The prophets of doom have got their answer!
James Martin SJ gives an enthusiastic welcome to Pope Francis’ letter on “The Joy of the Gospel”. First published in America: read original article and comments here
Year: 2013
Read Paul Vallely’s book about Pope Francis — it will change your life
Brendan Hoban reviews Untying the Knots by Paul Vallely, the celebrated biography of Pope Francis (first published in the Western People, 24 November 2013)
English-speaking bishops should learn from their German counterparts
William Grimm believes that the large majority of priests are unhappy with the new English translation of the Missal. He suggests that bishops should make the 1998 translation available, and allow their priests to use it — imitating the robust approach of the German bishops.
Clogher ACP group discusses Brendan Hoban’s article on Priesthood
Jimmy McPhillips reports on the recent Clogher ACP meeting, which took Brendan Hoban’s Furrow article as its theme. (Read his article here.)
Presider’s Page for 1st Sunday of Advent (1 December)
The season of Advent begins today. During the next 24 days we will look forward in hope. We will watch for the end times, when Christ will come in glory — Christ whose birthday we will celebrate very soon.
Will church leaders rise to the challenge of Pope Francis?
Tony Flannery rejoices in the difference Pope Francis is making in the Church, but fears that local church leadership may not have the capacity to implement the change the pope wishes for.
Dialogue within the Irish Church may flow from Pope Francis’ leadership
Sean O’Conaill gives a layman’s response to Evangelii gaudium. He hopes that the decentralisation that Pope Francis encourages might overcome ‘deeply embedded Irish clericalism’
With Pope Francis, something is stirring….
Pat Moore reacts to Pope Francis’ letter, asking if Francis is allowing Christianity to reinvent itself in and through him — at a time when the adventure seems to have gone out of Christianity.
Pope Francis publishes his first letter: ‘The Joy of the Gospel’
The ACP Leadership Team share this brief summary of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Evangelii gaudium, published on 26 November 2013 (taken from the Vatican Information Service).
Presider’s Page for Sun 24 November (Christ the King)
Catholics celebrate the feast of Christ the King this Sunday, remembering that our king’s life ended on a cross. Today we worship this wounded and resurrected God, who promises us a place in Paradise.
Some Irish media commentators love their Church ‘not wisely but too well’
Brendan Hoban takes issue with Breda O’Brien and David Quinn’s praise for Pope Benedict and dismissal of Pope Francis. He finds their evidence of green shoots in the Irish Church unconvincing (first published in the Western People, 18 November 2013).
Tony Flannery’s book is courageous and important
David O’Neill, a retired lecturer in theology in the UK (and former Augustinian priest) reviews Tony Flannery’s book, A Question of Conscience
What disenchants the Irish diocesan clergy
Brendan Hoban lists sources of disenchantment in the Irish diocesan clergy — and suggests what might enchant them (first published in The Furrow, November 2013).
Presider’s Page for Sun. 17 November (33rd Sunday)
The readings this bleak November Sunday focus on the end of the world — though we are also reassured that people of faith have nothing to fear.
ACI and ACP member Ger Gleeson has died
Adrian Egan CSsR reports the unexpected death of Ger Gleeson, one of our website’s regular contrubuters.
Presider’s Page for Sun. 10 November (32nd Sunday)
At this time of remembrance, our dead are often in our minds. Today’s readings challenge us to believe in eternal life after death. We worship God who sustains us in this life and promises us a share in the resurrection.
ACP report on Yvonne Murphy investigation published
About eighteen months ago some priests of Dublin Archdiocese approached the ACP Leadership with the proposal that a study of Judge Yvonne Murphy’s Investigation of Clerical Child Abuse in the Archdiocese be conducted.
Retired High Court Judge from Hong Kong, Mr. Fergal Sweeney, was commissioned to do this work.
We here publish his report:
Commissions of Investigation and Procedural Fairness Report (40 pages, PDF)
In conjunction with this, Fr. Padraig McCarthy of the Archdiocese has just published a book on the same subject. This does not duplicate Fergal Sweeney’s work but includes further areas of analysis of the Murphy Report. Padraig’s book, An Unheard Story (published by Londubh) will be available in most bookshops.
Leadership Team: UPDATE
Presenting: a brief profile of the three new members of the ACP Leadership Team, and an update on the original team members.
Synod preparatory document is now available to all
The Leadership Team of the ACP share the latest document from the Vatican, in preparation for the Synod on the F amily to be held in 2014. This contains a questionnaire that is meant to be widely circulated. The principal document, the Lineamenta, which includes the questionnaire, is now available as a PDF file on the Dublin diocesan website
Presider’s Page for Sun. 3 November (31st Sunday)
Zacchaeus is the star of today’s Gospel, the man who has been called ‘everybody’s favourite underdog’. Zacchaeus took Jesus at his word and changed his life. We worship God, whose mercy for all people never fails.
Select a category in the sidebar for more posts
Select a category in the sidebar for more posts