I know my 2261.06?
With a total Catholic population in Ireland of 4,635,178, there are 2050 priests active. This means that, on average, there is one priest for every 2,261.06 Catholics.
Pádraig McCarthy
Blog
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Priests need to stand up for themselves
Brendan Hoban in his Western people column says that Turner’s infamous cartoon in the Irish Times may help the progressively disenchanted Catholic clergy to find their own voice, to stand up for themselves, especially when no one else seems ready to accept that poisoned chalice.
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Statement concerning the reported lifting of sanctions on Fr. Sean Fagan
The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) welcomes reports emanating from Rome that all restrictions have been lifted from Marist priest, Fr Sean Fagan.
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Dalgan Summer School: 14 -17 July 2014
The Dalgan Summer School 2014 is organised by the Columban Ecological Institute, Dalgan Park, Navan, under the direction of John Feehan.
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The Politics of Saint-Making
PAUL VALLELY
With the forthcoming canonisations of two Popes, John XXIII and John Paul II, is it time to look again at the purpose saints are meant to serve. Is the whole process of ‘canonisation’ in need of radical overhaul?
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Is Catholicism now deemed to be old-fashioned, irrational, and unacceptable? Brendan Hoban asks in his weekly Western People column.
In rejecting a version of Catholicism that diminished human freedom, led to outrageous scandal and that in retrospect is now seen to have diminished people and Church, Irish society seems intent on categorising religion and spirituality as unacceptable, irrelevant, even dangerous in a civilised society.
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Comment on Irish Times Cartoon
The leadership of the ACP protests in the strongest possible terms at a cartoon in the Irish Times that they perceive to be gratuitously insulting to Irish Catholic priests
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The pull of Good Friday
Brendan Hoban, in this reflection published in the Western People, explores what it is about Good Friday that still resonates with our lives.
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Calvary- John Michael McDonagh’s New Film
This review of the film ‘Calvary’ was written by Pat Moore, priest of Kerry diocese. He assures me it is well worth seeing.
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Presider’s Page for Palm Sunday, 13 April
Today’s liturgy gives us a preview of the events we will celebrate in the Easter Triduum later this week. The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus are the focus of this and every Sunday celebration.
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Statement of the Association of Catholic Priests – Pope Francis and the ordination of married men.
The ACP calls on the Irish bishops to respond with courage and conviction to the direct challenge presented to them by Pope Francis
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Married men could be ordained priests if world’s bishops agree – Pope Francis
“The Pope explained that he could not take everything in hand personally from Rome. We local bishops, who are best acquainted with the needs of our faithful, should be corajudos, that is ‘courageous’ in Spanish, and make concrete suggestions,”
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Danger area! Do we have an ethical issue with banks?
It would be difficult for us to continue operating normally without using banking services. Do we, or should we, have an ethical issue with the banking services we use as individuals and as a church?
Padraig McCarthy -
Death of Canon Michael Cassidy.
We are grateful to Paddy Ferry for sending us this tribute to a great man and priest, Canon Michael Cassidy
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Presider’s Page for Lent 5 (Sun. 6 April)
In just over ten days time, the Easter Triduum will begin, on Holy Thursday evening. The time when baptism is celebrated is now very close. We ask God’s help for all the adults and children preparing for baptism this Easter, and pray that we may be fit and ready to renew our baptismal vows at the same feast.
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Lessons for the Church from recent State scandals?
Brendan Hoban in his Western People article reflects on what we can all learn from how authorities handled the whistleblowers in An Garda Siochána.
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Is the priest at home? The personal maturity and mental health of the priest. Brendan O’Rourke
This article was first published in the book “Priesthood Today”, edited by Eamonn Conway. Brendan O’Rourke is a Redemptorist priest and psychotherapist. It is published here with the consent of the author.
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Presider’s Page for Lent 4 (Sun 30 March)
Traditionally, this Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, which means ‘a day for joy’. Lent is half over, and the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus is nearer. At this midpoint of Lent, it is traditional to honour mothers, treasuring those still with us and praying for those we have lost to death.
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Latest news on Tony Flannery’s talks
After a very pleasant and enjoyable series of talks in various parts of the country, my ‘caravan’ is now coming to the capital. I am talking in the Stillorgan Park…
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Longtime peace activist removed from ministry after concelebrating Mass with woman priest
Clearly the ‘Francis effect’ is not making much impact on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as yet!!
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