Charting the future of the diocese

A call has gone out from the Diocese of Killaloe for all Catholics to get involved in charting the future of the Church.
This comes as a result of a Listening Process, undertaken by the diocese, which highlighted a number of concerns including the declining numbers attending services, the role of women in the Church and a disconnect with young people.
An open invitation has been extended seeking meaningful and practical ways of supporting and deepening a sense of belonging to the church and their faith.
The invitation comes from Bishop Kieran O’Reilly and the diocesan planning team, who oversaw this year’s Listening Process across the diocese.
According to the diocese, there is a willingness to listen and understand people’s views without judgement, whether they are church-going, on, or even outside the margins.
“We feel it is our responsibility to help shape the Church of the future,” said Bríd Meaney from Cranny/Coolmeen. “If we don’t, the structure of the Church, as we know it and its relationship with the people will not be there when our children become adults,” she said.
This appeal has resulted from a Listening Process, which has been undertaken in the Killaloe Diocese during 2012. Priests and people exchanged wide-ranging views on issues facing the Church and the consequent impact on individual lives and communities.
In a summary document that will be distributed throughout the diocese in the lead up to Christmas, there is a request for people’s views.
People are invited to submit these views by email, post or in person on the needs and future of the Church in the diocese and on how it can become more relevant and integrated in the lives of people. Led and endorsed by Bishop O’Reilly, the Listening Process is just the beginning of an evolving course of action aimed at being pro-active and inclusive.
Bishop O’Reilly believes the work of those involved in the Listening Process has re-ignited a passion among laity and church ministry to work through these testing times in a spirit of togetherness, allowing space for new ways of serving and connecting meaningfully with the lives of people.
“I am heartened and encouraged by people’s honesty and commitment to the process, by their generosity of time and spirit and their willingness to share the responsibility of keeping the spirit of Church alive for all who wish to follow in the footsteps of Christ,” he said.
The people who took part in the Listening Process felt a sense of belonging to a church community has diminished in recent years. While many Catholics actively participate in liturgical events, there is a concern about the decline in numbers attending these services.
The report indicates a strong desire for a faith that is meaningful and relevant and for ceremonies and liturgies that sustain and nourish the spiritual experience and expression of life. A clear need was expressed by adults for faith education, with a feeling of somehow being left behind after their own formal education.
Concerns too were expressed about a significant disconnect between young people and the Church after Confirmation when more of their focus moves to issues of social justice and care of the earth.
It was felt the role of the school in the formation of religious faith among students has been important but perhaps in hindsight an over-reliance on the school to pass on the faith. Changing structures in the patronage of schools in the coming years may require sacramental preparation in the future to be accommodated at parish level.
Maureen Kelly, who has been deeply involved in the co-ordination of the Listening Process throughout the diocese, confirms the genuine desire expressed by participants to reach out to the wider community and welcome and encourage them to let their voices be known and heard.
“Christmas is almost with us and there is no greater Christmas gift we could receive than an honest response to our appeal.
“We invite people to join us in mapping a way forward for the spiritual growth and development of the people of the diocese and the rebuilding of a vibrant and stronger Church that nurtures people’s lives,” she said.
The role of women in the Church featured prominently in the report, with many women feeling they have no voice at decision-making level in the Church. Likewise, there was an expressed need for better communication and regular dialogue with the Church at local level to counter the widely felt a disconnect with the hierarchical church.
Appreciation for the genuine work of priests and their ministry was fully acknowledged within the report. A shift in cultural values and the reality of an aging clergy has prompted a refocus on the role of the family and their baptismal commitment to pass on the religious faith to future generations. Those who engaged in the report believe new forms of ministry are needed involving the laity working as equals with clergy and religious.
The grouping or clustering of parishes is perceived to be the most beneficial and constructive means of carrying out sacramental duties and parish administration.
Parish priest of Ogonnelloe, Fr Donagh O’Meara, sees the Listening Process as an opportunity to chart a new future at local level in the Church.
“Vatican II talked a lot about the need for the Church to engage with the world. More than ever before, we need to do that now. This process was an honest attempt to hear and to respect the views of people. It will give us a great boost to chart our future from the ground up,” he said.
A summary and full report on the Listening Process can be accessed on the Killaloe Diocesan website www.killaloediocese.ie.