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ACP members in Cork county gather

Priests from Cork & Ross and from Cloyne Diocese gathered at Ovens Parish Centre for their ACP meeting on 29 January – including some who had not come to a such a meeting before.
Fr Oliver Brennan from Armagh diocese was our guest speaker – he spoke movingly of his horrendous experience in being removed from his parish (with just five hours notice) on foot of an allegation, with the PSNI clearance coming relatively quickly within a year, and the archdiocesan permission to return to ministry following painstakingly slowly. The coldness of his treatment by church authorities made an impression.
Attendees asked questions, shared experiences and commented on his story.
Members suggested that the ACP prepare a manual for priests, a useful reference in case of such an allegation. They also felt we need to be mindful of each other, and particularly sensitive to anyone who finds himself out of ministry on foot of an allegation.
Also on the agenda was the proposal for a meeting between the ACP locally and the Priests’ Council. This was not seen as a productive option by members (one commented that the priests council ‘is a place where good ideas go to die’) so instead it was agreed to invite both our bishops to a future ACP meeting.
The meeting heard reports on the AGM in Dublin and on the local ‘Towards an Assembly’ meeting in Little Island and follow-up meetings in a Dennehys Cross and Blarney parishes. Fr Tony Flannery’s difficulties with the CDF were mentioned and members agreed to a message of support for Tony.
ACP menbers paid their annual subs and new members were registered also. Email addresses were noted for communication about future meetings.

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Nurturing the roots

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1 Comment

Siobhán Larkin is a Holy Faith Sister who worked in New Zealand; she has lectured in All Hallows and has recently completed her Doctorate.
In this article she kindly shares some of the conclusions that she has drawn from her research.
Her thesis “puts the spot light on work that is being done by many committed lay people and suggests that education of this group in particular is imperative if this strong force within the Catholic Church is to be maintained and expanded.”
“the renewal of the Church in Ireland is most likely to begin at grass roots level, and that it is in the renewal of parish life that the sense of belonging to the community of the Church will be revived.”
“Official recognition of the place of lay people in ministry roles in Ireland is essential……. At national and diocesan level it is essential that ways of financing the education of adult lay people, particularly those who are undertaking significant roles, is found.”

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