The support group for Priests and Religious out of Ministry is now up and running. The first meeting of the Support Group will take place on February 2nd, 2013. Priests and Religious may access more information about this meeting by phoning one of the organisers of the meeting at 085 8607144
The Leadership Team of the ACP share the latest document from the Vatican, in preparation for the Synod on the F amily to be held in 2014. This contains a questionnaire that is meant to be widely circulated. The principal document, the Lineamenta, which includes the questionnaire, is now available as a PDF file on the Dublin diocesan website
“The Pope explained that he could not take everything in hand personally from Rome. We local bishops, who are best acquainted with the needs of our faithful, should be corajudos, that is ‘courageous’ in Spanish, and make concrete suggestions,”
Siobhán Larkin is a Holy Faith Sister who worked in New Zealand; she has lectured in All Hallows and has recently completed her Doctorate.
In this article she kindly shares some of the conclusions that she has drawn from her research.
Her thesis “puts the spot light on work that is being done by many committed lay people and suggests that education of this group in particular is imperative if this strong force within the Catholic Church is to be maintained and expanded.”
“the renewal of the Church in Ireland is most likely to begin at grass roots level, and that it is in the renewal of parish life that the sense of belonging to the community of the Church will be revived.”
“Official recognition of the place of lay people in ministry roles in Ireland is essential……. At national and diocesan level it is essential that ways of financing the education of adult lay people, particularly those who are undertaking significant roles, is found.”
James Allison, a leading theologian who is himself gay, writes about homosexuality among the Catholic clergy (First published in The Tablet on 4 August, 2018 – the first of a two-part series). Shared by an ACP member.
The places we try to get away from are where the seeds of new life will be found, for God can always bring light out of darkness….
Current ACP members and new members in Cloyne diocese and Cork & Ross are to meet on Monday 21 May. Tony Flannery will attend.
Well done and good luck with this – and may those good men/women get that help and support they so desperately need. If really successful might initiate another level of support for others in our Church community who might wish some affirmation and support also, in differing contexts.
Good for you and hope men, and women are making use of the call.
God bless all in this endeavour.