Over the course of last eight months, Catholics around the world began gathering in church halls and school gyms to, in the words of Pope Francis, “look others in the eye and listen to what they have to say”. These listening sessions were the first phase of the two-year-long Synod on Synodality that will end…

Reverend Dr Eugene Duffy, a lecturer of Theology and Religious Studies at Mary Immaculate College Limerick, spoke of his admiration for the synodal meetings held in Ireland’s dioceses and praised the spirit and nature of the discussions thus far. “The summaries have been very impressive and I suppose it has been reassuring that what we…

Speaking to young delegates participating at the National Pre-Synod Assembly in Athlone, The Synodal Times asked those involved in Diocesan grassroots movements what their views on the Church at present are. Here we speak to the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Kilmore, Francis Keaney. Commenting on the days’ events,…

Mary Anne Collins from Cork, one of the youngest delegates at the National Pre-Synodal Assembly said the entire event was very upbeat. Young people, she said, are “really looking for authenticity and sincerity. When they do find the truth, they’re really willing to embrace it and that that has been my experience: that young people…

Another young lay delegate who featured at the National Pre-Synodal Assembly discussion, Patrick Byrne from the Diocese of Ardagh, told The Synodal Times that the discussions had been stimulating, but more needs to be done if the Church wishes to fruitfully reach out to the margins. “It’s been a very good experience”, he said. “What…

The Diocese of Derry held its gatherings between February and March 2022. Four in-person information and facilitation training gatherings (one in  each  deanery) were led by Bishop  Donal McKeown and managed by two professional facilitators with expertise in restorative justice in the community and church. The Diocese is home to 252,347 Catholics.  35 of the 51 (over…

The Diocese of Cork and Ross, covering Cork city and other parts of County, is home to 68 parishes and boasts a Catholic population of 227,900. The bishop of the diocese is Bishop Fintan Gavin, who was appointed in April 2019. The Diocese of Cork and Ross implemented three channels of engagement for synodal participants:…

The Diocese of Clonfert is comprised principally of parishes in East Galway along with a parish in County Roscommon and a parish in County Offaly.   It has been joined with its neighbouring Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.  The perennial value of the Gospel message   Many respondents expressed their belief that the Gospel Message, Christianity,…

The diocesan Synodal Steering Committee proposed four questions focused on joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, to help local parish gatherings to share experiences.  As participants listened to each other, indications of ‘what the Spirit is saying to the churches’ emerged.  A total of one hundred and seventy-three parishes hosted gatherings.  Hopes – Synodality as…