A report of wide-ranging discussions between clergy and lay people in
the diocese of Killaloe about the state of the Church reveals
substantial support for change in areas such as married clergy and the
ordination of women.
New roles for lay people, women in ministry and appreciation of local
priests, were also identified as priorities by a majority of those who
participated in the discussion groups, while the promotion of vocations
and priests from abroad coming to minister in Ireland were identified by
a minority.
Seven hundred people, including clergy, took part in the Listening
Process discussions that have given rise to the report.
Their
deliberations started in October last year and since then, they have had
regular meetings in twelve clusters of parishes across the diocese, to
identify what they consider priorities.
Eleven of the twelve clusters reported that they consider new roles
for lay people, appreciation of local priests, married clergy and women
in ministry to be priorities in renewing the Church.
Nine of the twelve saw the ordination of women as important while
four listed care of the clergy. Only three identified vocation promotion
or married deacons as key issues and two cited having foreign priests
minister here.
The report said that, “despite feelings of disconnect with the
institutional Church,” many people feel, “a strong affinity and
connection with their local parish community.
However it is also true
that hurt or anger with stances or decisions taken by the institutional
Church impacts negatively at local parish level and leads to people
walking away,” the report notes.
Diocesan spokesperson Fr Brendan Quinlivan, said the listening
process was, “an opportunity for all our people to engage in the
conversation about the Church. Change and growth can only happen if we
engage in open and honest conversation with one another.”
While many of the issues raised at the Listening Process forum are
ones which are for the institutional Church rather than ones that can be
addressed locally, a member of the steering committee for the
discussions said it was nonetheless with raising them as this could
influence overall Church policy.
“We may not be able to effect all that people are asking, these are
issues on which the wider Church must decide,” Ms Maureen Kelly
admitted.
But, she said, there is, “much we can do locally to ensure
that the issues are addressed,” because, “Church begins on the ground
and that has a wider impact.”
“The issue of ministry of women is frequently raised as one we cannot
change but there is much we can do locally to enhance the participation
of women and their input to decision-making at local level.”