IRELAND
UTV
Tony Flannery, 66, is a high-profile and well known priest who has previously spoken out of line with the Church’s stance on hot topics such as contraception and homosexuality.
The Galway Redemptorist priest revealed last month that he was ordered to sign a pledge by the church that he supports their teachings.
He can now no longer minister as a priest and is being threatened with excommunication by the Vatican.
“They wanted me to sign and publish a document on these issues stating that I accepted fully the Vatican’s position on them which I wouldn’t have been able to do without turning my back on things I’ve been saying for 30 years,” he explained.
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