Redemptorist head rejects Vatican censure of colleague

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.

Fr Flannery’s column in the order’s magazine, Reality, which he has written for 14 years has been banned by Rome.

Fr Adrian Egan, who heads the order’s Mount St Alphonsus monastery in Limerick, said he was dismayed, disappointed, flabbergasted, amazed, and hugely disappointed at the action by the Vatican. Speaking on Limerick’s Live 95FM, Fr Egan said: “I’m speaking on my own behalf and not for the Redemptorist order. I see nothing to be gained from silencing Tony.