A meeting to discuss the formation of an ‘Umbrella Group’ to represent members of the laity interested in supporting the ‘Reform and Renewal’ Agenda in our Church will take place in All Hallows College at 8.00 pm on Wednesday 30th May. All are welcome – interested individuals and members of established lay groups.
Please meet in the ‘Coffee Dock’ from 7.30 pm.
Brendan writes about the gathering on May 7th, which the ACP is calling: ‘Towards an Assembly of the Irish Catholic Church’. First published in the Western People.
A meeting of the Association took place for Limerick Diocese on Feb. 8th. Twenty one priests attended, and apologies came from four more. A wide-ranging discussion took place. The following…
Invitation to all priests in the Dublin region to a meeting in the Regency Hotel, Swords Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 on Tuesday 25th April, 2.00 to 500pm.
This is one of the planned regional meetings of priests to explore in practical detail the worries and the fears that surfaced about the wellbeing of Irish priests at our recent AGM.
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
Mary Vallely, from Armagh, is raising the question as to why we have an association for priests only. Should we not have one made up of priests and people together?
The Association of Catholic Priests will hold its AGM at Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone
on October 1 from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.
This year the theme is: The vocations crisis: will ‘clustering’ work?
Unfortunately I will be at a parish meeting on that very date here in the Synod Hall in Armagh to discuss Cardinal Brady’s Draft Diocesan Report April. For me as an ordinary lay person this is such a rare happening to get the chance to interact with people and one of the recommendations in particular struck a strong chord with me.
e.g. “We need to find some way to listen respectfully to the alienated.”
Really interested in exploring this or at least being allowed to ask questions so I regret that I cannot attend this All Hallows event.
If anyone is going to it from Armagh parish or its environs please keep me in mind as I am very keen on this idea of an “Umbrella group”.
Bail ó Dhia ar an obair.
Mary V
I pray for the day when the governance of the Church will draw from the greater body of believers (“The Church”). There is a wealth of skills and talents for ministry that is neglected, and surely there must be legitimate vocations too. And if the Holy Spirit calls, should a small clique of humans deem otherwise? Those with “pure hearts” and “clean hands” best serve The Lord and the Church (and notice that there is no mention of “crotch” or “breasts”). When I consider God’s call to each of us by virtue of our very creation, and our acceptance in Baptism, are we not “one in the Spirit”? Is it not from this pool that the Holy Spirit draws?
I am unable to attend the meeting due to distance, but I look forward in anticipation to reforms that bring God back into core relevance, the God who dwells in the hearts of the just.
May God bless you!
Fergus P Egan
I shall be there, Deo Volente. Wild horses… etc.
A mite more clarification would not go astray… don’t you think?..
Sean Walsh.
Will be there. (The coffee dock is small for an open meeting!!)
The ACP meeting in the Regency Hotel on Whit Bank Holiday was a breath of fresh air and showed the enthusiasm of the committed laity to reform and renewal in the Church. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said that the laity must play a key role in renewing the church. However, alone the layperson can do little. United we can make a real contribution and give a voice to those who want to restore the word and love of Christ as the core teaching of the Catholic Church. There is too much fear and intolerance in the church today. We need more faith, hope and charity. An umbrella group to represent committed laypersons who serve the church they love on various groups is to be welcomed. The Spirit is still alive – alleluia.
Apologies for any confusion caused by my earlier message. As we are anticipating a large crowd I want to confirm that we have booked a room with increased capacity for Wednesday’s meeting (8.00 pm) – Woodlock Hall, in Senior House, All Hallows College. Parking will be available in the Senior House Car Park. If you arrive early the Coffee Dock will be open and you can meet up with others attending.
In response to Sean’s comments the meeting will explore the establishment of an ‘umbrella organisation’ for lay groups – existing and hopefully newly established groups – as well as individuals who share an interest in the ‘Reform and Renewal’ agenda in our Church. There is a need to bring greater cohesion and focus to our efforts as laity in pursuit of a meaningful role in the future development of our Church.
Please see Patsy McGarry’s article in to-day’s Irish Times – page 4 – for some more detail.
We look forward to a vibrant and successful meeting on Wednesday.
The idea of investigating the establishment of an umbrella organisation for the many lay Christian groups and individuals operating throughout the country is to be welcomed for a number of reasons:
(1) It would facilitate the sharing of ideas between groups and individuals which currently tend to operate in isolation and the emergence of a ‘sensus fidelium’ on major issues facing the institutional churches, and the whole Christian enterprise, at this point in time.
(2) It would also facilitate the sharing of resources – swapping speakers, sharing programs.
(3) In time, consideration might be given to the establishment of a Website which would greatly facilitate communication between all interested groups and individuals.
(4) All of the foregoing would help to ensure that the Spirit, speaking through all voices, including lay voices, is heard and that the authority of voices is not easily silenced or suppressed by the voice of authority.
(5) Such an umbrella group could liaise more effectively with other bodies such as the Association of Catholic Priests which needs lay support and which, in turn, will lend its support to lay groups.
(6) Needless to say, respectful and effective liaison with church authorities would be a fundamental objective of such an umbrella group.
Andy Burke, Howth Parish.