The Irish Examiner has a two day feature on Irish Priests, which are well worth reading. They are on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th of June.
On Friday there is a good interview with Brendan Hoban on the Association.
And Saturday profiles Fr. Paul O’Boyle of Kildare and Leighlin, giving a very good outline of the varied work of a priest today.
The Editorial Staff of the NCR (National Catholic Reporter, USA) reflect on Roy Bourgeois’ dismissal from the Maryknolls for preaching in favour of the ordination of women (reported here). They advance their opinion that barring women from ordinatiom to priesthood is an injustice that cannot be allowed to stand.
Brian Fahy shares some thoughts provoked by his memories of his mother’s parish in Mayo. “The Church (in Bangor) is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus …. My own little church in Lancashire, where I grew up and went to mass is also dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so I was very pleased to discover that my mother’s place of worship carried the same name and the same message of love.”
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.
Writing in his blog tonyflannery.com, Tony Flannery questions why changes were made in some of the literature circulated by the organisers of the world meeting of families. He suggests that “the message that is being taken from withdrawal of the (original) leaflet is that only marriage relationships that are in complete accord with Church teaching are welcome at the event.”
The ACP Leadership Team reports on the priests’ meeting that formed part of the recent AGM of the Association
Brendan Hoban, in the Western People, gives his thoughts on a very topical subject at present; should the church ever refuse a funeral Mass?
Brendan says “One of the most difficult truths of the Christian faith is that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy. No one. This is easy to understand in theory but a difficult concept to accept in practice.”
“So whether it’s the funeral of an IRA bomber during the troubles in the North or a priest pedophile buried in the dead of night or gangsters who have brought incredible suffering to countless individuals and families, that one truth applies to everyone. None of them is beyond the extended reach of God’s love and moderating that reach is not an option for a Christian church.
Jesus Christ expressed that truth clearly in just two words in Luke 6:37, ‘Judge not’ “.
