Cathal BarryA founder of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) has expressed frustration that many Irish priests are unwilling to embrace the radical agenda of the leaders of the organisation.
Redemptorist Fr Tony Flannery – who has now stepped down from the helm of the group – said the leadership of the ACP had on occasion found themselves “sitting on the fence on issues lest we offend the membership”.
Writing on his blog, Fr Flannery questioned the commitment of the members of the ACP to the organisation’s principles.
“I question how many of these members have a strong commitment to the principles of the ACP.
“How many see it as a safety net rather than as a real reform movement? On occasions, as leaders, we have found ourselves sitting on the fence on issues lest we offend the membership,” he said.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic, however, Fr Flannery said he could “appreciate” why the ACP does not adopt radical stances on certain issues regarding Church teaching, admitting “all of this is being influenced by my own situation”.
Ministry
“In my particular position I am no longer on the leadership of the ACP, I’m out of ministry, I have nothing to lose and I’m much freer to take more radical positions than the ACP would be.
“I think the ACP’s leadership is wise to be more careful about the issues that they adopt. There is always a balance to be found,” he said.
“It’s important for the ACP to try to keep lines of communications open with Church authorities. They have to adopt more middle-of-the-road positions in order to keep the dialogue open,” he added.
Elsewhere in his blog, Fr Flannery said he had found himself “losing enthusiasm” for priests’ associations.
“I’m sure some of this has to do with the fact that I am now somewhat outside the whole system, and the more you stand back from it, the more dysfunctional it appears,” he said.