Group to speak out without fear on behalf of priests

A NEW organisation to represent ordinary priests claims it will speak out without fear on a range of issues affecting the Catholic Church in Ireland and wider Irish society.

The Association of Catholic Priests’ inaugural meeting in Portlaoise, Co Laois, yesterday was attended by around 300 clergy from all parts of the country.

The venue had to be switched from the parish centre in Portlaoise to a nearby hall due to the higher than expected turnout as the organisers had only anticipated an attendance of 80 priests.