Pope Francis has announced he will create a commission to study the possibility of allowing women to serve as
deacons in the Catholic church (Source: NCR)
Articles
The pontificate might be stuck in the mud
"After three very uplifting and incredible years under the prophetic leadership and compelling personal witness of Pope Francis, many reform-minded Catholics have again become quite worried about the future direction of their church." Robert Mickens (NCR)
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the debate in which we learn from one another. (editor)
Faith formation? Take it out of schools altogether!
Sean O’Conaill argues that our school-centred system of ‘faith formation’ is a major factor in the growing existential crisis of Catholicism in Ireland.
Faith formation: the role of home, parish and school
Aidan Hart outlines a model of faith formation centred on the family and parish, supported by and influencing the school.
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the debate in which we learn from one another. (editor)
Limerick Diocese Synod ….. a real marker, but the journey goes on
Synod delegate Ainead Ní Mhuirthile, gathers her immediate thoughts following the conclusion of the 3-day Synod event in Limerick.
Some Thoughts from a Delegate on the Eve of the Limerick Diocesan Synod
Ainead Ni Mhuirthile writes, " It has been quite a journey. A lot of work, time and energy. A massive undertaking on the part of the Diocese. And in the first instance, a courageous initiative on the part of our Bishop to embark on this large-scale consultative process which may yet yield fruit …
Women – a potential for ministry in the church today
Maire Ni Duibhir argues passionately for a re-evaluation and re-visioning of the role of women in the church.
CHURCH: Institution or Community?
Teresa Mee considers the problem of moving from the passivity caused by the power of the clerical church institution, to the active rebuilding of the church as a community.
Why our sacraments often don’t connect with real life (NCR)
by Joseph Martos for the 'National Catholic Reporter' This article by Joseph Martos, published recently in the National Catholic Reporter, reflects the thinking set out in his book Deconstructing Sacramental Theology and Reconstructing Catholic Ritual (published...
Rite & Reason: A living, breathing liturgical community is ‘buried alive’ in Dublin
Dr Fáinche Ryan points to the absurdity of the ongoing conditions for priestly ordination when a usually full chapel is closed.
The movie ‘Spotlight’ and the church’s need for outsiders
Sean O’Conaill finds Spotlight a superior movie to All the President’s Men and a gift to Ireland’s need for a ‘debriefing’ on the clerical child abuse catastrophe.
ACI meeting with Archbishop Eamon Martin, 25th November 2015: Report by ACI Team
We found the meeting to be generally an affirmative experience that did not discourage ACI’s own proposal to forward the reforms of Vatican II
William Cavanaugh: Binary thinking on ‘Religion and Secularism’ has had its day
The claimed difference between ‘religious’ and ‘secular’ that lies behind blaming religion for violence is artificial and meaningless, according to William Cavanaugh.
The Catholic Story: Differing Narratives (NCR)
"Whether by design or by accident, the John Paul papacy broke the alliance between bishops and theologians which had proved so successful against the Roman Curia at Vatican II."
Pope Francis criticises ‘fundamentalist’ Catholics (Catholic Herald)
“Fundamentalism is a sickness that is in all religions,” said the Pontiff. “We Catholics have some — and not some, many — who believe they possess the absolute truth and go ahead dirtying the other with calumny, with disinformation, and doing evil. They do evil. I say this because it is my Church.”