John O Connnell offers his thoughts on an article written years ago by Kevin McNamara (while Kevin McNamara was still a professor in Maynooth).
John suggests that it might help bridge the gap between the people who favour change and those who are against any kind of significant change.
To look at the interests and reasons behind the formulation of rules and laws can be far more productive than a narrow focus on blind obedience.
Mary Smiddy, a member of Killeagh-Inch Pastoral Council, was recently involved in a “Spiritfest” which ran the last weekend of September.
Here she gives a report on a very successful event.
“At a time when the church gets much negative publicity I feel that much that is good in our churches and parishes is not acknowledged or recognised. Because of that I would like to share some of our experiences and learning over the Spiritfest weekend.
The event illustrates the vibrancy, excitement and joy that can be found in parishes throughout the country and what is possible with a little planning, preparation and willingness to try something different while remaining true to our faith and traditions.”
Jo O’Sullivan attended the first meeting of the ACI (Association of Catholics in Ireland) on Sat 10 November. When the meeting was disturbed by a man worried about the direction the movement was aking, she found herself reflecting on her own view of the Church
The ACP Leadership call the Dolan Report on the Irish College in Rome “disturbing” and “incompetent”, saying it has effectively destroyed the reputation of priests, without giving them the right of reply. This Press Statement was issued on Friday, 15 June at 3.40pm
I suppose we all had our own particular response to the Report from Rome after the visitation of the Irish Church. Some people had positive things to say; others were disappointed. This piece was sent to us by Seamus Ahearne OSA who works in a parish in Dublin. See if it relates to how you reacted.
The present debate is certainly inspiring people to begin to think out their position in the Church in a way that they may not have done before, and to state it publicly. This time Martina Killeavy takes pen to paper.
