Advent Group - Supporting Priests & Religious since 1969

Aims of Advent

+ To be a support group for men and women and their partners who have left the active ministry, or religious life.

+ To offer a safe haven for men and women who are considering change.

+ To be a support for others closely involved with the priest's or religious' decision.

+ To work for change in the Church and its ministry

Clericalism cited as root of sex abuse crisis

: Written by: Sarah Salvadore; Created: 05 February 2020

At Villanova event, Hans Zollner calls out past systemic failure in reporting, stopping abuse

In a Jan. 29 talk at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, Jesuit Fr. Hans Zollner said that clericalism is the root cause of the damage done to the church and called out past systemic failure in reporting, punishing and stopping abuse.

"There is general mistrust and suspicion on cardinals and bishops. This is not just happening in U.S. and Australia — the level of trust on bishops is below zero. And this has devastated an institution that is built on trust and faith," he said.

Zollner, a professor of psychology and president of the Center for Child Protection, at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, spoke as part of a series examining the sex abuse crisis. Zollner spoke on the situation of the church across the globe.

Children of Priests Documentary

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 23 January 2020

Just finished an interview with Dan Tierney from BBC Radio 4 on the subject of chidren of priests. The programme will be broadcast on the 31st March. The backdrop for the programme is the Amazon Synod and the possibility of Pope Francis allowing the ordination of married men of good standing in their communities.

BBC Radio Scotland - Celibacy for Catholic Priests

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 15 January 2020

Compulsory celibacy 'damaging' says censured priest

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 18 December 2019

Broadcaster and journalist Fr Brian’ D’Arcy has said the Church’s discipline of “compulsory celibacy is illogical” because “a compulsory gift” is a contradiction in terms.

Speaking to The Tablet as he celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination this week, Fr D’Arcy said that though there was a great value to celibate witness, he thought “compulsory celibacy is damaging”.

The Passionist priest, who was censured by the Vatican in 2011, said companionship and having somebody else in your life is “a very maturing thing”.

Describing the Church’s theology of sexuality as “well past its sell-by-date”, he said he based his views on compulsory celibacy on the experiences of his many friends who are former priests.