Archbishop Michael Neary
File photograph: Joe O’ Shaughnessy Despite the coronavirus pandemic coming at a time “of weakness unparalleled” in the Church’s recent history, the “challenge has been met” according to Archbishop Michael Neary.
“Parishes organised Masses on webcam and radio. Many priests and bishops took to ministry via online and digital media with flair and creativity. A tired Church, wearied by relentless change, found new strength in a context of general human emergency. And now, like so many other organisations, it faces a slow, tentative return to something like normality,” Archbishop Neary said.
Resources
The archbishop said that there is only one question worth asking despite dwindling numbers, sparse resources and that “vocations are down to a trickle” and that is: “Do you believe?”
Regarding the new framework published by Ireland hierarchy this week to prepare the faithful to return to worship, Archbishop Neary said that the “enormous changes we had already experienced in terms of culture and belief will be visible symbolically… in the awkward arrangements we will have to make within our churches for safety”.