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We are indebted to Sharon Tighe-Mooney who has written this article for us about the very topical issue of women and the diaconate.
Sharon clearly outlines what has been the stumbling block for the hierarchy – “the fear that including women to any extent would lead to a call for admission to the priesthood”, … “Fear, which is signified by the prioritising of the preservation of the self, has been the dominant feature in the Vatican’s response, both to the exposure of its faults as well as to the challenges that are a normal part of the human evolutionary experience. That is why a perfectly reasonable proposition, to restore women to a formal ministry within their own church, has floundered.”

This article was recently published on-line on the NCR website in the US. It is a response by Don Cozzens to a piece by James Carroll in the Atlantic journal. Our thanks to Don Cozzens for forwarding it to us.

“Carroll has named for me what continues to unsettle my soul — the superior status and lofty identity the church claims for its priests, cultivated and sustained by clerical celibacy and the withholding of meaningful leadership roles from the laity, especially women.”

Seamus Ahearne says of “Dancing to my death” by Daniel O’ Leary that “His honesty;  taunts, teases and torments us.   The final canvas from this artist, is a challenge to all of us in every aspect of ministry.”
….. “remind us of the delicacy and gentleness that is needed, as we meet with sickness, dying, funerals, bereavement and absences.   We have to be ever so careful with our Rituals and with our Religious demands.”

Colm Holmes, spokesperson for We Are Church Ireland, draws our attention to an article on www.newwaysministry.org by Deacon Ray Dever from Florida. Deacon Dever attended the World Meeting of Families in Dublin last year. He assisted at the Papal mass. He is the father of a Transgender daughter and a Bisexual daughter.
In this New Ways Ministry article he asks “Is there Hope?” about the Vatican’s new document on Gender.

Brendan Hoban writing in the Western People highlights how some people opposed to the reforms of Pope Francis are misusing the retired Benedict in an attempt to further their cause. “At first it was mainly a few cardinals and higher churchmen whom Francis had removed from their positions (mainly those who opposed his Vatican reforms); then it was others who imagined they warranted promotion but their prospects in the new dispensation were no longer promising; and there was the hard-right of Catholicism who imagine that anyone who disagrees with them (even a Pope) is wrong.”

Brian Eyre considers the recent comments of Cardinal Kasper about married priests in the light of his own life experiences and in the light of the fact that St Peter was a married man.

We welcome Brian home to Ireland and Tralee after many years in Brazil.

Tony Flannery reflects on his position in light of proposed changes to the ‘curia’.
Sadly the injustice inflicted on him and others still screams out to be righted. Can the courage and humility needed to correct this miscarriage of ‘church justice’ be found by those responsible?

Chris McDonnell wrote recently in the Catholic Times about education and the central roles of the teacher and the school.
In light of the rapidly changing relationship between church and the education system in our country it is very relevant to question what makes a good school and good teacher and realise the role they can play; “The stress of modern family life inevitably follows them (pupils) to school, although for a few hours, the school and an understanding teacher, can become a still point in a turning, turbulent world” …… “The teacher is the one who walks beside you on the Emmaus Road.”

The editor of praytell blog writes about the forthcoming publication of the new Italian Missal.
“In September, 2017 Pope Francis issued Magnum principium, which called for translations which are both faithful to Latin and respectful of the characteristics of the receptor language……
More significantly, Pope Francis restored authority over translations to bishops’ conferences, as the Second Vatican Council had decreed, and rolled back the creeping centralism of previous decades at odds with the Council’s decisions.”

It seems the Italian bishops have taken their responsibility to heart and acted accordingly. We struggle on …..

Seamus Ahearne casts his eye over recent happenings and imagines how the late Grumpy Cat might view matters. But despite his grumpy outlook there is always redemption. “Have a real sense of history and never make this moment and how I feel, too important. Celebrate the Liturgy of life without the pompous solemnity which kills the very soul of faith. Faith and God has to be celebrated with imagination and creativity. No stodginess. No boredom. No head only nonsense. The heart and body and the very soul has to be stirred. Explore beauty. Forget all the nonsense of passing fashion and fads. Don’t get stuck in mud of negativity”

Notice from We are Church Ireland about two upcoming lectures and their AGM

The National Catholic Reporter carries an article about women deacons by Phyllis Zagano that might test, and expand, your knowledge on the subject.
It is a serious issue for our church and needs informed discussion rather than polemical soundbites.

Brendan Hoban, writing in the Western People, comments on the recent decision of Pope Francis not to make a decision about women deacons. “It’s a decision that the Church seems intent on avoiding,” ….
“The key question Francis faces is not whether the Church can afford to ordain women deacons but whether we can afford not to do it.”

A human and honest response to the news of a cancer diagnosis, Dancing to my Death is Daniel O’Leary’s final book.

Chris McDonnell writes in this week’s Catholic Times of how even a single voice can disturb “our comfort zone and there is an unease, almost guilt in consequence. The social disruption created by the preaching of the Nazarene was equally unsettling. ‘Listen, you who have ears to hear’. It was true when the Lord spoke those words and is still true now.”

Seamus Ahearne casts his eyes about on recent happenings.
“May all of us catch the light and begin our song.    May the chorus of life – dawn on us daily.  Let’s sing our song.”

Pope Francis has issued new norms for the universal church outlining how allegations of abuse have to be dealt with.
It has received extensive coverage in Vatican News.

Michael Sean Winters also writes in the National Catholic Reporter of the latest directive of Pope Francis that “establishes new laws for the universal church regarding both the scourge of abuse and the equally abhorrent covering up of such abuse.”
“If you are ordained, or belong to a religious order, you are now a mandatory reporter of abuse. You can’t ignore it.”

Various news outlets are carrying reports about Pope Francis’ comments on women’s diaconate in his airborne press conference while returning from a trip to Bulgaria and North Macedonia. We carry snippets from America Magazine and Vatican News.
“The pope did not tell reporters what steps, if any, would come next on the subject of a women’s diaconate.”

Enda Lyons, a priest of Tuam diocese for over 60 years, died last Thursday.
Brendan Hoban and others paid tribute to him on the weekly Faith Alive programme on Mid West Radio on Sunday. We carry Brendan’s words and a link to the full programme.

Mary T. Malone
How Women founded Christianity and may revive it today
Followed by Q & A
7.30 pm Monday 13 May 2019
Mercy Centre International, 64A Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2

Please book your free ticket for Mary T. Malone on 13 May 2019 via Eventbrite:  https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/mary-t-malone-how-women-founded-christianity-and-may-revive-it-today-tickets-61030346409