The ACP Leadership call the Dolan Report on the Irish College in Rome “disturbing” and “incompetent”, saying it has effectively destroyed the reputation of priests, without giving them the right of reply. This Press Statement was issued on Friday, 15 June at 3.40pm
An anonymous parishioner in an Irish parish describes the frustrating experience of attempting to get dialogue going in her local parish. The author, who is known to the ACP leadership team, asked for anonymity in case her parish would be identified. She would be interested to know if others have had similar experiences and if there is an answer to her predicament.
In his address to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin speaks on the theme of ‘The Church in the Modern World’. He gives us further insights into his understanding of the notion of ‘dialogue’ , both within the Church and with the ‘world’.
Fr James Martin SJ posted this ‘Prayer for Frustrated Catholics’ on 6 June 2012 on the group blog of America magazine:
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=5169
(posted here by Pádraig McCarthy)
Pádraig McCarthy collates comments on the Irish Times series on ‘Catholicism Now’ in the week beginning 2 June.
He writes: ‘So far, I’ve found nothing surprising, except where they’ve got it wrong. Here are a few comments, maybe useful if it comes up in discussion. The Irish Times is not good at accepting and publishing corrections. Your relevant comments welcome. — Pádraig McCarthy.
This is a report of the ‘umbrella group’ meeting in All Hallows on Wednesday, May 30th, submitted by Noel McCann. The ACP Leadership Team adds: ‘We in the ACP are delighted with this development, and look forward to working closely with the new association.’
Three groups in the Church need specific attention from the new “umbrella group” formed at the All Hallows meeting: the general laity, the herarchy and the priests (via the ACP), writes Martin Murray. He reflects on the meetings in the Regency Hotel and All Hallows, and suggests some ways forward.
A group of English priests recently issued a Call to Action, which was published in The Tablet.
• The ACP Leadership Team wish them every success in their initiative, and look forward to working closely with them.
In Fr Brendan Hoban’s latest article for the Western People, he writes that we in the ACP are at the heart of the Church. We are insulted to be called dissidents. Church leaders need to engage respectfully and realistically with us.
The relationship between clergy and lay members of the ACP was discussed at the meeting last week in Cork, which was attended by clergy and some lay members in Cork & Ross and Cloyne dioceses.
This article provdes an interesting angle on the recent silencing and disciplining of priests by the Vatican. Sean is suggesting that, rather than strengthening Vatican authority, these actions are actually weakening it.
Fr David Cooper is chair of our sister association in the U.S.(the AUSCP, the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests). This is his response to Brendan Hoban’s ‘Points of Clarification regarding the ACP’ posted on this page.
With acknowledgement to the Western People, this is Brendan Hoban’s reflection on the great gathering last Monday in Dublin’s Regency Hotel: ‘Towards an Assembly of the Irish Church’. Brendan is a member of the ACP’s Leadership team.
Brian, an Irishman and former Redemptorist, sent us this excellent reflection on the situation Cardinal Brady finds himself in; and he suggests a way out.
Fr Declan Kelly is a Parish Priest in the diocese of Clonfert who is currently on sabbatical. We thank him for sending us this interesting historical perspective on current issues in the Irish Church.
The ACP Leadership has issued a statement on 4 May in response to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland’s report on the Prime Time Investigates programme, Mission to Prey
This reflection on the forthcoming assembly day, and Blessed John Henry Newman, was sent to us by one of our members, Seamus Devitt.
This article was published in the Belfast Telegraph. It is an interesting reflection on the situation Cardinal Brady finds himself in, and what the author thinks he should do.
See what you think
This article, taken from the National Catholic Reporter, deals with the situation in Austria. It is very interesting to see the nature of the debate going on between the Cardinal and the Priest’s Initiative. It is public and open, with a great deal of respect being shown on both sides.
If only we could have that here in Ireland!!!
Fr. Jimmy McPhillips of Clogher Diocese defends his fellow Fermanagh man and ACP member, Fr Brian D’Arcy CP.
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