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Second Irish priest silenced by Church as anger grows over gagging attempts

Association of Catholic Priests condemns latest actions

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 8:34 AM

Updated Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 8:34 AM

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Is this the end of celibacy for Irish priests?

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Irish priests are at war with the Vatican again after attempts to silence a second rebel cleric.

Veteran Marist priest Fr Sean Fagan has been ordered to stop writing and commentating in public.

The 84-year-old has been reprimanded by the church after he had called for an inquiry into clerical sexual abuse in all Irish dioceses.

His order has also bought all remaining copies of a theological book written by Fr Fagan who was required to give an undertaking not to write again.

The latest move came after Fr Fagan publicly advocated allowing women and married men to be ordained as priests.

The Association of Catholic Priests has condemned the moves to silence Fr Fagan, just days after another rebel priest was ordered to return to his monastery after his newspaper column was pulled by the Church.

ACP spokesman Fr Sean McDonagh told the Irish Independent that the silencing of Fr Fagan is ‘just outrageous’.

Fr McDonagh added: “The church is throwing a fatwa at the priest. Some of the church’s recent actions are like a return to the Inquisition.

“This isn’t the time for heresy hunting. Fr Fagan’s writings were clear, well written and interesting. He wants to start a conversation about the church’s views on sexuality.

“I believe that the silencing of priests by the Vatican is out of a desire for control rather than because of sincerely held belief or intelligent argument.”

The Irish Bishops have refused to comment to the Irish Independent on the story.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/priests-group-rallies-behind-cleric-silenced-by-hierarchy-3081567.html

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KatieMurphy | Apr 19, 2012, 01:33 AM EDT

May Ratzinger have a long life and Papacy. he is doding gods work and destroying the church of endless molestation etc etc etc. Hes so brainwashed in his beliefs he cannot even comprehend his mission from Gpd.................. Soon the world will be free and in the USA the catholic laity will be the second largest instead of he third largest church - EX CATHOLICs....................I'm also reminded of Denis Diederot, who during the French revolution to break free of the cabal of church and king said "mankind will be free when the last king is strangled with the guts of the last priest.................Kings are mostly gone . Prists - we still have work to do.

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NYCFiredog | Apr 18, 2012, 01:08 PM EDT

Hey, I may not agree with the separation of men and women in the Orthodox Jewish faith, but guess what? It ain't my call. And it ain't yours. I certainly don't agree with every Doctrine of the Catholic faith, but I'm not a Priest, and I have no right to impose MY Docteine on the Magisterium of the Church. I can take it, or LEAVE it.

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adrienrain | Apr 18, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT

I agree that these priests should leave their orders, and carry on their dissent outside of the priesthood. Over the centuries, dissenting priests have been silenced or suppressed. During the "Burning Times," for instance. Most religion is as authoritarian as its power permits, and the RC church is VERY powerful. Most religion is misogynist, intolerant of open discussion, and promotes sexual repression. The RC Church is more of all those things than many denominations. IMO, the purpose of religion is mind control and the control of women. The RC church is no exception. Religion is breaking down, as a young generation looks at religion with a more critical eye. Young women no longer can be persuaded that they are inferior, and must be dictated to by men, and obey men, and accept a mythology that demeans us. That, gentlemen is what the church might call 'The Spirit of the Age' - and we aren't going back.

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89west | Apr 18, 2012, 06:57 AM EDT

As a church going, "bead rattler" can anyone articulate what relevancy church dogma or utterance from the Pope has on modern day secular life. When you go to church here or in Ireland, the predominate hair color is white and it is hardly every a problem getting a seat nor is it hard to count the take in the basket.

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IrelandNorth | Apr 18, 2012, 06:29 AM EDT

allan07! Old chap, I've no problem with objectively critiqueing any religious institution/theocracy, Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church/Church of Ireland (Anglican Commmunion) etc. To hell with all orthodoxies - I say! There is an important distinction between individual Roman Catholics and their institutional church. As also with other Catholics, like High Anglicans. P.S. I never swear nor deny! Personally, I walked away from the HRC&AC at 16, (almost 40 years ago!), and have long since come within the embrace of Christian heterodoxy.

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NYCFiredog | Apr 18, 2012, 03:31 AM EDT

JoePatAl---the Roman Catholic Church is not a club, and you don't have to join. And, who's "we"? As in, "We in the U.S., know......". You don't speak for me boyo! You don't have to agree yourself. But it's none of your business, and it's not your call. WE in the U.S. can be any or NO religion as WE choose. Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.

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JoePatAl | Apr 17, 2012, 10:42 PM EDT

Well, the way it seems to be going, I guess there will have to be a Church of Ireland (non-Anglican) to sort this all out. As we, in the US, know, the folks in Rome have no realistic idea of reality. The pope (lowercase on purpose) just needs to sit on his throne and keep quiet and let those with true morality come forth and make things right! On a different matter, at least Fr. Flanagan is finally getting true recognition for his wonderful work!!!

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sirpeter | Apr 17, 2012, 10:40 PM EDT

allan07.A similar investigation in 2002 had found “overwhelming” evidence that a Presbyterian minister and missionary had sexually abused at least 22 girls and women over a 40-year period, both in Africa and the United States, and, additionally, that between 1968 and 1970 a male Methodist missionary had abused children of Presbyterian missionaries at the same Kinshasa facility where Coppedge says he was abused.~~No such shame is it??lol

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sirpeter | Apr 17, 2012, 10:37 PM EDT

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sirpeter | Apr 17, 2012, 10:25 PM EDT

allan07.LOUISVILLE, Ky.Leaders of the Presbyterian Church General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) apologized to people who were physically or sexually abused between 1950 and 1990 in overseas mission situations,many of which were schools or boarding facilities.Thousands of men and women served in far-off mission fields in the 40-year period from 1950 to 1990, and thousands of their children went with them," said Valentine. "Some, especially children, were abused and traumatized"; the church did not protect these vulnerable people.~~That was just Louisville Kentucky.You were saying allan07???

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aloistmartin | Apr 17, 2012, 07:38 PM EDT

If Dublin were to do The Same, they would be seen as Hero`s of Democracy @?

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seanomelb | Apr 17, 2012, 06:54 PM EDT

allan07!! a boys home in Belfast (non-Catholic) was a pedophile haven for British and unionist politicians some years ago and some how the problem was swept under the carpet. A previous Archbishop of Brisbane (Anglican) who became Governor General of Australia had to resign after accusations of a "cover-up" in the Anglican church. My point Allan is "because you don't know of any cases"doe's not mean they do not exist. BTW as one who was married in the pressy church I find all religions unnecessary. They all rule by some form of dogma."Your holier than thou attitude" is so unchristian.

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oldboreen | Apr 17, 2012, 06:09 PM EDT

@Nicoletta-Actually, you're mistaken. A fatwa can be imposed for a variety of reasons and is therefore not always a 'death' sentence.

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oldboreen | Apr 17, 2012, 06:03 PM EDT

@allan07-That's a bold assertion!! Are you absolutely sure??? I can assure you that you are seriously mistaken!

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allan07 | Apr 17, 2012, 03:59 PM EDT

I am a regular attending Presbyternian. No such shame in Church of Ireland, Baptist, Free Presbyternian, Judaism, Muslim, Brethren, Plymouth Brethren, J. Witnesses Churches either. The RC Church is morally bankrupt. Thats their problem and not anyone elses.

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