How did the Church in Ireland discern their direction in difficult times in the past? They held many Synods, when such consultation was far more difficult to arrange than today. Although these were clerical events, today it’s clear consultation must be opened up.
This is an article in the Furrow of January 2012.
This article provdes an interesting angle on the recent silencing and disciplining of priests by the Vatican. Sean is suggesting that, rather than strengthening Vatican authority, these actions are actually weakening it.
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.
Brendan Hoban in his most recent Western People column wonders when the limits to loyalty will reach breaking point for Irish Catholics. “The Catholic Church, as bishops and sometimes parish priests remind us, is not a democracy but if people are used to their opinions being taken seriously in every other walk of life, they tend to raise a collective eyebrow when the Catholic Church decides that decision-making is confined to a tiny elite.”
Mary Cunningham outlines the CDF’s controlling role in the silencing of Fr Sean Fagan, undermining Archbishop Charles Brown’s recent assertion that such actions are a matter for a religious priest’s superior
Seamus Ahearne OSA reflects on the aftermath of the meeting between the ACP and Dublin priests’ council and Archbishop Martin. As a Church, we need to talk, bishops, priests (Nuncio) and people together!
