ACI to set up its own website
The ACI Steering Group met on Thursday 15 November 2012.
This meeting focused on:
· A review of the recent General Meeting held on 10 November.
· The establishment of an ACI Website to facilitate communication and membership registration. The Steering Group will be meeting with a number of website designers in the coming weeks to consider the available options.
· The ‘Next Steps’ in terms of the development of the ACI as outlined at the Regency General Meeting. Among the issues discussed was how best to support those around the country who wish to establish local groups to promote reform and renewal in our Church. The Steering Group also addressed the issue of various ‘models’ of organisation structure in the context of the challenge of accommodating different membership categories
The Steering Group would like to express sincere thanks to all who attended the General Meeting on the 10th November, especially those who travelled long distances to be in attendance. The Steering Group would also like to acknowledge the many messages of support received from those around the country who couldn’t be in attendance on the day. The combination of those in attendance in the Regency Hotel on the 10th November coupled with the many messages of support received before and since the General Meeting indicate very significant interest in the work of the ACI and bode well for the future development of the organisation.
I was not able to attend the meeting on the 10th in Dublin but a family member showed me the draft statement of objectives that were endorsed by the gathering. Is it possible to post a copy of the statement to enable like-minded people to share it with a view to maintaining the momentum for change?
In response to Pascal’s request I am posting a copy of the Statement of Objectives below. Please note the ACI email address [aci.ireland@yahoo.com] which can be used to communicate with the ACI Steering Group. Any emails forwarded via this address will be seen only by the Steering Group.
Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI)
Opening Pathways to Communication
Statement of Objectives
The Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) is committed to the pursuit of a reform and renewal agenda in the Irish Catholic Church based on the letter and spirit of Vatican II. We are committed to helping to re-build, through words and deeds, a united Church based on the teachings of Jesus Christ – a Church that is inclusive, compassionate, accepts the equality of all believers, based on baptism, and which acknowledges its failures.
The ACI is committed to the renewal of the Catholic faith in the changed and changing circumstances of the 21st Century and to the reform of the institutional Church which, at this time, is experiencing conflict, crisis, and lack of credibility.
The ACI believes in particular:
• that the Spirit is present in the voices of all the baptised
• in the consequent right of all the baptised to have their voices heard in the formation of Church teaching and to participate fully in the life of the Church, including decision-making at parish, diocesan, national and international levels
• in the need for new and appropriate structures at parish, diocesan, national and international levels to facilitate the full involvement of the baptised lay faithful as co-responsible in the renewal of our faith and the reform of our Church in the 21st Century
The ACI is committed to working collaboratively with all who share these values to bring about:
• a renewed understanding of the primacy of the individual conscience
• the full participation of women in every aspect of the Church
• a recognition of the wisdom of God’s people in the shaping of Catholic teaching, especially in the areas of sexuality, ecumenism and ecology
• justice, in accordance with gospel values, in our Church and society
Membership of the ACI is open to all who share the above objectives.
Email contact: aci.ireland@yahoo.com
Dear Sir,
I spotted an article in the Cork Examiner recently by Claire O’Sullivan regarding the setting up the ACI and including comments by Fr. Peter McVerry to the ACP conference. He articulated all I have been agonising about for the past few years, and so I would be most grateful if you could inform me when a meeting is scheduled for the Cork area.
Many thanks,
Sincerely,
Mary O’Brien
Mary,
Below are the details of the next meeting in Cork scheduled for Sunday the 25th November. I’m sure the local organisers will be delighted to hear from you.
Noel McCann.
[ACI Steering Group]
Invitation to a Forum
Invitation: We, the Faith in Action Group, Ballineaspaig Parish, Dennehy’s Cross, Cork invite you to join with us to address the structures, roles and needs of the Catholic Church at this time, and to discern how we can best move forward and progress the issues which confront us.
Who we are: The Faith in Action Group is a small group which endeavours to take action based on our faith. Increasingly over the past couple of years we have been discussing, among other matters, problems in the Church, and what we might do as responsible members of the Church.
Following on the recent meetings of the Association of Catholic Priests and the Association of Catholics of Ireland, we find ourselves asking What Now?
In the proposed Forum meeting we would like now to focus on the positive, with a view to making progress, innovations and changes where necessary and to crystallise plans to address issues. So we would ask that you would come prepared to share what you see as the most important issues for you, and how you believe they might be addressed. From this sharing we hope to have a clearer view on how to move forward, whether collectively or individually.
Sunday 25th November: 3 – 5pm
in the
Crypt, Dennehy’s Cross Church, Model Farm Road, Cork
Daithi O’hAodha, Chair
RSVP: If possible, please let us know if you intend to participate.
Well done to Noel and his team. I look forward to the website and maybe some communications in the meantime.