The View The pandemic has left an already battered Church facing even more challenges, including financial woes. Great uncertainty hangs over 2022 but that is true of every year. Do we have unrealistic expectations of safety and comfort? Our ancestors had lower expectations of life because they knew disaster could strike at any moment. I…
There is no guarantee the proposed synod will rekindle the Church’s missionary zeal, writes Kingsley Jones The Covid-19 pandemic has been a crisis for Catholics in more ways than one. Not only have we had to deal with a medical emergency, but we’ve also been ambushed by the spirit of our times. While our right…
The Faithful should respect everyone’s right to share their views as the Church continues on its synodal journey, Bishop Ger Nash of the Diocese of Ferns has said in his Christmas message. He said that Pope Francis has called for a new conversation to take place within the Catholic Church in order “that we might…
‘Negaholism’ is a term that is used to describe the state or condition of being addicted to negative thinking. Counsellors and therapists more-and-more see it as a psychological addiction that has an impact on a person’s overall quality of life. Of course, it’s important to distinguish between negaholism and deep-seated clinical depression which is a…
The Archdiocese of Dublin has announced that a synodal process of discussion and discernment will begin across the diocese in the New Year, according to a letter sent by the archbishop. Archbishop Dermot Farrell also announced that a taskforce aimed at developing their pastoral plan has been created. He said: “It is my intention to…
It would be “unwise and unhelpful” to decide how the final listening report will be handled at the early stages of Ireland’s national synod, according to Bishop Paul Dempsey of Achonry following concerns about the process. A number of leading laypeople have called on the Irish bishops to return their final listening report when it…
To get the process right we must listen with respect to those who have something to say born from experience, writes Garry O’Sullivan When Pope Francis in 2013 decided he would eat in the canteen like the rest of the staff, people realised that a different kind of Church was being promoted. I remember being…
Inviting people to participate in a process that is really only about erecting scaffolding around old structures will further alienate even the enthusiastic, writes Garry O’Sullivan “Trying to turn the pyramid upside down,” is how Fr Brendan Hoban described what they were doing by organising a diocesan assembly in Killala, one of the smallest dioceses…
Ireland’s Catholic leaders have urged for constructive collective discernment to be used across Ireland’s dioceses as the Church in Ireland commences its two-year Synodal Pathway, which will eventually lead to a National Synodal Assembly in Ireland. Speaking at the launch of a We Are Church online event on the National Synodal Assembly, Bishop Paul Dempsey…
Breda O'Brien
Michael Kelly
Chai Brady