Statement of the Winter 2025 General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference

Members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered this week for their Winter 2025 General Meeting.  The President of the Conference is Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, and the Vice-President is Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin. 

Link: https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2025/12/11/statement-of-the-winter-2025-general-meeting-of-the-irish-bishops-conference/

Bishops reflected that, earlier this week on 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Universal Catholic Church marked the 60^thanniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, a key event that has provided the compass for the Church over the past sixty years.  The Council lasted three years and involved four sessions between 1962 and 1965.  It was a remarkable occasion for the over 2,000 bishops gathered, discerning what God was calling the Church to do at that time in history, just a few short years after World War II with a new world emerging full of political and social, technological and cultural developments.  In a sense, the Second Vatican Council was a synod on a large scale.  It still provides key directions for the Church’s mission today.  Bishops noted that the current Irish Synodal Pathway finds its theological roots in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.

Issues discussed by the bishops during their meeting included:

• Welcome for Pope Leo XIV’s publication of In Unitate Fidei (In the Unity of Faith)
• Bishops encourage participation in online survey on local schools
• Safeguarding
• Peace Process
• Irish Synodal Pathway
• Closing of 2025 Jubilee Year celebration of the Holy Year of Hope
• Trócaire Christmas campaign for children in conflict
• Care for Creation conference on 17 January 2026
• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18 – 25 January 2026
• Father Michael Shortall announced as President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth 
• Advent 2025 – the season of hope and preparation
• In Memoriam

Statement:

• Welcome for Pope Leo XIV’s publication of In Unitate Fidei (In the Unity of Faith)

Bishops welcomed the publication, on 23 November, of the Apostolic Letter of the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, In Unitate Fidei (In the Unity of Faith), on the 1,700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.   The Nicene Creed that came from it.  The Creed is a prayer that Christians agree on and affirm together, across denomination and tradition, around the world and have done so for the last 1700 years.

Bishops said, “Shortly before his recent apostolic journey to Turkey, and in the context of the commemoration of the 1,700^th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine I in the city of Nicaea (in modern Turkey), Pope Leo issued an Apostolic Letter In Unitate Fidei, on the Creed that emerged from that Council.  The Creed states that the Son of God is ‘begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.’  He is ‘God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.’  Bishops encourage reading Pope Leo’s helpful document that is broken down into twelve points and aimed at encouraging the whole Church to renew her enthusiasm for the profession of faith.  In November, the Irish Inter-Church Meeting in Dromantine, Co Down, explored the theme of the Creed from the perspectives of various churches. 

In his Apostolic Letter, Pope Leo noted how the Creed is the common heritage of Christians, deserving to be professed and understood in ever new and relevant ways. He also commented on how the Nicene Creed, fruit of a collaborative approach at a time of tensions regarding doctrine, is a model of unity in legitimate diversity and so provides a basis and reference point for the ecumenical journey. It encourages us today to engage in “an ecumenism that looks to the future, that seeks reconciliation through dialogue as we share our gifts and spiritual heritage”. In his Letter, Pope Leo observes that the Nicene Creed “does not depict a distant, inaccessible and immovable God” but rather “a God who is close to us and accompanies us on our journey in the world, even in the darkest places on earth”. Indeed, Pope Leo remarks, God’s immensity “is revealed when he makes himself small, laying aside his infinite majesty to become our neighbour in the little ones and in the poor. This revolutionizes pagan and philosophical conceptions of God”.

• Bishops encourage participation in online survey on local schools 

In their role as patrons of Catholic schools, bishops encouraged participation in the online survey on primary school choice, which has been launched on gov.ie by the Department of Education and Youth, stating, “The Department’s survey measuring choice of school ethos is about the future of each localprimary school.  In effect, this is a local survey that will effect local parents and local communities.  Catholic education is about nurturing the whole child – mind, body, and spirit – in an environment where every child is valued and included.  We encourage all members of school communities, who are eligible to respond to the Department’s survey, to do so before its closing date of 16 December.  It is important that all those who wish for a Catholic and sacramental education for their children, to make their wishes known so that proper planning for future educational provision can take place.”

• Safeguarding

Bishops confirmed that the annual Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors will take place on Friday 20 February 2026, the first Friday in Lent.  Work will now commence on preparations for resources for the day which will be distributed to all dioceses across Ireland in advance.  

• Peace Process 

Bishops prayed for peace in Ireland and around the world, stating, “We welcome the publication this week of the Northern Ireland police investigation known as Operation Kenova.  This provides a public acceptance of the role of representatives of the British State in many deaths and injuries.  We hope that this report will help Northern Ireland find ways to deal with the legacy of the past.  In dealing with the pain resulting from the conflict, it remains vital that victims and their families remain at the heart of the reconciliation process.  This publication marks one more chapter in seeking a fuller understanding of the role of British State representatives and paramilitary organisations.”

• Irish Synodal Pathway 

Bishops discussed the progress of the Irish Synodal Pathway and welcomed regional meetings with Diocesan Synodal Teams, held in early December, and reflected on how these have helped to clarify the upcoming period of preparation for the National Synodal Assembly in October 2026.

Bishops formally reviewed and approved the terms of reference for the new ‘Working Groups’ that will guide national and diocesan reflection on the seven priorities that have been identified for the Church in Ireland: Belonging, Co-responsibility & Lay Ministry; Family; Formation & Catechesis; Healing; Women; and Youth; that, have emerged from the consultation.  Throughout their deliberations, bishops emphasised that each priority must be understood through the lens of baptism, reaffirming the centrality of the preparatory document Baptised and Sent as a theological and pastoral foundation.

To support this renewed phase of work, bishops welcomed the National Synodal Team’s efforts to gather a range of contributors around each priority, including those with pastoral experience at parish and diocesan levels or local level, national representatives from relevant ministries, members of the Synodal Team, and individuals offering theological, pastoral, scriptural, or canonical expertise.  This approach is intended to strengthen collaboration and ensure that local wisdom informs the national process.

Looking ahead, bishops discussed the structure and duration of the National Assembly, considering several possibilities from a one-day gathering to a full-weekend format, to enable timely planning and venue arrangements. They also reviewed the developing Lenten resource, Baptised and Sent in Lent, to be launched on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord – 11 January 2026 and its role in preparing dioceses and parishes for both Lent 2026 and the upcoming Assembly.

In preparation for the Assembly, bishops encouraged dioceses and groups to identify actions already emerging from the seven priorities, renew existing initiatives in a synodal spirit, consider piloting programmes, and gather examples of good practice so that local insights continue to enrich the national discernment.

• Closing of 2025 Jubilee Year celebration of the Holy Year of Hope

Over the past year, the Universal Church has been celebrating a Jubilee Year, a celebration that is marked by Catholics every 25 years, commemorating, with joy, the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus Christ.  The Jubilee Year began on Christmas Eve 2024, with the late Pope Francis choosing as its theme ‘Hope’ (from Hope does not disappoint, Romans 5:5).  

Bishop reflected, “Throughout this Jubilee Year of Hope there have been many grace filled and successful events, fruitful reflection and much prayer on the virtue of hope.  This year has been a great source of renewal and enrichment of the faith of pilgrim people.  Many pilgrimages were organised locally, nationally and internationally, the most significant being the World Youth Day gathering in summer in Rome with over a million young people participating.  Universal Jubilee Year celebrations that enjoyed particular support from Ireland included the:

• Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel, in February
• Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly, over May and June
• Jubilee of Priests, in June
• Pilgrimage to Rome of teachers from Ireland, UK and Denmark, in July
• Jubilee of Youth, over July and August
• Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers, in July
• Jubilee of Consolation, in September
• Jubilee of Synodal Teams and participatory bodies, in October
• Jubilee of Prisoners, which will be marked this weekend in the Vatican, Ireland and around the world.

“We invite parishes and dioceses across Ireland to mark the closing of the Jubilee Year on Sunday, 28 December, the Feast of the Holy Family.  Pope Leo will formally conclude the Holy Year on the Feast of the Epiphany, 6 January 2026, which the Solemn Closing of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.”

• Trócaire Christmas campaign for children in conflict

Bishops expressed their support for Trócaire’s Christmas 2025 campaign, which addresses the theme: ‘Children Caught in Conflict’.  The campaign highlights the devastating impact of war on children – and on their urgent needs – in Gaza, Somalia, Ukraine, and Sudan.  Donations, to trocaire.org, are encouraged from the public to provide emergency aid such as food, clean water, hygiene kits, and to support long-term programmes that support communities dealing with conflict.

• Care for Creation conference on 17 January 2026

Bishops prayed for the success of the upcoming Care for Creation conference themed, Let Justice Flow Like Rivers, to be hosted by the Irish Inter-Church Meeting, the Irish Council of Churches and the Church leaders.  The conference will be held on 17 January 2026 in Canal Court Hotel, Newry, Co Down, from 10.00am to 3.30pm.  Keynote speakers will be Dr Hillary Marlow, Girton College, Cambridge; Dr Jim McAdam, an environmental and agricultural researcher in the Government sector in Northern Ireland and Queens University, Belfast, and, Dr Gail Heffner, author of Reconciliation in a West Michigan Watershed.  Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1870086843089?aff=oddtdtcreator

• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18 – 25 January 2026 

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an important time for the Church to reflect on the progress being made on the ecumenical journey.  The forthcoming Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, from 18 to 25 January 2026, marks this annual occasion for prayer, reflection and dialogue on the journey towards that unity which Christ himself prayed (John 17:21-23), with the theme: ‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling’ (Ephesians 4:4).  Over recent decades much progress has been made in building friendships, relationships and reconciliation along that pathway. 

The resources for the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been themed and written by the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is recognized as one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, and are available on Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Dioceses and parishes are encouraged to utilise these resources at Masses and other moments of prayer during this special week, and in various inter-Church events which are being organised locally. 

• Father Michael Shortall announced as President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth 

Bishops welcomed the decree from the Dicastery for Culture and Education confirming the appointment of Rev Dr Michael Shortall, a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin, as the new President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.  Bishops offered prayers for Father Shortall in his new leadership role.  Saint Patrick’s opened as an educational institution in 1795 as the National Seminary, becoming a Pontifical University in 1896.  Since then, Saint Patrick’s has established for itself a reputation for scholarship and learning.  The Pontifical University and National Seminary are often referred to as Maynooth College.  Today, as a Pontifical University, Saint Patrick’s specialises in theology, philosophy and related areas.

• Advent 2025 – the season of hope and preparation

Bishops said, “Our Advent journey is a time of patient waiting and joyful hope.  As we look forward to the celebration of Christmas 2025, we pray, and encourage all to pray, to the Lord for an end to wars across the globe and for justice and peace to reign in our uncertain world.  We remember, most of all, the innocent, as they suffer most in terms of death, injury, hunger and displacement.  The coming of Christ brought light into a darkened world, ‘a light that darkness could not overpower’ – and we earnestly pray for light at this time.”

Digital Advent 2025 calendar on catholicbishops.ie
2025 marks the twelfth-year of the digital Advent calendar, a popular resource for families, schools and parishes available on the homepage of catholicbishops.ie.  During the four weeks of Advent, the themes of love, joy, peace and hope are being highlighted with personal content contributed from staff of agencies of the Bishops’ Conference, of the Church’s safeguarding office, and the overseas development agency, Trócaire.  The calendar is available on catholicbishops.ie

• In Memoriam

Bishops prayed for the repose of the soul of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy RIP, who passed into Eternal Life on 3 November.  Along with Brother Kevin Crowley OFMCap RIP, who died on 2 July, Sister Stan, a Religious Sister of Charity, always placed the needs of people living in poverty in Ireland as her greatest concern.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse.

ENDS