Defying Vatican, dissident Catholic priest to bring reform message to NPC Newsmaker

The Vatican has ordered Fr. Tony Flannery to remain silent and forbidden him to minister as a priest because his views ran afoul of the Church’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

But the dissident priest is speaking out about the need for inclusiveness in the 21st Century Catholic Church. He will address a Newsmakers news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. in the National Press Club's Zenger Room.

Fr. Flannery will bring his call, for ordination of women as priests, loosening of Church stances on contraception and homosexuality and administering the sacraments to individuals in second relationships, to the news conference.

In 2012, Fr. Flannery – a native of Galway in the west of Ireland – was summoned to the Vatican and told that until he changed his views, he could not act as a priest or have any dealings with the media. A priest for four decades, he spent a year attempting to come to some accommodation with the Vatican, without success.

Now he has decided to take a public stance on the need for reform in the Catholic Church and for ways to revitalize the Church so it remains relevant in the modern world.

Like all Newsmakers events, this news conference is free and open to credentialed media and NPC members. No advance registration is required.

Contact:
Myron Belkind NPC Newsmaker Event Host
202-662-7517, [email protected]