Joint Christmas 2021 message from the Archbishops of Armagh

Just before Christmas 1937 Monsignor Ronald Knox wrote a letter to the English Catholic periodical The Tablet.  Knox was the son of a Church of England bishop and had converted to Catholicism shortly after taking a brilliant First at the University of Oxford.  He later became the first Catholic Chaplain to Oxford since the Reformation. 

The letter arose from a remark that a friend of Knox’s had made, that she “wasn’t going to have her house turned upside down just because it was Christmas”.  Thinking afterwards about what she had said, Knox wrote in his letter, “What is Christmas from start to finish but things being turned upside down?”

Even the days, continually darkening in the run-up Christmas, turn with the solstice and light begins to win again.  Just when trees should be at their barest, lustrous evergreen branches are brought indoors and enhanced with lights and glitter.  And just at a time (especially in the ancient world) when darkness was a cover for thieves in the night coming to burgle homes, in our modern recasting of the story, a genial old boy squeezes himself down the chimney and leaves gifts.

Everything started to turn upside down from that first Christmas.  Those who were least got the best places – the ox and the ass beside the manger and Kings asking directions from shepherds.  Perhaps, the greatest revolution of all: the Virgin conceives and gives birth to a Child.  The wonder of all this ‘topsy-turvydom’ is summed up in the words of the beautiful ancient hymn, sometimes sung at Midnight on Christmas Eve, “O magnum mysterium”!

O great mystery,

and wonderful sacrament,

that animals should see the newborn Lord,

lying in a manger!

Blessed is the virgin whose womb

was worthy to bear

the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Alleluia!

There is to a degree a natural instinct in us to try to turn the world back on its feet again, because God’s coming into His own creation knocks us badly off balance.  So we tie ourselves ever more tightly into the world of “getting and spending” and have communion in consumption.  But we can’t shake off the feeling that there is a fragility about our indulgence; that somewhere there is a frail seam that will give way; a nagging feeling that there will come a day when there won’t be more tomorrow.

At this time of the year, perhaps, it is the very lavishness of Christmas that gives us a heightened consciousness of (and a bad conscience about) the “little ones” mentioned so often in the Gospels: the homeless, the poor, the rejected, and all those who long to see the world turned upside down again, when “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters fill the sea”.

At present there are many people who have had not just the two worst Christmases ever, but two of the worst years ever – those whose bodies have been overwhelmed, or whose minds have been scrambled by Covid-19; those who’ve had bereavements during the pandemic, whose plans have been cancelled, families separated, visits curtailed, operations postponed, businesses and livelihoods upturned.

If the Spirit is saying anything to the Churches this Christmas, might it not be to think about how we, as individuals, but also as a society, can enter prayerfully and hopefully into that great mystery of the “Word made flesh”, and hold on to more of the upside down world embodied in the Gospel narratives?

Happy Christmas and may God bless you and your families

+ Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh. + Archbishop John McDowell Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and 

Winter 2021 General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

In accordance with public health guidance to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered remotely this week for their Winter 2021 General Meeting via video-link, instead of the usual location at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.  Although the Autumn 2021 General Meeting was held in-person, this week’s meeting was the bishops’ sixth plenary meeting to be held in this way.  The President of the Bishops’ Conference is Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and the Vice-President is Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin.

During their Winter Conference, bishops prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died during the pandemic and for bereaved families and loved ones.  Topics discussed included:

• Advent 2021 – the Season of Hope and Preparation.  Church bells to ring for hope at 9.00am on 12 December for Gaudate (Rejoicing) Sunday, 3^rd Sunday of Advent
• Support from the Bishops’ Council for Healthcare for the COVID-19 Vaccine Programme
• (i) Universal Synod (ii) Update on Synodal Pathway in the Church in Ireland
• Safeguarding children in the Church
• Trocáire’s ‘Christmas Gifts of Love’ to support communities in crisis
• Appointments. 

Advent 2021 – the Season of Hope and Preparation.  Church bells to ring for hope at 9.00am on 12 December for Gaudate (Rejoicing) Sunday, 3rd Sunday of Advent

We have now begun our Advent journey, a time of patient waiting and joyful hope. We look forward to the celebration of Christmas with quiet expectation and turn our hearts to the Lord with confidence and trust.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic continues, there are many reasons to be both thankful and hopeful.  We are grateful to all who have worked tirelessly to protect our health and have cared for those who have fallen ill.  We welcome and encourage the ongoing programme of vaccination.  It has provided greater protection for people’s health, especially that of the most vulnerable. It has also helped to ease the restrictions placed on the social and religious life of our communities and to keep hospital beds free for other essential and urgent medical needs.

We are thankful too for the continuing commitment of so many in our parishes to ensuring that our churches remain safe places where people can gather in confidence to worship.  It is important that we remain vigilant, conscious of the threat still posed by the virus and any new variants which may emerge, and continue to take the steps we know will protect our own health and the health of others.  Face-coverings should continue to be worn at all gatherings in our churches and parish buildings.  High standards of hygiene and ventilation in our churches, and allowing space between ourselves and others, are essential ways in which we can contribute to the health of our parish communities.  Around Christmas time, when people come to churches in larger numbers, careful planning will be needed in our parishes and sensible precautions should be put in place, in line with public health guidance.

The coming of Christ that we celebrate at Christmas brought light into a darkened world, ‘a light that darkness could not overpower’.  In the dark days of the pandemic, we can be bearers of that light, bringing it into the lives of those who may be living in the shadow of sickness, poverty, homelessness or isolation.  We best express our thankfulness through personal thoughtfulness and kindness, and support given to organisations which do so much to help those in need.  We urge people to respond generously to the Christmas appeals of Trócaire, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Crosscare and other charities which bring hope into the lives of many people.

As Christmas approaches, we keep especially in our thoughts those who have been bereaved in the past year, and we pray for the gifts of healing and hope for all.  In that prayerful hope, we ask that the bells of our churches be rung at 9.00am on the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete (“Rejoicing”) Sunday, 12 December 2021.  Through the coming days of Advent may our hearts be open to the grace and power of the Lord and filled with joy when we celebrate His birth.

Digital Advent Calendar

A popular resource for prayer and reflection during Advent is the interactive digital calendar which is now available on www.catholicbishops.ie.  This year’s calendar theme focuses on the theme of ‘Hope’.  Each day during Advent a virtual door can be opened on the calendar containing faith content, including an audio/video reflection.  Now in its eighth year, this digital calendar is a well-received resource for families, schools and parishes as it offers suggestions for prayer, charity and penance during this special liturgical season.

Support from the Bishops’ Council for Healthcare for the COVID-19 Vaccine Programme

In December 2020 the Bishops’ Conference published a statement encouraging Catholics to support the programme of vaccination.  In August of this year, Pope Francis said that getting a Covid vaccine is “an act of love”, and that “getting vaccinated is a simple yet profound way to care for one another, especially the most vulnerable”.

The Council for Healthcare of the Bishops’ Conference welcomes the fact that, since the summer, the vast majority of the population of this island have received their vaccinations and that booster vaccines are now being administered.  The Council urges everyone to continue to support the vaccination programmes currently in place in both jurisdictions on the island.  Vaccination has demonstrated its effectiveness in limiting infection and in curbing the serious effects of the infection when it occurs.

The Council asks that all Catholics continue to advocate for the availability of ethically developed vaccines.  In that way they bear witness that biomedical research should always be conducted in a manner which is consistent with respect for life and for human dignity.  We ask that the Departments of Health, North and South, would actively promote the development, sourcing, and supply of vaccines which do not have a historical link with abortion.  Anyone who, for reasons of conscience, chooses not to be vaccinated must, nevertheless, do their utmost to avoid, by other means and by appropriate behaviour, becoming vehicles for the transmission of the infection.

We also ask the governments of both jurisdictions, and urge each individual, to support efforts to provide vaccines for those in the developing world.  Unless every person around the world has access to vaccines then we will all be vulnerable to Covid-19 for many years to come.

The Council for Healthcare wishes to reiterate its gratitude to all those who are working on the frontline in hospitals, nursing homes and as carers during this pandemic. They have contributed significantly to the health and safety of so many and have given us all cause for hope.

Trustworthy and updated information on vaccines is available on https://www2.hse.ie/covid-19-vaccine/ in the Republic of Ireland and https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/northern-ireland-covid-19-vaccination-programme in Northern Ireland.

(i) Universal Synod (ii) Update on Synodal Pathway in the Church in Ireland

In October the Holy Father Pope Francis opened the Universal Synod and since that time bishops around the country have launched ‘synodal pathways’ in their own dioceses based on prayer and discussion about faith.  The following statement by the Bishops’ Conference gives an update on how the Catholic Church in Ireland is engaging in the Universal Synod as it pursues its own Synodal Pathway across the island:

‘Look, behold I am doing something new’ (Is 43:19) are words from the Prophet Isaiah, a prophet whose writings we often hear during Advent.  We are grateful to the Holy Spirit for a new lifting up of hearts among the People of God in Ireland as we embark on the Synodal Pathway.  Synodality is about how we journey together, helping each other to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church.

In updating one another on initiatives across the dioceses of Ireland, we are grateful for the many developments already experienced in the first stage of the Synodal Pathway.  A wide range of people have indicated their interest in, and support for, the process including webinars and retreats based on the theme of synodality.  In particular, the active encouragement and engagement on the part of the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) has helped the synodal process get off to a good start.

We particularly wish to highlight the significance of prayer for the whole Synodal Pathway.  We note that the Synodal Prayer to the Holy Spirit* is often recited at gatherings and during liturgies.  Prayer cards with the text of the prayer have been printed.

Since the opening moments of liturgical celebration and prayers in October, dioceses have begun engaging actively and creatively with the topics of the first phase of the national synodal pathway that coincides with the universal synodal process with its focus on Communion-Participation-Mission. Diocesan synodal delegates and teams have been established.  Training is being put in place for local parish synodal representatives. Local parishes are beginning to hold listening sessions.  We commend the creative plans that are afoot to devise other ways (for instance, pop-up cafés in a shopping centre) to meet people who might not come regularly to Church.

Under the stewardship of the Steering Committee and the Task Group, regional meetings of the diocesan delegates have taken place, a website will very shortly be in place and further resources provided.  The Steering Committee and Task Group also intend to engage actively with other bodies that operate beyond diocesan boundaries such as religious orders, associations and other groupings.  In particular, we wish to involve sisters and brothers of other Churches in reflecting with us on our ‘journeying together’ as disciples of Christ.

The first phase of the Synodal Pathway will continue until June 2022.  It will see the diocesan, parish and other initiatives continue and gain momentum, especially during the season of Lent.  After Easter next year, dioceses will begin to gather up the fruits of this first phase by holding diocesan pre-synodal gatherings to listen together in a spirit of prayer and sharing to what their diocese has heard and to discern what they would want to feed into the universal synodal process.  This will lead to the composition of a report from each diocese for the Bishops’ Conference.  This report will also be a summary of the first phase in the diocese of the national Synodal Pathway with its focus on how we are ‘journeying together’.

Upon receiving the diocesan reports, the Bishops’ Conference will then proceed in synodal style to draw up its report to be submitted in August to the Holy See.

We look forward to hearing “what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Rev 2:7) and encourage all interested in participating in this moment to pray for the success of the synodal process and to support local parishes in this endeavor.

Safeguarding Children in the Church

Mr John Morgan, chairperson, and Ms Teresa Devlin, chief executive of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, advised the Bishops’ Conference on activities engaging the current work of the Board.  In particular, they referenced the review of the Safeguarding Children policy, which is in process and will reflect changes in civil and canon law.  The National Board also updated the bishops on its current project to examine policy, procedures, training standards and support for the safeguarding of vulnerable persons in the Church in Ireland.  Mindful of the significant work that has taken place across the Church to ensure the best standards of safeguarding practice, the National Board emphasised the need to maintain vigilance and guard against complacency. 

Trocáire’s ‘Christmas Gifts of Love’ to support communities in crisis

Bishops urged support for Trócaire’s ‘Christmas Appeal of Love’ to help displaced people and those in war-torn countries, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable communities who have suffered conflict, the devastating impacts of climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently an estimated 235 million people around the world – 47 times the population of Ireland – need humanitarian assistance.

Bishops said, “Amidst the consumerism and spending associated with Christmas, Trócaire’s ‘Gifts of Love’ give people in parishes an opportunity to buy a meaningful present that will change the life of somebody in real need, and give families the opportunity to look forward to a brighter future where they are not dependent on aid.”

New Gifts of Love in this year’s collection include water filters (€40) and emergency water supply (€20) to support communities in developing countries hit by ongoing drought; dignity packs to help young girls out of period poverty (€10) and mental health support for women and children traumatised by the ongoing conflict in Gaza (€50). 

Other popular gifts that feature again this year include irrigation systems that will help families grow fruit, grains and vegetables; seeds and tools to allow struggling families to feed themselves, and bees that will produce honey that can be sold to earn an income.  The Gifts of Love can be purchased online at trocaire.org/gifts  

East Africa Church Appeal

Bishops thanked parishes all over Ireland for their support and generosity for the East Africa Church appeal in November.  Noting that donations are still coming in, bishops said, “At a time when our people are facing increasing day-to-day financial demands, we thank you for your support for communities in East Africa where up to 30 million people are currently face life-threatening food shortages.”

Appointments

Bishops thanked Archbishop Michael Neary and Father Richard Gibbons, rector of the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine, Knock, for hosting and leading the celebration on Sunday 14 November of the ‘Mass of Remembrance for those who died since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, for their families, loved ones and front-line workers’.

Bishops paid tribute to Archbishop Michael Neary, who will be retiring soon as the Archbishop of Tuam.  Bishops thanked the Archbishop for his successful tenure as a long time senior member of the Bishops’ Conference.  Bishops acknowledged Archbishop Neary’s pastoral leadership to pilgrims from across Ireland and abroad as well as his significant contributions and interventions at Conference over the years especially on issues of theology and faith, as well as on matters pertaining to the common good of society.  Bishops offered their prayerful good wishes to Archbishop Neary for a happy and healthy retirement.

Bishops congratulated the new Archbishop of Tuam, Archbishop-elect Francis Duffy, following his appointment by Pope Francis on 10 November.  Archbishop-elect Duffy will be installed as Archbishop of Tuam on Sunday 9 January 2022, the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tuam, Co Galway.

* Synodal Prayer to the Holy Spirit

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, 

as we gather together in Your name. 

With You alone to guide us, 

make Yourself at home in our hearts; 

Teach us the way we must go 

and how we are to pursue it. 

We are weak and sinful; 

do not let us promote disorder. 

Do not let ignorance lead us 

down the wrong path nor partiality

 influence our actions. 

Let us find in You our unity 

so that we may journey together 

to eternal life and not stray from 

the way of truth and what is right. 

All this we ask of You, 

who are at work in every place and time, 

in the communion of the Father and the Son, 

forever and ever. 

Amen. 

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Death of Baron George Minne, St Patrick’s Parish, Armagh

Archbishop Eamon expresses his sadness at the death on, 23 October 2021, of Baron George Minne, Armagh Parish. May he rest in peace.

Born in Belgium, George gave many years generous service to the Archdiocese of Armagh as Organist and Choirmaster at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, from 1959-2005.

The funeral Mass took place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, on Tuesday 26th October 2021 at 11.00 am.

Archbishop Eamon extends his sympathy and that of Cardinal Seán Brady, Bishop Michael Router and the clergy of the Archdiocese to George’s wife, Jeannie, children, Joris, Carine, Patrick and Sheelagh and the wider Minne family.

The Archdiocese asks that you keep George in your prayers at this time.  

Launch of the Synodal Pathway in the Archdiocese of Armagh

Pope Francis has launched a new time of reflection for the whole Church based on the theme & quote; For a synodal Church:  Communion, Participation, Mission.

The local launch of this process will take place in every diocese and parish around the world on Sunday next,
October 17th.  At all Masses next weekend, a Pastoral Letter will be read, special Prayers of the Faithful will be offered and the prayer for the success of the Synodal Pathway will be said.

The word synod means “walking together” and it indicates a way of being
Church that has its foundations in the early Church of the Apostles.  This moment in the Church is an important one and marks a movement towards a way of being Church that will help us to make decisions together; decisions that will help us to face the challenges of life in the 21st century.  

Over the next four months the Church worldwide will be consulting all
its members on their experience of the decision-making processes within the Church and how we are working together to achieve our mission.  This will be done by means of questionnaires, online and in person discussion, and through social media. More details will be announced later. You are all invited and welcome to participate and engage in this
process and it is hoped that this process will foster open and spirit filled conversations at all levels across the Archdiocese of Armagh.  

Archbishop Eamon Martin will present a Pastoral Letter from himself and Bishop Michael Router at the Diocesan Launch which takes place in St. Patricks Cathedral Armagh on Sunday 17th October at 11am.  The text of the Pastoral Letter will be available on the Diocesan website after Sunday’s Liturgy.

All are invited to attend or to join online and the service can be accessed via the Cathedral Webcam   Click Here to access the link

Statement of the Autumn 2021 General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

 Members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered in-person this week in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, for their Autumn 2021 General Meeting.   Due to public health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bishops’ Conference had hosted its previous five plenary meetings via video link.  The President of the Conference is Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and the Vice-President is Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin.  The main issues discussed by the bishops during their Autumn General Meeting included: 

• Bishops’ pilgrimage to Knock and Mass in memory of all who died on the island during the Covid 19 pandemic
• Housing and homelessness
• Bishops call for climate action and support for the ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’ petition ahead of COP15 and COP26
• (i) Pope Francis to open Universal Synod on 9 and 10 October (ii) Update on the Synodal Pathway in Ireland
• Bishops call for funding for Family Addiction Support Networks
• RTÉ to broadcast Mass for World Mission Sunday on 24 October
• Bishops special appeal on 6 and 7 November to support Trócaire’s work to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in East Africa
• Appointments 

• Bishops’ pilgrimage to Knock and Mass in memory of all who died on the island during the Covid-19 pandemic

During their meeting bishops reflected on the heartbreak suffered many thousands of families throughout Ireland who experienced the death of a loved one during the Covid-19 pandemic.  In particular, bishops acknowledged the additional distress caused by the restrictions which, over the past nineteen months, limited the number of people who could mourn together and offer the customary supports at this most sensitive time for families.  Bishops commended parishes across Ireland who have been arranging liturgical ceremonies for grieving families, and thereby enabling us to gather as a community of faith to pray for the repose of the souls of our deceased. 

To pastorally support everyone who has suffered in this way, and in the context of November being the traditional time that we remember our dead, on Sunday 14 November at 3.00pm, the Bishops of Ireland will undertake a pilgrimage to the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo, in the Archdiocese of Tuam, to concelebrate Mass for all those who have died on the island, and for their families, during the pandemic.  At the Mass bishops will offer prayers of thanksgiving for all those who so selflessly sacrificed so much during the pandemic.  This Mass will be live-streamed on www.knockshrine.ie and broadcast on the RTÉ News Now digital television channel and online.   

Bishops expressed their gratitude to the faithful for their prayers, sacrifice and perseverance during this difficult period for all of society.  This commitment, along with the sterling efforts of our clergy, religious and frontline workers, has successfully served to protect human life and health.

• Housing and homelessness

Bishops reflected on how the crisis of housing and homelessness is a key social justice challenge for this generation.  Catholic social teaching recognises that housing is a universal human right, with corresponding responsibilities on society to honour that right.  Bishops discussed the recent correspondence from Mr Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, on this issue.  It is the bishops’ intention to respond to the Minister’s letter over the coming days. 

• Bishops call for climate action and support for the ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’ petition ahead of COP15 and COP26

Bishops encourage the public to support a global campaign ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’, which seeks to encourage political leaders to take strong action on climate change at COP 15 on Biodiversity from 11 – 24 October and at COP26 on Climate Change in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.  The ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’ petition, which has been endorsed by the Vatican, calls for a joined up, just response to the COVID 19, climate and biodiversity crises, see www.healthyplanetandpeople.org.  Guidelines for completion of the petition are available by contacting Brenda Drumm on [email protected] or [email protected] 

• (i) Pope Francis to open Universal Synod on 9 and 10 October (ii) Update on the Synodal Pathway in Ireland

During their 2020 Winter General Meeting, bishops decided to proceed along a Synodal Pathway and, following their Spring General Meeting, announced that anew Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland is to take place with a view to holding a national synodal assembly, or assemblies, within the next five years.  Over 550 submissions have been received from the public as part of the initial phase of the Synodal Pathway.  Dr Nicola Brady has been appointed as chair of the Synodal Steering Committee and the vice-chairs are Mr Andrew O’Callaghan and Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick.

By a happy coincidence, these first two years of the Synodal Pathway in Ireland will complement the Church’s worldwide journey towards the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops, entitled: For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.  This weekend (9 and 10 October), Pope Francis will officially open the Universal Synod.  The Holy Father has asked that the whole Church prepare for this Synod which is scheduled to take place in October 2023 in Rome. 

In this regard, bishops welcomed the publication on 7 September, by the General Secretariat for the Synod in Rome, of the Preparatory Documentwhich indicates the guiding principles of the Synod on Synodality.  Bishops agreed that, as the Church in Ireland embarks on its own Synodal Pathway, we can also look forward to letting ourselves be inspired by these guiding principles.

Bishops discussed this Preparatory Document, sharing in the goal of its listening process, namely, “not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, prophecies, and hopes.”  For the initial preparatory phase of the Universal Synod, the fundamental questions put before us are:

• how does this ‘journeying together’ take place today on different levels (from the local level to the universal one), allowing the Church to proclaim the Gospel?  and,
• what steps is the Spirit inviting us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church?

These global questions neatly complement the guiding question facing the Irish Synodal Pathway over the next five years, which is: “What does God want from the Church in Ireland at this time?”

The full membership of the Steering Committee and the Synodal Task Group for the Synodal Pathway will be published as part of the official launch in the coming weeks.

• Bishops call for funding for Family Addiction Support Networks

Bishop Michael Router, liaison bishop with the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative, updated the Bishops’ Conference on his recent meeting with the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mr Frank Feighan TD.  Conference was advised that a commitment was sought from the Minister to end delays in funding to the regional Family Addiction Support Networks.  FASN provides counselling, respite, education and an intimidation reporting service for families of addicts.  In last year’s State budget €70,000 was promised to each of the regions for FASN, however, to date, this money has not been received by the organisation on the ground.  The Minister has confirmed that the money has now been released to the Health Service Executive and that FASN were invited to apply for a share.  Bishop Router will hold a further meeting in the coming weeks with Minister Feighan to seek to copper-fasten future funding for FASN in order “to help tackle the silent pandemic in Ireland that is drug abuse.”

Bishops called for appropriate funding for the Family Addiction Support Network and agreed to raise awareness about the devastating problems caused to individuals and families by all types of substance abuse as part of next year’s ‘Day of Prayer for Temperance’ on Sunday, 27 February 2022.

• RTÉ to broadcast Mass for World Mission Sunday on 24 October

As October is mission month, bishops remembered in prayer the work of our missionaries throughout the world.  The official launch of the new name for the World Missions Ireland charity, Missio Ireland – which is Pope Francis’ official charity for overseas mission in Ireland – will take place at the Veritas Offices, Dublin, on 18 October next. 

The theme for World Mission Sunday 2021 on 24 October is: ‘We Cannot Remain Silent – We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20).’   On World Mission Sunday collections will take place at Masses throughout the Universal Church so that Catholics might give what they can to help support struggling dioceses in the developing world.  The Mission Sunday collection promotes the work of missionaries in poor and remote communities.  The funds raised will help build vital infrastructure, including churches, medical clinics, nurseries and schools.

Bishops commended Missio Ireland for its mission month pack for parishes and congregations and on its new website for donors and supporters. Father Michael O’Sullivan, M.Afr was thanked for his contribution to the National Mission Council as he shortly will leave his role of National Director of Missio Ireland.  RTÉ will televise the celebration of Mass from its Donnybrook studios in Dublin at 11.00am for World Mission Sunday on 24 October, as well as broadcast on LW 252 and on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra.  The celebrant will be Spiritan Missionary Father Brendan Carr and the Mass will bring together those involved in the overseas missionary outreach in the Catholic Church in Ireland: Misean Cara, the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland, and Missio Ireland.

• Bishops special appeal on 6 and 7 November to support Trócaire’s work to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in East Africa

Bishops noted with deep concern the increase in the number of people worldwide threatened by humanitarian crises, which are driven by the triple threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, conflict and climate change.  Bishops expressed particular support for the people of East Africa, where up to 30 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are currently face life-threatening food shortages.  Trócaire, as the overseas development agency of the Bishops’ Conference, is currently addressing this and many other crises worldwide.  Bishops will ask parishes throughout Ireland to undertake a special Church collection on 6 and 7 November to invite the public to support Trócaire in its work to alleviate this humanitarian crisis in East Africa.

Bishops also discussed that in the countries where Trócaire works, less than 5% of the population have been vaccinated for Covid and infection rates are up to 50%.  An additional 200 million people have fallen into poverty globally as a result of the Covid crisis.  Bishops highlighted that wealthier countries, while protecting their most vulnerable citizens, also have a moral responsibility to ensure that the populations of developing countries have equal, rapid and effective access to Covid vaccine coverage.

• Appointments

Bishops welcomed the newest member of the Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Ger Nash, following his appointment by Pope Francis on 11 June as Bishop of Ferns.  Bishops offered prayers for Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop Emeritus of Ferns, so that he may enjoy a healthy and peaceful retirement.

Bishops also welcomed the appointments of Dr Alexander O’Hara as the new National Director for Catechetics, and of Father Paul Clayton-Lea as the new editor of Intercom magazine, the pastoral and liturgical resource of the Bishops’ Conference for people in ministry.  Bishops thanked the outgoing editor Father John Cullen for this work and especially for maintaining the publication of Intercom during the pandemic.

ARCHBISHOP CELEBRATES ST VINCENT DE PAUL MASS

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of all Ireland, celebrated a special St Vincent de Paul Mass on St Vincent de Paul Day for members of SVP in the Armagh and Craigavon area, at St Therese’s Church in Banbridge.

He described the response of SVP members in the area to COVID-19 as ‘amazing’ saying that he had witnessed how they were filled with the spirit and willingness to help others. He said: “I want to thank you the members of St Vincent de Paul for providing a lifeline during the pandemic. The work you do is truly the work of God.”

Following the mass, he congratulated new SVP Conference Presidents who have been elected to represent their area and presented certificates to local members who had completed training in Mental Health First Aid.

Brendan McKernan, SVP Armagh Area President, addressed the assembled congregation and said: “I just want to use the opportunity this evening to say thank you to you, the members of SVP for the tireless work that you do to support those in need.

“Especially since the start of the pandemic, I can sum up what SVP have done in this area of Armagh in one sentence, “we did as we have always done”. We continued to provide help to those in need, quietly, in the background. We supported people while maintaining their dignity and respect.

“As our founder Frederic Ozanam said “Charity must never look to the past but always to the future, because the number of its past works is still very small and the present and future miseries that it must alleviate are infinite”.”

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is an international charity and the largest voluntary charity in Ireland. SVP members in Northern Ireland work in all communities to support people whatever their background, who are experiencing poverty and social exclusion, promoting self-sufficiency and working for social justice. 

Every year SVP spends approximately £3 million to help those experiencing poverty in Northern Ireland. Last year, SVP responded to tens of thousands of calls for assistance from members of the public. 

If you would like more information about becoming a member of SVP, becoming a volunteer in your local Vincent’s shop or if you would like the Society’s help, please visit www.svpni.co.uk, email [email protected] or tel 028 9035 1561.