Manchester, Monday, 22 May 2017, 10.30 p.m.
Late evening
No words
only
tears
No laughter
only
fears
Darkness as
the music died
Late evening
No words
only
tears
No laughter
only
fears
Darkness as
the music died
This is the press statement issued by We are Church announcing a silent vigil outside the Apostolic Nunciature on Sunday afternoon, April 29th.
Joan Chittester reacts to Pope Francis’ committment to develop “a profound theology of the woman”, asking what contributiom women will be allowed to make to this. (Article comprises remarks made at a conference aiming to give a snapshot view of Pope Francis and the challenges he faces: first published in the NCR on 11 December 2013 — see www.ncronline.org.)
This article, taken from the ‘Rite and Reason’ column in Irish Times of 13 March 2012, was written by Margaret Lee. It raises serious and difficult questions about the role of lay people in the Church, and the difficulties around consultation processes that have been held in some dioceses; and indeed also around parish pastoral councils
Brendan Hoban’s weekly column in the Western People takes a look at the ‘noxious weed’ of clericalism.
Clericalism, Brendan describes, is when “In simple terms the priest was given to believe that he knew best, was in full charge of everything and should feel superior to mere lay-people. To give this clericalist mentality substance it was wrapped in black soutanes and Roman collars and placed in a context of status, deference and privilege. Priests became part of an exclusive, hierarchical and authoritarian elite.”
Chris McDonnell writing in the Catholic Times reminds us that ‘We do not appreciate trees until they are lost, to be replaced by brick and concrete and the harshness of urban development.”
“There is a simplicity in wood in contrast to the gaudiness of so many other materials. The smell of wood being worked, the dust and shavings littering the workshop floor is indeed a precious memory. We are told it was the trade of Joseph.”
The Council of Priests of Dublin Diocese commissioned a report by Towers Watson to estimate the number of active Priests in the Archdiocese of Dublin in 2030 and estimate the Mass attendance numbers and number of people presenting for sacraments in 2030.
The report having made this estimate then puts forward some suggested ways of coping with the projected situation. These suggestions are to be discussed by the Council of priests.
How similar is it to projections made by others dioceses?
Are there any new imaginative suggestions as to how the Church in Ireland should respond to the impending virtual disappearance of priests from most communities?