<p>Eight years ago the popular and outspoken priest Tony Flannery was withdrawn from his ministry by his religious congregation, the Redemptorists, under orders from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican. The CDF took issue with some of his writings, saying they were heretical. He was forbidden to perform priestly duties, or to write any articles or give interviews. Refusing to submit to this sentence, the intervening eight years have given him a greater degree of freedom of thought and action than he had ever experienced during his life as a priest in ministry. From the Outside is a product of what he has ascertained and come to believe during those years. The Church is facing many challenges. A great many people are leaving or have left; priest numbers are declining; clerical sex abuse still festers; women are excluded from ministry and decision-making, and that is becoming more and more of an anomaly as time goes by. Leadership in the Church seems incapable of dealing with these challenges, leaving the Church with a serious credibility issue. Along with these issues, From the Outside also deals with a much more fundamental and intractable problem, namely the problem of Church doctrine. Many of what are regarded as fundamental doctrines in the Church date from the early centuries of Christianity. To hold that what was defined about God over fifteen hundred years ago must be accepted without question in the twenty-first century is no longer credible. Flannery outlines what needs to be changed, both in the content and language of doctrine, and in the images and metaphors used. Challenging and controversial, From the Outside asks the Church leadership to look again at some of its basic doctrines. Change is needed.</p>

From the Outside: Rethinking Church Doctrine

Religion & Spirituality

Tony Flannery

Christian Books & Bibles

Red Stripe Press

<p>In February 2012 Tony Flannery, founder member of the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland, bestselling author and regular columnist with "Reality" magazine, was informed that the Vatican watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), was unhappy with some of his writings. He was summoned to Rome and told that until he revised his views he would not be allowed to minister as a priest or have any dealings with the media. He was to step down as leader of the ACP. Although he offered a statement of clarification and it seemed as if the matter were closed, a few months later the CDF made further, draconian demands, including a statement from him that he accepted all the moral teachings of the Church and that women could never be ordained priest. The CDF forbade him to return to priestly ministry, or be involved with the ACP, until he agreed to publish this statement. He was put under "formal precept of obedience not to attend the AGM of the ACP. (He did attend it.) D</p>

A Question of Conscience by Flannery, Tony (2013) Paperback

Londubh Books

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Tony Flannery. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Tony Flannery

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Tony Flannery. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

From the Outside: Rethinking Church Doctrine

A Question of Conscience by Flannery, Tony (2013) Paperback