Description

Condition: New

Signed by Author, the rebellious Catholic Priest, this first Edition is in new unmarked condition.

In February 2012 Tony Flannery, founder member of the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland, bestselling author and regular columnist with Reality magazine, was informed that the Vatican watchdog the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), was unhappy with his writings. He was summoned to Rome, told to revise his views or he wouldn't be allowed to minister as a priest or have any dealings with the Media.

Although he offered a statement of clarification and it seemed as if the matter were closed, a few months later the CDF made further, Draconian demands, including a statement from him that he accepted all the moral teachings of the Church and that women could never be ordained priests. The CDF forbade him to return to priestly ministry, or be involved with the ACP until he agreed to publish this statement. He was put under "formal precept of obedience not to attend the AGM of the ACP. (He did attend it.
During all this time the CDF never communicated directly with him.
Documentation came through the leader of his own community on typed A4 pages with no heading, stamp or signature. He was warned about the need for total secrecy and threatened with excommunication and dismissal from the Redemptorists.

Tony Flannery became convinced that he would never be allowed to return to ministry and that the real target of the CDF was his role in the Association of Catholic Priests. He went public on the matter in January 2013 and despite further attempts to clarify his position with CDF, remains barred from ministry.

A Question of Conscience, which includes all the CDF documentation, provides conclusive proof of the Vatican's determination to stamp out what it regards as dissent, no matter how unjust the methods it uses or how blatant its disregard for personal freedom and human dignity.

'When we read one man's account of his treatment at the hands of a Church that claims to represent Christ on earth, we are more convinced than ever of the need for radical reform within the institution.

Fr Brendan Hoban, leadership team, Association of Catholic Priests

'Does the Holy Spirit speak through women also? Without doubt, the church of the future - men and women will have cause to be grateful for the hope kept alive by the courageous stance taken by Fr Tony Flannery. The authority of authenticity permeates strongly his reasoned and reasonable position in relation to women and the church

Cathy Molloy, theologian

A most unfortunate reality is the authoritarian approach of the Church authorities and Tony Flannery displays great personal courage in taking a stance against this.