Homosexuality and the Bible to be explored in Dublin conference
A conference on ‘Homosexuality & The Bible’ is to be given by Augustinian Kieran O’Mahony in Dublin in June. Full details in the EVENTS section (see menu at top of this page).
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Some cardinals should see red!
Brendan Hoban in the Western People suggests it’s time that Cardinals who are obstructing the reforms of Pope Francis should be called to order.
“Francis has very publicly told members of the Roman Curia that they often suffered from ‘the pathology of power’ which produced ‘ a superiority complex’ “When bishops differ and debate …
Brendan Hoban, in his Western People column, comments on the recent publicly expressed differences between Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Bishop Eamonn Walsh in relation to comments made by Eamon Walsh at the funeral of bishop Dermot O Mahony.
“Not so long ago bishops never contradicted each other. It wasn’t just regarded as bad form; it was breaking a golden rule because bishops never disagreed with each other – at least in public.”
“But now Pope Francis has brought a refreshing air of realism into the Church, where freedom of speech makes possible an adult debate for the first time in more than half a century. So bishops (and priests and people) can now say what they want – with the Pope’s imprimatur.”The recent Synod; the penny drops!
‘Synods of bishops for decades have been highly embarrassing gatherings.’
Brendan Hoban in his Western People column takes a look at the recent Synod of bishops.
‘Representatives of bishops from around the world usually gathered in Rome, dressed immaculately for the occasion and delivered set speeches – all in the knowledge that the final statement was already drafted before they had left home!’
This time it was different;
‘At the opening Francis spelled it out in no uncertain terms for delegates: debate, say what you think; don’t be afraid to speak your mind.’The priests of Mexico, bleeding with their flock
Since 1990, 52 priests have been killed, according to a report by Mexico’s Catholic Multimedia Centre.
Harry Farley writes in Christian Today about the recent murders of three priests in Mexico and quotes Roberto Blancharte, a scholar at the Colegio de Mexico, as saying that “there was a deep divide between the Church’s hierarchy who tend to live in luxury and mix with corrupt politicians, and its clergy, who rub shoulders with the country’s poorest”
Farley says ‘The belief church leaders have cowed to pressure is widespread among parishes and the silence over murdered priests only fuels this perception. “When a priest gets killed, it should be a rallying cry,” said David Shirk, director of the Justice in Mexico Project at the University of San Diego is quoted . “We should know his name. He should be a martyr.”Steering Group reports back on the new lay ‘umbrella organisation’
The Steering Group which is developing an umbralla group for lay people reports on its work since the All Hallows meeting on 30 May. In a statement, the ACP Leadership Team stated that they ‘are delighted to see this initiative progressing, and forward to having a very fruitful alliance with it’.
Doing nothing is not an option ……..
A look at statistics (from 2014) about the Catholic Church in the U.S. is somewhat depressing. Apart from a growth in the numbers of permanent deacons there seems to be decline in all else.
What can we learn from these figures, what can we do?
I was at two talks given by Fr Kieran O’Mahoney recently and I can highly recommend him. He is a very engaging speaker with a great sense of humour and a passion for his subject. He also has the gift of really connecting with his audience and this topic is vitally important. There are so many people suffering deeply because of a failure to understand. This story below is not an isolated one unfortunately.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/opinion/bruni-one-schools-catholic-teaching.html?comments%23permid=14&smid=fb-share
The amount of youth suicide in Ireland attributable to our homophobia or our cute-hoor silences will never be measured.
I cannot attend the conference due to another previous engagement, but I am delighted it is taking place, and I pray and hope it is very fruitful.It is a most important issue and I pray God’s blessing on this timely initiative and all the participants,speaker and organiser.Let it be indeed the Good News” which brings liberty to captives.” There has been too much suffering too long for too many of our brothers and sisters.
I would also be wanting to know what is said at this conference.
I’ve been reflecting today on the notion that it is the gay/lesbian on-going protest for change that probably has the best traction world-wide, even though, there is also, ‘pushback’. We know that the Vatican held the line for years and years on issues, especially, the ordination of women, and could be years and years before same sex marriage is a Catholic reality. However, I am wondering if the time has passed for the Vatican to be able to continue to “push away” what it does not want to hear or deal with. I’m thinking that it may be the pressure from the gay and lesbian community that is the “straw that broke the camel’s back.’ If the Vatican continues to refuse to hear this protest group, I think, it will be this issue, this fight, that will ultimately create schism.
I have a friend in his 60s come out today. He feels like an immense weight lift off him. He can breathe better and his friends and family did not expect it but have been fantastic.
Maybe I should thank ACP for existing or we’d never have met.