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
06 Dec 2023 – Wednesday of Advent, Week 1
06 Dec 2023 – Wednesday of Advent, Week 1 Optional Memorial: St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (Turkey), patron of Russia, sailors, pawnbrokers and children. 1st Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10 “God will wipe away the tears from all faces.” — a Messianic vision of the final age. On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for...
Read MorePresider’s Page for 10 December (Second Sunday of Advent)
John the Baptist is the focus of the liturgy on the Second Sunday of Advent each year. His challenge to us to ‘prepare a way for the Lord’ is at the heart of the Advent message. We worship the one who will surely come to us.
Following Seán O’Conaill’s article on “The Myth of Redemptive Violence”, Pádraig McCarthy urges us to read “The War Prayer” by Mark Twain
Mark Twain (1835-1910) addressed the “myth of redemptive violence” in “The War Prayer”, written probably in 1904-1905, in response to the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. It was rejected…
Seán O’Conaill: Sir Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’
This latest historical movie shows only the potential of its subject to undermine the Hollywood myth of redemptive violence, according to Sean O’Conaill. The actor Joaquin Phoenix was 48 in…
Micheál O’Siadhail: Desire
A 30% discount is available on this book until the end of the month. Use discount code provided for Europe or USA. For US/CAN: Use code 17AARSBL23 at baylorpress.com receive…
Synodal Pathway: Irish Bishops at the Synod in Rome – Report from Bishops Brendan Leahy and Alan McGuckian
Report from Bishops Brendan and Alan Bishops Brendan Leahy (Limerick Diocese) Alan McGuckian (Raphoe Diocese) “women involved in decision-making is an area for exploration and action…” Bishops Alan McGuckian and…
Chris McDonnell: Remembering a decade
We tend to chunk periods of time into decades and identify them by some defining characteristic. Depending on our age (and memory) it only takes a few pointers for a…
Pope’s participation in COP28 Summit cancelled at doctors’ request
The Director of the Holy See Press Office says Pope Francis’ physicians have asked him not to undertake his scheduled journey to Dubai to participate in the COP28 Summit, and…
Fr Tadhg Furlong RIP
The death has occurred of Rev. Tadhg Furlong Cappawhite, Tipperary Rev. Tadhg Furlong PP (Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary) November 27th 2023 unexpectedly at his residence. Predeceased by his parents Thomas and…
Presider’s Page for 3 December (First Sunday of Advent B)
Advent begins today; the season is at its shortest this year. During these first two weeks, the Church focuses on the end of time, when Christ will come in glory. Then, for the last week of Advent, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Euronews: A Catholic crisis: why priests in Ireland are fading into history and not being replaced
In what was one of Europe’s most religious countries, mass attendance has dropped severely, Irish priests find themselves working far past retirement age, and only a small number of apprentices…