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Abolish the priesthood!
Linda Hogan reviews Garry Wills’ latest book, ‘Why Priests? A Failed Tradition‘, in which Wills argues that the most honest position on priesthood would be to seek its abolition altogether, given its lack of biblical justification (first published in the Irish Times: read original article here ). Wills’ target is not the 400,000 individual priests, many of whom, he acknowledges, make a significant contribution to the lives of countless millions worldwide. Rather, his focus is on the institution, which, he argues, has a flimsy biblical heritage and a dubious theological justification and is an impediment to the development of a more egalitarian Christianity.
A new prayer for serenity is offered for all
Fr James Martin SJ has written a ‘New Serenity Prayer’ — recommended to ACP and ACI members, bishops etc.
Tenets of Catholicism are ideals not rules, says Irish bishop
Clare O’Sullivan conducted an end-of-year interview with Bishop John Buckley of Cork & Ross for the Irish Examiner, during which he stated that the central tenets of Catholicism were not rules of memberships but “ideals”.
‘Fundamentalists are people who don’t understand poetry.’
Seamus Ahearne reflects on recent events and points to the need for real leadership in society and also a need for courageous leaders in church.
Faced by events like Brussels and Lahore, with the seas becoming ‘insatiable cemeteries’ for those fleeing war he asks ‘Where will the needed leadership come from? Who will create the map that we need?
In church Seamus tells us ‘Theology is full of poetic mystery but we were satisfied with crude prose for years and it passed as orthodoxy. It became official and those who stepped outside such thinking were condemned. The New Missal is a monument to fundamentalists who knew nothing of a living God or Grace. Their Liturgy was solemn, static and ignored the incarnation.’
Seamus concludes, ‘Politicians. Church people. Educationalists. Trade-unionists. Society. All need to begin to learn humbly how to live out the Proclamation; the Gospel; the challenge of being a grown up nation and an adult Catholic. There is much to do.’
The presumption of guilt
The Irish Independent interviewed Tim Hazelwood, member of ACP leadership team, concerning the false allegation that was made against him and the toll it took on him. Tim also deals with the pressures that priests experience due to the continuing and increasing shortage of priests.
Statement of the Association of Catholic Priests – Pope Francis and the ordination of married men.
The ACP calls on the Irish bishops to respond with courage and conviction to the direct challenge presented to them by Pope Francis