P.J. Madden, of the diocese of Kildare & Leighlin has agreed to become the fourth member of the Leadership Team. We are very happy to have P.J. on board.
P.J. comes from a different background to the rest of us, having been married and reared a family before he decided to study for the priesthood when his wife died.
He brings a wide range of experience and knowledge to the team, and we look forward to working with him.
Brendan Hoban rejoices in the renewal Pope Francis has brought in his first year as bishop of Rome (first published in the Western People).
Seamus Ahearne reviews a new publication by Pádraig McCarthy.
“Whether you agree with Padraig McCarthy’s line of argument in this book or not, he ruthlessly presents the core questions. The seriousness of the proposed Referendum makes it important that his book be read and studied. He has done us a service.”
Updated with a summary of the main points made by Pádraig McCarthy
Chris McDonnell writing recently in the Catholic Times suggests that a rethink of ‘vocation’ is needed but that there will only be a response to the current crisis when ‘a realistic connection is made with contemporary needs.’
In the wake of the controversy aroused by Archbishop Martin’s comments about his decision to transfer the three Dublin diocesan students from Maynooth Seán McDonagh wrote in the Irish Independent last week to express his surprise and disappointment at the issues that exercise and energise some of our bishops and most of the media.
“nobody mentioned three of the most significant documents of the modern Church – The Joy of the Gospel, Laudato Si’ : On Care For Our Common Home and The Joy of Love. These are pivotal documents in the modern Church and yet, they were missing for the debate.
I look forward to the day when the media – if they are genuinely interested in the future of the Irish Church- will afford the same time, interest and energy to discussing the latter as they have to this week’s Maynooth story. “
Perhaps we could apply that wish for the media to church as well and even to commentary on our website!
The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Liamy MacNally, as its first Administrative Secretary.
Kathleen McDonnell in her address at Claremorris explained why she and others in Killaloe diocese felt compelled to speak out against the introduction of the male only permanent diaconate.
