Belgian Catholics call for Reform
A new movement in Belgium: Click to read
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Setting us on our way
Brian Fahy muses on what has changed in church, and what church should be … “A place that gathers you in to bless you and encourage you, and that then points out the road to you, the road of your life that you are encouraged to walk, until you reach God’s holy mountain.
We need a Church like that, to gather us in, to fire our hearts and to set us on our way.”Accentuate the Positive
Seamus Ahearne takes a look at current happenings and decides that we should ‘Accentuate the Positive’.
“never mind what has happened or is happening or how church people are characterised – we still are missioned and graced by God. We need to believe in ourselves. We need to get on with life. We may age. We may not have replacements. But faith goes on. God goes on. The sun still rises. The daffodils still fight their way out of the ground and are heard and seen despite the bad weather. Why can’t we do the same? Get on with it. “
Seamus also confirms that he won’t be the next Archbishop of Dublin!The Gift of Snow
Seamus Ahearne uses the storm enforced break to reflect on the happenings in parish life.
“the Snow has stopped us in our tracks. Anything and everything that wakes up our minds and helps us look again at life, is a gift. “‘Priests should be allowed to marry’ – Cardinal Keith O’Brien
In a BBC interview, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, speaks of the need for a debate on priestly celibacy. And he believes it may be time for a pope from the developing world.
The Plank in my Eye
Brian Fahy, inspired by the Gospel of the day, reflects on his earlier life and choices that were made. A very apt reflection in the context of our ongoing debate about the wellbeing of priests.
“We are blind to so many things in life, both individuals and organisations. I can see the failings in others easily. I stand outside them and my view is unhindered. But it is not easy to see my own failings or funny ways. We need some distance in order to get some perspective on ourselves. I can look back at my thirty year- old self and see exactly what was going on. At the time I could not see any of this.”Church faces ‘huge wake up call’
Noel Baker reports in the Irish Examiner on the The Irish Examiner / ICMSA Farming Poll that brought to light the latest views and opinions on religion and the priesthood among the farming community.
Taken among what is regarded as a very traditional group (69% of the respondents said they attended Mass every week), 82% of respondents agreed that priests should be allowed to marry.
Regarding the ordination of women 70% of those aged 34 and under supported such a move, but a higher percentage of older farmers backed the idea of women priests, from 75% of those aged over 65, to 87% of those aged 55 to 64. While 82% of men supported the idea of women priests, 76% of women were in favour.Sean McDonagh commented “The most interesting thing is here are lay people and people of faith seeing that the present rules are not functioning and want to see a change to allow it to function better,”
The survey certainly shows a hierarchy with views at total odds with the laity.
Archbishop Brown, Papal Nuncio, said “allowing serving priests to marry or allowing women priests would not be following the Catholic tradition.”