Statement: ACP Supports Synodal Pathway (+ leagan Gaeilge)
Following ACP Leadership Team and Advisory Team meetings yesterday the following statement has been issued:
Association of Catholic Priests
Welcomes Irish Bishops Synodal Pathway
Holy Thursday, 2021
The Association of Catholic Priests warmly welcomes the announcement by the Irish Bishops Conference that they are initiating a Synodal Pathway, leading to a National Synod within five years. This is something that the Association has called for repeatedly over the past number of years because we believe it is the path to a possible renewal of the Irish Church.
The Association of Catholic Priests will help in every possible way to make this initiative a success. We ask all our members, and indeed all the priests in the country, to actively endorse this process, and also ask that they encourage parish councils, parishioners and all members of the Church to respond with energy and enthusiasm to the Synodal Pathway.
The Association of Catholic Priests will present a considered submission to the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference prior to the launch of the project in June.
Ends
Roy Donovan 087-2225150; Gerry O’Connor 087-2320295
Tim Hazelwood 087-1337164; John Collins 086-8046020
For verification: Liamy Mac Nally, ACP Admin Sec 087-2233220
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Leagan Gaeilge
Fáiltíonn Cumann na Sagart Caitliceach (Association of Catholic Priests – ACP)
Roimh Shionad-Chosán Easpaig na hÉireann
Déardaoin Mandála, 2021
Cuireann Cumann na Sagart Caitliceach fíorchaoin fáilte roimh fhógra Chomhdháil Easpaig na hÉireann go bhfuil siad chun tús a chur le Sionad-Chosán a chríochnóidh ina Shionad Náisiúnta laistigh de chúig bliana. Tá an Cumann á éileamh seo arís agus arís eile le blianta anuas mar go gcreidimid go bhféadfadh sé bheith ina chosán chun athnuachana don Eaglais in Éirinn.
Cabhróidh Cumann na Sagart Caitliceach i ngach slí ar féidir leis chun go mbeidh an rath ar an dtionscnamh seo. Iarraimid ar ár mbaill ar fad, agus, go deimhin, ar an uile shagart sa tír, tacú leis an bpróiseas seo, agus iarraimid chomh maith go spreagfaidh siad na comhairlí paróiste, pobal na bparóistí, agus baill uile na hEaglaise, freagairt le fuinneamh agus le dúthracht don Sionad-Chosán.
Cuirfidh Cumann na Sagart Caitliceach aighneacht mheáite faoi bhráid Chomhdháil Easpaig Chaitliceacha na hÉireann roimh sheoladh an tionscadail seo i mí an Mheithimh.
Roy Donovan 087-2225150; Gerry O’Connor 087-2320295
Tim Hazelwood 087-1337164; John Collins 086-8046020
Fíorú: Liamy Mac Nally, ACP Admin Sec 087-2233220
www.associationofcatholicpriests.ie
“From 6 April next, an online page will be available on the Bishops’ Conference website for the submission of ideas and suggestions.”
Hi,
A very Happy Easter to all.
Have you heard anymore about this page as I cannot see it on their website?
Also is it open to all of us?
Thank you
Phil
https://www.catholicbishops.ie/synod/submissions/
Easter joy to you Phil! Soline
Perfect Soline, thank you 🙂
I am hoping that this synodal process is completed in tandem with moving women forward for the priesthood/deaconate rather than becoming a replacement for this very necessary step in the future of our Catholic Church.. dare we trust the powers that be..
Statement: ACP Supports Synodal Pathway
In the spirit of the Irish Bishops’ Synodal Pathway of “walking together” in prayer, listening, consultation and discernment, I suggest that any decision on adopting a new translation of the Lectionary be part of the synodal process (1) in order to facilitate as wide a consultation as possible with the laity on this important topic, many of whom haven’t even heard about the Bishops’ invitation to submit ideas for a new translation, but who care deeply about the proclamation of the Word of God; and (2) to provide sufficient time to consider the advantages of the New Revised Standard Version translation so as not to lose this historic opportunity to foster ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, since many of our friends and neighbours, including those of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Anglican Communion, the Church of Ireland and the Episcopal Church, use the Book of Common Prayer and the Revised Common Lectionary, both of which have incorporated the NRSV for quotations from Scripture.
The Bishops’ call for submissions on a new translation of the Lectionary for Mass in Ireland, like their equally welcome decision to embark on a synodal pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland, emanated from their Spring General Meeting in March 2021. However, their brief invitation to submit ideas on the Lectionary mentioned only the English Standard Version and — as an alternative translation with inclusive language — the Revised New Jerusalem Bible (2018). I agree with Cainneach Ó Bradaigh’s and Core Group of the Scottish Laity Network’s comment (13th March 2021 on the ACP website) that “the clear priority should be inclusiveness and accessibility allowing the Word of God to speak to everyone, regardless of gender”. However, I would add that the New Revised Standard Version, in addition to using inclusive language both grammatically and consistently, has stood the test of time and is the most widely used translation of the Bible in the world.
It takes time to enter into a process of consultation and discernment and eventually to work out arrangements for copyright, imprimatur and so forth. Can we afford a hasty, relatively non-participative decision to be made at this juncture — a decision which may serve to alienate members of the faithful and ignore their wisdom? The choice of translation for the Lectionary, as well as for the breviary and Missal, will affect the celebration of the liturgy for many years to come.
Thérèse Osborne