This appeal was initiated by groups organising two international conferences in Rome in November 2015 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). See details at end of article. It has been signed by at least 50 Catholic Reform...
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“Don’t be afraid of new things!” (NCR)
"To raise doubts about the working of the Spirit, to give the impression that it cannot take place in those who are not ‘part of our group,’ who are not ‘like us,’ is a dangerous temptation." "Not only does it block conversion to the faith; it is a perversion of faith!" he said.
PRESS RELEASE: ACI SUPPORTS BISHOP ON ORDINATION OF MARRIED MEN
Association of Catholics in Ireland Press Release September 2015 LAY REFORM GROUP SUPPORTS BISHOP ON ORDINATION OF MARRIED MEN The lay church reform group, Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) has warmly welcomed and given its strong support to the initiative by...
Parish Clustering: the worst possible response to the clerical manpower crisis?
What are the likely consequences of the ‘clustering’ of parishes, to address the crisis of priestly manpower in the Irish Church? Should we be concerned?
Laudato Si’, Technocracy and Technobuzz
What explains the obsession with technology, the ‘technocratic paradigm’ identified by Pope Francis as the root of the global environmental crisis?
Laudato Si – praise God for the Earth we now Threaten
The Earth, our mother and sister, "cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her". Pope Francis.
The Marriage Equality Referendum – A Perspective: Kathleen Faley
Kathleen Faley sees our churches as less welcoming of the diversity of young people than shopping malls and sports stadia – and calls for change.
Can Pope Francis make a difference on climate change?
Can the pope’s pending encyclical add global momentum to the cause of tackling climate change, or will it simply divide the church?
A Cosmic Spirituality for a New Theology; Teilhard de Chardin’s Evolutionary Journey to Omega Christ by Aidan Hart
In the first half of the 20th century (1881-1955), a French Jesuit priest, Fr. Teilhard de Chardin SJ, combined his theological, philosophical and scriptural studies with a growing interest in the structure of rocks and fossils (geology), the material aspects of the...
The Bishops, ‘the Message’ and the Church
For Sean O’Conaill Archbishop Diarmuid Martin’s call for a ‘reality check’ is welcome, but only if that will allow for dialogue and a new look at human sexuality.
A visitor’s experience of Dublin Mass in referendum week
I arrived at Dublin airport only a few hours ago but in time to attend Sunday Mass at a nearby neighborhood church. Mass began with the deacon reading Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin’s pastoral reflections about Ireland’s upcoming constitutional referendum on marriage equality. Spoiler alert: he’s against it.
Agreed Open Letter to Pope Francis following Limerick International Catholic Reform Conference held April 2015
Press release 12 May 2015 After a recent significant international meeting in Limerick of Catholic priests’ associations and Catholic reform groups from ten countries it was agreed to forward an agreed letter to Pope Francis (see below). The agreed statement...
New Light on the Problem of Atonement
René Girard’s insights into the origins of violence and over-consumption help to explain how the Crucifixion reconciles us humans to God.
Irish Abuse Survivor and Papal Councillor Marie Collins was Featured Speaker at VOTF 2015 National Assembly
Watch a video of Marie’s most informative talk in which she tells her own story as a survivor of clerical sexual abuse and now as a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission.
What happened in Limerick should not stay in Limerick
From April 13th- 17th, 2015, thirty-eight Catholics from priest associations and church reform organizations across ten countries met in Limerick, Ireland to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the Church today and to work together for change. Traveling...