Vatican’s gag on Fr D’Arcy breaks BBC’s guidelines

IRELAND
Irish Independent

By JEROME REILLY

Sunday April 29 2012

The BBC has become embroiled in the controversy over the Vatican’s gagging of Father Brian D’Arcy.

The censuring of the 64-year-old, Fermanagh-born cleric by the Vatican led to a direct order from Rome 14 months ago that he submit his writings to a religious superior for clearance.

Fr D’Arcy has been a regular contributor to BBC radio’s Pause for Thought for more than 20 years, sharing a studio with presenters including Terry Wogan, Derek Jameson and Chris Evans.

However, the revelation that he has submitted his writings to higher authorities for vetting for more than a year appears to breach BBC editorial rules though Fr D’Arcy said yesterday he had told both the BBC and the Sunday World of his problems with the Vatican 14 months ago.

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