Priests’ group slams training college criticism

The Association of Catholic Priests has accused the Archbishop of New York of destroying the reputation of priests “who had given lifelong service to the Irish Catholic Church”.

The ACP’s comments follow the leaking of Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s report on the Irish College in Rome. It formed part of Pope Benedict’s apostolic visitation of the Irish Church.

The leaked report called for “substantial reform” at the college and said staff “must inspire trust and its programme of formation must engender a vibrant fidelity to Jesus and the teaching and the tradition of the Church... such is now lacking”.