Report’s criticism of priests and laity rejected

The visitation report’s criticism that some priests and lay people hold “theological opinions” at odds with the official teachings of the Church may refer to priests taking a more practical approach to their parish work than the Vatican would like, Catholic priests have suggested.

According to Fr Brendan Hoban, of the Association of Catholic Priests, it could be alluding to priests baptising the children of couples who are not married and priests not giving sermons against contraception.

“In reality, you’re preaching in a way that is accordance with your lived experience and there could be a resistance in the Vatican to that. There would be a freedom amongst priests to deal with local issues, but there can be a huge difference between the Magisterium and what we are dealing with every day.