Archbishop Martin has done ‘little or nothing to bring about change’ – Fr Flannery

Founder member of the leadership team of the Association of Catholic Priests Fr Tony Flannery [pictured] has thrown down a gauntlet for action instead of words to Dublin’s Archbishop Martin in the wake of Dr Martin’s comments on Mary McAleese.

Last week Archbishop Martin said: “Probably the most significant negative factor that influences attitudes to the Church in today’s Ireland is the place of women in the Church. I am not saying that just because of the comments in these days by President McAleese.”

Fr Flannery said he was frustrated with the lack of change from the Archbishop in the wake of statements on the need for change.

“I find the Archbishop endlessly frustrating with his ability to come out with statements like this, and at the same time do little or nothing to bring about change.

“It is hard to point to anything he has done in his time in Dublin to change the Church’s attitude to women.

“I urge him now that he has only two years left in his position, to begin to use his considerable influence on church leadership to speed things up.”

He called on the Archbishop to use the opportunity of the WMOF18 and the Pope’s visit to “make a clear and strong statement” on what needs to be done to break through this “catch-22” situation faced by women in the Church that Mrs McAleese highlighted.

“I have no doubt that he recognises the problems.  I wish he would spell out what he sees are the ways forward for the Church to find solutions.”

Meanwhile the ACP in a statement has called on Archbishop Martin to clarify why changes were made to promotional material including a video for WMOF18 which seems at odds with the Archbishop’s stance that all are welcome to the event.

Otherwise, they warn, further efforts “to present the WMOF as a welcoming place for everyone will be seen for what it is, empty rhetoric”.