Controversial theologian to speak at Maynooth

The president of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Mgr Dermot Farrell, has said his approval was not sought before theologian Fr Charles Curran was invited to speak at the college tonight.

The American priest was banned from teaching by Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Ratzinger, in 1986 after he questioned the Catholic Church's ban on artificial contraception.

Fr Curran is coming to Maynooth college, home to the Catholic seminary, to address the Risks of Theology conference. The conference is hosted by the faculty of theology in honour of Fr Enda McDonagh, who was professor of moral theology from 1958 to 1995. He celebrates 50 years as a priest this year.

Last night Mgr Farrell said: "The organising sub-committee did not seek the approval of the faculty of theology or of me personally for any of the proposed participants [in the conference]."

He added that the speakers' names were not published prior to their listing in the conference programme.

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin has also dissociated himself from the conference, which is taking place in his archdiocese. Dr Martin issued a statement saying the Archdiocese of Dublin had "in no way" been involved in the organisation of the conference.

"Rev Charles Curran, while being a Roman Catholic priest in good standing, has been declared by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as not suitable and not eligible to exercise the functions of professor of Catholic theology," Dr Martin said.

A member of the organising committee said the conference was a public event to facilitate an exchange of ideas and everyone was welcome to attend.

Prof Seán Freyne, emeritus professor of theology at Trinity College Dublin, said Fr Curran's visit was very welcome as he was one of the world's finest Catholic moral theologians.

Prof Freyne said Fr Curran had been very courageous to speak out on the contraception ban and it was ironic that he was coming to Ireland at a time when the Vatican was reportedly reviewing its ban on contraception for people with HIV/Aids in Africa.

Fr Curran will deliver his lecture, Moral theology since Vatican II, at Renehan Hall, St Patrick's College, Maynooth at 8pm tonight.

Speakers tomorrow include Stanley Hauerwas, James Keenan, Joseph O'Leary and Mary Gordon.