Listening to each others’ concerns in the Church has often proven to be a cumbersome task, but there are ways in which we can harness the most out of our synodal experience writes Fr Paschal Scallon. There has been a great deal of activity in Catholic dioceses around the country and among Catholics who are…
The Diocese of Derry held its gatherings between February and March 2022. Four in-person information and facilitation training gatherings (one in each deanery) were led by Bishop Donal McKeown and managed by two professional facilitators with expertise in restorative justice in the community and church. The Diocese is home to 252,347 Catholics. 35 of the 51 (over…
The Diocese of Cork and Ross, covering Cork city and other parts of County, is home to 68 parishes and boasts a Catholic population of 227,900. The bishop of the diocese is Bishop Fintan Gavin, who was appointed in April 2019. The Diocese of Cork and Ross implemented three channels of engagement for synodal participants:…
The Diocese of Clonfert is comprised principally of parishes in East Galway along with a parish in County Roscommon and a parish in County Offaly. It has been joined with its neighbouring Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora. The perennial value of the Gospel message Many respondents expressed their belief that the Gospel Message, Christianity,…
The diocesan Synodal Steering Committee proposed four questions focused on joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, to help local parish gatherings to share experiences. As participants listened to each other, indications of ‘what the Spirit is saying to the churches’ emerged. A total of one hundred and seventy-three parishes hosted gatherings. Hopes – Synodality as…
The Diocese of Kilalla covers parts of counties Mayo and Sligo and is home to approximately 38.715. The bishop of the diocese since 2002 has been Bishop John Fleming. The themes that emerged throughout the Diocese of Kilalla’s gatherings were centred around: What we need to do now (Among adults) Youth, Appeal to / Encourage/ Include 26% Women,…
The Archdiocese of Armagh accommodates 242,860 Catholics and covers County Louth, most of County Armagh and part of counties Tyrone, Derry and Meath. Eamon Martin was appointed archbishop of the diocese in January 2013. 1,500 people responded to the questions posed by the Diocesan Synodal Core Group and the Archdiocese acknowledged that most responses seemed…
The Diocese of Kerry covers most of County Kerry and parts of County Cork. There are 146,790 Catholics in the Diocese. Although the listening sessions were a positive experience for those who took part, the general consensus was that the number and diversity of people participating were disappointing. Female Perspectives Two focus groups – members…
The Diocese of Killaloe covers parts of counties Clare, Laois, Limerick, Offaly and Tipperary. It accommodates 119,313 Catholics and has been overseen by Bishop Fintan Monahan since 2016. Over 500 pages of data were submitted from pastoral area and parish groups and from individual respondents. The emerging themes were focussed around: Broken trust in the Church The impact of revelations of…
Think synods are representative of a new Church? They’re older than you think writes Fr Eugene Duffy. The practice of holding synods at a diocesan level has deep roots in the history of the Church The first documented diocesan synod, in the sense of establishing legislation or issuing disciplinary decrees, was held in Auxerre in 585.…