Censure of priest criticised

Press, 19 May 1980, Page 11

Censure of priest criticised

PA’ Auckland Several associates, of the Rev. Felix Donnelly said the censures placed bh him were a dim. reflection on the present state of the Roman Catholic Church. A man who worked with Father Connelly in Youthline and Roman Catholic organisations for many years said the .censures were a reflection, on the Church, rather than on the priest. Mr T. J. Locke, a university lecturer, said many hard-line Roman Catholics wanted to see Father Donnelly silenced.

“But it is a significant fact that his public platform is not the Church, and he will not be silenced,” he said. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland (the Most Rev. J. Mackey) made public his decision to revoke the ministry of teaching from Father Donnelly, after several years of conflict on issues of morality, homosexuality, and masturbation. This means Father Donnelly can no longer hear con-

fessib'rts or preach in the Church. Mr • Locke said Father Donnelly devoted virtually all his time • to helping young people who were experiencing personal crises, particularly those connected with the Chruch.

“A lot of people are basically finding the Church unresponsive in sorting out their problems of identity and sexuality. A- lot of young people have virtually given away hope of getting any guidance from the Church,” he said.

The National Gay Rights Coalition said the Roman Catholic Church was more concerned with perpetuating an “antiquated, inflexible set of rules” than showing conp passion for oppressed groups. The coalition's northern representative, Mr R. Finnemore, said Father Donnelly’s views on human relationships had been formed through extensive study that had sprung from deep compassion for

oppressed groups and “victims of society/'. “Obviously the .Catholic Church . does f not share this quality. That the Church has revoked Father Donnelly's teaching rights is deeply regrettable,” he said. The Dean of ..the Auckland Medical School (Professor D. S. Cole) said Father Donnelly’s lectures on human relationships provided an important and useful part of the medical course. Father Donnelly, who is a senior lecturer in community health, was much appreciated by . the students. “He is very well of by the students and does a lot of private counselling work,” Professor Cole said. Father Donnelly's latest book. “Candles in the Wind,” had been widely received, although it had created conflict in the Church, he said. "It is soon .to be launched in Britain, which means the publishers feel it is a very useful book.” :