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Circle the dates: Saturdays-February 13th and 20th

The American Catholic Council is hosting 2 Zoom events with Fr. Tony Flannery, a Redemptorist priest sanctioned by the Vatican, presenting:

“A Conscience Crossroads”: A Priest Discerns between Law and Love

Session One:

 2/13 Fr. Tony’s story of the Vatican’s removal of him from public ministry

Session Two:

 2/20 “Repairing a Damaged Church”: his thoughts about institutional change

We offer two sessions (morning & afternoon per Saturday to complement your personal Saturday schedule:)

(9-11a.m. or 2-4 p.m. U.S. Central OR 10a.m. to Noon or 3-5 p.m. Eastern Time)

Tony, a Redemptorist priest and native of Ireland, joined the order at seventeen. In his priestly life he served as a missions preacher, novena and retreat master. The best-selling author of nine books, Tony helped the Association of Catholic Priests (Ireland) and continues his membership on their Leadership Team.

In 2012 the Vatican objected to his articles in Reality magazine causing him to be summoned to Rome by the Superior General of the Redemptorists. This began the culmination of his ministry as a priest, a situation that continues to this day.  He wrote a full account of his dealings with the Vatican in a recently-published book, A Question of Conscience (2013: Amazon Kindle $6.99 and Paperback $18.99). This year, Tony’s newest book, From the Outside: Rethinking Church Doctrine (2020: Amazon Paperback $20.98) takes a focus from the Vatican to the actions Tony has discerned to follow.

He is under instruction from his religious authorities to remain silent. In early 2013, however, he decided to ignore that stricture and go public.  Since then he’s been active in the global reform community, and currently offers a series of talks entitled “Repairing a Damaged Church”.

He comes to us a “Peoples Priest”, living the connection between faith and contemporary times in a global society. Tony understands the world we live in and uses conscience and discernment as his tools to pray, cope and serve

the People of God. He will share his personal story in the first gathering (February 13) and its effects on his life and priesthood. In the second session   (2/20), Tony will offer his thoughts on needed change in the institution. In each of our two sessions, Tony will speak followed by a short Q-A and small group dialogue, our Sacred Circles, centered around reactions to his story and its application to our lives.

Registration: $50 per person for both sessions. (Upon registering you will receive the Zoom invitation.

This fee was to support of Tony and his public work. Tony, however, refused the fee saying that since he is supported by his order and country; he needs no more to live. He proposed, however, that we retain the fee for future speakers who lack the support he has. He believes change will occur when the People of God are exposed to more information about our faith and the institution.

We have retained his wishes.

American Catholic Council