A leading Dublin priest has resigned a senior position in the Catholic Church over the treatment of liberal priest Tony Flannery by the Vatican.
Fr John Hassett stood down as a dean of Maynooth Deanery but will remain a parish priest in Dublin reports The Irish Times. The dean position gave him high standing among clergy in his diocese and beyond.
He says he is taking the drastic step “over an issue that is neither specifically my own nor diocesan....it is extremely distressing and depressing the manner in which Fr Flannery has been dealt with by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,” Fr Hassett said.
Flannery has been threatened with excommunication by the Vatican agency because of his support for an end to celibacy, gay rights and women priests.
“I was ordained nearly 33 years ago and can say with certitude that if the truth were told, some of his views are shared by many priests of the archdiocese of Dublin said Hassett.
“It is a sad reflection on the rights of the person and the pre-eminence of conscience that a man of such integrity, kindness and stature is treated in such a manner.
“Of course, he is not the first and perhaps will not be the last to be thus treated as Rome is a law unto itself.”
He continued: “We now live in a church where courage is silenced by fear, and one can only reflect that the gospel we cherish and struggle to live seems to be a ‘dead letter’ within Vatican bureaucracy.”
In a related development some priests in the diocese of Clogher and the Bishop from that diocese which covers Monaghan and parts of Fermanagh, Tyrone, Donegal, Louth and Cavan, have expressed concern about the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) website and its leadership. The ACP is a liberal group of priests who challenge orthodoxy.
The Clogher clergy expressed their concern at the direction of the ACP.
“Much of the commentary and opinion offered on the website does not represent the views of its membership, at least judging from ourselves.”
“One voice compared our association to a growing child, and suggested that at national level, the time had come for the ACP to grow up.”
6 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seanomelb | Feb 17, 2013, 06:59 PM EST
would we be so lucky phlutie
pilib04 | Feb 16, 2013, 10:49 PM EST
seanomelb, historically the inquisition is in fact the progenitor of the CDF. In 1542, Pope Paul III proclaimed the Apostolic Constitution Licet ab initio, establishing the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition. In 1904 the name was changed to Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office by Pope Saint Pius X. 1965 Vatican II changed name to Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Finally in 1985 changed name to current Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
seanomelb | Feb 16, 2013, 05:13 PM EST
The congregation for the doctrine of the faith is the modern version of the inquisition. Flannery and his fellow travellers are the true believers and followers of John XX111. The true bleievers in the teachings of jesus.
mairint | Feb 16, 2013, 03:30 PM EST
This article is both sad and amusing. Because some priest who is against Church teachings - on numerous matters - is let go by the Vatican, another sympathizes...well, thank God the Vatican is standing by the true teachings. It would be scandalous if the Vatican did not act seriously and remove the renegade. And yes, the Magesterium in Rome has the authority. It is a shame that rebellious priests, with their own ideas of how the Church should be run, have made such inroads and managed to gain situations of influence. Just shows how deep the problems have been for the Church. Roll on the cleansing. Real Catholics are very grateful that such rebels and their dangerous propaganda are routed out. How many remember who the first guy was that said "I will not serve"?
PhlutiePhan | Feb 16, 2013, 11:59 AM EST
The "closet" is open and the destruction of the religion of St. Patrick is at hand. It would appear that "the last pope" is here.
CelticQueenUSA | Feb 16, 2013, 09:27 AM EST
It takes courage to stand together which is what it will take to get anywhere but Rome is an entity unto itself. I pray for those who want changes, that their courage never fails and that Rome will see the light.