A Voice to Reflect
The ACP is an association for Catholic Priests who wish to have a forum, and a voice to reflect on, discuss and comment on issues affecting the Irish Church and society today. We welcome any feedback you may have. If you are an existing member, you can pay your membership fee here. If you would like to support the ACP with a donation, you can do so here.

Today’s Homily Resources
02 Oct 2023 – The Holy Guardian Angels
02 Oct 2023 – The Holy Guardian Angels 1st Reading: Exodus 23:20-23 I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way The Lord spoke to Moses and the people during their journey across the desert desert: ‘I am going to send an angel in front of you,...
Read MoreSéamus Ahearne: ‘Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.’ (Mary Oliver).
A HOLY MAN: We had a huge funeral last Wednesday/Thursday. Tony had to be in the church overnight (Oliver Plunkett’s) for his last vigil. He was a Holy man; a…
The Sycamore Gap tree, on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was cut down in an act of vandalism last week.
Chris McDonnell reflects: Sycamore Gap Standing in a sloping gap in a dry stone wall a sycamore tree spread its open hand shadow across the…
Jim Cogley: Reflections Tues 3 Oct – Mon 9 Oct
Triggers – Some more material in relation to our reactions as this topic has such broad appeal. Tue 3rd Oct – Emotional Triggers It’s a familiar feeling when someone makes…
SPIRIT UNBOUNDED WORLDWIDE ECUMENICAL EVENT
8 – 14TH OCT 2023 ONLINE ALL WEEK 13 & 14TH OCT, LIVE, IN-PERSON AND ONLINE, ROME ITALY AND BRISTOL UK. Link with full details: WHY? In Spirit Unbounded we…
Soline Humbert: Pope Francis is wrong to declare female priests a ‘closed question’
Reprinted from The Irish Times Rite and Reason column. Link: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/10/01/pope-francis-is-wrong-to-declare-female-priests-a-closed-question/ Rite & Reason: Many Catholics who do not fit in a patriarchal, hierarchical, model of church feel a deep…
Ecumenical Prayer Vigil: Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby are expected at 5pm (CET)
Pope Francis has invited leaders of Churches from differentdenominations to join him in prayer on September 30 in order toentrust together to the Holy Spirit the work of the 16th OrdinaryGeneral Assembly of the Synod of the Catholic Church. Held in St Peter’s Square, this ecumenical vigil of prayer will be presided by Pope Francis, in the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and many…
ACP AGM 2023 – Tues 7 Nov 2.00-5.00pm Radisson Athlone
Theme: The Last Priests in Ireland – What is Life Like for Them? Speakers: Paddy Byrne, John Dunphy, Julieann Moran and Tim Hazelwood All welcome
Chris McDonnell: Dividing the Seasons
We have nearly reached the month of October, living our way through the Season that the Americans call The Fall, for obvious reasons. Taking a cup of coffee the other…
Séamus Ahearne: “I was a very reluctant priest.”
‘Yet stop I did: In fact I often do and always end much at a loss like this. Wondering what to look for, wondering too, when churches fall completely out…
A note from Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research
Today a British Sunday newspaper The Observer carried an article entitled ‘Alternative Catholic synod to push case for ordination of women priests ‘ in which the background to the Spirit Unbounded movement is reported.‘To underline…