Podcast's Waterford visit controversy
Catholic Unscripted host Katherine Bennett, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, and Gavin Ashenden, pictured together in July 2024.
A controversial podcast is appearing at Glencomeragh House Retreat Centre in Co. Waterford next month.
'Catholic Unscripted' have garnered scrutiny for their criticism of Pope Francis and praise of far-right agitators like Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson).
The group are holding a retreat at the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore-owned house, for a “a weekend of talks, conversations, reflections, prayers and fellowship”.
According to the event page, the weekend will see the podcast group covering subject matter, including "return of the dark gods/spiritual warfare", "the antidote to feminism", "feminism - its history and devastating impact" and "recovering lost femininity".
In recent times, the UK-based podcast, hosted by Gavin Ashenden, Katherine Bennett and Mark Lambert, alleged that Pope Francis had "deserted Jesus".
In July 2024, a picture of Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan standing with the hosts was published on the podcast's Twitter, captioned: "Fantastic meeting with Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan to discuss our October retreat in Ireland."
A statement from the Diocese read: "The Diocese does not endorse the views expressed in these podcast episodes, particularly those that are critical of Pope Francis. We were not aware of any such comments made by this podcaster until they were brought to our attention through your query. The Diocese wholeheartedly supports the Holy Father and his teachings, which are fundamental to our faith and mission as Catholics."
It continued: "Additionally, it is worth noting that Glencomeragh House serves as a retreat centre for a diverse range of groups, including Catholics, non-Catholics, and secular organisations. The management of Glencomeragh House provides excellent facilities for all who wish to use them for retreats and gatherings.
"However, it is neither feasible nor appropriate for the management to scrutinise every interview or statement made by potential speakers who utilise these facilities. Our focus remains on fostering an environment conducive to spiritual growth and dialogue among various groups."
The statement ended: "We wish to reaffirm our support for Pope Francis and clarify that the Diocese does not align with the alleged views expressed in the mentioned podcast episodes. We remain committed to promoting unity within the Church and encouraging respectful discourse among all members of our community.”
