Banned priest refused to return after Vatican demands silence

Irish priest who was banned from public ministry reject his return after Vatican demanded him to set aside his liberal views and remain silent.

Fr.Tony Fllannery,73, have expressed his liberal views about homosexuality, same-sex marriage and female ordination. His progressive thoughts being contrary to the Church doctrines he was forced out of ministry in 2012.

Later Vatican offered to receive him back on the condition that he promises to keep silence and sign documents agreeing with the church teachings. But he declined the offer to be back in his former position.

The banned Redemptorist priest had communicated with the Vatican about his return to the priesthood through Michael Brehl the Redemptorist’s Superior General in Rome.

Brehl wrote to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (CDF) on Flannery’s behalf hoping a more liberal leadership of Pope Francis that could help secure Flannery’s return to the priesthood.

Vatican has a remarkable period under Pope Francis with more tolerant  discussions about female ordination and more compassionate conversations about homosexuality. 

But CDF refused to receive him back until and unless he vow silence about these issues or promise never to express his views publicly.

The CDF also expects him to sign a document saying that he agreed with the church’s teachings on homosexuality, same-sex marriage, and female ordination. 

“Fr Flannery should not return to public ministry prior to submitting a signed statement regarding his positions on homosexuality, civil unions between persons of the same sex, and the admission of women to the priesthood,” the CDF said in response to Brehl’s attempts to reinstate Flannery. 

“He should be asked to not speak publically on the above-mentioned topics which have caused problems in the past,” the CDF added. 

The CDF demanded Flannery to sign separate documents on each of the issues and also asked him to sign another paragraph, which said: “I, Fr Tony Flannery C.Ss.R, submit to all of the above doctrinal propositions given by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as they pertain to the Church’s teaching on the:

1. Reservation of the sacred priesthood to men alone

2. The moral liceity of homosexual practices

3. The legal recognition of marriage between persons of the same sex

4. ‘Gender Theory’.”

Flannery expressed his unhappiness and disappointment over church’s response. He clearly stated his dislike in signing these documents.

He said that CDF’s response signaled the termination of his public ministry.He said that the CDF’s views belonged in the 19th century and he described the church’s official language on homosexuality as appalling.

“I could not possibly have any more dealings with a body that produces such a document. Life is too short – especially at 73.”