A speech by Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, Sydney, gives food for thought about the future of priesthood in the church.
“…. these vestiges of the Tridentine Model of priesthood are powerful symbols of the clerical class. It is part of the ecclesiology that emphasises the ontological change and separation of the ordained from the faithful. It is a powerful ingredient and ideal condition for the disease of clericalism to fester.
I hold that it is time for this exalted model of priesthood to be consigned to the past. Instead, we must rediscover the specific and full charism of the priesthood within the matrix of the universal priesthood of the faithful. The priesthood cannot be lived fully apart from the community of disciples.”
…..
“If we are to break open the priesthood and allow the ministries of the baptised to flourish, I think we will need to revisit the clerical and patriarchal culture along with its many institutional dynamics such as titles, privileges, customs, structures etc.”.
Brian Eyre, writing from Brazil, outlines his vision of how priesthood may evolve in the (near) future.
Download Tim Hazelwood’s interview with Joe Duffy on Liveline.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/world/australia/australia-catholic-church-child-abuse.html
The New York Times carries an interesting article about a study that examines child sexual abuse worldwide in the Roman Catholic Church that has found the Australian church has done less to safeguard children in its care than its counterparts in similar countries have.
The report, released on Wednesday by the Center for Global Research at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, also found that the church’s requirement that priests be celibate was a major risk factor for abuse.
Songs at Mass (Suggestions) ‘Be Thou my Vision’; ‘Ag Críost an Síol’; ‘Now Thank We All Our God’; ‘Seek ye first….’ Opening Comment God’s ways are not our ways. God’s…
Brian Fahy shares a reflection on counting the blessings of life
Seamus Ahearne writes of “A long weekend of harvesting”;
“I like the extravagance of God. My little eyes and mind are sometimes too small to notice. The Garden of Eden is everywhere – if my dull heart could only see it. What has been brought to the Table of our life? What do we bring to the Table of Life?”
The ACP offers sincere sympathy to our colleague Brendan Hoban and to his extended family on the death of his brother, Seamus.
Sean McDonagh writes about the origins and spread of a form of Sunni Islam called Wahhabism that is having profound effects on world affairs.
Forgiveness is one of the great qualities of Christianity. We are challenged to forgive each other as readily as God forgives us. We celebrate God’s mercy, and ask for the grace to pass it on to those who hurt us.
Seán McDonagh in the wake of recent hurricanes in the Caribbean reminds us of what Pope Francis has said about climate change; “the scientific community has been “clear and precise” in linking human activities to the ongoing climate crisis…..,, Climate change is a “serious matter over which we cannot make jokes.”
James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, and bestselling author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, and Between Heaven and Mirth.
In this article, which he placed on his Facebook page, he describes how a hateful campaign of opposition to him is being waged on social media sites.
He has recently published Building a Bridge, in which he issues an impassioned plea for Catholic leaders to relate to their LGBT flock in a new way, one characterized by compassion and openness.
Pope Francis appointed him to be a Consultor for the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communication.
Killeagh-inch Spiritfest 2017 Friday 22 September Fr Jerry O Hanlon S.J. Topic: The Quiet Revolution of Pope Francis & the Irish catholic Church. (What can we do – Bishops, Priests,…
The Association of Catholic Priests is delighted to welcome the announcement that the Pope has returned the authority over liturgical translations to the conferences of bishops.
Brendan Hoban, writing in the Western People, comments on the factors that may influence the outcome of the proposed referendum on the eight amendment to the constitution.
“In a strange way the vote may break down not in terms of how convincing the arguments are one way or the other but how the debate is conducted by the different protagonists.”
Suggested Songs for Mass: ‘Love is His Word’; ‘Ag Críost an Síol’; ‘This is My Will’; ‘How Great Thou Art’. Opening Comment We gather as God’s family, concerned for each…
Pope Francis gives local bishops more responsibility for Mass translations.
“In order that the renewal of the whole liturgical life might continue, it seemed opportune that some principles handed on since the time of the [Second Vatican] Council should be more clearly reaffirmed and put into practice.”
Seamus Ahearne reflects on current happenings and events and is inspired by them and the ocean’s currents.
“… the core of the Church message is to draw out the goodness and beauty of every person. We have to bring out the best in each other. We have to join as a collective and come ashore hand in hand – fully believing in this Communion. The false divisions of the past have to be cast aside. We need to be fearless in making big and new decisions. Francis is leading the way. Throw caution to the wind! How dare we fail as teachers, as ministers, as people of faith. We cannot settle for less than greatness.”
Sarah Mac Donald reports in the National Catholic Reporter on the recent call by the ACP to pause the introduction of the permanent diaconate in Irish dioceses until the Vatican’s commission on women deacons has concluded its report and Pope Francis has made a decision based on its findings.
Mattie Long sees the newly implemented policy in Kerry diocese about Sunday funerals as a symptom of a problem that is not being confronted in realistic and creative ways.
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