WELLINGTON (NEW ZEALAND)
Radio New Zealand
October 11, 2019
By Phil Pennington
A prolific children’s author says she is sorry for women who had sexual relations with a Catholic Bishop, but that she has seen young women flirt with priests.
“Do they think that a vow of celibacy guarantees immunity?” asked Joy Cowley, in an online post in response to the resignation of Palmerston North Bishop Charles Drennan.
He quit after admitting inappropriate sexual behaviour with a young woman.
An older woman several years ago made a confidential complaint about him.
Ms Cowley, a Catholic great-grandmother in her 80s, also writes books on spirituality.
The pope should have said “who am I to judge” (a phrase he is famous for), rather than accept Bishop Drennan’s resignation, she wrote online at CathNews New Zealand.
Her primary target was celibacy for priests.
“I am sorry that a reputable magazine connected with the church, should send emails to subscribers giving details of Bishop Charles Drennan’s resignation,” she said.
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