Blog

With the Synod of the Amazon in its final days, Chris McDonnell, in the Catholic Times, finds it a good time to reflect again on the life and work of the Brazilian theologian, Leonardo Boff.

The ACP offers sincere sympathy to our colleague Liamy McNally, Administrative Secretary ACP, and to his extended family on the  death of his father, Joe.

Pádraig McCarthy draws our attention to a statement “Women in the Church: Reading the Signs of the Time” from a meeting of about 100 Catholic women religious in India. The story is carried on globalsistersreport.org

A conference on Climate Change AND the Church OR Climate Change IN the Church?
Saturday 9 November 2019 from 10.00 to 13.00
The O’Fiaich Library, 15 Moy Road, Armagh, BT61 7LY

Chris McDonnell writes in the Catholic Times about John Henry Newman.

Sharon Tighe-Mooney was stunned to read that Pope Benedict XVl had made the ordination of women a more serious “crime” than sexual abuse of children! She devoted herself to research the reasons for this and has published a very clear and readable book; ‘What About Me? Women and the Catholic Church’
Sharon will address this topic on Monday, 14 October, 2019 at the Mercy International Centre, 64A Baggot Street, Dublin 2: 7.30pm to 9.15pm  

An extract from a report in americamagazine.org by Luke Hansen SJ dealing with the ministry women exercise in the church in the Amazon region.
“since there are few priests, women baptize children and preside at marriages …. Sometimes we also have to listen to confessions. Of course, we cannot give absolution, but we place ourselves in a position of humbleness, listen to the person and give a word of comfort, perhaps before death.” – Alba Teresa Cediel Castillo, M.M.L.

Robin Gomes, in www.vaticannews.va/en/, reports on Pope Francis’ comments at Mass this morning.

Eist Audio recorded the talks at the Women and the Church symposium, hosted by the ACP, on Saturday, 05 October, 2019 in DCU, Dublin. Principal Speakers were Sharon Tighe-Mooney and Mary McAleese in conversation with Gerry O Connor.
Recordings available from www.eist.ie 

The Principles for a Charter of fundamental rights and responsibilities for Catholics were articulated by the Ordinary Synod of Bishops in 1971. Its final document was entitled “Justice in the World.”  
The International Church Reform Network (ICRN) has been working on a modern version of these Fundamental Rights.

Chris McDonnell, in the Catholic Times, lets us know that it is good to have dreams to aim for … that when “memories begin to fracture .. the dreams we once had remain.”
“a Synod called to listen to the voices of South America, is in session. It will have repercussions for the whole Church. Not only will it consider issues specific to that community of our Church, but it will tell us a story of how our dreams are shaped and cared for. We must listen, we must respond, we must care for each other.”

Statement by ACP on Women’s Equality being Essential for our Church

Soline Humbert writes about the forthcoming launch of What Happened to Fr Seán Fagan? by Angela Hanley, Columba Press, on Thursday 03 October at 6:30 pm, at The Milestone Gallery,Glasnevin Cemetery,Dublin 9.
Soline says, “It is a great credit to Angela Hanley that she is able to write about such painful matters in a clear, measured and informative way. Under her pen Seán Fagan is given back the spirituality, humanity and dignity which the CDF had sought to deny him. His lifetime pastoral dedication to lifting burdens from people’s backs is given proper recognition.”

Paddy Ferry draws our attention to a story that is carried in newwaysministry.org about Fr. James Alison, his suspension by the Congregation for Clergy and the “extraordinary mercy” of a phone call from Pope Francis.

The Association of Catholic Priests will host a public meeting on
Women and the Church on Saturday 05 October 2019 at 2.00 p.m. in DCU, Dublin

Speakers: Sharon Tighe-Mooney and Mary McAleese (in an interview with Gerry O’Connor cssr)
All welcome

Brendan Hoban, in the Western People, writing about ‘Synodality’ says that “The truth is that there is a split, a clear divide, opening up in the Catholic Church between those who realise that ‘synodality’ (clergy and laity working together rather than clergy dominating laity) is the way forward and those who want things to remain as they were.”

Seamus Ahearne encourages all of us to share more of our thoughts and opinions on our ACP website.
” In some ways, no one should be let into priesthood unless they can use words, speak up/out, and write. The routine of each day, challenges us to write.”

Chris McDonnell, writing in the Catholic Times, uses his UK perspective on Brexit to reflect on those who are faced with a crisis of conscience.

Association of Catholics in Ireland in a press release call on Irish bishops to consider Lumen Gentium 37 at their autumn meeting on October 1st.

Thomas Reese SJ in the National Catholic Reporter gives an insight into the significance of the recent appointments of ten new Cardinal electors by Pope Francis.