Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
A group of delegates, representing ACI members living in the Dublin Diocese*, met with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in Drumcondra. The delegation expressed their appreciation to Archbishop Martin of the opportunity to discuss with him the upcoming Vatican Synod on the Family on the day before he left for the Synod.
Following introductions, the ACI delegation gave the Archbishop a summary of what they wished to discuss on behalf of their members namely:
- The Synod Preparatory Process
- The Lived Experience of the Church’s People
- The Processes for the Future
The Archbishop described the Pope Francis’ Synod process, which this time is an “unknown and a known” and which includes the Questionnaire beforehand and its analysis; the individual submissions of participants with daily summaries during the first week; the periods of prayer; the election of a Secretariat representing the continents; the creation of a summary draft for further discussion in the second week leading to a final document which will be published later and will form the basis of the continuing discussion prior to the Synod in October of next year.
The ACI delegation expressed the view that the distribution of the questionnaire process had been inadequate as it had been disseminated in few parishes and its content and language was difficult. The delegation also said that a constant criticism of the Synod on the Family was a lack of the full participation of women and married men. Archbishop acknowledged that the questionnaire was complex but emphasised the fact that “we were asked”. He also had already published some details of the results of the questionnaire. He noted that there will be participation at the Synod of twelve married couples, various lay experts and advisors with influence albeit without a vote.
The delegation said that members express the need for a more inclusive understanding of “Family”, acknowledgement of the real difficulties with church teaching on issues pertaining to lived relationships in matters such as contraception, fertility, homosexuality, separation and divorce.
Archbishop Martin said what he hoped to bring to the Synod was the need for the increased recognition and inclusion of married people and of their centrality to the process.
The ACI delegation expressed the hope that future questionnaire/consultative processes would be more inclusive and effective. It suggested that the idea of communicating with “communities of interest” should be considered reflecting the lived experience of many Catholics, rather than just through the parish structure.
Archbishop Martin said that the next consultative process may take a different approach to improve its effectiveness. The ACI delegates said there was a strong desire for a two-way communication process.
The subject of Faith Formation was discussed with recognition of the need for new ways of passing on Faith particularly in the light of changing patronage in schools. Archbishop Martin said the ministry of married people and lay youth ministry were central to this. The ACI delegation said this was a key concern of its members with three generations (grandparents, parents and children) now needing a new approach.
Archbishop Martin proposed that a further meeting take place on his return from the Synod which was agreed.
*Note:
The delegation from ACI were: Eimear Hegarty, ACI North Wicklow: Patricia Higgins, ACI (former Steering Committee); Teresa Mee, ACI South Dublin; John Kelly, ACI Steering Committee.
Noel McCann, ACI Steering Committee Chairman, was unavoidably absent due to a prior commitment in Rome.
http://www.acireland.ie/mid-term-report-from-synod-on-the-family-2014/
Tús maith! A good beginning at least. I look forward to the post-synodal dialogue. Thank you to the delegates for their time and commitment on behalf of the rest of us. 🙂
I am much taken with the concluding mentions of faith formation and the need for a new approach to this. Parents need to be involved and empowered in a completely new emphasis upon family prayer and catechesis, and this is allowed for in the new catechetical strategy launched by the bishops in 2011 – but now faltering. A new faith formation model is also demanded by the growing crisis of clerical manpower, and the reality of large-scale youth defection from faith and practice.
The ACI surely should have a role in developing such a new model. Could this be raised at ACI Dublin’s next meeting with the Archbishop? It’s in Dublin that so much of the Irish church’s remaining catechetical resources are still concentrated.
I agree Sean. I would add that careful attention needs to be given to what is taught or passed on. There is much need for what someone else has termed a more ‘generous orthodoxy’ than what is often on offer. I cannot blame parents who prefer generous agnosticism to narrow indoctrination. But it would be a pity to leave them with such a narrow choice.
“The idea of communicating with “communities of interest” should be considered reflecting the lived experience of many Catholics, rather than just through the parish structure.”
I support this idea. Consultation through parish structures may be the first and most obvious channel, but inevitable it’s reach never gets beyond a certain safe level among the faithful. If we want to include those on the ‘inside of the edge’ of the church, and indeed those on the ‘outside of the edge’ (with their baptism certificate still in a drawer somewhere), then we need to include the communities of interest, who are often better positioned to listen and to speak on their behalf.
My congrats to all involved in this dialogue, especially to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, not just for his respectful listening, but for what comes across as his serious engagement with the ACI.