'Ban discussion' call for fear of scandal

BY A STAFF REPORTER rfHE Catholic Priests' Association,. which claims the support of 1,600 members, has called on the Pope to help stifle discussions on several resolutions coming before the National Conference of Priests, to be held in Birmingham in September.
The Association fears that certain tonics should be banned as "deliberations on them will be published in the press and much scandal will follow."
The resolutions they fear
Illlire"that the reception of Holy Communion be guided by the more informed conscience of the individual than by too stringent legal prink • tcipit co es; that mmunion in the hand should be allowed officially in at small itruc because t e di t teaches g r groups p people important truths; 1111 that the present structure of the Sacrament of Penance is a great hindrance lo its full possibilities for the spiritual formation of both children and adults; • authoritarism must be eradicated from the church because it stifles the spirit and, for example, Sunday Mass should not be imposed under pain of mortal sin,
FORTY POINTS
Father Sean Kearney of Port Talbot, Wales, Chairman of the National Conference of Priests, said discussion groups at the meeting would consider about 40 resolutions.
"Not all of these will be finally discussed in open forum by the whole conference. All are in the context of the theme of the pastoral vocation."
The Conference, whose constitution was approved by the Hierarchy last year and has links with the Senate of Priests in every diocese, represents all priests in England and Wales.
Father Kearney said: "All our officers are publicly elected and I would like to know who are the hidden faces Father Flanagan claims to sunport him. We are not a left wing organisation but a well balanced one representing every point of view."
Fr. John Flanagan, of Polegate, Sussex, is secretary of the Catholic Priests Association.
"Father Flanagan took no part in diocesan discussions prior to the conference," said Fr. Kearney.