A synodal assembly in Ireland at which the laity, religious, clergy and bishops gathered to vote on proposals resulting from the Synod process marked the “end of an era and the beginning of something new”, an Irish bishop said. Source: OSV News.
The delegates voted on 35 proposals at the October 17 gathering in Gormanston, County Meath, based on themes emerging from Ireland’s five-year synodal way.
Raphoe Bishop Niall Coll said the assembly highlighted a “clear recognition” of the need to prepare people for discipleship in a local Church that has been “chastened and challenged” by secularism and the abuse crisis.
A majority of the proposals that received the most favourable responses cantered on fostering “an evangelising Church”, the 63-year-old bishop added.
Cultural Catholicism “is over”, Bishop Coll said, as people know that the Church needs to form “intentional disciples”.
The most “highly recommended” proposals called for a review of catechetical and sacramental formation (69 per cent highly recommended), healing to be a priority of the synod (67 per cent), parishes to become faith formation spaces (65 per cent) and for engagement with Irish society in discerning the common good (63 per cent).
The most controversial issues were the establishment of a national office for women, subtitled “mainstreaming women’s inclusion” – an office 56 per cent did not recommend – and the ongoing exploration of women’s ministry, including the diaconate.
Some 27 per cent did not recommend pursuing the latter option, the second highest negative response, although 42 per cent highly recommended it.
The nonbinding recommendations of the assembly will be sent to the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference for its consideration.
A member of the Irish National Synodal Team, Jessie Rogers, said the voting itself, while valuable, was a “blunt instrument”, adding that the synodal team will reflect on the written responses over the coming days.
One delegate, Michael Kelly, who is director of public affairs for Aid to the Church in Need Ireland, said the votes highlighted that there was still a problem regarding how synodality is received by the faithful.
Despite repeated clarifications from the Vatican, “a very small, stubborn and vocal minority don’t seem to understand that Church teaching on core issues is not up for debate,” Mr Kelly said.
However, he added that the driving focus was the desire of participants to see “grandchildren and great-grandchildren thrive in the faith.”
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Irish Synod marks ‘end of an era’ with national gathering (By Ruadhán Jones, OSV News)
