The Steering Group which is developing an umbralla group for lay people reports on its work since the All Hallows meeting on 30 May. In a statement, the ACP Leadership Team stated that they ‘are delighted to see this initiative progressing, and forward to having a very fruitful alliance with it’.
A meeting to plan a regional assembly for Munster is being held this Wednesday in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown. All are welcome!
Just three birthdays are celebrated by the Church in the Liturgy each year – that of Jesus at the winter solstice, his mother’s on 8th September and that of his cousin John the Baptist near midsummer’s day. John’s birthday comes just after the longest day of the year, when the light begins to decline — just as Jesus’ birthday is after the shortest day, when days begin to lengthen. The placing of these two feasts summarises John the Baptist’s mission: ‘I must decrease, he must increase.’
A man who suffered sexual abuse from a priest asks the Church to dispense victims of abuse from needing priests to encounter Christ in the sacraments. He shows a minimum of anger, a lot of compassion and immense struggle as he reflects on his complicated relationship with the Church. (Name and address with leadership team of the ACP.)
Maura Adshead wrote on what being a Catholic means to her. This article appeared in the Irish Examiner of 21 June 21 under the heading ‘Why we need to tackle question of what it is to be a Catholic’. Maura Adshead is Senior Lecturer in Politics and Public Administration and Head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Limerick.
Ladislas Orsy SJ, visiting professor of philosophy of law and canon law at Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington DC, is a graduate in law of Oxford and holds a doctorate in canon law from the Gregorian University, Rome. This article was first published, in German, in Stimmen der Zeit, in June 1998. This version appeared in Ireland’s Doctrine and Life in October 1998.
The ACP Leadership team believe it is very apt today, in view of the difficulties some priests are having with the Vatican.
The ACP Leadership call the Dolan Report on the Irish College in Rome “disturbing” and “incompetent”, saying it has effectively destroyed the reputation of priests, without giving them the right of reply. This Press Statement was issued on Friday, 15 June at 3.40pm
An anonymous parishioner in an Irish parish describes the frustrating experience of attempting to get dialogue going in her local parish. The author, who is known to the ACP leadership team, asked for anonymity in case her parish would be identified. She would be interested to know if others have had similar experiences and if there is an answer to her predicament.
In his address to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin speaks on the theme of ‘The Church in the Modern World’. He gives us further insights into his understanding of the notion of ‘dialogue’ , both within the Church and with the ‘world’.
The ACP Leadership Team has criticised Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin for speaking of dialogue but not pursuing it
Brendan Hoban and Tony Flannery from the ACP leadership team both attended the recent information meeting held in Cavan for Kilmore priests, a new departure for the ACP. They found what they call “a remarkably positive attitude towards the Association” among Kilmore priests.
Fr James Martin SJ posted this ‘Prayer for Frustrated Catholics’ on 6 June 2012 on the group blog of America magazine:
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=5169
(posted here by Pádraig McCarthy)
Pádraig McCarthy collates comments on the Irish Times series on ‘Catholicism Now’ in the week beginning 2 June.
He writes: ‘So far, I’ve found nothing surprising, except where they’ve got it wrong. Here are a few comments, maybe useful if it comes up in discussion. The Irish Times is not good at accepting and publishing corrections. Your relevant comments welcome. — Pádraig McCarthy.
This is a report of the ‘umbrella group’ meeting in All Hallows on Wednesday, May 30th, submitted by Noel McCann. The ACP Leadership Team adds: ‘We in the ACP are delighted with this development, and look forward to working closely with the new association.’
Three groups in the Church need specific attention from the new “umbrella group” formed at the All Hallows meeting: the general laity, the herarchy and the priests (via the ACP), writes Martin Murray. He reflects on the meetings in the Regency Hotel and All Hallows, and suggests some ways forward.
We celebrate Trinity Sunday today. The feast gives us an opportunity to reflect on the mystery of God, who creates, redeems and makes us holy.
A group of English priests recently issued a Call to Action, which was published in The Tablet.
• The ACP Leadership Team wish them every success in their initiative, and look forward to working closely with them.
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