The Association of Catholics in Ireland
invite all interested people to
“Starting a National Conversation”
on Saturday, 11 October,
in
The Regency Hotel, Dublin
Registration 10.30 a.m.
‘The Church. the Family and Society in the 21st Century”
Featuring
Mark Patrick Hederman OSB
Abbot of Glenstal Abbey
Dr. Siobhan Garrigan
Loyola Chair of Catholic Theology
(Trinity college)
Martin Hayes from Waterfall in Cork laments to lack of real follow-up to the marvellous gathering in the Regency twelve months ago. He also believes that the movement to have two separate associations is part of the problem, and is actually stifling progress.
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Tony Flannery reports that a letter has been sent to Pope Francis on behalf of reform movements in many countries, the ACP included.
John the Baptist is the focus of the liturgy on the Second Sunday of Advent each year. His challenge to us to ‘prepare a way for the Lord’ is at the heart of the Advent message. We worship the one who will surely come to us.
“The ACI strongly supports Pope Francis in his desire to make the WMOF an inclusive occasion, open to all. Everyone who supports this approach will be concerned by recent interventions by some conservative elements in the church who appear ready to obstruct the inclusive and compassionate approach being advocated by Pope Francis. We must act to ensure that those in our church and our society who feel marginalised and unwanted have a forum where they can articulate their particular concerns and describe the realities of life for their families in Ireland today. A forum where they can speak freely, knowing that they will be heard with compassion and where their views will be respected.
To this end the ACI are planning a pre-WMOF public event for Saturday, 14th April 2018 at the Hilton Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin 2.”
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On behalf of the ACI I would like to thank the ACP, Seamus Ahearne in particular, for supporting this event. The ACI would also like to acknowledge the support of We Are Church, Voice of the Faithful, Pobal De and the Irish Missionary Union who are working with the ACI on this ‘National Conversation’ initiative.
The organisers would dearly love to re-capture the energy and enthusiasm of the historic meeting organised by the ACP in the Regency Hotel in May 2012. We have been given a unique and very precious opportunity under the papacy of Francis to make our voices heard. Surely it is now time in 2014 for the ‘Sleeping Giant’ that is the laity (to quote the late Cardinal O’Fiach) to (finally) awaken and play our rightful role in supporting the reform and renewal of our church which Pope Francis is leading.
The ACI would appeal to ACP members to promote this event and we would encourage you to consider asking representatives from your parishes to attend. The event on the 11th October is not intended to be a ‘stand alone’ gathering. The objective is to motivate those who attend to go back to their parishes and local areas and continue the ‘conversation’. In this way, over time, the ‘National Conversation’ can be ‘rolled out’ across the country.
The forthcoming Synods in 2014 and 2015 will be pivotal events in terms of the decisions our church leadership will take on many issues impacting on the lives of families and individuals in the future. Encouraging the lay faithful to meet and discuss the issues can lead to a situation where our voices, including those of the most marginalised, can be heard and acted upon by our church leaders.
Pope Francis is appealing to the lay faithful to play their part in the renewal of our church – lets answer his call and contribute to shaping the future direction of our church.
Noel McCann
ACI Steering Group
I was just reading a comment this morning, ‘Empathy is not simply a matter of trying to imagine what others are going through, but having the will to muster enough courage to do something about it’. (Dr. Cornel West)
We can all empathise, feel the pain others are going through but it isn’t enough to just feel. We have to DO. The ACI has a lot of support but I’d like to echo Noel’s appeal that we actually get up, get out, get together and DO something. A conversation is an excellent place to start.
May I put in a plea to my fellow Armachians and Northerners to join with us in the Regency on October 11th.
I’d also like to commend Noel McCann for the tremendous, persistent effort he has made in getting us this far. Bail ó Dhia ar an obair. 🙂
I’ve booked myself into this event – a rare opportunity for me to get to the capital from here in Coleraine and meet up with as many as possible. None of us can stir the current trough of despond entirely alone – we need to meet up for mutual support, scuttlebutting, sharing of experience and ideas.
Also I fear I have to say that I see the ACP as presently too absorbed with its own navel – apparently incapable of discovering the live coal under the mountain of ecclesiastical ash that Cardinal Martini talked about – and of striking fire from it. We need clergy and people together to do that, in a truly equal, vibrant community. An obsessive and seemingly exclusive focus on the ordained priesthood crisis isn’t getting anyone anywhere. I see wheels spinning wildly in the ditch.
Well done the the ACI leadership for organising and to the ACP for supporting this upcoming event.The call for ACP members to spread the word regarding the meeting is a simple step on a shared path.Pope Francis has set the tone for a meitheal approach to our common cause. Beir Bua.
Hi All ,
Well done to all on the steering committee for organising the event. Unfortunately I’ll be away for it. It promises to be an interesting day for all who are going to attend b
Regards Ben Flood
It would be a great help if members would put a notice of this event in their Parish Newsletters