The leadership of the Irish Church needs now to demonstrate clearly that it has heard the voice of the laity and clergy, so clearly expressed in the national synodal listening process. Furthermore it needs to be demonstrably accountable to the laity and clergy as the Archbishop of Dublin has said, ownership is passing from clergy…

In deciding to embark on a ‘synodal pathway’ for the Irish Catholic Church the Bishops have been inspired by the teaching and practice of Pope Francis. Francis, for his part, has developed the teaching of the Second Vatican Council on collegiality (between the Pope and Bishops) to embrace the wider and deeper notion of synodality,…

The diocese of Achonry encompasses parts of Counties Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon. It has 23 parishes and a total population of approximately 40,000, of whom 90% are Catholic. There are 30 priests in active ministry and approximately 20 religious sisters. The Bishop met with a representation of people who had suffered abuse in Church contexts…

What was notable during the synodal process was the honesty of the contributions. People who spoke did so out of a real concern for the church community and from a real desire to see us better follow the promptings of the Lord. It was notable too that faith matters greatly to people and as a…

The Diocese of Kilmore accommodates 69,483 Catholics and covers most of County Cavan, parts of counties Leitrim, Fermanagh, Meath and Sligo. Its bishop, Bishop Martin Hayes, was appointed in 2020. Meetings were held in late September and early October 2021 to hear the views of the priests on the proposed process. 3. Four Zoom meetings were held in mid-October for parish…

The Diocese of Ferns is represented by 100,679 Catholics and is overseen by Bishop Ger Nash – the incumbent since last year. The Diocese covers most of Wexford and parts of County Wicklow.  The Diocese of Ferns along with other members of our Synodal planning group and the Diocesan Pastoral Council facilitated meetings with a…

Maureen Kelly The Church in Ireland entered crisis mode – but the synodal process offers a timely opportunity for reconnection writes Maureen Kelly. The possibilities that the synodal vision of Francis opens up and the profound shift it requires is only gradually coming into view. In effect, he is calling the whole Church, to a…

The Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora encompasses parishes in Mayo, Galway and Clare. There are 105,707 Catholics in the Diocese and the presiding bishop is Bishop Michael Duignan, who was appointed this year. Ten meetings, encompassing seventeen parishes, across a diocese with thirty-nine parishes took place. In some cases, parishes combined to hold one…

Being synodal is being receptive to the cry of all of the faithful, writes Bishop Paul Dempsey. Back in 2011 a new version of the Roman Missal came into existence.  We were told it would be an exact translation of the original Latin text and would contribute to the much-needed renewal in the Church.  Even…