Forty five priests attended the regional meeting of the Association
of Catholic Priests in the Curam Centre in Claremorris on Tuesday, Oct.
26th.
After a short address from Brendan Hoban the meeting was opened to the floor.
A discussion ensued which lasted for two hours. A wide range of
issues were covered, and the contributions and the listening were both
of the highest quality.
At first we discussed the Association, and how it might function.
There was concern about how communication could be maintained between
the members and the leadership, and a fear that a gap would develop,
and the leadership might not properly represent the member’s views.
So,
some speakers were suggesting that there be maybe three regional
meetings each year.
The importance of keeping in touch with emails, and with the website, were emphasised.
Mention was made of a membership fee, but no decision has been made on this yet.
Then the discussion began to range over the church and the lives of clergy.
Three general areas emerged:
1. The fragility of priests in relation to allegations of abuse, and
how these allegations were being dealt with by the Church authorities.
The divide that has developed between priests and their bishops or
religious superiors became evident in some of the contributions.
There was a lengthy discussion on this, and on how the Association
might be able to support priest who have been accused, and indeed those
who have been convicted of serious crimes.
“They are still our
brothers”.
2. How can we as an association be of help to priests in their
ministry. Can we support and help each other to preach the Gospel more
effectively.
It was suggested that, particularly in the diocesan context, priests
can inhibit each other in all sorts of subtle ways.
If we can help to
set each other free to express what is within us, then we will have
achieved something really worthwhile.
3. Some speakers were very conscious of the dire economic situation
in which we live, and how it is effecting the people with whom we work
in parishes. Should we be saying something about this, and if so, what.
It was pointed out that the alternative budget from Sean Healy’s
group was up on our website, and that people might get some ideas from
that.
The leadership team acknowledged that in Portlaoise we were asked to
bring two other priests on to our team.
So far we have been unable to
get anyone willing to serve, but the search will continue and we hope to
have the two people in place before Christmas.
Our next meeting is in Charleville on Tuesday, Nov. 9th, in the Charleville Park Hotel.
SIC: ACP/IE