“Each of us has an option, to respect the dignity of all in our society through our actions or to choose to ignore this suffering.”
Put Christ to the centre of our Christmas preparations during this special liturgical season
“Go and read the entire document and don’t start with the footnotes or chapter 8, start at chapter 1 and read through the entire document.”
An icon of the Holy Family, commissioned for WMOF2018, will be on display in Ss Patrick and Felim Cathedral
“We talk a lot about the challenges of family life but those of you who are here today are here because you know that overall the family brings a fulfilment into your lives that is quite unique.”
Thousands pour into Knock as countdown to World Meeting of Families next year begins and preparatory programme is launched.
Helping people to connect with the preparations for the World Meeting will be vital and Brenda Drumm is especially well placed to manage this role with energy, creativity and commitment.
Special focus on the family in preparation for World Meeting of Families 2018 as pilgrims invited to wear a special sticker as a symbol of bringing families with them in prayer as they made their ascent to the summit.
“Having Cardinal Schönborn present [at Limerick conference] will be an opportunity to get the deepest insight yet in Ireland into the Pope’s new and more merciful direction on the family” – Jessie Rogers.
There has been controversy about Amoris Laetitia. Some hardliners argue it has gone too far. Others say it hasn’t gone far enough. Some say it is ambiguous – Fr Éamonn Fitzgibbon, MIC.
“You’ve got those who are sleeping on the streets and it is disgraceful. You’ve got families living in hotel rooms which is a shame on our city” – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Migration, the European project, climate change, poverty and the effects of globalisation on families were the focus of “cordial discussions” between Pope Francis and President Michael D. Higgins.
At least three-thousands of volunteers are needed to ensure the success of the World Meeting of Families to be held 15 months from now in August 2018.
At the annual Chrism Mass, Dr Nulty said he was “acutely aware of the ... strains that exist ... where the age profile of the priesthood continues to rise, and where sometimes even to organise relief cover is next to impossible”.
It is “very important that we pray for the success of the World Meeting of Families – not as an event but as a moment of renewal of love especially within families” – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Fr Tim Bartlett appeals to groups with international outreach to promote participation from abroad in 2018 event.
“Obviously the World Meeting of Families is going to involve a huge expenditure and an enormous investment by the Irish Church but it is an investment in our future and not just an event over five or six days in August 2018.”
Pope Francis is challenging us to see a preparation course as merely one part of a programme that ultimately needs to be parish-based: Accord president Bishop Denis Nulty.
“Violence only leads to retaliation and further grief” and those who resort to violence are left in an insecurity in which “they know no sophisticated modern security systems can really protect them or their loved ones.”
Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland will inject new energy into the process of regenerating the Church, which will be beneficial for the faithful but will also prompt those who are disillusioned to look again and see it as the Church of mercy and caring that Pope Francis wants it to be.
“He has his own ideas as to why he wants to come to Ireland – he looks on it as a contribution he wishes to make to the renewal of the Church in Ireland and also to the renewal of family life in Ireland” – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
President of the World Meeting of Families 2018, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, told reporters that the right to life “is a fundamental issue for the Church everywhere” and the Church “is not going to change its position on that”.
Family is all about ‘connection’ – Archbishop Eamon Martin.
New bishop hopes to invite Pope Francis to visit Killaloe at Irish bishops' Ad Limina visit to Rome in January.
49-year-old Fr Fintan Monahan will be installed as bishop at the Cathedral of Ss Peter and Paul in Ennis on Sunday 25 September.
Fr Timothy Bartlett is director of public and social affairs in the Diocese of Down & Connor and also Secretary to the Northern Bishops.
"How could anyone in the name of compassion or choice remove the right to life of an innocent unborn child?" - Archbishop Eamon Martin at Rosary Rally in Knock.
“We are, of course, very excited about the prospect of the Pope visiting Ireland and are awaiting word on this. It would be a huge boost to the Church here."
The Pope has expressed his desire to attend and a visit by the Pope would bring great joy to Irish Catholics, but confirmation unlikely before the end of 2017.
9th World Meeting of Families will be held in Dublin from 22 to 26 August 2018 with the theme ‘The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World’.
