This gathering at the Regency Hotel, Dublin on the May Bank Holiday Monday, was open to all, lay and clergy alike.
After six years of suspension from public ministry, without even the semblance of due process, Tony Flannery writes that “the memories of that time come back clearly, and I know that there is still a residue of hurt, regret and sadness.” ….
“I do actually believe that my Redemptorist superiors, or indeed the Irish bishops, if they really wanted to, could do something in this present very different climate in the Church, to get the sanctions against me lifted, and to restore my good name.
My biggest complaint from the beginning was the unjust and unlawful procedures that were used to judge and condemn me.”
Brendan Hoban speaks out on behalf of diocesan priests who find themselves disenfranchised when new bishops are being chosen and asks if it is right that an appointee of the previous pope should have such crucial decision-making placed in his exclusive hands.
Seamus Ahearne reflects on his parish experience of the Christmas and Epiphany liturgies and muses on the liturgical texts he had to use, the Francis effect, the ACP’s role and how the language and ritual of the Church affect people — or don’t.
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.
Mary McAleese’s book, Quo Vadis, is being launched on Saturday 20 October in Marianella, Orwell Rd, at 12.30pm. Members of the ACP who wish to attend are welcome
