THE ASSOCIATION of Catholic Priests has said its members “are more than willing” to be involved in a proposed “structured dialogue” within the Catholic Church in Ireland and “would hope for an early meeting with the hierarchy to begin the process” towards renewal of the church.
It noted "with satisfaction" reference to the need for such dialogue by the Bishop of Ossory Séamus Freeman in last Tuesday's Rite and Reasoncolumn in this newspaper, "but we agree that the dialogue needs to be conducted at all levels. The time may well be right for some form of assembly or synod of the Irish church."
The association also agreed “the examination of the structures of the church must include dialogue in relation to sexuality, clerical celibacy and the exclusion of women”. It said many members believed church titles should be abolished.
The statement was issued in response to Bishop Freeman’s article which dealt with the frank responses of Irish Catholics to the Pope’s letter last March at meetings held since with bishops around Ireland.
It followed an invitation by Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady asking for responses. The association said it was delighted at Cardinal Brady’s initiative and “totally supportive of the views of the respondents, as reported by Bishop Freeman” last Tuesday.
“We agree that if the response to the issue of clerical sexual abuse is not seen in the broader context of the ‘shortcomings in structure and function in the church’, that it will be ultimately futile and that a great opportunity will be lost,” the association added.
“Bishop Freeman hopes that this process will be the beginning of a renewal of the church. This is our hope too.
“We believe that this renewal must include, as the survey indicated, a greater involvement of lay people, equality and compassion for all. It is our fervent wish that the church would have an open door for all who desire to belong and that no one should feel excluded for any reason.”
