Colm Holmes from We Are Church writes:
The “MESSENGER” dates from 1888. Donal Neary SJ has been the editor for more than 10 years. I was delighted to read in the March 2026 edition that the MESSENGER supports the various ways in which the role of women in the Irish Church may be enhanced, including serving as deacons, and later we hope as priests.
I look forward to the 7 Study Groups for the Irish Synodal Pathway being announced very soon.
And I look forward to the Kilkenny National Assembly of the Catholic Church in Ireland in October 2026 approving a resolution requesting the Pope to approve the appointment of women deacons in Ireland.
Thanks Colm for highlighting Donal Neary SJ’s editorial. I think it is a very important Editorial and might give us all an extra step to implementing what the people of Ireland are saying – we want women as deacons and priests. This voice of the Irish people in the Irish Synod is presently being sabotaged by the Irish Bishops. Well done to Donal – he has always been an inspirational figure. Back in the 1970s, Donal was part the Jesuit team/ maybe the Leader that offered those enlightened Tabor House programmes in Miltown. Great memories.
In my view these women were of “huge influence” because they were free from the constraints of “the collar.” Free from the canonical obligations and restrictions of the ordained Priesthood.
Thank you. It is true that women in history have adapted to their confinment by society and Church, finding creative ways to give expression to their sense of vocation and the just love of the Gospels in each context. I would not romanticise these experiences though, or accept any life limiting cultures, structures or systems that stifle Christianity. Rather, I’d mine these experiences for what can be learned to adapt and evolve more life-giving cultures, systems and structures. No one should feel perpetually under a yoke….canonical or otherwise….completely incompatible with the joy of the Gospel.
Thank you Noelle, well said.
For the record at least two of these leading women mentioned in the Messenger, Margaret McCurtain and Sr.Stan are known to have publicly advocated for the ordination of women. I remain specially grateful to Margaret McCurtain for her personal support and encouragement when it wasn’t popular.
I appreciate your words and I appreciate you! Thank you for your administrative and humanitarian work. You are a present day woman of “huge influence.”
Thanks Noelle and for your superb article in the February 2026 edition of The Furrow entitled “Synodality and activating the Spirit in all’. I think The Furrow and its editor are to be commended for making such edifying reflections available to us.