Seamus Ahearne asks what do we read as priests, or do we? What do bishops read or do they? I wonder what we might come up with, if we took Pagola’s book, mixed in with Pope Francis’ (Joy of the Gospel) and tried to remodel our Church; our parishes; our Deanery; our Diocese; our Liturgies. Can we ever ‘minister’ if there isn’t rigorous discussion, serious study and a deep commitment to making Jesus Christ and Gospel relevant in every age?
This decision is a fatal signal for all who are hoping, together with Pope Francis, for a kind Church that is close to the people.
Seamus Ahearne is saddened at the loss of All Hallows. He says “The Church in Ireland; the Church in Dublin will become less hospitable (less warm and open) at the death of such a homely place. We cannot afford the loss of someone so dear. Can something else be done?”
Seamus Ahearne muses on the special moments of life we mark with Sacraments and he wonders how can we help to let the world of God be glimpsed?
Roy Donovan warns that so much of Pope Francis’ outreach, and all his good efforts, are increasingly becoming more hollow for people who cry out for substance.
Seamus Ahearne reflects on being lost for words at the profoundly sad funeral of Mairead Moran. R.I.P.
Brendan Hoban ponders how sport has relegated religion in his Western People column.
This article, taken from the New York Times, is a further indication of the mixed messages that are emanating from different sections of the Church
(See also article by Maureen Dowd in today’s (Mon) Irish Times
Brendan Hoban, in his Western People column, argues that The very last thing the Irish Church needs at present is a visit from the pope.
Meuller confronts the US nuns. How can we interpret this? Are we back to the pre-Francis days? Or is he throwing down the gauntlet to Francis? Whatever, it is a disturbing development, and will be a test of Francis.
The discussion concerning the possibility of having married priests seems to be gaining ‘traction’ in some episcopal circles. David Gibson outlines recent developments in an article in the National Catholic Reporter
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.
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?
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
This review of the film ‘Calvary’ was written by Pat Moore, priest of Kerry diocese. He assures me it is well worth seeing.
The ACP calls on the Irish bishops to respond with courage and conviction to the direct challenge presented to them by 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,”
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.
Clearly the ‘Francis effect’ is not making much impact on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as yet!!
Sean O’Connaill deplores the bishops’ lack of transparency on the funding and independence of the national body for child protection that they set up (the NSBCCC), and hopes for the day when bishops will be accountable to their people.
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