At the meeting of priests who hold an appointment in the Diocese of Cork and Ross
The question most people around the diocese ask the bishop on a visit is “Why all the changes in the Church and in our parish?”
Change was the focus of a gathering of all the priests who hold an appointment in the Diocese of Cork and Ross. Almost 80 priests came from parishes and chaplaincies from Goleen to Watergrasshill to spend time together at Rochestown Park Hotel.
The first part of the time was devoted to prayer which was led by Lorraine Buckley, Faith Development Coordinator of the Diocese and Fr James McSweeney who ministers in the family of parishes around Carrigaline.
Priests then spent considerable time reflecting on and talking in groups about the changes they have been experiencing – the welcome ones and the changes which have been challenging. This part of the day was guided by Eilis Casey, Parish Life Coordinator of the Diocese.
Feedback was received from each group of priests and a wide range of issues emerged but with a lot of common themes.
Bishop Fintan addressed the gathering and acknowledged the amount of change that has been happening in our society, in our Church, our diocese and in the life of each priest.
For people in parishes as well as for priests, the most obvious change, Bishop Fintan said is the change in the number of priests.
“When I came here as bishop in 2019 there were 76 diocesan priests in appointments. Five years later there are 61 diocesan priests in appointments in the diocese.”
Fewer priests places more demands on those who serve, he said.
“I cannot help but recognize and appreciate your selfless generosity as you meet increasing demands to provide sacramental and pastoral care.”
Looking to the future, Bishop Fintan said we all need to discern where God is leading us.
“I believe the time is right for us to begin to look together to the future with all the hopes and concerns we have about it so that we can listen to the ways God is calling us to build his Kingdom, his Church for these times and into the future.”
At the meeting of priests who hold an appointment in the Diocese of Cork and Ross were Fr. James McSweeney, Fr. John Walsh, Fr. Pontianus Jafla, Eilis Casey, Fr. Finbarr Crowley,
Bishop Fintan addressing the meeting of priests who hold an appointment in the Diocese of Cork and Ross“To respond to the mission into the future, we need a period of prayer, listening and discernment.”
And this will involve the whole diocese, he said.
Bishop Fintan asked the priests to join with him in inviting everyone in the parishes and in all faith communities of the diocese to be part of a time of prayer, listening and discerning together the future of the Church in Cork and Ross.
The details of this initiative will be announced at Gougane Barra on Sunday September 29th and a detailed plan of work is being prepared by the diocese.
To keep everything rooted in God, this process needs to be supported by prayer, Bishop Fintan said.
“I invite everyone in the Diocese to commit to praying, both personally and in groups, so that the Holy Spirit will guide everything we do.”
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