New Priest’s Association proposed

A proposed new priests association will be four square behind Vatican II and minimally structured; it will address how the structures of the church mirror the gospel; and engage in debate in the public space In Ireland.

“We are totally concerned that Christian tradition is being pushed out of the public square in Ireland.  I am a missionary and am concerned that people at least hear a version of the good news and decide whether they want to be part of it,” Fr Seán McDonagh told ciNews.  “We are not in any sort of mediatory role, one paper said we are a type of a union.  I wouldn’t see us as that, but I would see us addressing any issues we have with the structuring of dialogue and responsibility within diocese.”

For example when a new bishop is to be appointed he would like the voice of the priests to be heard and acted upon.  Recently, priests did meet, and prayed and discerned about suitable candidates to be bishop of their diocese, but felt their voice was not heard. 

More than nine priests including Fr McDonagh, Fr Brendan Hoban and Fr Tony Flannery met in Athlone, initially to see if there is an appetite for an association.  They drafted aims, which, Fr McDonagh says are not set in stone. 

The aims would address:

• the need for a coherent voice for priests today;
• the lack of any association to represent them;
• the increasingly strained relationship between priests and their bishops and;
• the debilitating reality that, without a platform to express their views, priests find themselves unable to represent their own perspective on issues pertinent to priesthood, Church and society today.

Fr McDonagh said there had been expressions of interest from up to 60 priests before they launched the idea and there will be a further meeting to explore all the issues in Portlaoise on September 15.  All priests are welcome.

Those interested may contact Fr Seán McDonagh at 087-2367612.

by Ann Marie Foley