General Meeting of ACI announced

The ACI will hold a General Meeting on Saturday 10 November 2012 in the Regency Hotel, Dublin. 

The meeting will commence at 11.00 am  and will follow the ACP Annual General Meeting which is scheduled to conclude at 10.30 am. 

The principal items for discussion at the ACI General Meeting will be the draft ‘Statement of Objectives’ [see below] and the ‘next steps’  in the development of the ACI. 

Further details will be published on the website after the ACP Regional Assembly in Cork on the 13th October 2012.


Association of Catholics in Ireland
 
['Opening Pathways to Communication']

Statement of Objectives [DRAFT]

The Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) is committed to the pursuit of a reform and renewal agenda in the Irish Catholic Church  based on the letter and spirit of Vatican II. 

We are committed to  helping to re-build (through words and deeds) a unified Church based on the teachings of Jesus
 
Christ – a Church that acknowledges failures, that is inclusive, compassionate and one which accepts the equality of all believers by virtue
of their baptism.

The ACI is committed to the renewal of the Catholic faith in the changed and changing circumstances of the 21st Century and to the reform of the institutional Church which, at this time, is experiencing conflict, crisis, and lack of credibility.

The ACI believes in particular:

• That the Spirit speaks through the voices of all the baptised (clerical, religious and lay).
• In the consequent right of all the baptised to have their voices heard (Sensus Fidelium) in the formation of church teaching and to participate
  fully in the life of the Church, including decision-making at parish, diocesan, national and international levels.
• In the need for new and appropriate structures at parish, diocesan, national and international levels to facilitate the full involvement of the baptised lay faithful as ‘partners’ in the renewal of our Faith and the reform of our Church in the 21st Century.

The ACI is committed to working collaboratively with all who share these values to bring about:

• A renewed understanding of the primacy of the individual conscience.
• The full participation of women in every aspect of the Church.
• A recognition of the wisdom of God’s people in the shaping of Catholic
•  teaching especially in the areas of sexuality, ecumenism and ecology.

Membership of the ACI is open to all who share the above objectives -  including members of existing lay groups, ‘non-aligned’ individuals and
members of religious orders/congregations.

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If you believe in the concept of a new lay organisation please engage in
the consultation process ‘on line’ via the ACP website, by email to  aci.ireland@yahoo.com , through organising discussions in your local parish or by attending the ACP Regional Meetings in Galway (6th October) and Cork (13th October).