SÉAMUS AHEARNE: THE ACP AS A BISHOP!

I like the thought – of a Collective Noun. Bees – a swarm. Fish – a shoal/school. Birds – a flock. Lions – a pride. Wolves – a pack. Ants – a colony. Ships – a fleet. Sheep/cattle – Herd.

I was wondering what such a Collective Noun could be, for Bishops? I know and have known many Bishops. Some of MY best friends are! I have known some Cardinals. I have known many Provincials (and have been there myself). I don’t need a Collective Noun for Popes. But I do know a Pope: Leo/Bob.

Here is my idea: Leaders (as Bishops/as Cardinals/as Provincials) have a very difficult job to do. Leaders too in politics, have a very challenging job. Parents have a demanding job. Teachers/managers have a stressful job. Who or what can help? The Collective notion helps, if people can really work together.

I go back now to the idea of a Bishop. To lead. To rise about the administrative troubles. To have a vision of ‘the more’ in life, and for life. To lift people up. To encourage. To be a signpost of hope. To be a person of inspiration. To be that ‘smile on the face of God’ (a Sacrament, as Schillebeeckx said). To have the humour and outlook, of the ‘bigness of God’ and yet to be ever so happy, with the Godliness of life. To ‘grace’ every place; every person; every moment. To be aware of the local issues in the parishes. To drop by for that cup of tea. To highlight pastoral problems, and to present doable ways of dealing with the new situation in faith-life. To be a spokesperson on the wider questions that arise in our country or any country. To speak positively and with a light touch. The smaller and less important role is to dress up and appear in the formal settings with Holy Words, which can be cold comfort in our new world.

I go back to my Collective Noun. Could I dare call the ACP – a Collective Noun? It has led. It has spread and sprinkled a greater portrait of faith and how it might be expressed. Oh yes. It has asked difficult questions. It has made a space for loud voices. But I hope especially, it has lifted the hearts of the Church among us. At its simplest version, it provides other ideas on Liturgy. It also decorates the pages with ideas and stories from other places. It has provided a Forum for differing and different voices. Could that be called – as a Collective, that it has acted as a Bishop for us all? Or as a Collective Noun, it has been doing the work of being Bishops together for each other? Thanks to all who began that story and who continue to offer us something new. A Collective Noun for Bishop/bishops = the ACP.

Seamus Ahearne osa   11th February 2026.

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