Women’s Ordination Worldwide (WOW) celebrates the feast of St. Mary Magdalene (July 22) with the launch of Dr. Annette Esser’s beautiful original painting, “Longing for the Sun of Justice.” The painting symbolizes women’s calling to priesthood, not granted by men in the church, but through Christ.
Pádraig McCarthy draws attention to a series of articles in the NCR. “On the National Catholic Reporter website this week, beginning 17 July, is ‘a series of stories that will challenge our readers to look at the scandal of sexual abuse of minors by clergy from several different viewpoints: from the perspective of a victim/survivor, from the perspective of a convicted offender, from the perspective of a family member of a victim, and from the perspective of professional advocates and watchdogs.’ “
Brendan Hoban, writing in the Western People, says that while it’s good that there is now some recognition of the huge crisis facing the Irish church due to a lack of priests it is past time to take action.
.”Regularly now, in what used to be a listing of priests’ changes in June, we have a listing of parishes who no longer will have a resident priest but will be serviced by a priest in an adjoining parish. Unless something practical is done, that will keep happening until there’s only one priest left with a helicopter trying to cover funerals, weddings and baptisms over several parishes leaving most churches in a diocese without Mass, Sunday or weekday.”
Brian Fahy offers some thoughts based on the parable of the sower and some Irish ‘terms of engagement’.
We gather as pilgrims on a journey, asking God to keep us steadfast until we reach our eternal home. In the Spirit, let us worship God who cares for us according to our needs.
Seamus Ahearne reflects on a recent meeting with some 60 of his fellow Augustinians and on the day to day happenings in his parish and community. “there is still a ladder going up to the heavens. Angels still ascend and descend. God is in this place. And sometimes we don’t sing and dance and laugh and enjoy it as if we knew. The dour Church is not an ambassador for Christ. The clown is a better image for most of us. Life presently needs fun and laughter. God has to be about that something which is more and different. Someone has to stir the music in our souls. I think that is our job.”
Brendan Hoban writes in his column in the Western People about the decisive actions of Pope Francis in facing down disobedience amongst some Cardinals.
Also included are links to;
La Croix International Cardinal Müller’s self-delusion and sense of entitlement
and
www.tonyflannery.com Muller complains of lack of due process in his sacking!!!!!!
There is much good news in today’s Gospel. We’re told we can bring all our troubles to Jesus and find rest. God will make our burden light. We praise God for the care promised us.
Brendan Hoban responds to recent articles in The Furrow. He says he takes the opportunity “of setting out … the policy of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) in choosing particular issues and in robustly arguing our positions.”
Pádraig McCarthy comments on the very sad case of Charlie Gard in the U.K. and draws our attention to the statement by the Anscombe Bioethics Centre concerning the court cases about his medical treatment.
We’re told in today’s readings that hospitality is a gift that brings a great reward. As we gather to thank God for the many gifts we’ve received, we ask for the grace to be hospitable to the visitors who will come our way this summer.
Padraic McCarthy, on seeing that the Presider’s Page has greetings in various languages for visitors to our churches or celebrations, submitted a selection of greeting notices he has come across on his travels.
With some adaptations they might be useful to you.
Tony Flannery, writing in the Irish Independent, sees hope of finding “new wine skins for the new wine” as people are exploring new ways, and new language, for addressing spiritual realities.
America Magazine reports that Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, a Spanish Jesuit, as the new prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and successor to Cardinal Gerhard Müller
The ACP offers sincere sympathy to our colleague Liamy McNally, Administrative Secretary ACP, and to his extended family on the death of his mother, Peigí.
Reports on the ACP Regional meetings held at Galway, for Galway and Clonfert dioceses, and at Kilkenny for Ferns, Kildare & Leighlin, Ossory, Waterford dioceses.
A report on the ACP Regional Meeting concerning the Wellbeing of priests for Ardagh & Clonmacnoise, Clogher, Kilmore, Meath
Chris McDonnell writing in the Catholic Times of Friday June 23rd looks at what it means ‘to care.’
How we care for others has a profound influence, “Part of learning for a young child is being secure in their freedom to make mistakes. Offering an answer, expressing an opinion involves taking a risk; we might be wrong. How others react to our mistakes can greatly affect our willingness to try again later.”
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.”
A report on the ACP Regional Meeting concerning the Wellbeing of priests for Cashel & Emly, Killaloe and Limerick dioceses.
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