Advent Group - Supporting Priests & Religious since 1969

Aims of Advent

+ To be a support group for men and women and their partners who have left the active ministry, or religious life.

+ To offer a safe haven for men and women who are considering change.

+ To be a support for others closely involved with the priest's or religious' decision.

+ To work for change in the Church and its ministry

Children of Priests Documentary

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 23 January 2020

Just finished an interview with Dan Tierney from BBC Radio 4 on the subject of chidren of priests. The programme will be broadcast on the 31st March. The backdrop for the programme is the Amazon Synod and the possibility of Pope Francis allowing the ordination of married men of good standing in their communities.

BBC Radio Scotland - Celibacy for Catholic Priests

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 15 January 2020

Compulsory celibacy 'damaging' says censured priest

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 18 December 2019

Broadcaster and journalist Fr Brian’ D’Arcy has said the Church’s discipline of “compulsory celibacy is illogical” because “a compulsory gift” is a contradiction in terms.

Speaking to The Tablet as he celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination this week, Fr D’Arcy said that though there was a great value to celibate witness, he thought “compulsory celibacy is damaging”.

The Passionist priest, who was censured by the Vatican in 2011, said companionship and having somebody else in your life is “a very maturing thing”.

Describing the Church’s theology of sexuality as “well past its sell-by-date”, he said he based his views on compulsory celibacy on the experiences of his many friends who are former priests.

The 50th Anniversary of the Advent Group

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 13 December 2019

This December is the 50th anniversary of the Advent Group, that supports priests and religious who are thinking of resigning the priesthood and as I finish a WhatsApp video call to Peter from Mumbai agonising over whether the work he is doing within an NGO working with the poorest unemployed young people is still the work of a priest, I encourage him as he had made contact through the Advent Group web site to say, yes, the work you are doing is an extension of your ministry and is the work of God. He is comforted by these words and is encouraged to continue in the work he is doing. Peter has the added complication that for the past twenty five years he has been married to a Hindu lady. Leaving the priesthood in India has the same stigma it had when I left back in the 80’s.