Presider’s Page for Friday 17 March (Lá fhéile Pádraig)
Opening CommentIn the heart of Lent, we keep the feast of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. We mark the day by praising God the creator, who sustained Patrick in…
Reform of the Irish Church
Lay Involvement in Parishes – ACI Pilot Study
ACI pilot study highlights serious concern about active lay involvement in parishes and calls on the Irish bishops to commission a countrywide survey to identify the key issues prior to holding a national synod to discern the way forward for the church.
The Women The Vatican Could Not Silence – video link
Link to recording of The Women The Vatican Could Not Silence. Dr Mary McAleese and Sister Joan Chittister in conversation
Voices of Faith, We are Church Ireland and the School of Religion in Trinity College presented two leading Catholic women in a public conversation to overcome the silence on issues that affect Catholics today and must be openly discussed for the future of an inclusive, egalitarian and harmonious Church.
ACP Public Meetings – “What do we need to say to Pope Francis about the Irish Church?”
The ACP will host 4 public regional meetings ahead of the Papal visit.
The theme of the meetings is “What do we need to say to Pope Francis about the Irish Church?”
These meetings are open to everybody.
Six Years Later, anyone willing to right a wrong?
After six years of suspension from public ministry, without even the semblance of due process, Tony Flannery writes that “the memories of that time come back clearly, and I know that there is still a residue of hurt, regret and sadness.” ….
“I do actually believe that my Redemptorist superiors, or indeed the Irish bishops, if they really wanted to, could do something in this present very different climate in the Church, to get the sanctions against me lifted, and to restore my good name.
My biggest complaint from the beginning was the unjust and unlawful procedures that were used to judge and condemn me.”
Mary McAleese to Pope Francis -‘develop a credible strategy for the inclusion of women as equals’
A report on the Voices of Faith International Women’s Day Conference from the National Catholic Reporter and the text of the talk given by former President Mary McAleese.
“Today, we challenge Pope Francis to develop a credible strategy for the inclusion of women as equals throughout the church’s root and branch infrastructure, including its decision-making.”
Mary McAleese
Silence implies Consent – We must Speak Up!
We Are Church International (WACI) is inviting us to join in supporting Pope Francis.
Spiritfest – A positive experience of church
Mary Smiddy, a member of Killeagh-Inch Pastoral Council, was recently involved in a “Spiritfest” which ran the last weekend of September.
Here she gives a report on a very successful event.
“At a time when the church gets much negative publicity I feel that much that is good in our churches and parishes is not acknowledged or recognised. Because of that I would like to share some of our experiences and learning over the Spiritfest weekend.
The event illustrates the vibrancy, excitement and joy that can be found in parishes throughout the country and what is possible with a little planning, preparation and willingness to try something different while remaining true to our faith and traditions.”
ACTA Conference, (the Catholic Church Reform Movement of England and Wales)
Tony Flannery reports on the conference in Birmingham organized by ACTA, the Catholic Church Reform Movement of England and Wales.
The main theme was to reflect on the future of parishes in the context of the rapid decline in numbers of priests available for ministry.
We are Church – Reformation 500 Project
We Are Church International is asking all WAC Groups around the world to take part in an international action to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Association of Catholic Priests Statement on the Permanent Diaconate
Association of Catholic Priests Statement on the Permanent Diaconate
Statement by Fr. Roy Donovan -“Deaconesses for Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly!”
Updated with link to interview with Roy Donovan on RTE Radio 1
“Reforming the Catholic Church” a talk by Gerry O’Hanlon SJ
A talk by Gerry O’Hanlon SJ on “Reforming the Catholic Church”
2.00 pm Saturday 27 May 2017
The Arrupe Room
Jesuit Conference Centre Milltown Park.
Statement from the Association of Catholic Priests on the Apostolic Nuncio’s new appointment
The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), in responding to the announcement that the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, has been transferred to Albania, wish him well in his new appointment.
Fundamental Rights in the Church
Tony Flannery reports on the work of a group, which formed following the Network of Reform Groups conference in Chicago last October, that is tasked to produce a Charter of Fundamental Rights for all members of the Church.
My Mass of Celebration
Updated 26/01/2017 with video link and further media coverage
Tony Flannery shares some thoughts on his Mass of Celebration, marking the occasion of his 70th birthday and 40 years of priesthood.
“The Mass, for me, was emotional, but beautiful. I have celebrated many big Masses over the years, at missions and novenas, but nothing that touched me to the core like this one.”
Also included is some of the press coverage of the celebration.
Irish bishops divided on issue of married priests and women deacons
RTE is carrying a report that the Irish bishops’ conference failed to reach consensus on proposals by the Bishop of Kilmore, Leo O’Reilly, to allow priests who left ministry to get married to return to priestly work and to consider lifting the bans on ordaining married men and female deacons.
Bishop O Reilly is to be commended for actually listening to the outcome of a ‘listening process” he started with the people of Kilmore diocese.
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP)
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) has produced the first edition of their new newsletter, ‘Leading’.
Mary Bergan Blanchard , editor, says that the newsletter “discusses who we are, why we’re here, and what we do…..
We are a prophetic movement. Organized religion needs to be reorganized. Millions of Catholics have given up their faith in disgust. If we do not regenerate the interest in the simplicity of Christ’s message, who will? It is buried in over 1,750 man-made Canon Laws. Women and all their contributions have been ignored for nearly two thousand years. Enough!………………… We are trying our best to inform all curious people exactly what we are about.”
Tony Flannery at 70
Tony Flannery, on his own web-site, announced his decision to say a Public Mass in Killimordaly Community Centre on Sunday, 22 January, at 2.30pm to mark the occasion of his 70th birthday.
Message from Tony Flannery to Pope Francis
When An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, visited Pope Francis recently he agreed to take a message from Tony Flannery to the Pope.
We’re not ready to meet the Pope
Brendan Hoban in his Western People column questions if we’re ready to hear the message of our Papal visitor.
… “the sad and difficult truth is that we’re not ready in Ireland for the man from the pampas of Argentina or the message of mercy and compassion that reflects the gospel Jesus preached…”
“The terrible tragedy is that we won’t listen because we can’t hear what Pope Francis is saying or accept the direction in which he’s pointing the Church.
The sad truth is that while a defensive Church is up to its neck in denial, our people will have their tongues out for the message Francis brings and the promise he represents wishing it, willing it and wanting it.”
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