Year: 2016

Brendan Hoban writing in the Western People wonders if any lessons have been learned from the Maynooth debacle.

Maynooth seminary is still grabbing headlines.
Tony Flannery, on his own website, gives a frank opinion of the most recent proposals put forward by the trustees. “Are these men serious? Do they expect this effort at very traditional regimentation, and equally traditional spirituality, to solve the problems they believe existed?”
Brian Eyre, commenting from the remove of Brazil, sees merit in a proposal that “a subcommittee of lay people, families and “especially the presence of women” will be introduced as part of priestly formation”.
Meanwhile Cindy Wooden, writing in America Magazine, reports on Pope Francis speaking in Krakow about the training of seminarians. Pope Francis is reported as saying “too many seminaries teach students a rigid list of rules that make it difficult or impossible for them as priests to respond to the real-life situation of those who come to them seeking guidance.” and “”We need to truly understand this: in life not all is black on white or white on black,” he said. “The shades of grey prevail in life. We must them teach to discern in this gray area.”
Perhaps Maynooth’s trustees should consult Pope Francis?

John Shea, like many others, is seeking explanations about the church’s stance on the ordination of women. He continues to request bishops and others to engage in discussion on the topic.
For newer readers we again carry copies of his letters in the hope of stimulating further discussion.
“Is it already too late to talk about the search for truth? Is skewed patriarchal thinking the best we can bring? Are historical explanations the same as theological explanations? Is a folk theory of gender the essence of revelation? Was Jesus wonderfully patriarchal? Is the past prologue or is it meant to be an endless present of male superiority and privilege?”

Paddy O’Kane writes a personal appreciation of the late Edward Daly, bishop of Derry from 1974 to 1993. Paddy refers to Edward Daly’s outspoken views on the topic on mandatory celibacy for priests. He quotes Edward Daly from his book ‘A Troubled See.’
“I ask myself, more and more why celibacy should be the great sacred and unyielding arbiter, the paradigm of the diocesan priesthood. Why not prayerfulness, conviction in the faith, knowledge of the faith, ability to communicate in the modern age, honesty, integrity, humility, a commitment to social justice, a work ethic, respect for others, compassion and caring?
Surely many of these qualities are as at least as important in a diocesan priest as celibacy – yet celibacy seems to be perceived as the predominant obligation …”

Soline Humbert, writing in the Irish Times, states that the problems of Maynooth, and all seminaries, go far beyond what has been spoken of in recent times and in a challenging article argues that “Seminaries perpetuate the unjust rule of men over women in the church”.
However as “patriarchal hierarchical structures die, new communities and ministries are born, witnesses that, in the risen Christ, there is no longer male and female. We are one.”

Brendan Hoban, writing in the Western People, feels that many have missed the true historic significance of the commission, established by Pope Francis, to examine the issue of the ordination of women as deacons .
“Leaving aside the ordination issue it has been obvious for years that women could have been involved at a much higher level in church affairs but that they were systematically excluded by an unapologetic sexist mentality in the Vatican.”

“The cat is out of the bag. By establishing the commission and outlining its remit, Francis has effectively opened up the issue of women’s ordination for discussion, even though a few short years ago his two predecessors tried ‘definitively’ to close that discussion down. A few short years ago we weren’t even allowed to think about women’s ordination. Now the Catholic Church is officially considering the ordination of women deacons.
August 2, 2016 may well be remembered as a crucial day in the history of Catholicism.”

In the wake of the controversy aroused by Archbishop Martin’s comments about his decision to transfer the three Dublin diocesan students from Maynooth Seán McDonagh wrote in the Irish Independent last week to express his surprise and disappointment at the issues that exercise and energise some of our bishops and most of the media.
“nobody mentioned three of the most significant documents of the modern Church – The Joy of the Gospel, Laudato Si’ : On Care For Our Common Home and The Joy of Love. These are pivotal documents in the modern Church and yet, they were missing for the debate.
I look forward to the day when the media – if they are genuinely interested in the future of the Irish Church- will afford the same time, interest and energy to discussing the latter as they have to this week’s Maynooth story. “
Perhaps we could apply that wish for the media to church as well and even to commentary on our website!