Priest group criticises silencing of liberal cleric

The Association of Catholic Priests has said it does not expect members of the Irish hierarchy to comment on the silencing by the Vatican of one of the group’s founders, Fr Tony Flannery.

The Redemptorist priest is facing potential disciplinary measures over his liberal views on celibacy, contraception and women’s ordination.

Fr PJ Madden, another founding member of the ACP, acknowledged that it would be inappropriate for the Irish bishops to comment on the controversy.