Sir, - Father Jim Stanley CSSR, President of the National Conference of Priests of Ireland, was reported by you to be "scathing of Rome's "begrudgery". In a speech to the NCPI's annual conference (The Irish Times, September 27th), Father Stanley accused Rome and the Vatican of treating people like "illiterate peasants" instead of like "educated and committed Catholics". Father Stanley goes on to call for an "amnesty" and for admission to communion for priests who have left the priesthood without laicisation and for separated and divorced Catholics living in second unions. As a church dissident I agree with Father Stanley's sentiments, but I am also perplexed.
Earlier this year I sought to attend a "Spirituality and Sexuality" workshop at Marianella, Rathgar, Dublin - The Redemptorist retreat house where Father Stanley is director. As a committed Catholic and gay man I sincerely wanted help on the integration of my spirituality and sexuality. This workshop was advertised widely and was open to people of all religions and none.
Father Stanley wrote to me refusing me a place on the workshop because "of the fractured nature of your relationship with the Catholic Church".
Was this not begrudgery? Am I not entitled to the same compassion suggested for priests who leave and for those in second unions? Do Father Stanley's words and actions not contradict each other? - Yours, etc.,
(Most Rev) Patrick Buckley, Presiding Bishop, The Oratory Society, Larne, Co Antrim.