Order defends its outspoken priest

The Redemptorist religious order has come out in support of one of its priests who is to risk excommunication rather than give in to Vatican demands to stop questioning Catholic church teachings on sexuality and women priests.

In a strongly worded statement, the order’s Irish leadership said it was deeply saddened by the matter and it was of “immense regret” that processes were not in place in the Church to engage with what it called “challenging voices” from within the faithful.

Fr Tony Flannery, 66, was suspended from ministry by the Vatican’s powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith watchdog last year and told he could only resume work if he published an approved article declaring that he accepted all of the Church’s stances on the controversial subjects.