Fr D'Arcy pained by Vatican censure

Published Friday, 27 April 2012
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Well-known priest and broadcaster Father Brian D'Arcy has described how he's been "living with the pain of censure" since the Vatican imposed the restrictions on his writings and broadcasts 14 months ago.

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The decision was taken after a number of comments made by the outspoken cleric, in which he was critical of the Catholic Church's handling of the child sex abuse scandals and of the rules which bar priests from marrying.

"In these difficult times, it is the price one has to pay when one is committed to the truth - which is the duty of both the priest and the journalist," Fr D'Arcy said in a statement on Friday.

Details of the censure only became public knowledge after it was reported in Catholic newspaper, The Tablet.

In 45 years as a journalist, I have never denied the legitimately Defined Doctrines of the Catholic religion. I respect all Faiths.

Fr Brian D’Arcy

Fr D'Arcy said he had been "saddened and disappointed" by the letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, but added that he had "come to accept that this is the CDF's way of dealing with issues".

It has been stressed that Fr D'Arcy remains a priest of good standing and that he continues to carry out his priestly duties - however, when it comes to his journalism, all writings and broadcasts must first be passed to a church censure for approval prior to being published or aired.

"I have continued to write and broadcast since the news of the Vatican's displeasure was filtered down to me in March 2011," Fr D'Arcy said.

"I shall continue my ministry in communication because I believe that the church cherishes freedom of speech as an inviolable principle. Pope Benedict made a fervent plea for freedom of expression on his recent visit to Cuba.

"I believe the church needs credible voices in today's world."

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3 Comments
YoungCatholic in Co. Antrim wrote (416 days ago):
What the CDF has done is no different to what the newspaper he writes for does every week, or what the BBC etc. do with his recorded shows - but it's okay for the media to make sure what he says/writes fits in with their agenda... Also, each comment on this website and most other news sites also has to go through a process before it is approved, yet no one is angry about that. No one is claiming utv or any other site is 'silencing' or 'censuring' them. People will take any and every opportunity to blast the Catholic Church, but have no problems with their own double-standards.
Gerry Hughes in Fermanagh wrote (417 days ago):
Silence and censorship has been the downfall of the Catholic Church. Weak people within have been afraid to speak out against the many crimes committed by the clergy against weaker members of this society. Fr. Brian is right, the church needs credible voices like his in today’s world. The Catholic Church must reform or face the loss of more of its congregation. The congregation is aging and the clergy are getting thin on the ground. All that is needed for evil to prevail is for good people to stay silent. I salute Fr. Brian for his courage and conviction.
questionable in faith wrote (418 days ago):
If it's that bad, quit. Choose the Church and be silenced, or hand in your resignation, be a journalist and write the truth. You can always be a man of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1-5
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