Nuncio’s appointments criticised

A co-founder of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) has accused the papal nuncio of conducting “mock consultations” as part of the selection process for the Irish Church’s new bishops, writes Sarah Mac Donald.

According to Fr Brendan Hoban there is “grave dissatisfaction” among the ACP’s 1,000 members and Irish priests generally over Archbishop Charles Brown’s procedures. “This dissatisfaction is not confined to our association, there is extreme dissatisfaction among priests generally,” he said.

Speaking to media in Limerick at the conference for reform movement leaders, he said: “We don’t believe real consultation is taking place in dioceses, and the net for possible candidates is not being spread widely enough.” Fr Hoban said the ACP was corresponding with the nuncio on the matter. Archbishop Brown told The Tablet earlier this year that he conducted extensive consultations before appointing bishops and that priests were the most influential voices in that process.