Tony Flannery

As I launch this website I have already given five talks on Church reform, in Galway, Athenry, Castelbar, Limerick and Kinsale, and two talks in London. Having spent my life preaching and speaking, it is good to be back in business again, standing in front of people.  The first night or two were a bit like beginning a parish mission, wondering if anyone would turn up. Thankfully they did, and the attendances so far have been great, both in terms of numbers and involvement.

Silenced priest Fr Tony Flannery launched his ‘A Question of Conscience’ book, which tells how his progressive views on the future of the Catholic Church have left him threatened with excommunication. Fr Flannery launched his new book ‘A Question of Conscience’ with communications expert and RTE broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy  in the Royal Hibernian Academy.

‘A Question of Conscience’, published by Londubh, tells the story of how Fr Flannery was summoned to Rome in June 2012 to be told that unless he revised his view that the church should be open to discussing subjects such as homosexuality and celibacy, he would not be allowed to minister as a priest and he would have to step down from his leadership role with the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP).

The very strong intervention by former president, Mary McAleese, on the subject of Catholic teaching on homosexuality has certainly caused a stir. Along with initiating very necessary discussion on Catholic Church teaching and attitudes towards gay people, the succeeding days since her intervention have clearly highlighted some of the difficulties surrounding any form of dialogue between the differing views in the Church. Pope Francis has signalled that he wants this dialogue and discussion to take place; he talks about “an open Church where everyone can share”.