Pope Francis has given people permission to have doubts
Jo O’Sullivan shares her struggles with the Catholic Church. She dreams that, in the papacy of Francis, ex-Catholics might see that change is possible within this institution
Reform of the Irish Church
The Irish Church refuses to face statistics on priesthood
Brendan Hoban shows that within 20 years a tiny cadre of aged priests
will be struggling to say Masses in a tiny complement of churches. He believes a fundamental re-think on priesthood is required (first published in the Western People)
Fr. Iggy O’Donovan says ‘goodbye’ to Drogheda
Iggy O’Donovan preached his last homily in the Augustinian Church in Drogheda on Sunday 15 September: this is an extract.
Neal Carlin’s mustard seed is already producing fruit in Ireland
Teresa Mee applauds Donegal priest Neal Carlin’s work for peace and reconciliation in Ireland, calling it ‘one of the mustard seeds planted in the soil and already producing fruit’.
Is our papal nuncio too much Pope Benedict’s man?
Brendan Hoban speaks out on behalf of diocesan priests who find themselves disenfranchised when new bishops are being chosen and asks if it is right that an appointee of the previous pope should have such crucial decision-making placed in his exclusive hands.
What has Archbishop Martin done to foster dialogue in Dublin diocese?
Sean O’Conaill laments the collapse in leadership and faith of the Irish magisterium. He asks Archbishop Martin of Dublin to stop making faith and structural reform seem as opposites — and to foster open dialogue in his own diocese.
We face a post-Catholic Ireland — Archbishop Martin
+Diarmuid Martin surveys the Irish Church in the wake of the sexual abuse crisis and the economic downturn. This article, first published in America on 20 May 2013, is adapted from an address at the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture in New York. Read the original article and comments here
Sustained media attack on Religious Orders is ‘scurrilous’
Brendan Hoban decries the media circus demonising Ireland’s Religious and asks why the public are so slow to defend them. He agrees with the nuns’ decision not to give further money to the State.
ACP receives response from bishops regarding censured priests
The Irish Bishops Conference has replied to the ACP’s letter which requested that the bishops enter into discussions with the CDF regarding Irish priests censured by the Vatican. The ACP’s original letter can be read here
President’s Strasbourg address is worth reading
President Michael D Higgins‘s address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg has drawn much favourable comment and is recommended to ACP members. (For those who prefer to listen, his address is here .)
Does ‘isolated and at risk’ describe the rural priest today?
Brendan Hoban reflects on the isolation of rural Irish priests and adds a historical perspective, suggesting it was ever thus (first published in the Western People on 16 April).
Church should stand its ground on school patronage
Brendan Hoban finds that the surveys conducted on school patronage reveal that most parents are happy with having their children educated in Catholic schools. He believes the the Church should take a firm stand with the Minister for Education.
Is the ACP an All-Ireland reform movement or not?
Eddie Finnegan asks why so few priests in the northern dioceses engage with the ACP
Why do ordinary priest-members of the ACP not contribute to the website?
Eddie Finnegan analyses postings to the ACP website (articles and comments) and finds ordinary diocesan priest-members in Ireland almost absent from its pages.
CDF’s secretive behaviour is a disgrace to the Church
Mary Cunningham outlines the CDF’s controlling role in the silencing of Fr Sean Fagan, undermining Archbishop Charles Brown’s recent assertion that such actions are a matter for a religious priest’s superior
Donabate supports Fr Tony…
Padraig Haran, (Chairperson), Joe Connolly, (P.P.), Deirdre Meyler, Angela O’Sullivan, Pat Hannon, (P.C.), Mary Bond, Ken Spratt, Pat Reilly, (C.C.), Deborah McArdle and Alain Rochecouste, all members of Donabate Pastoral Council, deplore the CDF’s treatment of Fr Tony Flannery
Tony Flannery disputes Nuncio’s version of events
Tony Flannery takes issue with Archbishop Charles Brown, the papal nuncio to Ireland, responding to an interview conducted by Mary Wilson on the RTE programme, ‘Drivetime’ on 15 March 2013
Kilmore priests express forthright opinions at local ACP meeting
The report on their recent meeting submitted by the ACP in Kilmore diocese reveals disappointment with the Irish Hierarchy that they did not meet with the Leadership Team of the ACP — among other things.
Is the Church in Ireland silent on the extreme inequality in our land?
Pádraig McCarthy notes the extreme inequality now visible in Irish society, where 1,200 people died as a result of fuel poverty last winter, yet the nation’s 300 wealthiest individuals saw their wealth increase massively in 2012. He finds church leaders almost silent on the matter and asks if the ACP should take it up, in line with the our consitiution.
‘Priests should be allowed to marry’ – Cardinal Keith O’Brien
In a BBC interview, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, speaks of the need for a debate on priestly celibacy. And he believes it may be time for a pope from the developing world.
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