Priests want a union to express views

MEMBERS of the clergy are being actively canvassed around the country by a group of priests disillusioned at not having a public voice. They are seeking to set up an association to represent their views.

In a statement, the priests said the “debilitating reality” was that priests had no platform to express themselves at a time when relations between priests and bishops were increasingly strained and when “crucial debates” were taking place.

One of the group, Fr Brendan Hoban, parish priest in Ballina, Co Mayo, said they had not sought the approval of superiors over their proposals, formulated following a meeting in Athlone, Co Westmeath, a number of weeks ago.