This Sunday’s Presider’s Page

Pope Francis changes the Code of Canon Law to institutionalise what is already allowed in practice: the access of lay women to the service of the Word and the Altar….

Seamus Ahearne posts a mid-summer reflection. Among other issues he wonders if “When people look backwards and dump the blame for everything on the past – they simply are avoiding the responsibility of what is facing them at the moment……. It is so much easier to be apologetic about the past than it is to look at today.”
He worries for Pope Francis “Why wouldn’t people leave him alone to get on with his business in Rome? We need him so badly and yet we waste his energy and time.”
But this mid-summer Seamus tells us. “We can stand back and let all this seriousness and pomposity of life be smiled at.”

Brendan Hoban, writing in the Western People, looks at Archbishop Martin’s recent comments about the future of the church.
“So did he say anything new? Not really. Nothing that most people in Ireland are not saying in parish councils. Or when they’re standing outside schools waiting for their children. Or at pub counters. The sort of things that most priests know though they often won’t admit it even to themselves. Just some realistic thinking out loud on where we are and where we need to be – unusual, it has to be said, for Irish bishops.”

WHAT A HERO! Aidan O’Brien – was celebrated during the week (again). He achieved his 400th Grade One winners, at Ascot with Auguste Rodin. He then won the Gold Cup with Kyprios on Thursday. Afterwards, he was his own…

As we are coming closer to Holy Week, we would like to draw your attention to a new evening course starting this Thursday. Aidan Matthews, acclaimed author and poet, will…

Click on the file below to listen to the audio of  Synodality – a Call to Everyone ACI Zoom discussion – Thurs July 22nd 2021, 8.00 p.m.   led by Dr…