The Divine Fr Daniel O'Leary
Blogged by James Preece on 1st November 2009
I will begin this blog entry with a simple theological question:
Who is both human and divine?
If you answered "Jesus" then you don't win a prize because it's a very easy question and I don't have any prizes. Perhaps you could pause for a moment to enjoy the feeling of smug self-satisfaction that comes with knowing how to tie your own shoelaces.
Now, a trickier question... Who is being spoken about here:
To be tormented by restlessness is one of the many frustrating consequences of being both human and divine at the same time!
If you answered "Jesus" then you are wrong.
But... but...
Who else is both human and divine?
Well...?
You are!
Honestly?
Well, I didn't say it. That was written in The Tablet last July by a certain Fr Daniel O'Leary, a priest "in good standing" of Leeds Diocese. According to Fr O'Leary, all of us are human and divine. You can read the full article (warning, PDF) here.
Why do I mention this now? Well, yesterday the Diocese of Middlesbrough hosted an "Inspirational Study Day for Lay Ministers of the Word". Personally, I can't use the word "inspirational" with a straight face these days but I'm not laughing because for this Inspirational Study Day the speaker is none other than Fr Daniel O'Leary.
For some reason this particular Inspirational Study Day isn't listed on the Middlesbrough Diocese website. Maybe they are hoping nobody will notice? I would certainly want to keep it quiet. An earlier article of his in The Tablet was described as follows...
"To be excessively scrupulous in trying to eliminate all sin is to miss the point of Christ's example and, as one priest finds, too much virtue can even hurt you"
[link]
So we are divine and if we try to avoid sin then we are missing the point.
Maybe some people find that inspirational?
A priest in Leeds Diocese (I'll keep him anonymous) writes...
Fr. Donal O’Leary (as his name used to be) is probably a material heretic; I remember arguing with him about the sacraments at a deanery conference. He believed the sacraments were ceremonies celebrating what is already there in us, rather than an infusion of grace from God.
Me? I saved my parish £10 and went to a youth day instead.
Reader Comments
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Hestor said...
Probably a material heretic?!
They would have burned this man in better times.
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John Allinson said...
I stumbled across this site while searching Fr O'Leary's name. I have read all his articles in 'The Tablet' and I have read his wonderful book 'Already Within'.
I am very sorry indeed to see the comments about him on this site. I find his writing truly inspirational as well as aesthetically pleasing. Above all, he helps me understand and enjoy the relationship into which Our Lord is constantly inviting us.Fr Daniel's ability to see the connectedness between the sacred and the secular should surely be seen as a great gift.I thank him for his indefatigable sharing of himself and his own spirituality through his works. I pray for greater sensitivity toward our fellow travellers as we journey together through the complex vicissitudes of our earthly lives.
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veronica harris said...
Also stumble on site. 'Travelling Light' was and remains an extraordinary experience for me. I was able to tell Fr Daniel this in person last September in Chelmsford. I also felt challenged by his article in the Tablet: 'Be Bold and Choose' Jan '11. What sustains me is that meeting the Lord is in all the ordinary details of my life
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Les Leach said...
James Preece would have spent his time better if, instead of going to a youth day, he had gone back to school and learned (1) to read what Daniel O'Leary had ACTUALLY said, and (2) to quote him accurately.
(1) To be "EXCESSIVELY scrupulous" about anything is in itself the act of a sin-warped spirit, and therefore sinful. So O'Leary is right. (2) To misquote a person in order to condemn him is an act of injustice, and therefore sinful.
In the light of his poor witness can we be sure that Preece quotes his "anonymous" priest accurately, or for that matter that this anonymous priest quoted O'Leary accurately? I doubt it very much.
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jim garbutt said...
Donal as I know him lead me admirably through my conversion to the Catholic faith. Donal is a wonderful human being and man of great spirituality. However he is also one of the worlds philosophers and thinkers. Donal's spirituality of the heart is a lesson for us all. He is a man with much to offer the world and spirituality of the future. I could listen to his words of wisdom over and over.
Sad that the writer chose alternative routes for a naegative rather than positive reasonit seems.
But when working with Donal be preparede to be challenged as a means to develop a deeper understanding of what faith really means in practice.
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David O'Brien said...
I had not seen Fr Donal O'Leary for 32 years until I bumped into him yesterday. I had always admired his honesty and optimism. I only passed a few words but it felt like a friend I knew and yet have'nt actually known.
I saw some of his publications, bought one, took it home and was instantly inspired and enthused. I loved his DVD on a sacramental vision. Here is a man not restricted by his religious faith but free to seek and explore an even deeper understanding. I was blessed to see him again. There will always be those who want to deride and divide - all we can do is pray for their enlightenment.
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