Irish priest association supports Bourgeois
The Association of Catholic Priests (Ireland) called on the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith “to cease this type of abuse, to restore Fr. Bourgeois to the full exercise of his ministry and to allow for open and honest discussion on issues that are of crucial importance for the future of the Church.”
“We believe that this type of action, ordered by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and implemented by the Maryknoll Order, is unjust, and ultimately counter-productive,” reads the statement from the association.
“Dismissing people because they have sincerely held views that are contrary to those of the Vatican, but which are widely shared by the Catholic faithful, will not end discussion and debate on these topics,” it says.
The Association of Catholic Priests, which was founded by eight priests two years ago, has grown to represent about 1,000 of Ireland’s some 4,000 priests. The association aims at the “full implementation of the vision and teaching of the Second Vatican Council” and a “re-structuring of the governing system of the Church,” according to the group’s constitution.
The association has also called for an end to mandatory celibacy and for the ordination of women.
As an example of the widespread support for women priests among the Catholic Faithful, the statement from the association cited a year-long “listening process” in the diocese of Killaloe, a mainly rural diocese in Ireland, in which participants “expressed the opinion that the ordination of women should be openly discussed, particularly in view of the projected shortage of priests in the next few years.”
The leadership team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, one of the largest groups of Catholic sisters in the western hemisphere, issued a similar statement of support for Bourgeois on Nov. 28.
One of the Irish priests’ association’s cofounders, Redemptorist Fr. Tony Flannery , a popular author and retreat director, is himself under Vatican scrutiny according to press reports from earlier this year.
Flannery was ordered to stop writing and speaking and to go to a monastery for a period where he would “pray and reflect” on his situation.
Following is the complete statement from Ireland’s Association of Catholic Priests.
Statement of Support for Fr. Roy Bourgeois[Dennis Coday is NCR editor.]
The Association of Catholic Priests (Ireland) is saddened and disappointed by the dismissal of Maryknoll priest Fr. Roy Bourgeois from the priesthood and from his religious congregation, and his excommunication from the Church that he has served for almost half a century.
We believe that this type of action, ordered by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and implemented by the Maryknoll Order, is unjust, and ultimately counter-productive. Dismissing people because they have sincerely held views that are contrary to those of the Vatican, but which are widely shared by the Catholic faithful, will not end discussion and debate on these topics.
In fact it will only serve to highlight the urgent need to face the problems around ministry in the Church. Participants in a year long ‘listening process’ in the diocese of Killaloe, a mainly rural diocese in Ireland, expressed the opinion that the ordination of women should be openly discussed, particularly in view of the projected shortage of priests in the next few years.
Surely this is yet another of many examples of the sensus fidelium calling for change so that, in future, the Eucharist can be available to the Church community.
We call on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to cease this type of abuse, to restore Fr. Bourgeois to the full exercise of his ministry and to allow for open and honest discussion on issues that are of crucial importance for the future of the Church.
On behalf of the Leadership of the ACP:
Fr. P.J. Madden; Fr. Sean McDonagh; Fr. Brendan Hoban; Fr. Tony Flannery
1 comment:
Anonymous said...
Yes, the Bishop IS correct.
In the bible, when we hear of the body of Christ, it says that there are many parts , but one body. We all have important, thought different jobs. Women were not created for this function( to be priests). Over and over again it the bible, it speaks of man as the head and Jesus was a man.
However, God's greatest creation was Mary, co-mediatrix, but ONLY, beacause of her humble fiat. It was her HUMBLE and OBEDIENT yes, that will crush the head of satan.
How beautiful...the humility of Mary.
Satan rebelled due to pride, and he will be crushed by humility.
December 23, 2012 7:45 AM
Diana Froberg said...
Say "YES" to obedience and humility. And see what Jesus will do for you. Our Lady said yes and with that yes brought life and Jesus to the world. Jesus did many things during His time that shocked people. In the Bible you often hear the word s " and they were amazed" or something of this nature. He also spoke with many people that He was not to, such as prostitutes, Gentiles, women bleeding, etc. point is that if He wanted women in the priesthood He would have chose one to be one of the twelve. He did not. He could do whatever He wanted to do, after all He was Jesus Christ. HE is the head of the Church. HE told the twelve that whatever they do here on Earth in His name is bound here as well as in Heaven, and whatever they loose here is loosed in Heaven as well. Please read the Bible, and hear God's word. The bishops that are in line with Rome are obedient. You need to be obedient.
December 23, 2012 8:37 AM
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