Members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered in-person this week in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, for their Winter 2022 General Meeting. The President of the Conference is Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and the Vice-President is Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin. During the meeting Mass was celebrated in the College Chapel and prayers were offered for the victims and families of the tragedy on 7 October in Creeslough, Co Donegal; for peace in Ukraine, and, for all who have died from or are suffering long-term effects of the coronavirus.
Topics discussed by the Bishops’ Conference included the plight of immigrants and emigrants, the work of the Bishops’ Alcohol and Drug Initiative, army chaplaincy as well as:
- Praying for peace and supporting the people of Ukraine
- Bishops: “At this time in particular the cry of the poor must be heard!”
- Political uncertainty in Northern Ireland: “A shared and peaceful future can only be built on the foundations of a shared and compassionate present”
- 50th anniversary of the Ballymascanlon talks
- ‘Take the Risk for Christ’ – promoting vocations to diocesan priesthood in 2023
- Bishops progress lay Ministry of Catechist
- Safeguarding Children in the Church
- Update on the Synodal Pathway of the Church
- Bishops commend Irish negotiating team at COP27
- Bishops express concern about escalating hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa
- Advent 2022 – the Season of Hope and Preparation
- Catholic Schools Week 2023: ‘Walking Together in Faith & Love’
- Appointments
- In Memoriam
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