https://www.irishtimes.com/news/soc...says-belief-has-vanished-in-ireland-1.4648399 Catholic Archbishop of Dublin says belief has ‘vanished’ in Ireland Reduced numbers may afford an opportunity ‘to reimagine the institutional Church’ about 8 hours ago Patsy McGarry Evidence of Christian belief in Ireland today “has for all intents and purposes vanished,” Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell has said. This “underlying crisis of faith” was “particularly acute among the younger generations,” he said. “Public commentary in the media in Ireland has not been positive in its understanding of the Church and its need for vocations, and for public support of those trying to preach the Gospel,” he said. Archbishop Farrell made the comments in an interview with the 2021 edition of ‘Síolta’, the annual journal of the national seminary at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. “The challenges facing me are pretty clear. We have an ageing clergy and very few vocations to the diocesan priesthood or religious life. There is a major decline in the number of people who actively practice and live their faith. “Faith needs ritual, embodiment. One must see in people how faith is lived. Today the visibility of faith has for all intents and purposes vanished. I am also dealing with the legacy of sexual abuse scandals which have damaged the Church’s credibility. Since finance is a function of numbers, financial issues will arise which will be accelerated by the global pandemic and its aftermath,” he said. “The current model of the Church is unsustainable,” he said. In Dublin there was need “for an effective programme of catechetics throughout the diocese to add to and, eventually, replace the current teaching of faith to the young. With the gradual decline of family socialisation in religion, the role of the qualified catechist will be essential. In my opinion, the handing on of the Faith to the young is one of the most serious challenges facing our Church today.” Not pessimistic Bishops and priests needed “to encourage a participatory institutional model of Church with a leadership of service,” central to which “is the People of God, who comprise 99.99 per cent of the Church’s members. When this is grasped all else changes,” he said. Generally, he was “not pessimistic about the future of the Church in Dublin.” He said that “when young people volunteer to look after the sick, or the elderly, or the poor, when accompanied, it may facilitate a dynamic where the Lord starts to speak and move the heart of the young person. We need to start here rather than telling people to go to Mass.” “This time of reduced numbers may well afford us an opportunity to be creative and to reimagine the institutional Church. We have not been abandoned by God. God is to be found in this situation,” he said.
“Faith needs ritual, embodiment.' Why oh why then did you close every single Church in your city for the longest period on the planet as , 'Non essential? Why did you say Mass in empty Churches were you locked your people out? Where was your Faith and Trust in the Protection and Providence of the Good God? Is it any wonder to you that having emptied all your Churches at your own order when you reopen them they stay empty? It was you yourself that trained them not to go there in the first place. You taught them that Worship is non essential. Does it surprise you if they took this in? If Faith in Ireland has as you says, 'Vanished', you, personally, had a big, big, part in the vanishing act. Thanks for nothing.
I notice in his comments he does not say exactly why the 'Faith', in Ireland had , 'Vanished'. Apparently it is something that just, 'Happened'. The obvious question is why oh why did it happen? Why oh why dies he not ask or attempt to answer this? Part of the problem is that Public Worship was never meant to be switched on and off like an Electric Light.
He's in favor of women deacons and married priests. He does not find in the Scriptures an argument against the ordination of women to the priesthood. He calls the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on homosexuality merely technical. He also says he has no problem with the private blessing of rings for divorced and remarrying couples and for homosexual couples
Isn't he a former President of Maynooth? Best put our trust in God. Eventually we will get Bishops and a Pope who respect the First Commandment.
Wow. I felt the emptiness of true Catholic faith in his words. Getting young people back to the faith not through Mass, but through community service? The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. They will not find the Faith in community service. Even Mother Teresa would tell you that.
These people are complete charlatans. the social Gospel, a caricature of Christ and no mention of the cross is their lot.
I visited Knock Shrine on Thursday last. It was so dissapointing to witness the restrictions that pilgrims are under. Visiting a jail would be less restrictive. Only 200 hundred people in total are allowed into the basilica to the only Mass available to pilgrims. We had to begin queuing an hour in advance to ensure we got in. One priest offers Mass. In the past a circle of priests would surround the altar. Confession is available but one is not allowed in the seats. One must queue standing and after confession you must exit the church within 15 minutes. Adoration is not available and this year the annual Knock Novena is not on. Its very sad. The powers that be at Knock Shrine must have no faith. No wonder we are in the state we are in.
From article: He said that “when young people volunteer to look after the sick, or the elderly, or the poor, when accompanied, it may facilitate a dynamic where the Lord starts to speak and move the heart of the young person. We need to start here rather than telling people to go to Mass.” I believe “we” actually need to start by preaching The kerymga- The Good News of the Gospel. to not just “young” people but their parents as well - who are another lost generation. We need them to know that no matter where they are at the moment, Jesus Christ personally knows them and loves them and forgives them. Jesus can’t be this far off or unreachable God that they think He is. They have to know he exists right now for them on a personal level. I’m not sure how this happens other than us lay people who struggle ever day be signs of hope in what we say and do. It’s kind of a ground “war” imo. We have to be in trenches and slowly start to pull them in. Heck, I’ve got to do this in my own house with my own kids. It can feel overwhelming and yes can even feel hopeless, but what the choice? Stop and give up or continue in the day to day and try to be as good a disciple as I can….and let God do the rest. He knows how weak I am ….but yet in that weakness He can accomplish much.
I am glad you posted this Mary. I was intending to visit Knock for five days in the caravan . This warned me off and saved me a long trip for nothing. Thank you. Maybe next year.
It's good to consider why St Padraig was so successful in preaching the Gospel to the Irish. His own personal Holiness had a lot to do with. But there was also a huge hunger in the heart of the Irish people to receive the Gospel too. We can't Preach a Gospel if we don't believe in ourselves and we can't take a Gospel to a people who don't want to hear it. It's a two way thing. But no , the Faith has not vanished in Ireland. I see it strong and vibrant every time I attend mass as my local Church. This fills me with huge hope. So long as one single person keeps the Fires of Faith burning bright in their Heart, their will always be a cause for huge hope.
Pure modernism sounds like. Edited to add: i must pray for them. I am ashamed my first comment was to criticize.
