Top theologian criticises Church’s ‘disloyalty’ reflex

A leading moral theologian has said it is regrettable that all too often any questioning of policy or leadership in the Catholic Church is still seen in the 21st century as an expression of disloyalty, if not of lack of faith.

Fr Patrick Hannon, the emeritus professor of moral theology in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, is critical of “a climate in which the impression is easily taken that loyalty to the Church requires that no one give voice to any question at all”.

Writing in The Furrow, Fr Hannon emphasises that “a regard for public opinion and the right to freedom of expression is implicit in official Catholic teaching”.