Tony Flannery

Martel, in an article justifying both the writing of his book on the Vatican, and its content.

“But there is a more serious reason that justifies the publication of this book during the summit on sexual abuse: I regret having to write this, but it is clear that my book provides the newest and most substantial key to explaining the majority of sexual abuse cases. . .The lie about the sexuality of priests, the concealment of the majority of the clergy’s repressed or active homosexuality, and the organized cover-up of these lies all contribute to the continuation of abuse.

I have found this blog very useful, and I am grateful to all the people who visit it every now and again. For me it has two specific uses.

The first one is that I have always found that writing something down is a great way of clarifying my ideas and thoughts, and of course the blog helps to spread my ideas, for whatever they are worth.

The second use is therapeutic, a way of looking at what is going on at a deeper level inside me and bringing it out so that I can look at it — getting it off my chest, as we say.

1. Next week, My 24 and 25, I am attending a conference organised by the Association of Franco Irish Studies, and taking place in the university of Lille, France.

The title of the conference is “Margins and Marginalities in France and/or Ireland”.  I am speaking at the conference on the Friday afternoon about my experience of dealing with Vatican authorities. I am looking forward to that.

2. A German film producer, Christoph Rolf, has produced a documentary film on the life of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict.