Gagged Priest Considered Leaving Order

By Sarah MacDonald
Irish Independent
March 9, 2013

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gagged-priest-considered-leaving-order-29119066.html

DISSIDENT priest Fr Tony Flannery has revealed his censure by the Vatican almost caused him to leave his Redemptorist order. Fr Flannery (inset), who has been a priest for 40 years, was disciplined last year over his views on women priests, contraception and homosexuality.

The 66-year-old is now facing possible excommunication for his refusal to sign a document retracting his views.

"At an early stage in this process I seriously considered whether the best thing for me to do would be to leave the congregation rather than bring this very awkward situation on them," he told the Irish Independent.

There are now believed to be seven Irish priests accused of heretical views.