Author: Mattie Long

Statement by ACP on Women’s Equality being Essential for our Church

Soline Humbert writes about the forthcoming launch of What Happened to Fr Seán Fagan? by Angela Hanley, Columba Press, on Thursday 03 October at 6:30 pm, at The Milestone Gallery,Glasnevin Cemetery,Dublin 9.
Soline says, “It is a great credit to Angela Hanley that she is able to write about such painful matters in a clear, measured and informative way. Under her pen Seán Fagan is given back the spirituality, humanity and dignity which the CDF had sought to deny him. His lifetime pastoral dedication to lifting burdens from people’s backs is given proper recognition.”

Paddy Ferry draws our attention to a story that is carried in newwaysministry.org about Fr. James Alison, his suspension by the Congregation for Clergy and the “extraordinary mercy” of a phone call from Pope Francis.

The Association of Catholic Priests will host a public meeting on
Women and the Church on Saturday 05 October 2019 at 2.00 p.m. in DCU, Dublin

Speakers: Sharon Tighe-Mooney and Mary McAleese (in an interview with Gerry O’Connor cssr)
All welcome

Brendan Hoban, in the Western People, writing about ‘Synodality’ says that “The truth is that there is a split, a clear divide, opening up in the Catholic Church between those who realise that ‘synodality’ (clergy and laity working together rather than clergy dominating laity) is the way forward and those who want things to remain as they were.”

Seamus Ahearne encourages all of us to share more of our thoughts and opinions on our ACP website.
” In some ways, no one should be let into priesthood unless they can use words, speak up/out, and write. The routine of each day, challenges us to write.”

Chris McDonnell, writing in the Catholic Times, uses his UK perspective on Brexit to reflect on those who are faced with a crisis of conscience.

Association of Catholics in Ireland in a press release call on Irish bishops to consider Lumen Gentium 37 at their autumn meeting on October 1st.

Thomas Reese SJ in the National Catholic Reporter gives an insight into the significance of the recent appointments of ten new Cardinal electors by Pope Francis.

Tim Hazelwood draws our attention to Spiritfest 2020.
The opening is an interesting talk by Dr. Marie Keenan on ‘Restorative Justice – Learning to Move On and Heal’

“The Women the Vatican Couldn’t Silence”
Mary McAleese and Sr. Joan Chittister in conversation at 2.00pm on Saturday, 02 November, 2019 in Trinity College Dublin.
We are Church Ireland are celebrating the awarding of Europe’s most prestigious Alfons Auer prize for Ethics to Mary McAleese!

With the fires burning in the Amazon We Are Church look forward to seeing you at our next meeting with Sr Nellie McLaughlin who is a passionate environmentalist!
Venue: Mercy International Centre, 64A Baggot Street, Dublin 2
Time: 7.30pm to 9.15pm
Date: Monday 09 September 2019

Brendan Hoban in the current edition of Studies gives an honest assessment of the current state of the Church in Ireland and says “that ongoing change is now a permanent reality for the Catholic Church”. Brendan also posits a possible way forward based on the reality of the situation but reminds us that by rejecting the reality of change we are “by extension, rejecting the possibility of reshaping a different church.”
Our thanks to the Editor of Studies, Bruce Bradley SJ, for permission to publish this article on our website.

Tim Hazelwood in responding to a letter from his bishop to all priests in the diocese asks “As regards this conversation about “the way forward” I am wondering why this conversation should only take place among priests? Should not any discussions involve all affected parties? Would this not be an ideal time for a diocesan synod, as Pope Francis recommends, where all Bishop, priests, laity work together to plan a way forward?

Fr Peter Daly wrote recently in the National Catholic Reporter about problems he sees that arise as a result of the church’s position on mandatory celibacy for priests of the Latin Rite.

“Celibacy is not essential to Catholic priesthood. It is only mandated in two of the 24 “autonomous churches” in communion with Rome; the Latin Rite and the Ethiopian Rite….. At least seven popes were married…..There was even a father and son pope combination, Pope Hormisdas (514-523) who was father to Pope Silverius, (536-537)…..Today we have many married priests in the Roman (Latin) Rite who have come to us from the Anglican or Lutheran traditions. ….. If they can be married, why not others?
The practice and teaching of the church on priestly celibacy has been inconsistent and incoherent. But, most important of all, Jesus did not mandate celibacy.” 

The Sunday reading from Ecclesiastes inspires Seamus Ahearne to reflect on current issues.

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.”