Father Donnelly’s Position (Press, 22 May 1980)

In a series of letters published in response to Father Donnelly's views on sexuality and Catholic doctrine, various contributors expressed their opinions on the evolving attitudes within the Catholic Church in 1980. One letter from R.W. and C. Glue advocated for Father Donnelly to be recognised for his bravery in voicing his humanistic beliefs regarding homosexuality and encouraged other Catholics to openly reveal their true moral values, especially those who engage in practices seen as contrary to traditional teachings, such as using contraception or seeking abortions. They argued that discussions should be grounded in common sense rather than outdated doctrines imposed by church authorities in Rome. Another contributor, A. I. Ryan, critiqued Father Donnelly's interpretation of Catholic morality, stating that the focus should remain on the absolute laws set by God and the necessity of a moral conscience. He expressed concern that contemporary views might lead to societal acceptance of sinful behaviours, noting that feeling good about personal choices does not absolve one of sin. He referenced the Bible to emphasise that widespread behaviour should not be used as a justification for wrongdoing. Anne Barnao added to the discourse by highlighting a sense of confusion and fear among Catholics regarding modern interpretations of faith. She lamented that the once clear-cut authoritarian structure of the church has shifted to a more subjective form, where individual clergy members may impose their interpretations of church teachings. This new dynamic, she argued, creates uncertainty for the faithful as they navigate the varied liturgies and ideas set forth by different bishops or priests. Through these letters, a clear divide among Catholics emerged, with some embracing a more modern, liberal interpretation of the faith, while others clung to traditional teachings and expressed concern over the potential erosion of moral standards within the church. The ongoing conversation reflected a broader societal struggle with issues of authority, morality, and individual conscience in the context of religious belief during this period.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand