Statement by Bishop William Crean regarding the Killeagh/Inch SPIRITFEST 2015

21 Aug 2015

I welcome the initiative of the Killeagh/Inch Parish Pastoral Council to celebrate SPIRITFEST 2015.  I pray that it will serve as an invitation to the people of the parish to deepen and to renew their faith.

 

As part of its preparation the Parish Pastoral Council extended an invitation to Father Tony Flannery CSsR to give the opening address for this year’s SPIRITFEST.  While the Parish Pastoral Council extended this invitation in good faith, I have been obliged to inform the members that – having spoken with Father Flannery’s superior, the Provincial of the Redemptorist Order in Ireland – I am unable to approve the extension of this invitation at this time.  The reason being is that Father Flannery is currently out of ministry and the policy of the Diocese of Cloyne is that a priest who is out of ministry, for whatever reason, cannot exercise public ministry.  I wish the diocese to be consistent in its position in order to continue to earn the trust of the faithful.

 

Having now discussed the matter with the Parish Pastoral Council, the members have agreed to extend an invitation to another speaker to launch SPIRITFEST 2015.

 

Again I wish this prayerful initiative every blessing and success and I look forward to accepting the Parish Pastoral Council’s invitation to attend the ‘Songs of Praise’ on the Sunday evening of the SPIRITFEST.

 

+William Crean

Bishop of Cloyne

ENDS

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