By Sarah Mac Donald - 20 August, 2019
The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore has said he believes the Church in Ireland is “heading towards growth” and that “there are green shoots all over the place”.
Speaking to CatholicIreland.net after he attended the Youth2000 Summer Festival at Clongowes Wood College in Co. Kildare, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan said, “the numbers going to Youth2000 retreats are growing and the quality of what is offered is getting better and better.”
Over 800 young people attended this year’s festival and Dr Cullinan described the atmosphere at it as one of “wall-to-wall joy”. He added, “It was just wonderful to be there.”
He said the speakers at the festival were “really on fire, telling it like it is, and calling people to build their relationship with Jesus Christ. Everybody I met there was so positive, so joyful and so happy to be there.”
The participants included a delegation of young people from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore as well as some Religious from the diocese.
Bishop Cullinan told CatholicIreland.net that the diocese of Waterford and Lismore hopes to host a Youth2000 retreat in October.
According to Youth2000, their retreats help participants find out all they need to know about their Catholic faith in a practical, understandable language. They say they are “places to learn the basics of your faith and discover the great love that God has for you, a love that is tangible.”
This year’s speakers included Jesuit Bishop Alan McGuckian of Raphoe, Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan, Bishop Kevin Doran and Tuam priest Fr Shane Sullivan.
