Bishop bans Fr Flannery parish talk

Bishop William Crean has said he was “unable to approve” the invitation to controversial cleric Fr Tony Flannery to give an address in his diocese.

The Bishop of Cloyne said the invitation from the Killeagh/Inch parish pastoral council to Fr Flannery was extended in good faith but that he had been “obliged” to inform the parish members that he was unable to approve the invitation at this time.

The reason for revoking the invitation to give the keynote address at Spiritfest 2015 was that Fr Flannery is currently out of ministry.

Fr Flannery has described the move as “disappointing”.