Month: July 2019

Seamus Ahearne advises “Pause, contemplate, give thanks and enter into real Communion. Allow the unexpected to happen.”

Chris McDonnell in a recent article in the Catholic Times comments on the role of the prophet in our church.
“Prophets exist in our time, they tell the story of what is and of what it might become. They do so fully aware of the consequences of speaking out, knowing that they will be ostracized and derided. For love for the Church, their home, they suffer the loneliness of rejection.”

Sarah Mac Donald writes in the National Catholic Reporter about how research of Artifacts show that early church women served as clergy.
“New research recently unveiled in Rome suggests women had a greater role in the early church’s ministries and liturgies than previously thought and were present at church altars as deacons, priests and even bishops.
Ally Kateusz, research associate at the Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research, presented her findings July 2 to the International Society of Biblical Literature, drawing on iconography from ancient Christian art.”

America magazine reports on the appointment by Pope Francis of seven women to be full members of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Brendan Hoban, writing in The Western People, expresses disappointment with An Taoiseach for his comments in the Dáil.
“While many people admire Leo Varadkar for his ability and, not least for the new Ireland that’s being created under his watch, as I do, it was disappointing that in the Dáil chamber he descended to the mocking and stereo-typing of Catholic priests…”

Seamus Ahearne is not getting too worked up about recent comments made by An Taoiseach about priests, but does offer a whispered bit of advice.
“This is a great life. The life of priesthood. It is full of humour and fun and grace and beauty.  We are privileged. And it is delightful.  You can use us in any way you wish.”

Chris McDonnell writes in the Catholic Times about the urgency of the cry from the depths about the future of our church.
“Current critics have rocked the complacency of many priests and laity who simply prefer not to think of failure within the church. They still occupy a Church of peace and tranquillity that is the stuff of false memory. That is why the urgency to change is not recognized. The first stimulus  to begin reform is a recognition that current circumstances cry out with the urgency of a wounded child.”