A Limerick priest has used a selfie in spreading the Gospel to the masses, and thousands have seen it on Facebook.

The Irish priest muzzled by the Vatican for his liberal views has received overwhelming support from colleagues worldwide, with a senior member of the Irish Redemptorist order saying liberal priests are being subjected to FBI-like attention from ultra-orthodox “Catholic agents”.

The head of the Redemptorist order in Limerick has publicly backed his colleague, Fr Tony Flannery, whose liberal views have run foul of the Vatican.

MORE than 200 people, including about 50 priests, were present in St John’s Cathedral yesterday when Bishop Donal Murray announced his resignation.