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.
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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.”
Will the Francis Effect Ever Reach Ireland?
An interesting article by Fr Brendan Hoban of the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland (ACP), in his ‘Western People’ newspaper column.
Understanding the Drive to Possess: Teresa Mee
Teresa Mee reflects on Sean O’Conaill’s novel for young adults, The Chain that Binds the Earth.
Ordination of married men would cause other major changes within the church
“What can the ordination of married men possibly have to do with the ordination of women?” Maybe more than we might think.
A Parable for our Times: Teresa Mee
Teresa Mee challenges us to find ways of supporting Pope Francis’ mission to transform the relationship between the church and the family.
Appeal of international reform movements to the Synod Fathers in Rome: “Follow Pope Francis’ way of dialogue and reform!”
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...
“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...