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	Priests Want a Union to Express Views By Catherine Shanahan Irish Examiner July 28, 2010 http://www.examiner.ie/home/priests-want-a-union-to-express-views-126386.html MEMBERS of the clergy are being actively canvassed around the country by a group of priests disillusioned at not having a public voice. They are seeking to set up an association to represent their views. In a statement, the priests said the "debilitating reality" was that priests had no platform to express themselves at a time when relations between priests and bishops were increasingly strained and when "crucial debates" were taking place. One of the group, Fr Brendan Hoban, parish priest in Ballina, Co Mayo, said they had not sought the approval of superiors over their proposals, formulated following a meeting in Athlone, Co Westmeath, a number of weeks ago. "This is nothing at all to do with official channels. We don’t expect any opposition because we are within our rights to have an association like this. We have things to say and we are prepared to say them," Fr Hoban said. He said such associations were "part and parcel of the ecclesiastical landscape" and particularly pertinent "in the current climate". Fr Hoban said the idea came about as a result of "a few people having a chat," including himself, Galway- based Redemptorist Fr Tony Flannery and Columban missionary and ecologist Fr Sean McDonagh. He said they were not looking at forming a trade union for priests, but an association that would allow them "articulate the views of priests", as well as taking on board the rights of priests, both civil and ecumenical. "Up until a few years ago, we had the National Conference of Priests, but since that collapsed, we have operated in a vacuum and found it difficult to represent our views. If our association gets off the ground, we will engage proactively and have a spokesperson to speak on our behalf," Fr Hoban said. Canvassing of other clergy is under way in dioceses across the country to determine the level of support. Fr Hoban said early indications suggest it is substantial across dioceses, religious congregations and missionary societies. A meeting is planned for September 15 in Portlaoise, Co Laois, to determine if there is adequate backing. A statement from the organisers said: "Clearly, many priests are aware the Catholic Church is in crisis, is rapidly losing its relevance and its membership and that a voice for priests is an essential part of the Church’s response at this critical juncture in our history." Fr Hoban said they would need considerable support. "Otherwise we would be considered a rump group not representative of the wider clergy." A spokesman for the Catholic Communications Office said he did not anticipate any opposition in the Church to the formation of an association to specifically represent priests. "Clearly, this is a challenging time throughout the Church for lay people and clergy alike and any initiative where priests organise themselves to convey their views is a good thing," he said. He added that bishops had expressed regret when the National Conference of Priests of Ireland collapsed a couple of years ago and that they would "logically welcome priests organising themselves to have a voice".
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