Cathal Barry
More than 150 representatives of associations and movements of the lay faithful were urged to bring about a “culture of mercy” at a special one day conference at the weekend.
Speakers at ‘Opening the Door of Mercy’, which was organised by the Council for Pastoral Renewal and Adult Faith Development of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, included papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown and Prof. Michael Conway of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
Another speaker, journalist and author Susan Gately, told The Irish Catholic that the conference “gave us all great hope and great encouragement to keep on doing what we are doing, working together more if we can, and bringing mercy out to the world around us”.
Amnesty
Ms Gately told the conference that a culture of mercy “introduces a general amnesty into the way we think about people – even the people we love to criticise – our politicians or TV stars”.
“Our amnesty of mercy, should extend to everyone,” she said, adding that “living out the culture of mercy brings a great joy and a great hope”.
“Eyes of mercy are new eyes that see where the needs are. As movements and communities we must be faithful to our charisms which are gifts for the whole Church and for the world, but at the same time we have to be ready to try new things and adapt so as to bring our spirit out more. The Year of Mercy challenges us to do this,” she said.
‘Opening the Door of Mercy’ was held at the Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin at the weekend for members of ecclesial movements, associations of lay faithful, apostolates, Christian organisations and other parish groups.