The Irish Church needs the National Mission

Dear Editor, The absence of a response to the call by Pope Benedict for a National Mission in the Irish Church (IC 3/5/14) may be indicative of an unwillingness to confront the spiritual malaise which afflicts us. A young German theologian who studied at the Milltown Institute a number of years ago described the Irish Catholic Church as being “strong on organisation but weak on mystagogia”.  A recent article in the Furrow ('Disenchanted Evenings': by Father Brendan Hoban) presented a picture of diocesan priesthood which was unrelievedly negative.

Let us hope, and pray, that the National Mission which Pope Benedict called for is at least being planned.

Yours etc.,

Paddy Gleeson,

Chaplain TCD,

Dublin 2.