Blog

Brendan Hoban writes of lay funeral presiders being commissioned in Liverpool and lay-led Communion services taking the place — two responses to a shortage of priests that is becoming drastic in these islands (published with acknowledgement to the Western People).

Thanks to the National Catholic Reporter, we are glad to be able to bring the full text of Cardinal Martini’s interview.  We in the ACP believe that this is an enormously significant statement, coming from a man of such learning, distinction and spirituality; and the circumstances of the interview make it, in a sense, his last will and testament to the Church. It gives us encouragement and hope in the positions we have adopted.

This reflection on the need for love in our Church has been sent to us by a former priest in England, Paul Burns.

Here Sean raises interesting questions about the impact of the last twenty years or so on the faith of Irish Mothers.  We are grateful to Sean for raising important questions for discussion on our website.

Following on from Jo O’Sullivan’s piece, this is a further reflection on the Katie Taylor phenomenon;  and this one comes from a man in Bray, Aidan ffrench.  He raises some interesting questions.

Any effort at new evangelisation or renewal of faith in the Roman Catholic Church is doomed to failure unless there is a radical shift to address the dysfunctional magisterial teachings on sexuality.