The Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) hosted an open forum in the Regency Hotel, Dublin on the 21st of March 2015. The aim of the conference was to facilitate dialogue and to develop submissions to the Synod on the Family from ACI members and...
Gary Gutting, professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, provides food for debate in the form of a recent New York Times article. In it he claims there is an argument to be made that allows rational reflection to strongly supports the claim that homosexual acts are not in general immoral, nor is there a need to conclude that God’s revelation says otherwise. This he says, points the way to the church’s acceptance of homosexual acts as part of a morally fulfilling human relationship.
We do not need to believe that Jesus intended violence – just that he has obliged us to choose repentance to achieve peace.
"In all my years as a Catholic, I have never heard anyone speak so clearly about gender equality." (Deborah Rose-Milavec, FutureChurch)
The following is taken from an email that Executive Director of the US Catholic Reform FutureChurch Deborah Rose-Milavec sent to members about activities at the International Women’s Day in Rome, March 8th 2015. Reproduced here with kind permission.
The event was organised by ‘Voices of Faith’*.
SOUNDING BOARD Dressed and staying in bed on a Saturday morning to relieve the pressure on a sore throat and cold exacerbated by a late evening meal out, I’m finally opening up to ‘the Power of the Now’. What is staying with me from yesterday’s enjoyable evening with...
Wherever Catholics gather this year to participate in the Synod on the Family consultation process, the issue of family planning and contraception will undoubtedly feature. This short history of how it became and remains a hotly contested issue within the Church may...
Commenting on the Family Synod, Frank Gregg explains why so many of his peers have given up on the church – and why he has not.
"Reform of the Roman Curia is difficult … there is no consensus on the Petrine ministry or the needs of the church today," says Thomas Reese.
Sean O’Conaill reflects on an early consumerist fantasy – and on the work of René Girard, profound Catholic theoretician on the origins of violence.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley tells media that accountability proposals for bishops are currently with theologians and canon lawyers.
Secularisation doesn’t need to be seen as the end of Christianity. This page provides a link to a masterly short history of the process, by Richard Lebrun.
Kevin Egan asks us to consider the possibility that our biggest assumptions as lay people may be delaying our growth to true adulthood, and the recovery of the church.
Áinéad Ní Mhuirthile recounts Limerick Diocese invitation to ACI Mid West to send delegation to upcoming Limerick Synod – and the promising beginning already made.
Sean O’Conaill argues that the Irish Catholic Church needs to prove it has a role in addressing the wider crisis of Irish society if it is to heal itself.
The English Translation of the Final Relatio of the Synod on the Family:- Synod on Family Midterm Report October 2014 (Click to download pdf file) (Source: Radio Vatican )