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 death of Eamonn Casey, former bishop of Galway, has evoked different reactions and emotions.
Kevin Clancy has his own special memories; “Having been a diocesan priest myself for several years, working with and coming across a considerable number of bishops, charisma-wise none of them could compare with him or match his passion in promoting the social message of the gospel.”
Brendan Hoban in his weekly column in the Western People says that “If the values of the gospel of Jesus are to find its space in a different world, we need ordinary words to communicate truths that resonate with the deepest reaches and we need rituals, religious or otherwise, that speak gospel truths.
Eamonn Casey urging on thousands of young people in Galway to tell the Pope that they loved him is now part of the baggage of a by-gone era. We need to stop visiting it.”
Brendan Hoban reflects on the isolation of rural Irish priests and adds a historical perspective, suggesting it was ever thus (first published in the Western People on 16 April).
We need to let ourselves be met by our risen Lord, as Mary Magdalene was. She has something to teach us about seeking the Lord even in our grief.
Fr. Anthony Ruff OSB reports on the meeting of the U.S. bishops at Baltimore.
He raises the possibility of some movement on the ongoing problems with the current “translation” of the Roman Missal with the election of a new chair to the U.S. bishops liturgy committee.
“it is noteworthy that the bishop who spoke most negatively about the new translation, Archbishop Wilton Gregory, was a candidate to be chair of the USCCB liturgy committee. He was elected. His term will begin in 2016.”
” Archbishop Wilton Gregory, also a former USCCB liturgy committee chair, rose to echo Trautman’s concerns. Before printing up more books with the current translation, we ought to look at the problems with the translation. There should be a review of the problems with the new Missal.”
Isn’t it time the Irish bishops addressed the problem realistically and had a real discussion about it?
Our AGM is still attracting interest with Sarah MacDonald writing in the National Catholic Reporter about the ‘advice card’ for priests that has been published by the ACP and the introduction of “Healing Circles”.
Fr David Cooper is chair of our sister association in the U.S.(the AUSCP, the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests). This is his response to Brendan Hoban’s ‘Points of Clarification regarding the ACP’ posted on this page.
