Being Catholic
in Contemporary Ireland
Tom Inglis to Zoom for ACI
November 25th 2021, at 8.00 p.m.
“The majority of Irish people see and understand themselves as Catholics. Being Catholic is embedded in school, community and family life. And yet there seems to be little interest in salvation in and through the Church. Moreover, being Catholic seems no longer relevant to fulfilling social, political, economic and, more significantly, environmental interests.” Tom Inglis – Irish Sociologist and Commentator
This observation – by the renowned writer on the Catholic Church’s ‘Moral Monopoly’ in 20th century Ireland – will be expanded by Tom on 25th November – for discussion by all who are interested.
If, like ACI, you are convinced that ‘being Catholic’ is far from irrelevant in an ongoing world secular crisis – climatic and otherwise – be sure to join us to tell us why.
To join us click the link below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85832005890?pwd=Y1l1UEp4OXVxbWsxOFIyWUpCTmF0Zz09
Meeting ID: 858 3200 5890
Passcode: 021468
An education system that teaches people to be responsible for their actions is what’s necessary.If we have that there will be no need for churches. This does not exclude prayer or Holy Spirit.Forget about churches.Grow up.
So I guess, Teresa, that your experiences of churches tell you that they don’t – and maybe can’t – help people to ‘grow up’?
That has not quite been my own experience – but it is unfortunately true that too many Irish Catholic clergy are as yet unable to discuss with us what ‘growing up’ must involve – into an adulthood that sees the dangers of both deference to clergy and adolescent egotism.
We all need to be discussing ‘growing up’ – and the texts that churches are centred on provide ample scope for doing that. That is what Pope Francis initiative for change – ‘synodality’ – could be about. It remains still more of a possibility than a reality, unfortunately.
Thanks for your comments, Teresa. What exactly does ‘growing up’ mean for you?