Fr Gerard Moloney CSsR is giving a talk
“My experience at the hands of the CDF”
followed by Q & A at 2.00pm on Saturday, 25 June, 2016 at the Jesuit Conference Centre, Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
The ‘We Are Church’ AGM will follow at 3pm.
Brendan Hoban reflects on the implications of declining clergy numbers in his west-of-Ireland diocese and sees clustering of parishes as only a short-term solution.
Iacopo Scaramuzzi reports on some off the cuff remarks made by Pope Francis at a Conference sponsored by the Congregation for the Clergy.
He told bishops: “Be present in your dioceses of resign”
To priests he said “It is not normal for a priest to be often sad, nervous, or of a hard character; it is not good, and does no good, neither for the priest nor for his people,”
About those wishing to enter the seminary he said authorities should think twice if the young man “is too confident, rigid and fundamentalist”.
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The Association of Catholics in Ireland [ACI] have announced the date of a general meeting in Dublin. It will follow the AGM of the ACP on 10 November. A draft statement of objectives has also been published.
The leadership of the Association of Catholic Priests – Tony Flannery, Brendan Hoban and Sean McDonagh, (P.J. Madden being unavoidably absent) met with representatives of the Irish Episcopal Conference, Bishops…
Mary Cunningham suggests that Mary mcAleese’s interview with Pat Kenny provides ‘food for thought’
Noel Baker reports in the Irish Examiner on the The Irish Examiner / ICMSA Farming Poll that brought to light the latest views and opinions on religion and the priesthood among the farming community.
Taken among what is regarded as a very traditional group (69% of the respondents said they attended Mass every week), 82% of respondents agreed that priests should be allowed to marry.
Regarding the ordination of women 70% of those aged 34 and under supported such a move, but a higher percentage of older farmers backed the idea of women priests, from 75% of those aged over 65, to 87% of those aged 55 to 64. While 82% of men supported the idea of women priests, 76% of women were in favour.
Sean McDonagh commented “The most interesting thing is here are lay people and people of faith seeing that the present rules are not functioning and want to see a change to allow it to function better,”
The survey certainly shows a hierarchy with views at total odds with the laity.
Archbishop Brown, Papal Nuncio, said “allowing serving priests to marry or allowing women priests would not be following the Catholic tradition.”
From to-days (May 13) Acts reading
….. I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met the accusers face to face and had been given an opportunity to make a defense against the charge. So when they met here, I lost no time, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought……..
AH WELL that was the empire.