Dissident Irish priest fears excommunication over views on women priests

So what? Break away from those poxy,pervy, medieval Shariasts.

Nearly a century after First Vatican Council defined church authority, Second Vatican Council defined freedom of conscience in its indispensable connection with the life of the spirit. If "formed conscience" must be, by definition, obedient to a human moral authority despite obvious errors of that "authority," then there is NO properly formed conscience; there is ONLY mindless obedience. Vatican II's 'Dignitate Humanae' corrected this over-emphasis on obedience: "This Vatican Council likewise professes ... that it is upon the human conscience that ... obligations fall and exert their binding force. The truth cannot impose itself except by virtue of its own truth, as it makes its entrance into the mind at once quietly and with power.... On his part, man perceives and acknowledges the imperatives of the divine law through the mediation of conscience. In all his activity a man is bound to follow his conscience in order that he may come to God, the end and purpose of life. It follows that he is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his conscience. Nor, on the other hand, is he to be restrained from acting in accord with his conscience, especially in matters religious.... No merely human power can either command or prohibit acts of this kind." The highest form of obedience is Fr Flannery's conscientious obedience to truth and to God.

Personally, I gave up on the ridiculous Christian faith long ago, the reasons are that no church follows either Christ or the Scriptures even as they swear that the Bible is the immutable Word of God. Christians have been twisting what the Book says since they abandoned the true Sabbath day. This was done for one reason alone: to distance Christ, and the Church from the Jews. For over 1800 years, every Christian has broken the Sabath of God as written in the Scriptures that Christ Himself held as truth. IF you believe that the Bible IS the Word of God, then Father Tony Flannery, is absolutely correct. The Bible is quite clear on the matter. Now if you really do believe in your Christ, how can you ignore His warnings to NOT follow false priests that will lead you into the pit? No doubt that is Flannerys position. God said no Female priests, who are these men to say that He was wrong? And if He is wrong, than nothing in the Book is sacrosanct. I am no atheist, but a non-denominational Pagan, because No one really believes that the Bible is immutable when political expediency is put before it. May the Gods bless you.

He only has to choose between Rome and his views as a priest. Lay Catholics can freely express their views. If he believes in his vows as a priest (just as did Yves Congar and Marie Chenu, et al, did) then he should just remain silent.

Ratzinger needs to retire. Having a former Nazi Youth member as pope was always a bad idea. Having a Cardinal who hides child rapists is unacceptable.

The only thing that a priest accomplishes by voicing his dissent is to drive young Catholics from the Church and that is why liberals love this stuff....

This former Catholic priest might want to read up on 'Latae Sententiae' because he has already suffered self-excommunications. I continue to be amazed that dissident clergy including priests and the LCWR believe they know better than Christ's Church, that they believe the 2,000 year old Church will simply abandon Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, infallible Papal pronouncements [Ordinatio Sacerdotalis] and the constant teaching of the Magesterium because why? What revelation or inspiration would drive them to take these heretical positions? Oh yea, their personal conscience. But wait....the only well formed conscience is one that is formed in communion with the Church's teachings...oops that's a problem for these dissenters. Finally I suggest they study up on 'invincible ignorance' because when they die and stand before The Lord for judgment if they can't claim it they will suffer God's justice. They can't claim it because they have been taught the truth and have decided to reject it . In my opinion the Church should boot any member of clergy who cannot bring themselves to accept the doctrines of the Church as defined by the Declarations of Vatican I, Session 3, Chapter 3, paragraph 8. Rant over.....sorry if you eyes burn.

He does not belong to the RC church as it stands. I am sure he is sad about this and holds many beliefs in common with the RC church. He would be better off acknowledging what is what and getting on with his life. The RC church will change or die in their own time. They have changed before, they may again. Those of us who disagree with the RC church, and believe that children and women should not be abused and harmed in the name of Jesus the Christ, must do as we must.

Being a descendent is against a Religious' direct VOWS of OBEDIENCE to the MAGISTERIUM of The Roman Catholic Church and The Pope....hence, as was the case with Martin Luther, you risk EXCOM.!....lja/JMJ

It seems that administratively & structurally, it could create major headaches for the Vatican to create housing & services for female priests thruout the world. If that is what the problem is, then why not just say so; there are many parishes that would be glad to make accomodations to help in this process. However, if the Church Is reluctant because It would seem duplicitous in reversing Its stance due to the ancient male-oriented & dominant interpretations of single statements in the Writings, then I believe the membership is ready to forgive & understands that the Church has reversed Itself numerous times in the past. When the reversal is just, the change can benefit. If stagnation continues to occur, then what once was said about the Holy Roman Empire can be said about the Church: that it is becoming neither Holy, nor Roman nor the world empire of faith it would like to claim that it is.

Of course he should be excommunicated. It's the Caesaro-Papal church of blind (and mute) obedience and that will not change. They will be doing this honest man a favor by excommunicating him.

Obviously, St. Patrick left a few snakes behind.

Flannery is making a big show on a side issue, woman priests. Tell the liberal media, tell us all how you feel about abortion. If you do so the liberal media may not back you anymore, but that would be a more honest approach to your issues, Father.

The Church cannot show this heretic the door fast enough for me. Tom is entitled to his opinions, confused as they are. He is NOT entitled to pretend by wearing a Roman collar that those opinions represent anything more than his own delusions.

Bravo to Fr. Tom! He should embrace excommunication as a blessing, freeing him from a disfunctional church which has strayed FAR from the life and teachings of Jesus. He can surely do much more good ministering outside the straight jacket of the whimsical 'laws' of the current Catholic church. So sad that this fine prophetic and visionary church has been reduced to a tiny men's club so disengaged from society.