
Maybe he's having a midlife crisis, priest have them too. Imagine giving your life up for something only to find disillusionment. Like a bad marriage I suspect.
pilib04 | Apr 27, 2012, 08:30 PM EDT
Sure looks like the Vatican is over-reaching.
barneyjo | Apr 27, 2012, 07:32 PM EDT
Anybody that is genuinely interested in knowing more about Brian Darcy should google "The Graan Enniskillen" or "Graan Novena of hope" That will tell you all you need to know. And despite NYCFiredog's suggestion that he should cross the floor to the Unitarians, there would be many seniors withith the Irish Church would would dread that by virtue of the large numbers of Catholics he might take with him. Big mistake and bad idea that will return to bite the Vatican big time!!!!!
Nicoletta | Apr 27, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT
Why doesn't this celebrity priest (now there's an oxymoron) move his pulpit into a Church of Ireland Church and be done with it. Oh, and he could take the dissenting nuns with him - just leave the faithful ones, there are plenty of those too, thank God.
tomasocarthaigh | Apr 27, 2012, 02:27 PM EDT
Fr. Brian Darcy and Fr. Flanagan talk a lot of common sense, teach a Catholocism of compassion, not of fear, as Christ did. It is of note that 90% of the abuse scandals happened after the First Eucharistic Congress, when the Church was confirmed supreme in the then Irish Free State. The Sin of Pride led to further sins and the abuse scandal which they are now trying to cover up. Abuse a child? Get moved. Criticize the church? Get censured. Shame on Rome.
ciaradexy | Apr 27, 2012, 01:53 PM EDT
Father Darcy is well respected and loved by catholics and non catholics alike here. He is open, honest, inclusive and all the qualities a person should be let alone a priest. Considering he was abused by priests himself the man is a gem.
NYCFiredog | Apr 27, 2012, 01:47 PM EDT
Imagine that! The Church you made VOWS in, during Ordination, promising to obey, and now he wants to change the rules, and bash the Church...and he's upset and these posters are upset the Bosses are straightening his collar? ....hey Fawder! Go down the road and join the Unitarians. The Anglicans and COI is crashing into the rocks and some are re-joining the Mother Church, but I'm sure they'll take ya. Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. And I'll pray for your soul. Truly.
rugbyplayer | Apr 27, 2012, 01:19 PM EDT
Since the continuing autocratic and Stalin-like tactics against Irish priests like Fr. D'Arcy are Vatican inspired, one can only suspect that these totalitarian tactics are the work of fanatical Cardinal Lovada, Ratzinger's successor in the Congregation of the Faith (aka Holy Office). The present Vatican Curia headed and encouraged by Benedict XVI seems to desire that the R.C. Church return to the abominable autocracy of Vatican I where bishops rule and laity and clergy obey. Maybe it's time for the R.C. clergy in Ireland to consider breaking with Rome and joining the Church of Ireland. Less headaches, more breathing space and a good riddance to the annoying and bothersome R.C.bishops.
jamthecat | Apr 27, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT
It's off to the gulag for you, Fr. D'Arcy. God forbid anyone should displease the christian-commies of today.
EamonnDublin | Apr 27, 2012, 12:29 PM EDT
"Bythebay", I really couldn't care less if you think I am Russian. I was just trying to respond to you. However, you seem to come on this board with one aim and that is to release all of your pent up anger. I don't CARE what people like you think about my opinions. For the record, my opinion of YOU is that you are an anti-Christian bigot. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
Bythebay | Apr 27, 2012, 12:20 PM EDT
EamonnDublin, it makes no sense whatsoever for you to exclude people in the country you supposedly live in in your greeting. There are people on this site not just in the US. As Michael McGrath said, your opinions are from 30 or 40 years ago in Ireland. It's questionable whether you have actually lived in Ireland since then.
EamonnDublin | Apr 27, 2012, 12:17 PM EDT
"Esatdigi", Correct me if you think I am wrong, but I have a very strong feeling that you are totally, completely and irretrievably deranged. No? Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
EamonnDublin | Apr 27, 2012, 12:15 PM EDT
"Larry777" - are you Jewish? just wondering, from your use of "Shalom" on each post. The Jewish people I have met, whilst conducting normal discussion and engaging in social interaction generally, are very nice, polite people who accept the right of other people to have their own beliefs without constantly shrieking insults at them. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
EamonnDublin | Apr 27, 2012, 11:41 AM EDT
Hello "Bythebay"! My goodness, but you really do have a hangup over whether or not I am Irish and/or live in Ireland! Please be good enough to let me know why I would say I am Irish and live in Dublin if this is not true. I really am perplexed by this. BTW, "Irish Central" is an American paper, mainly for an Irish/American audience - so my initial comment was addressed to that audience. If it is 2.00pm in Ireland and 02.00a.m. in Auckland, I would be a bit of an idiot to phone up somebody in Auckland and cheerily shout "Good Morning Mate!" to them, wouldn't I now. Also, I am puzzled by the point regarding the time in "Dublin or Ireland". Dublin is PART OF Ireland! And Ireland has only ONE time for the whole country. So, somebody is getting somewhat confused, and it's not me. I should mention that my initial comment about the vile, anti-Catholic rants was right on the button. Love to All, Eamonn, Dublin, Ireland. (Hey, "Bythebay", it's cloudy over Terenure at the moment, no rain, some breeze, quite cool! - wish you were here? No, I didn't think so, 84% Catholics and all that!)
RockNReel | Apr 27, 2012, 11:34 AM EDT
The attitudes of Holy Mary's such as Mairint below is one of the reasons why young people in Ireland have turned their backs on the Catholic Church. The church here has very little credibility anymore and a lot of it is due to the "Bury their heads in the Sand" "Pretend it never happened and it will go away" brigades. But, it will NEVER go away and now its all too late because the well educated youth of Ireland have spoken with their feet. And, rightly so !! The catholic church will now be forever tarnished with protecting and nourishing pedophile predators and ignoring the warnings and cries of the poor children who were badly abused and defiled by priests. Thats the legacy they will forever carry until the end of time and the blame rests with the arrogant bishops and senior churchmen in Rome and Ireland as well as other countries and the cover up DID NOT WORK this time. The only remaining thread of respectability or credibility they have left in Ireland would be priests such as Fr Darcy but even then they want to censor what he writes because it does not agree with their outdated thinking. Shame on them !!
Bythebay | Apr 27, 2012, 11:08 AM EDT
EamonnDublin, when you commented it certainly wasn't morning in Dublin or Ireland.
esatdigiwank | Apr 27, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
Mairint: Oh, there's a healthy growth alright of RC members in Nigeria, Phillipines, Latin America. Why don't You pop over and join them. Better still, become a nun. That would swell their ranks. You are too much a caricature of an Irish RC to be Irish. Hysterical catholic-talibaner woman who wants the full works.
mairint | Apr 27, 2012, 10:16 AM EDT
Sure if Fr. Darcy and his pals are so discontented with the Catholic Church why don't they just pop over the road to that other church where they can forgo their celibacy, have their wimmin 'priests' and all the other carry-on that would make them happy little chaps. Leave the Catholic Church to those of us who want the full teachings. As a woman I have never felt hard done by with my lot, after all as only men can be priests, only women can have children, both splendid stations. And let me tell those who do not go to church and yet ridicule those of us who do, there is a very healthy growth in the Catholic Church numbers around the world, especially with young educated men and women who are 'finding' the fullness of the Catholic faith. This growth may not have hit the shores of Ireland yet where there has always been the national past time of 'knocking' down others. The funny thing is, its the liberal mods who are dying in number while trads are growing, and that scares the mods.!!
esatdigiwank | Apr 27, 2012, 10:09 AM EDT
Ah the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the theological watchdog is weighing in to Ireland.Those of us informed and well read know it from another era as the Inquisition (taskforce ha ha). So would EamonDublin & Bern 1952 like an Irish Inquisition then? Of course, he's an apologist for Rome-Rule. A member of Rottweiler von Vatican's Corp. first, then an Irishman a distant second. Eamon, do you get a bonus interest rate on your Vatican Bank savings A/C..? RC church under ordinary peoples Inquisition now. how does it feel?
bern1952 | Apr 27, 2012, 09:47 AM EDT
Eamonn, you were right.
MichaelMcGrath | Apr 27, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT
Eamonn, this would have been big news in Ireland 30 or 40 years ago, few here care what the Catholic Church thinks, does or says now. The Church would have been gone long ago except for all the immigrants from Poland especially and Africa too. And acting on an anontmous complaint is not quite playing cricket, is it?
GregShox | Apr 27, 2012, 09:39 AM EDT
Where will this all end? Who will be silenced next? Father Ted Crilly? Father Jack Hackett? Father Spodo Komodo? Father Todd Unctuous?
EamonnDublin | Apr 27, 2012, 09:21 AM EDT
Good Morning, to the usual crew who will come on board in order to avail of the space to have a vile rant about the Catholic church and/or Christianity in general. I look forward to you proving me correct in this anticipation. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.