Articles

Another Revealing Interview

by | Oct 1, 2013 |

Here are some quotes from a recent dialogue between Pope Francis and the Italian newspaper La Repubblica's founder, Eugenio Scalfari. (Follow link below to heard the whole article). "The most serious of the evils that afflict the world these days are youth...

Is Reform Possible?

by | Sep 27, 2013 |

"Collegiality holds immense implications for the Curia. It means the Curia should operate not as a set of agencies in charge of the church but as agencies that serve lower agencies by helping them do what they are supposed to do. It means, in other words, strictly...

Reaction to ‘The Big Interview’ by Brendan Dinneen

Reaction to ‘The Big Interview’ by Brendan Dinneen

by | Sep 27, 2013 |

I believe that Pope Francis has moved the church decades in six months. He is doing the job where it should be done and in the manner in which it can only be done -  from the top and with just gestures and signals.  If he had been corralled in the Papal apartments he...

Pope Francis – The Big Interview

by | Sep 20, 2013 |

In an extensive interview held over three sessions during August, Pope Francis has set the church on a new course towards reform.  He calls for a recognition that  the first reform required must be one of  attitude; a moving away from judgement and exclusion, towards...

‘Catholics must not be disinterested in Politics’

by | Sep 16, 2013 |

Source: ‘Catholics must not be disinterested in Politics’ (Vatican Insider) "Humility and love are key attributes one must have as a leader, while citizens, particularly Catholics, must not be disinterested in politics." This was the Pope’s message at this morning’s...

Respectful Opposition (6th Sept)

Respectful Opposition (6th Sept)

by | Sep 6, 2013 |

Bob Shine and Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which was set up to 'build bridges between the LGBT community and the Catholic Church', says it time for bishops to follow Pope Francis and other leaders internationally in adopting a more pastoral tone amid...

ACI’s Campaign for Lumen Gentium 37

The Promise of Synodality

What we have experienced of synodality so far gives ACI real hope that a longstanding structural injustice in the church may at last be acknowledged and overcome.

As all Irish bishops well know, the 'co-responsibility' they urge lay people to share - as numbers and energies of clergy decline - has been sabotaged time and again by canonical rules that deny representational authority and continuity to parish pastoral councils.  ACI's 2019 call for the immediate honouring of Lumen Gentium Article 37 becomes more urgent by the day and is supported by the following documents - also presented to the ICBC in October 2019.

The Common Priesthood of the People of God and the Renewal of the Church
It was Catholic parents and victims of clerical abuse who taught Catholic Bishops to prioritise the safeguarding of children in the church

Jesus as Model for the Common Priesthood of the People of God
It was for challenging religious hypocrisy and injustice that Jesus was accused and crucified. He is therefore a model for the common priesthood of the laity and for the challenging of injustice - in society and within the church.

A Suggested Strategy for the Recovery of the Irish and Western Catholic Church
Recovery of the church depends upon acknowledgment of the indispensable role of the common priesthood of the lay people of God and the explicit abandonment by bishops and clergy of paternalism and clericalism - the expectation of deference from lay people rather than honesty and integrity.

For the full story of ACI's campaign for the honouring of Article 37 of Lumen Gentium, click here.

Prayer

"Come Holy Spirit, Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen."

Saint Pope John XXIII, 1962 - In preparation for Vatican Council II, 1962-65.

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