Sir, – Abban Murphy (January 23rd) and other readers have taken John B Reid to task because he suggested Fr Tony Flannery should have the courage of his convictions and become a Protestant (January 23rd).
We know that Fr Flannery is no Luther; he has not nailed “Ninety-five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” on the door of the St Peter’s. However, he is a thorn in the side of the Vatican. He makes statements on the nature of the priesthood, celibacy and women priests which run counter to what Rome demands of its ministers. He has rocked the clerical boat several times and now faces excommunication.
Mary Cannon (January 23rd) wonders how to protest about all of this? There is a very simple solution. She should quietly become a member of the Church of Ireland. An episcopal church which has apostolic credentials as good as those of Rome. Lay members can participate in decision-making. She can have a voice in the appointment of ministers and those who teach her children. She will not be an apostate of the one true faith; on the contrary – she will have given priority to the gospel message rather than remain a minion of a power-crazed church which is ruthless in suppressing any forms of dissent. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Bishop Pat Buckley (January 22nd) writes, “Twenty-six years ago they came for me and no one did anything. Today they have come for Fr Tony Flannery. Tomorrow they will come for you.” I beg to disagree with the bishop.
I have been a faithful Roman Catholic all my life – a “Roman” Catholic, not an “Irish” Catholic.
I believe the Holy Father has been given to God’s people as a gift, a gift that enables us always to know the truth of a matter.
Such certitude has always given me great peace and a feeling of security.
Most of all, I have never had to have an original thought of my own. No. They will not come for me. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – John B Reid (January 22nd) says Fr Tony Flannery should become a Protestant. It has, ironically, escaped his notice that Tony Flannery is already a “protestant” (small P) – and indeed the Catholic Church – the people of God – could do with many more such “protestants” in the face of the increasingly cruel and autocratic diktats of the Roman authorities. There are far more appropriate targets within the church for the threat of excommunication. – Yours, etc,