People of Conscience: A Conversation with Fr. Tony Flannery

Fr. Tony Flannery is a native of Galway, in the west of Ireland, the youngest of a family of four. This year marks his fiftieth year in the Redemptorist Congregation, and forty years of priesthood.  He spent most of those years as a travelling preacher of parish missions, novenas, retreats where he had a large following.   He is the founding member of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) in Ireland.

Like many of his generation, Fr. Tony Flannery began his journey to priesthood as a teenager in the 1950s and has been a faithful servant of the Church ever since.  As a young priest his formation was infused with the values and spirit of Vatican II, and it is in that spirit that he continues to advocate for a Church that is in step with the modern world.

In February 2012 he was informed that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), was unhappy with some of his writings relating to the priestly ministry in the Church.  Fr. Tony was summoned to Rome and told that until he revised his views he would not be allowed to minister as a priest or have any dealings with media. He was to step down as leader of the ACP. Fr. Tony complied with the CDF’s prescribed period of reflection and offered a statement of clarification but refused to leave the ACP or compromise his belief in a more open, inclusive Church.

Fr. Tony has been ordered to remain silent and forbidden to minister as a priest because of his refusal to sign a document that violates his conscience: namely that women cannot be priests and that he accepts all Church stances on contraception, homosexuality, and refusal of the sacraments to people in second relationships. After a year during which he attempted to come to some accommodation with the Vatican without success, he has decided to take a public stance on the need for reform in the Church.

He has published nine books, and written extensively in magazines and newspapers, both religious and secular.  His latest book, A Question of Conscience, is an account of his dealings with the Vatican.  Fr. Tony Flannery is an example of what a priest should be: a pastoral, thoughtful, inclusive and engaging leader, yet he’s been bullied by the Vatican for working to revitalize our wounded Church.  I am inspired by Fr. Flannery and honoured to have him here as a part of our common work to create the Church we believe in.

For more information contact Deb Myers, 210 585-6254  or 210 735-7191