Rap Over Knuckles For Priest (Press, 28 December 1979)

The Most Rev. John Mackey, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, has publicly addressed concerns regarding one of his diocesan priests, the Rev. Felix Donnelly. This discussion is set to appear in the upcoming issue of "New Zealandia." Bishop Mackey described Father Donnelly as a diligent yet somewhat stubborn priest, displaying a "quixotic temperament" and a firm belief in Catholic teachings. The controversy revolves around Father Donnelly's book, "Candies in the Wind," which tackles the issues faced by youth in New Zealand today. Bishop Mackey highlighted a significant disagreement between Father Donnelly's views and official Church doctrine, stating that the Church's stance supports sexual expression solely within the bounds of marriage. In contrast, Bishop Mackey perceives that Father Donnelly advocates for a broader acceptance of sexual expression outside of this framework. Despite identifying these discrepancies in Father Donnelly's work, Bishop Mackey has urged a compassionate approach in addressing his misconceptions. He acknowledged that Father Donnelly primarily focuses on helping troubled young individuals, many of whom may not adhere to any faith. Mackey praised Donnelly's expertise in counselling and psychological support, underscoring the importance of practical results in contemporary behavioural science. However, he also noted that this approach often separates itself from the faith-based and mystical elements that are integral to the Catholic Church's teachings on human experience.

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