Censured Galway priest throws in the towel

The 73 year old popular priest, who was ‘gagged’ eight years ago because some of his opinions varied to the teachings of the Catholic Church, says he cannot agree to or sign documents that would be contradictory to his own beliefs.

He had hoped in the beginning of his censure that there would be a dialogue, especially when Pope Francis was elected.

But after years of waiting to be reinstated, he says he’s ‘fed up with the Catholic authorities’ and he wants to get on with his life and have nothing more to do with them.

The Killimordaly native told the Connacht Tribune this week that he was disappointed nothing had changed in the Vatican as regards moving with the times.

“I wasn’t surprised really when the documents arrived from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith via the General of the Redemptorists, Fr Michael Brehl, but I was disappointed in the sense that I had a lot of hope for Pope Francis,” he said.

“He’s trying his best and has recognised the need for dialogue, but this latest document reads like it was written 100 years ago, leaving no room for dialogue.

“Personally, I’m just fed up with having anything to do with the Church authorities. I just want to get on with the rest of my life . . . what’s left of it,” he said.

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