Fr tony flannery to launch athlone womans book

Fr Tony Flannery will launch Athlone woman Angela Hanley’s book 'Whose à la Carte Menu?’ this Sunday evening at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.

Angela’s book takes a look at a number of aspects of Catholic teaching and offers an explanation that respects the intelligence of the reader, yet keeps the information free from technical terms and theological jargon.
In a review of Angela’s book, Fr Flannery said: “It gives a clear, easily understood, analysis of the major areas that are causing concern in the Church today. She has put a great deal of research into it, and the historical background on each topic is enormously informative and important.”

“Three great chapters deal with the Papacy, Church Councils and Infallibility, leading up to an account of the Second Vatican Council. I learned a lot about the origins of Canon Law, and how it became such a central and controlling part of the life of the Church.

“A topic that Pope Francis is talking a great deal about these days, contraception, is analysed. I have read many accounts of the background to the encyclical Humanae Vitae, but this is by far the most revealing and interesting. And of course she has important things to say about the priesthood, and the dreadful problem of clerical sexual abuse.”
“Even if you have no familiarity with theology you will find this book very accessible.

“It will help to deepen and broaden your understanding of what is happening in the Church at present, why Benedict may have retired, and why the cardinals voted in somebody who seems to have the vision and the courage to attempt some serious reform,” he added.

'Whose à la Carte Menu?’ contains a total of 16 chapters, including a personal essay from Angela on where she stands. She explains to the reader in her introduction that she believes her own story was a necessary part of the book, but she deliberately left it to the end so that the reader can decide whether or not to read it.

Other chapters include: 'Church: a building or a people’; 'Doctrine & Dogma’; 'Papacy’; 'Infallibility’; 'Vatican II’; 'Birth Control’; 'Priesthood’ and 'Sexual Abuse’.

The book, which is currently available from publisher Columba Press, will be launched by Fr Flannery at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel this Sunday, February 1, at 5pm.