Pope Francis and Fr Sean McDonagh
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Conclusion of the Synod of Bishops; address of Pope Francis
Time will judge the impact of the synod. The Pope’s closing comments stand for themselves but perhaps many will read as much into what he left unsaid as what he said.
“Surely it was not about finding exhaustive solutions for all the difficulties and uncertainties which challenge and threaten the family, but rather about seeing these difficulties and uncertainties in the light of the Faith, carefully studying them and confronting them fearlessly, without burying our heads in the sand.”“It was about trying to open up broader horizons, rising above conspiracy theories and blinkered viewpoints, so as to defend and spread the freedom of the children of God, and to transmit the beauty of Christian Newness, at times encrusted in a language which is archaic or simply incomprehensible.”
“The Synod experience also made us better realize that the true defenders of doctrine are not those who uphold its letter, but its spirit; not ideas but people; not formulae but the gratuitousness of God’s love and forgiveness. This is in no way to detract from the importance of formulae – they are necessary – or from the importance of laws and divine commandments, but rather to exalt the greatness of the true God, who does not treat us according to our merits or even according to our works but solely according to the boundless generosity of his Mercy “
“The Church’s first duty is not to hand down condemnations or anathemas, but to proclaim God’s mercy, to call to conversion, and to lead all men and women to salvation in the Lord (cf. Jn 12:44-50).”
Experiencing God in Creation: 14 – 17 July, 2014 at the Columban Ecological Institute, Dalgan Park, Navan
Coming to see God’s presence in creation is a central feature of our Christian Faith.
St. Columban counselled, those who wish to know the great deep (God) must first study the natural world.Pope Francis addresses engaged couples on St Valentine’s Day
Padraig McCarthy reports Pope Francis’ words to engaged couples on St Valentine’s Day. (The talk was in Italian and was published on the Vatican website: this is an unofficial translation.)
Marco Politi – The Association of Catholics in Ireland in association with the Loyola Institute, Trinity College
Marco Politi will speak in the Loyola Institute, Trinity College, on Tuesday 18th October at 6.30 pm.
Still flying a tattered flag
Brendan Hoban in his weekly column in the Western People reflects on his 43 years in ministry in the light of the influence successive papacies have had on church.
‘as hope gradually died a long and difficult death and Rome eventually began to implode, a few years ago the cardinals came to the obvious conclusion that the Curia in Rome had to be reformed, rowing back in the general direction of the Council of Trent had failed and that the vision of Vatican Two was worth a second look.
Unexpectedly Francis emerged from the shadows……….’It’s ok for Catholics to think and talk!
Hans Küng has released a statement to media about a letter he received from Pope Francis following his appeal for an open discussion about ‘nfallibility’.
The English version was released simultaneously by National Catholic Reporter and The Tablet.