Irish Priest who supported Prime Minister’s Vatican criticism related to Fine Gael party strategist

JuneAnnette, thanks for the reply. The only point you made that I disagree on is "Those, like yourself, who have pressed for reform from within." I am not "within." I do not know how I could avoid contagion if I were within the RC Church. And you can read in the comments on several IC articles right now commenters telling the liberal thinkers to leave Roman Catholicism because they do not belong! Why would I stay where people are telling me to leave? I exited in October 2009 at a symbolic moment in RC history. LOL. Jesus was no conservative and would have spoken to the SSPX the way he spoke to the Pharisees! So I agree with you about "the monarchical rule of the so-called 'princes of the church', so far removed from the model the New Testament gives us of how Christ's church is to be structured and governed." How can Americans or Irish yearn for monarchy and empire? It baffles me. If reform by groups like ACP is not possible, then it will be a long, drawn-out and agonizing demise. I don't look forward to witnessing it.

Flannery looks like George Soros

Taoiseach! Ireland isnt "... a sovereign, democratic, republic ..." which is what all the political violence has been about for the last 30/60/90 years. Still, as 26/32nds of what it said on the 1916 biscuit tin, it's well on the way to becoming. Still Taoiseach, you're a marked improvement on your Fine Gael predecessor John A. Costello in the 1930's who proudly described himself as a Roman Catholic first and an Irishman second. Long live liberty!

@misneac - be very thankful for your good fortune Misneac. There are some of us who were not as fortunate as you!!

As a Catholic physician who has met many who have been abused by priests, I have great praise and admiration for Fr Tony Flannery and for Prime Minister Enda Kenny, for their negative view of the Vatican’s handling of the sex abuse scandals that rocked Ireland. The celibate men in the Vatican, including the Pope, need to become accountable and admit their role in allowing clergy sexual abuse to flourish worldwide. Fr Flannery and Prime Minister Kenny are making a stand for the truth and for the protection of innocent children. What is wrong with the celibate men in the Vatican? They seem totally out of touch with real human life. The new papal nuncio to Ireland has worked many years in the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly the Inquisition. I wonder if the new papal nuncio is of the same mind as others in the CDF in silencing Fr Flannery? Fear, not love, is the fruit of Pope Benedict's reign, and this is not of God. The need for the Holy Spirit to be listened to, and to transform the church, grows more strong with each passing day. Sincerely, Dr Rosemary Eileen McHugh, Chicago

Politian’s worldwide do the same thing point the finger at someone or something else and the fools will look at where you point and that keeps them from looking at you. This way by the time they catch on to them it’s too late. Now that I found out he has a brother in fine gale I understand why the priest is not doing his job in teaching and upholding the laws of the church, in my eyes he is not much better than the child molesters. I still think that a lot of the claims are bogus, and what about the parents, especially the ones that threw the pregnant daughters out on the street. If the nuns turned them away where could they go, there is a lot more to this than we are hearing about and plenty of guilt to go around. Hell will have to be a very big place.

It is comforting to learn from the continuous anti catholic articles on IRISH CENTRAL that no other religion , institution or family in Ireland had any instances of abuse ! I am also very disappointed that even though I spent 5 years in a boarding school that I can not claim that I was abused . Unfortunately I can not join the "abuse industry " , a serious loss of income !

JuneAnnette, you quote Martin Luther: "if pressed by the temporal power, they have affirmed and maintained that the temporal power has no jurisdiction over them, but, on the contrary, that the spiritual power is above the temporal." But in the video of the Taoiseach's speech, Enda Kenny said plainly that Catholic Church priests and officials will be held to the civil/criminal laws of Ireland. And in the USA, trials of accused priests are still underway in Philadelphia (Church officials are subject to the laws of the state). And there's the case filed last September in International Criminal Court in The Hague, where the Vatican stands accused of crimes against humanity. Despite RCC Canon Law to the contrary, it seems to be happening that the Catholic Church is being brought under the jurisdiction of more than one "temporal power." It looks to me like civil/secular law will either "reform" the Church or send it packing. Do you think that sometimes the Spirit works through secular institutions, and could that be happening now?

Patrick certainly left some snakes behind Phlutie!! They are all in the Catholic church.

I do not see my comment. Did you receive it?

I have no love for the Blue Shirts or their leaders, but judging a priest based on his relatives? Come on? The Vatican wanted to shut down discussion of child rape by priests and bishops. The Vatican does not want to discuss the hiding of Bishops and Cardinals involved in the coverups. Finally, there will be no discussion of woman priests no matter what the shortage is! Mysogynists in the Hierarchy remain supreme.

The Vatican is inadvertently giving Fr. Flannery publicity, and zi hope that he takes full advantage of it. Thank God there is no one over there with a real background and understanding of PR. Now, people from all over the world are drawn to this story, which I predict will have far reaching repercussions, as many people are willing to join any movement that will challenge the high-handed authority of the Vatican. The Vatican still doesn't realize that it is fighting a loosing battle. People are tired of living, praying and worshipping like we're in the Dark Ages. It's time to see the light and not from the direction of the Vatican. Quoting the words of Genesis: "Let there be LIGHT!"

There is nothing wrong with criticizing the Vatican within certin parameters. How far does Father Flannery take his moral cticism? He says contraception. Here in the U.S. for the Obama Administration, contraception means unlimited abortion. If that be so, then he should be silenced. He also has been fooled by the devil into equating the "message with the messenger". Maewyn Succat (Patricus) also had a message of the Gospelwith no agenda. When he drove out the snakes, he obiously left a few behind.