Parish council wrong to ask rogue priest to speak

It seems extraordinary that a Catholic parish council would offer an invitation to an individual who has taken positions fundamentally at odds with core teachings of that Church.

I actually don’t blame Fr Flannery as such. But I don’t have much respect for an individual who remains within, and seeks to undermine, an organisation he patently disagrees with. And not on trivial issues either.

I’m sure within the Diocese of Cloyne there are many orthodox Catholic priests who would be more than willing to address the council. The name that comes to mind immediately is that of eminent theologan, and son of Cork, Fr Vincent Twomey.

Fr Twomey has ably defended the faith when it most definitely wasn’t the popular or profitable course of action. The so-called “silenced” priests seem to have access to the media and much more sympathetic treatment, than the likes of Fr Twomey.

So congratulations to Bishop Crean, hopefully he has set a precedent for our other shepherds to step up to the mark.

Eric Conway

Balreask Village

Navan

Co Meath