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15 August 2010 | Personal reflection of a diocesan bishop by Bishop Christy Jones on the occasion of the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Knock
I have been invited to share with you some reflections on my life as a Bishop. Of the many rich experiences I could share with you, I have decided to speak about a few: the participation of lay-people in the life of the church; reaching out to our youth; the challenges of rapid social and economic changes and our response to scandals within the church.
I feel very fortunate that as the second youngest of a family of eleven I had, as a child, been formed in a home of love, faith and prayer. I am also always grateful for the quality of education I received in Summerhill College in Sligo. Later, I embarked on discerning God’s call to priesthood in St Patrick’s College Maynooth and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Elphin. Over the years, I worked in parishes, taught in my old alma mater - Summerhill College. I also helped found and manage Sligo Social Services for many years and was administrator of the Cathedral Parish in Sligo before being appointed Bishop in 1994.
On this very day, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, sixteen years ago, I was ordained bishop. It was a day that in a very real sense was to change my life. During the ceremony, I remember the ordaining bishop addressing me as follows:
As a father and brother love all those whom God places in your care. Love the poor and infirm, the stranger and the homeless. The title of bishop is not one of honour but of function. Therefore a bishop should strive to serve rather than rule.
Then he ended with the words:
Attend to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit appoints you as overseer of the Church of God in the name of the Son Jesus Christ whose role of teacher, priest and shepherd you undertake and In the name of the Holy Spirit who gives life to the Church of Christ and supports our weakness with His strength.
I remember feeling truly humbled and truly unworthy at that moment. However, at the same time, I did believe that the Lord was calling me and that he would be with me all the way. That is why I chose for my motto: “Fiat Mihi”. Those words were Mary’s response to the Angel Gabrielle: “Be it done unto me according to your word”. I was saying to the Lord: “Yes, if this is your wish … but I will be trusting and depending on you to the end”.
I can honestly say sixteen years later that I have trusted in the God who called me that day, I am still trusting in Him and He has never failed me. The times when I feel fearful or worried are the times when I begin to depend on my own strength and resources. I feel fearful and worried because I know how limited I am, how selfish and indeed how weak and sinful I can be. It is then that I must return to my motto “Fiat Mihi”.
The Second Vatican Council
As I look back I can truly say that I have very happy memories of my years as bishop. I was ordained priest in June 1962 just months before the Second Vatican Council opened in Rome. Therefore the teaching of the Council has been part of my priestly life from the very beginning. My years as a priest working every day in Sligo Social Services Centre with staff and our many hundreds of volunteers gave me a great insight into the gifts, talents, goodness and competence of lay people.
The documents of Vatican II proclaimed the importance for the Church that lay people - men and women, young and old should, because of their baptism, take their rightful role and responsibility in the life of the Church. I believe in my heart that the more lay people participate in the life and ministry of the Church, the more their lives will be enriched and the more energy and dynamism they will bring to the life of the Church generally.
Participation of Laity
From my first days as bishop, with the total support of priests and religious, we endeavoured in every way to prepare the lay people of the diocese for a more active role in the life of the Church. We knew that it would be difficult to change the “mind-set” of centuries. We brought lay people and priests from other dioceses to share their experiences especially of what was succeeding. We set up a group of priests, religious and lay people to establish an office for parish development and renewal and to appoint a full time lay person as its director. A competent married lay man was chosen to head up the venture. In time, the group of people evolved into the Elphin Pastoral Planning Group and to this day they plan, monitor and support our director of Parish Development and Renewal in promoting more active participation of the laity in the life of the church.
Results
It is very difficult to measure results but thank God we now have a Parish Pastoral Council composed of laity working in collaboration with their priests in almost every parish of the diocese. We also have a restructured Diocesan Pastoral Council representative of lay people, priests and religious. In my eyes, this is the most important Council in the diocese. Chaired, by a lay woman, it is the hub of diocesan pastoral listening, planning and activity.
As I look down at our Congregation every Sunday I imagine and dream of what could be achieved if each lay person present took their rightful active part in living and promoting the mission of the Church as a herald of good news for our challenging and changing times. I know people who are praying and back again at Mass because of something a friend said to them at work.
Impact of Economic and Social Change
I have seen huge change in the faith and prayer life of our people during periods of economic boom in our country: firstly in the 1960’s and 1970’s and then in the 1990’s. It was great to see full employment and much prosperity but very rapidly things material preoccupied the minds and hearts of people. God and the good news of the Gospel was often pushed from the centre to the sidelines of life.
Many invested all of their time, effort and energy in their jobs, houses, cars etc. and took their relationships for granted. Yet life itself teaches us that our real happiness and joy comes not from things like jobs, houses or cars, however important they are, but from our happy relationships with each other and with our God. Likewise our greatest suffering and pain comes not from the loss of a job, car or house but from broken and betrayed relationships. Relationships do not happen. Parents and children must make relationships happen. They must work hard to acquire the gifts - the building blocks of all relationships - of acceptance, trust, tolerance, patience, forgiveness and love.
Our heart goes out today to individuals and families who are suffering from unemployment and huge mortgages and we must do everything in our power to help. Maybe in those difficult times our people will rediscover the importance of having time for themselves and for their God once more.
The Challenge of the Young
It truly saddens me to hear that Catholic children are coming to school today who cannot make the sign of the cross or recite any simple prayer. Some children see the inside of the Church for the first time when they come for First Communion. It saddens me also that children do not have that Sunday morning experience of the faith community at Mass in the Church, of the chat with neighbours outside the Church and the only Irish breakfast of the week afterwards. The supermarket seems to have become the place of worship for many families on a Sunday. Again we must try in every way to reach out to those parents and encourage them to take an active part in the evangelization of their children.
From my studies in sociology as a young priest, I learned how Durkheim was one of the first social scientists to carry out a scientific survey. It was on suicide. He found that in times of rapid social change people are isolated from great sources of support e.g. the local community and the family. They are left without any norms or guidelines. They find themselves in a state of “Anomie” which means a normless vacuum. I think many of our young people are in this situation. From my experience as Bishop, I can truly say that the vast majority of young people today are remarkable. They are very honest and have a great concern for justice and for the poor and especially the poor of developing nations.
They have close friends who are important to them - but if friends fail and they may not have family, community or Church support - then they may find themselves in a dark place and often do not even have the support of faith.
Bridging the Gap
Since my teaching days, I miss very much contact with young people. Sadly our current culture with its ever growing generation gaps means that today young people are rarely present where adults are gathered. Sadly commercial interests have succeeded so well in isolating youth from adults so they can target their pockets. Each year our diocese brings between eighty and one hundred wonderful young people with us on our pilgrimage to Lourdes. I always look forward to the opportunity this gives me to sit down and chat over a cup of coffee with the young people present about their lives.
Young people tell me that there, in Lourdes, they see the Church community at its best with beautiful liturgies and caring for the sick and the suffering. They also experience a sense of belonging to their peers in Lourdes, to the adult leaders and indeed to the pilgrimage community. Most of them tell me they wish to return the following year.
Our diocese has built a state of the art youth club at the centre of Sligo City. We have also established a diocesan youth office at St Mary’s, Sligo, and appointed a diocesan youth director. The ongoing challenge is for each parish to find ways and means of involving their young people in the life of the parish community, perhaps as readers in the Church, as Eucharistic Ministers, as Faith Friends, raising money for the poor at home and in the Third World.
Most Enjoyable Experience as Bishop
People often ask me what work as a Bishop I find most enjoyable. I would have to say parish visitation. It is very tiring but most rewarding. Every three years, I try to visit each parish of the diocese.
It gives me a great opportunity to meet with the local priests on their own ground. Thank God to date I have always received a warm welcome. I am always amazed at the knowledge every priest has of his parish, the people and the life story of each person. We should really celebrate and thank God for our priests who continue to minister so joyfully despite what they are suffering in these difficult dark days.
I visit the primary schools before lunch. Today they are places of joy and not of fear as they were in our day. The buildings and facilities are state of the Art and the principal and teachers obviously love the children entrusted to their care. Joy literally radiates from the eyes of the children as you talk to them. It was great to read Sarah Carey in The Irish Times last year saying that our primary schools were the envy of countries in Europe.
After lunch, I bring the Eucharist to those who are sick and housebound. Those people are not thinking about profit or property or power. It is a joy to see how they welcome Jesus into their homes and into their hearts. Your faith is really refreshed and strengthened by the experience.
It is great also to see how many families care for their sick and their aged. Some have to make huge sacrifices to keep their aged parents at home. Then of course our parents made huge sacrifices for us when we were children. They would have died for us.
Reasons for Hope and Joy
Although I may be coming near the end of my time as bishop - the effort of renewal and ministry continues with new and exciting developments. Recently as a diocese we decided to restore the Permanent Diaconate and to introduce dedicated catechists in some of our parishes. I am grateful to God that at this time we have seven men in our diocese preparing for the permanent diaconate. It is astonishing that in such a secular society we still have people in the world of business and in the professions willing to offer themselves as candidates for the permanent diaconate. As you know once they are ordained, deacons, they will preach the Gospel and minister at Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. This September our first full time catechist - a young married woman will begin work in two of the largest parishes in the diocese. Catechists will help all members of the Christian community discover the richness of their faith and help them to share it with others Please pray for them. I am certain that as deacons and Catechists they will enrich the ministry of the Church in our diocese and be a real bond between priests and lay people.
Reasons for Sadness
I hope, in the light of what I have said, that you get some small idea of what my life has been like as bishop! It has been hard work every day all the way but very gratifying work. With the support and guidance of priests, religious and lay people it is truly amazing what a diocese can achieve.
Throughout the sixteen years a dark heavy cloud of regret embarrassment and shame has engulfed the Catholic Church in Ireland. Nothing deliberately designed by individuals or a group of individuals could have caused such suffering to children and could have so undermined the trust of people in their Church as the scandals of child sexual abuse by priests and religious.
Our greatest anxiety and care has to be for the victims – the children who have suffered so much hurt and pain. As Church we must never cease to express our sincere regret, our apology, our shame and our horror at what has been done to children so loved by Jesus Christ. Indeed Jesus continues to suffer in the children abused. We must do everything possible as a Church through counselling and therapy to help the healing of victims and their return to health. In every parish of the country we are putting in place policies and procedures that will prevent children from ever again being abused by bishops, priests, religious or indeed any lay people who work as volunteers with the Church. And we must do everything in our power to help with the spiritual hurts and needs of victims wherever they seek such help.
The Church Continues
Anyone who knows anything about the history of the Catholic Church knows that through the centuries the Church has been failed by popes, bishops, priests and religious. Yes all of us fail the Church from time to time because we are sinners. However through the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus continues to live in the Church and, through the Church, He continues to preach and teach to heal and forgive in our day.
The Church will survive because Christ has promised to remain with us forever. The Church was here before we came along. It will be here long after we are gone. Every generation including our own is called through prayer and care of our neighbour to help people discover Jesus in their hearts and homes and in every person they meet every day.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- Bishop Christopher Jones is Bishop of the Diocese of Elphin. Bishop Jones was ordained a priest on 21 June 1962 and ordained bishop on this day, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, 15 August 1994. Many bishops lead their dioceses on pilgrimage to Ireland's Marian Shrine during August.
- The Diocese of Elphin includes portions of counties Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath and Galway. The Cathedral Church for the diocese is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo. The diocese has a Catholic population of about 70,000, 38 parishes and 90 Catholic Churches. The Patrons of the Diocese of Elphin are St Asicus and Immaculate Conception.
- Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or the taking up of Mary into heaven. The Church has celebrated this feast since about the tenth century. Pope Pius XII proclaimed as a solemn teaching in 1950 that "the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory."
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
15 August 2010 | Personal reflection of a diocesan bishop by Bishop Christy Jones on the occasion of the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Knock
I have been invited to share with you some reflections on my life as a Bishop. Of the many rich experiences I could share with you, I have decided to speak about a few: the participation of lay-people in the life of the church; reaching out to our youth; the challenges of rapid social and economic changes and our response to scandals within the church.
I feel very fortunate that as the second youngest of a family of eleven I had, as a child, been formed in a home of love, faith and prayer. I am also always grateful for the quality of education I received in Summerhill College in Sligo. Later, I embarked on discerning God’s call to priesthood in St Patrick’s College Maynooth and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Elphin. Over the years, I worked in parishes, taught in my old alma mater - Summerhill College. I also helped found and manage Sligo Social Services for many years and was administrator of the Cathedral Parish in Sligo before being appointed Bishop in 1994.
On this very day, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, sixteen years ago, I was ordained bishop. It was a day that in a very real sense was to change my life. During the ceremony, I remember the ordaining bishop addressing me as follows:
As a father and brother love all those whom God places in your care. Love the poor and infirm, the stranger and the homeless. The title of bishop is not one of honour but of function. Therefore a bishop should strive to serve rather than rule.
Then he ended with the words:
Attend to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit appoints you as overseer of the Church of God in the name of the Son Jesus Christ whose role of teacher, priest and shepherd you undertake and In the name of the Holy Spirit who gives life to the Church of Christ and supports our weakness with His strength.
I remember feeling truly humbled and truly unworthy at that moment. However, at the same time, I did believe that the Lord was calling me and that he would be with me all the way. That is why I chose for my motto: “Fiat Mihi”. Those words were Mary’s response to the Angel Gabrielle: “Be it done unto me according to your word”. I was saying to the Lord: “Yes, if this is your wish … but I will be trusting and depending on you to the end”.
I can honestly say sixteen years later that I have trusted in the God who called me that day, I am still trusting in Him and He has never failed me. The times when I feel fearful or worried are the times when I begin to depend on my own strength and resources. I feel fearful and worried because I know how limited I am, how selfish and indeed how weak and sinful I can be. It is then that I must return to my motto “Fiat Mihi”.
The Second Vatican Council
As I look back I can truly say that I have very happy memories of my years as bishop. I was ordained priest in June 1962 just months before the Second Vatican Council opened in Rome. Therefore the teaching of the Council has been part of my priestly life from the very beginning. My years as a priest working every day in Sligo Social Services Centre with staff and our many hundreds of volunteers gave me a great insight into the gifts, talents, goodness and competence of lay people.
The documents of Vatican II proclaimed the importance for the Church that lay people - men and women, young and old should, because of their baptism, take their rightful role and responsibility in the life of the Church. I believe in my heart that the more lay people participate in the life and ministry of the Church, the more their lives will be enriched and the more energy and dynamism they will bring to the life of the Church generally.
Participation of Laity
From my first days as bishop, with the total support of priests and religious, we endeavoured in every way to prepare the lay people of the diocese for a more active role in the life of the Church. We knew that it would be difficult to change the “mind-set” of centuries. We brought lay people and priests from other dioceses to share their experiences especially of what was succeeding. We set up a group of priests, religious and lay people to establish an office for parish development and renewal and to appoint a full time lay person as its director. A competent married lay man was chosen to head up the venture. In time, the group of people evolved into the Elphin Pastoral Planning Group and to this day they plan, monitor and support our director of Parish Development and Renewal in promoting more active participation of the laity in the life of the church.
Results
It is very difficult to measure results but thank God we now have a Parish Pastoral Council composed of laity working in collaboration with their priests in almost every parish of the diocese. We also have a restructured Diocesan Pastoral Council representative of lay people, priests and religious. In my eyes, this is the most important Council in the diocese. Chaired, by a lay woman, it is the hub of diocesan pastoral listening, planning and activity.
As I look down at our Congregation every Sunday I imagine and dream of what could be achieved if each lay person present took their rightful active part in living and promoting the mission of the Church as a herald of good news for our challenging and changing times. I know people who are praying and back again at Mass because of something a friend said to them at work.
Impact of Economic and Social Change
I have seen huge change in the faith and prayer life of our people during periods of economic boom in our country: firstly in the 1960’s and 1970’s and then in the 1990’s. It was great to see full employment and much prosperity but very rapidly things material preoccupied the minds and hearts of people. God and the good news of the Gospel was often pushed from the centre to the sidelines of life.
Many invested all of their time, effort and energy in their jobs, houses, cars etc. and took their relationships for granted. Yet life itself teaches us that our real happiness and joy comes not from things like jobs, houses or cars, however important they are, but from our happy relationships with each other and with our God. Likewise our greatest suffering and pain comes not from the loss of a job, car or house but from broken and betrayed relationships. Relationships do not happen. Parents and children must make relationships happen. They must work hard to acquire the gifts - the building blocks of all relationships - of acceptance, trust, tolerance, patience, forgiveness and love.
Our heart goes out today to individuals and families who are suffering from unemployment and huge mortgages and we must do everything in our power to help. Maybe in those difficult times our people will rediscover the importance of having time for themselves and for their God once more.
The Challenge of the Young
It truly saddens me to hear that Catholic children are coming to school today who cannot make the sign of the cross or recite any simple prayer. Some children see the inside of the Church for the first time when they come for First Communion. It saddens me also that children do not have that Sunday morning experience of the faith community at Mass in the Church, of the chat with neighbours outside the Church and the only Irish breakfast of the week afterwards. The supermarket seems to have become the place of worship for many families on a Sunday. Again we must try in every way to reach out to those parents and encourage them to take an active part in the evangelization of their children.
From my studies in sociology as a young priest, I learned how Durkheim was one of the first social scientists to carry out a scientific survey. It was on suicide. He found that in times of rapid social change people are isolated from great sources of support e.g. the local community and the family. They are left without any norms or guidelines. They find themselves in a state of “Anomie” which means a normless vacuum. I think many of our young people are in this situation. From my experience as Bishop, I can truly say that the vast majority of young people today are remarkable. They are very honest and have a great concern for justice and for the poor and especially the poor of developing nations.
They have close friends who are important to them - but if friends fail and they may not have family, community or Church support - then they may find themselves in a dark place and often do not even have the support of faith.
Bridging the Gap
Since my teaching days, I miss very much contact with young people. Sadly our current culture with its ever growing generation gaps means that today young people are rarely present where adults are gathered. Sadly commercial interests have succeeded so well in isolating youth from adults so they can target their pockets. Each year our diocese brings between eighty and one hundred wonderful young people with us on our pilgrimage to Lourdes. I always look forward to the opportunity this gives me to sit down and chat over a cup of coffee with the young people present about their lives.
Young people tell me that there, in Lourdes, they see the Church community at its best with beautiful liturgies and caring for the sick and the suffering. They also experience a sense of belonging to their peers in Lourdes, to the adult leaders and indeed to the pilgrimage community. Most of them tell me they wish to return the following year.
Our diocese has built a state of the art youth club at the centre of Sligo City. We have also established a diocesan youth office at St Mary’s, Sligo, and appointed a diocesan youth director. The ongoing challenge is for each parish to find ways and means of involving their young people in the life of the parish community, perhaps as readers in the Church, as Eucharistic Ministers, as Faith Friends, raising money for the poor at home and in the Third World.
Most Enjoyable Experience as Bishop
People often ask me what work as a Bishop I find most enjoyable. I would have to say parish visitation. It is very tiring but most rewarding. Every three years, I try to visit each parish of the diocese.
It gives me a great opportunity to meet with the local priests on their own ground. Thank God to date I have always received a warm welcome. I am always amazed at the knowledge every priest has of his parish, the people and the life story of each person. We should really celebrate and thank God for our priests who continue to minister so joyfully despite what they are suffering in these difficult dark days.
I visit the primary schools before lunch. Today they are places of joy and not of fear as they were in our day. The buildings and facilities are state of the Art and the principal and teachers obviously love the children entrusted to their care. Joy literally radiates from the eyes of the children as you talk to them. It was great to read Sarah Carey in The Irish Times last year saying that our primary schools were the envy of countries in Europe.
After lunch, I bring the Eucharist to those who are sick and housebound. Those people are not thinking about profit or property or power. It is a joy to see how they welcome Jesus into their homes and into their hearts. Your faith is really refreshed and strengthened by the experience.
It is great also to see how many families care for their sick and their aged. Some have to make huge sacrifices to keep their aged parents at home. Then of course our parents made huge sacrifices for us when we were children. They would have died for us.
Reasons for Hope and Joy
Although I may be coming near the end of my time as bishop - the effort of renewal and ministry continues with new and exciting developments. Recently as a diocese we decided to restore the Permanent Diaconate and to introduce dedicated catechists in some of our parishes. I am grateful to God that at this time we have seven men in our diocese preparing for the permanent diaconate. It is astonishing that in such a secular society we still have people in the world of business and in the professions willing to offer themselves as candidates for the permanent diaconate. As you know once they are ordained, deacons, they will preach the Gospel and minister at Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. This September our first full time catechist - a young married woman will begin work in two of the largest parishes in the diocese. Catechists will help all members of the Christian community discover the richness of their faith and help them to share it with others Please pray for them. I am certain that as deacons and Catechists they will enrich the ministry of the Church in our diocese and be a real bond between priests and lay people.
Reasons for Sadness
I hope, in the light of what I have said, that you get some small idea of what my life has been like as bishop! It has been hard work every day all the way but very gratifying work. With the support and guidance of priests, religious and lay people it is truly amazing what a diocese can achieve.
Throughout the sixteen years a dark heavy cloud of regret embarrassment and shame has engulfed the Catholic Church in Ireland. Nothing deliberately designed by individuals or a group of individuals could have caused such suffering to children and could have so undermined the trust of people in their Church as the scandals of child sexual abuse by priests and religious.
Our greatest anxiety and care has to be for the victims – the children who have suffered so much hurt and pain. As Church we must never cease to express our sincere regret, our apology, our shame and our horror at what has been done to children so loved by Jesus Christ. Indeed Jesus continues to suffer in the children abused. We must do everything possible as a Church through counselling and therapy to help the healing of victims and their return to health. In every parish of the country we are putting in place policies and procedures that will prevent children from ever again being abused by bishops, priests, religious or indeed any lay people who work as volunteers with the Church. And we must do everything in our power to help with the spiritual hurts and needs of victims wherever they seek such help.
The Church Continues
Anyone who knows anything about the history of the Catholic Church knows that through the centuries the Church has been failed by popes, bishops, priests and religious. Yes all of us fail the Church from time to time because we are sinners. However through the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus continues to live in the Church and, through the Church, He continues to preach and teach to heal and forgive in our day.
The Church will survive because Christ has promised to remain with us forever. The Church was here before we came along. It will be here long after we are gone. Every generation including our own is called through prayer and care of our neighbour to help people discover Jesus in their hearts and homes and in every person they meet every day.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- Bishop Christopher Jones is Bishop of the Diocese of Elphin. Bishop Jones was ordained a priest on 21 June 1962 and ordained bishop on this day, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, 15 August 1994. Many bishops lead their dioceses on pilgrimage to Ireland's Marian Shrine during August.
- The Diocese of Elphin includes portions of counties Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath and Galway. The Cathedral Church for the diocese is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo. The diocese has a Catholic population of about 70,000, 38 parishes and 90 Catholic Churches. The Patrons of the Diocese of Elphin are St Asicus and Immaculate Conception.
- Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or the taking up of Mary into heaven. The Church has celebrated this feast since about the tenth century. Pope Pius XII proclaimed as a solemn teaching in 1950 that "the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory."
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
15 August 2010 | Personal reflection of a diocesan bishop by Bishop Christy Jones on the occasion of the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Knock
I have been invited to share with you some reflections on my life as a Bishop. Of the many rich experiences I could share with you, I have decided to speak about a few: the participation of lay-people in the life of the church; reaching out to our youth; the challenges of rapid social and economic changes and our response to scandals within the church.
I feel very fortunate that as the second youngest of a family of eleven I had, as a child, been formed in a home of love, faith and prayer. I am also always grateful for the quality of education I received in Summerhill College in Sligo. Later, I embarked on discerning God’s call to priesthood in St Patrick’s College Maynooth and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Elphin. Over the years, I worked in parishes, taught in my old alma mater - Summerhill College. I also helped found and manage Sligo Social Services for many years and was administrator of the Cathedral Parish in Sligo before being appointed Bishop in 1994.
On this very day, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, sixteen years ago, I was ordained bishop. It was a day that in a very real sense was to change my life. During the ceremony, I remember the ordaining bishop addressing me as follows:
As a father and brother love all those whom God places in your care. Love the poor and infirm, the stranger and the homeless. The title of bishop is not one of honour but of function. Therefore a bishop should strive to serve rather than rule.
Then he ended with the words:
Attend to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit appoints you as overseer of the Church of God in the name of the Son Jesus Christ whose role of teacher, priest and shepherd you undertake and In the name of the Holy Spirit who gives life to the Church of Christ and supports our weakness with His strength.
I remember feeling truly humbled and truly unworthy at that moment. However, at the same time, I did believe that the Lord was calling me and that he would be with me all the way. That is why I chose for my motto: “Fiat Mihi”. Those words were Mary’s response to the Angel Gabrielle: “Be it done unto me according to your word”. I was saying to the Lord: “Yes, if this is your wish … but I will be trusting and depending on you to the end”.
I can honestly say sixteen years later that I have trusted in the God who called me that day, I am still trusting in Him and He has never failed me. The times when I feel fearful or worried are the times when I begin to depend on my own strength and resources. I feel fearful and worried because I know how limited I am, how selfish and indeed how weak and sinful I can be. It is then that I must return to my motto “Fiat Mihi”.
The Second Vatican Council
As I look back I can truly say that I have very happy memories of my years as bishop. I was ordained priest in June 1962 just months before the Second Vatican Council opened in Rome. Therefore the teaching of the Council has been part of my priestly life from the very beginning. My years as a priest working every day in Sligo Social Services Centre with staff and our many hundreds of volunteers gave me a great insight into the gifts, talents, goodness and competence of lay people.
The documents of Vatican II proclaimed the importance for the Church that lay people - men and women, young and old should, because of their baptism, take their rightful role and responsibility in the life of the Church. I believe in my heart that the more lay people participate in the life and ministry of the Church, the more their lives will be enriched and the more energy and dynamism they will bring to the life of the Church generally.
Participation of Laity
From my first days as bishop, with the total support of priests and religious, we endeavoured in every way to prepare the lay people of the diocese for a more active role in the life of the Church. We knew that it would be difficult to change the “mind-set” of centuries. We brought lay people and priests from other dioceses to share their experiences especially of what was succeeding. We set up a group of priests, religious and lay people to establish an office for parish development and renewal and to appoint a full time lay person as its director. A competent married lay man was chosen to head up the venture. In time, the group of people evolved into the Elphin Pastoral Planning Group and to this day they plan, monitor and support our director of Parish Development and Renewal in promoting more active participation of the laity in the life of the church.
Results
It is very difficult to measure results but thank God we now have a Parish Pastoral Council composed of laity working in collaboration with their priests in almost every parish of the diocese. We also have a restructured Diocesan Pastoral Council representative of lay people, priests and religious. In my eyes, this is the most important Council in the diocese. Chaired, by a lay woman, it is the hub of diocesan pastoral listening, planning and activity.
As I look down at our Congregation every Sunday I imagine and dream of what could be achieved if each lay person present took their rightful active part in living and promoting the mission of the Church as a herald of good news for our challenging and changing times. I know people who are praying and back again at Mass because of something a friend said to them at work.
Impact of Economic and Social Change
I have seen huge change in the faith and prayer life of our people during periods of economic boom in our country: firstly in the 1960’s and 1970’s and then in the 1990’s. It was great to see full employment and much prosperity but very rapidly things material preoccupied the minds and hearts of people. God and the good news of the Gospel was often pushed from the centre to the sidelines of life.
Many invested all of their time, effort and energy in their jobs, houses, cars etc. and took their relationships for granted. Yet life itself teaches us that our real happiness and joy comes not from things like jobs, houses or cars, however important they are, but from our happy relationships with each other and with our God. Likewise our greatest suffering and pain comes not from the loss of a job, car or house but from broken and betrayed relationships. Relationships do not happen. Parents and children must make relationships happen. They must work hard to acquire the gifts - the building blocks of all relationships - of acceptance, trust, tolerance, patience, forgiveness and love.
Our heart goes out today to individuals and families who are suffering from unemployment and huge mortgages and we must do everything in our power to help. Maybe in those difficult times our people will rediscover the importance of having time for themselves and for their God once more.
The Challenge of the Young
It truly saddens me to hear that Catholic children are coming to school today who cannot make the sign of the cross or recite any simple prayer. Some children see the inside of the Church for the first time when they come for First Communion. It saddens me also that children do not have that Sunday morning experience of the faith community at Mass in the Church, of the chat with neighbours outside the Church and the only Irish breakfast of the week afterwards. The supermarket seems to have become the place of worship for many families on a Sunday. Again we must try in every way to reach out to those parents and encourage them to take an active part in the evangelization of their children.
From my studies in sociology as a young priest, I learned how Durkheim was one of the first social scientists to carry out a scientific survey. It was on suicide. He found that in times of rapid social change people are isolated from great sources of support e.g. the local community and the family. They are left without any norms or guidelines. They find themselves in a state of “Anomie” which means a normless vacuum. I think many of our young people are in this situation. From my experience as Bishop, I can truly say that the vast majority of young people today are remarkable. They are very honest and have a great concern for justice and for the poor and especially the poor of developing nations.
They have close friends who are important to them - but if friends fail and they may not have family, community or Church support - then they may find themselves in a dark place and often do not even have the support of faith.
Bridging the Gap
Since my teaching days, I miss very much contact with young people. Sadly our current culture with its ever growing generation gaps means that today young people are rarely present where adults are gathered. Sadly commercial interests have succeeded so well in isolating youth from adults so they can target their pockets. Each year our diocese brings between eighty and one hundred wonderful young people with us on our pilgrimage to Lourdes. I always look forward to the opportunity this gives me to sit down and chat over a cup of coffee with the young people present about their lives.
Young people tell me that there, in Lourdes, they see the Church community at its best with beautiful liturgies and caring for the sick and the suffering. They also experience a sense of belonging to their peers in Lourdes, to the adult leaders and indeed to the pilgrimage community. Most of them tell me they wish to return the following year.
Our diocese has built a state of the art youth club at the centre of Sligo City. We have also established a diocesan youth office at St Mary’s, Sligo, and appointed a diocesan youth director. The ongoing challenge is for each parish to find ways and means of involving their young people in the life of the parish community, perhaps as readers in the Church, as Eucharistic Ministers, as Faith Friends, raising money for the poor at home and in the Third World.
Most Enjoyable Experience as Bishop
People often ask me what work as a Bishop I find most enjoyable. I would have to say parish visitation. It is very tiring but most rewarding. Every three years, I try to visit each parish of the diocese.
It gives me a great opportunity to meet with the local priests on their own ground. Thank God to date I have always received a warm welcome. I am always amazed at the knowledge every priest has of his parish, the people and the life story of each person. We should really celebrate and thank God for our priests who continue to minister so joyfully despite what they are suffering in these difficult dark days.
I visit the primary schools before lunch. Today they are places of joy and not of fear as they were in our day. The buildings and facilities are state of the Art and the principal and teachers obviously love the children entrusted to their care. Joy literally radiates from the eyes of the children as you talk to them. It was great to read Sarah Carey in The Irish Times last year saying that our primary schools were the envy of countries in Europe.
After lunch, I bring the Eucharist to those who are sick and housebound. Those people are not thinking about profit or property or power. It is a joy to see how they welcome Jesus into their homes and into their hearts. Your faith is really refreshed and strengthened by the experience.
It is great also to see how many families care for their sick and their aged. Some have to make huge sacrifices to keep their aged parents at home. Then of course our parents made huge sacrifices for us when we were children. They would have died for us.
Reasons for Hope and Joy
Although I may be coming near the end of my time as bishop - the effort of renewal and ministry continues with new and exciting developments. Recently as a diocese we decided to restore the Permanent Diaconate and to introduce dedicated catechists in some of our parishes. I am grateful to God that at this time we have seven men in our diocese preparing for the permanent diaconate. It is astonishing that in such a secular society we still have people in the world of business and in the professions willing to offer themselves as candidates for the permanent diaconate. As you know once they are ordained, deacons, they will preach the Gospel and minister at Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. This September our first full time catechist - a young married woman will begin work in two of the largest parishes in the diocese. Catechists will help all members of the Christian community discover the richness of their faith and help them to share it with others Please pray for them. I am certain that as deacons and Catechists they will enrich the ministry of the Church in our diocese and be a real bond between priests and lay people.
Reasons for Sadness
I hope, in the light of what I have said, that you get some small idea of what my life has been like as bishop! It has been hard work every day all the way but very gratifying work. With the support and guidance of priests, religious and lay people it is truly amazing what a diocese can achieve.
Throughout the sixteen years a dark heavy cloud of regret embarrassment and shame has engulfed the Catholic Church in Ireland. Nothing deliberately designed by individuals or a group of individuals could have caused such suffering to children and could have so undermined the trust of people in their Church as the scandals of child sexual abuse by priests and religious.
Our greatest anxiety and care has to be for the victims – the children who have suffered so much hurt and pain. As Church we must never cease to express our sincere regret, our apology, our shame and our horror at what has been done to children so loved by Jesus Christ. Indeed Jesus continues to suffer in the children abused. We must do everything possible as a Church through counselling and therapy to help the healing of victims and their return to health. In every parish of the country we are putting in place policies and procedures that will prevent children from ever again being abused by bishops, priests, religious or indeed any lay people who work as volunteers with the Church. And we must do everything in our power to help with the spiritual hurts and needs of victims wherever they seek such help.
The Church Continues
Anyone who knows anything about the history of the Catholic Church knows that through the centuries the Church has been failed by popes, bishops, priests and religious. Yes all of us fail the Church from time to time because we are sinners. However through the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus continues to live in the Church and, through the Church, He continues to preach and teach to heal and forgive in our day.
The Church will survive because Christ has promised to remain with us forever. The Church was here before we came along. It will be here long after we are gone. Every generation including our own is called through prayer and care of our neighbour to help people discover Jesus in their hearts and homes and in every person they meet every day.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- Bishop Christopher Jones is Bishop of the Diocese of Elphin. Bishop Jones was ordained a priest on 21 June 1962 and ordained bishop on this day, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, 15 August 1994. Many bishops lead their dioceses on pilgrimage to Ireland's Marian Shrine during August.
- The Diocese of Elphin includes portions of counties Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath and Galway. The Cathedral Church for the diocese is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo. The diocese has a Catholic population of about 70,000, 38 parishes and 90 Catholic Churches. The Patrons of the Diocese of Elphin are St Asicus and Immaculate Conception.
- Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or the taking up of Mary into heaven. The Church has celebrated this feast since about the tenth century. Pope Pius XII proclaimed as a solemn teaching in 1950 that "the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory."
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
15 August 2010 | Personal reflection of a diocesan bishop by Bishop Christy Jones on the occasion of the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Knock
I have been invited to share with you some reflections on my life as a Bishop. Of the many rich experiences I could share with you, I have decided to speak about a few: the participation of lay-people in the life of the church; reaching out to our youth; the challenges of rapid social and economic changes and our response to scandals within the church.
I feel very fortunate that as the second youngest of a family of eleven I had, as a child, been formed in a home of love, faith and prayer. I am also always grateful for the quality of education I received in Summerhill College in Sligo. Later, I embarked on discerning God’s call to priesthood in St Patrick’s College Maynooth and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Elphin. Over the years, I worked in parishes, taught in my old alma mater - Summerhill College. I also helped found and manage Sligo Social Services for many years and was administrator of the Cathedral Parish in Sligo before being appointed Bishop in 1994.
On this very day, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, sixteen years ago, I was ordained bishop. It was a day that in a very real sense was to change my life. During the ceremony, I remember the ordaining bishop addressing me as follows:
As a father and brother love all those whom God places in your care. Love the poor and infirm, the stranger and the homeless. The title of bishop is not one of honour but of function. Therefore a bishop should strive to serve rather than rule.
Then he ended with the words:
Attend to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit appoints you as overseer of the Church of God in the name of the Son Jesus Christ whose role of teacher, priest and shepherd you undertake and In the name of the Holy Spirit who gives life to the Church of Christ and supports our weakness with His strength.
I remember feeling truly humbled and truly unworthy at that moment. However, at the same time, I did believe that the Lord was calling me and that he would be with me all the way. That is why I chose for my motto: “Fiat Mihi”. Those words were Mary’s response to the Angel Gabrielle: “Be it done unto me according to your word”. I was saying to the Lord: “Yes, if this is your wish … but I will be trusting and depending on you to the end”.
I can honestly say sixteen years later that I have trusted in the God who called me that day, I am still trusting in Him and He has never failed me. The times when I feel fearful or worried are the times when I begin to depend on my own strength and resources. I feel fearful and worried because I know how limited I am, how selfish and indeed how weak and sinful I can be. It is then that I must return to my motto “Fiat Mihi”.
The Second Vatican Council
As I look back I can truly say that I have very happy memories of my years as bishop. I was ordained priest in June 1962 just months before the Second Vatican Council opened in Rome. Therefore the teaching of the Council has been part of my priestly life from the very beginning. My years as a priest working every day in Sligo Social Services Centre with staff and our many hundreds of volunteers gave me a great insight into the gifts, talents, goodness and competence of lay people.
The documents of Vatican II proclaimed the importance for the Church that lay people - men and women, young and old should, because of their baptism, take their rightful role and responsibility in the life of the Church. I believe in my heart that the more lay people participate in the life and ministry of the Church, the more their lives will be enriched and the more energy and dynamism they will bring to the life of the Church generally.
Participation of Laity
From my first days as bishop, with the total support of priests and religious, we endeavoured in every way to prepare the lay people of the diocese for a more active role in the life of the Church. We knew that it would be difficult to change the “mind-set” of centuries. We brought lay people and priests from other dioceses to share their experiences especially of what was succeeding. We set up a group of priests, religious and lay people to establish an office for parish development and renewal and to appoint a full time lay person as its director. A competent married lay man was chosen to head up the venture. In time, the group of people evolved into the Elphin Pastoral Planning Group and to this day they plan, monitor and support our director of Parish Development and Renewal in promoting more active participation of the laity in the life of the church.
Results
It is very difficult to measure results but thank God we now have a Parish Pastoral Council composed of laity working in collaboration with their priests in almost every parish of the diocese. We also have a restructured Diocesan Pastoral Council representative of lay people, priests and religious. In my eyes, this is the most important Council in the diocese. Chaired, by a lay woman, it is the hub of diocesan pastoral listening, planning and activity.
As I look down at our Congregation every Sunday I imagine and dream of what could be achieved if each lay person present took their rightful active part in living and promoting the mission of the Church as a herald of good news for our challenging and changing times. I know people who are praying and back again at Mass because of something a friend said to them at work.
Impact of Economic and Social Change
I have seen huge change in the faith and prayer life of our people during periods of economic boom in our country: firstly in the 1960’s and 1970’s and then in the 1990’s. It was great to see full employment and much prosperity but very rapidly things material preoccupied the minds and hearts of people. God and the good news of the Gospel was often pushed from the centre to the sidelines of life.
Many invested all of their time, effort and energy in their jobs, houses, cars etc. and took their relationships for granted. Yet life itself teaches us that our real happiness and joy comes not from things like jobs, houses or cars, however important they are, but from our happy relationships with each other and with our God. Likewise our greatest suffering and pain comes not from the loss of a job, car or house but from broken and betrayed relationships. Relationships do not happen. Parents and children must make relationships happen. They must work hard to acquire the gifts - the building blocks of all relationships - of acceptance, trust, tolerance, patience, forgiveness and love.
Our heart goes out today to individuals and families who are suffering from unemployment and huge mortgages and we must do everything in our power to help. Maybe in those difficult times our people will rediscover the importance of having time for themselves and for their God once more.
The Challenge of the Young
It truly saddens me to hear that Catholic children are coming to school today who cannot make the sign of the cross or recite any simple prayer. Some children see the inside of the Church for the first time when they come for First Communion. It saddens me also that children do not have that Sunday morning experience of the faith community at Mass in the Church, of the chat with neighbours outside the Church and the only Irish breakfast of the week afterwards. The supermarket seems to have become the place of worship for many families on a Sunday. Again we must try in every way to reach out to those parents and encourage them to take an active part in the evangelization of their children.
From my studies in sociology as a young priest, I learned how Durkheim was one of the first social scientists to carry out a scientific survey. It was on suicide. He found that in times of rapid social change people are isolated from great sources of support e.g. the local community and the family. They are left without any norms or guidelines. They find themselves in a state of “Anomie” which means a normless vacuum. I think many of our young people are in this situation. From my experience as Bishop, I can truly say that the vast majority of young people today are remarkable. They are very honest and have a great concern for justice and for the poor and especially the poor of developing nations.
They have close friends who are important to them - but if friends fail and they may not have family, community or Church support - then they may find themselves in a dark place and often do not even have the support of faith.
Bridging the Gap
Since my teaching days, I miss very much contact with young people. Sadly our current culture with its ever growing generation gaps means that today young people are rarely present where adults are gathered. Sadly commercial interests have succeeded so well in isolating youth from adults so they can target their pockets. Each year our diocese brings between eighty and one hundred wonderful young people with us on our pilgrimage to Lourdes. I always look forward to the opportunity this gives me to sit down and chat over a cup of coffee with the young people present about their lives.
Young people tell me that there, in Lourdes, they see the Church community at its best with beautiful liturgies and caring for the sick and the suffering. They also experience a sense of belonging to their peers in Lourdes, to the adult leaders and indeed to the pilgrimage community. Most of them tell me they wish to return the following year.
Our diocese has built a state of the art youth club at the centre of Sligo City. We have also established a diocesan youth office at St Mary’s, Sligo, and appointed a diocesan youth director. The ongoing challenge is for each parish to find ways and means of involving their young people in the life of the parish community, perhaps as readers in the Church, as Eucharistic Ministers, as Faith Friends, raising money for the poor at home and in the Third World.
Most Enjoyable Experience as Bishop
People often ask me what work as a Bishop I find most enjoyable. I would have to say parish visitation. It is very tiring but most rewarding. Every three years, I try to visit each parish of the diocese.
It gives me a great opportunity to meet with the local priests on their own ground. Thank God to date I have always received a warm welcome. I am always amazed at the knowledge every priest has of his parish, the people and the life story of each person. We should really celebrate and thank God for our priests who continue to minister so joyfully despite what they are suffering in these difficult dark days.
I visit the primary schools before lunch. Today they are places of joy and not of fear as they were in our day. The buildings and facilities are state of the Art and the principal and teachers obviously love the children entrusted to their care. Joy literally radiates from the eyes of the children as you talk to them. It was great to read Sarah Carey in The Irish Times last year saying that our primary schools were the envy of countries in Europe.
After lunch, I bring the Eucharist to those who are sick and housebound. Those people are not thinking about profit or property or power. It is a joy to see how they welcome Jesus into their homes and into their hearts. Your faith is really refreshed and strengthened by the experience.
It is great also to see how many families care for their sick and their aged. Some have to make huge sacrifices to keep their aged parents at home. Then of course our parents made huge sacrifices for us when we were children. They would have died for us.
Reasons for Hope and Joy
Although I may be coming near the end of my time as bishop - the effort of renewal and ministry continues with new and exciting developments. Recently as a diocese we decided to restore the Permanent Diaconate and to introduce dedicated catechists in some of our parishes. I am grateful to God that at this time we have seven men in our diocese preparing for the permanent diaconate. It is astonishing that in such a secular society we still have people in the world of business and in the professions willing to offer themselves as candidates for the permanent diaconate. As you know once they are ordained, deacons, they will preach the Gospel and minister at Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. This September our first full time catechist - a young married woman will begin work in two of the largest parishes in the diocese. Catechists will help all members of the Christian community discover the richness of their faith and help them to share it with others Please pray for them. I am certain that as deacons and Catechists they will enrich the ministry of the Church in our diocese and be a real bond between priests and lay people.
Reasons for Sadness
I hope, in the light of what I have said, that you get some small idea of what my life has been like as bishop! It has been hard work every day all the way but very gratifying work. With the support and guidance of priests, religious and lay people it is truly amazing what a diocese can achieve.
Throughout the sixteen years a dark heavy cloud of regret embarrassment and shame has engulfed the Catholic Church in Ireland. Nothing deliberately designed by individuals or a group of individuals could have caused such suffering to children and could have so undermined the trust of people in their Church as the scandals of child sexual abuse by priests and religious.
Our greatest anxiety and care has to be for the victims – the children who have suffered so much hurt and pain. As Church we must never cease to express our sincere regret, our apology, our shame and our horror at what has been done to children so loved by Jesus Christ. Indeed Jesus continues to suffer in the children abused. We must do everything possible as a Church through counselling and therapy to help the healing of victims and their return to health. In every parish of the country we are putting in place policies and procedures that will prevent children from ever again being abused by bishops, priests, religious or indeed any lay people who work as volunteers with the Church. And we must do everything in our power to help with the spiritual hurts and needs of victims wherever they seek such help.
The Church Continues
Anyone who knows anything about the history of the Catholic Church knows that through the centuries the Church has been failed by popes, bishops, priests and religious. Yes all of us fail the Church from time to time because we are sinners. However through the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus continues to live in the Church and, through the Church, He continues to preach and teach to heal and forgive in our day.
The Church will survive because Christ has promised to remain with us forever. The Church was here before we came along. It will be here long after we are gone. Every generation including our own is called through prayer and care of our neighbour to help people discover Jesus in their hearts and homes and in every person they meet every day.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- Bishop Christopher Jones is Bishop of the Diocese of Elphin. Bishop Jones was ordained a priest on 21 June 1962 and ordained bishop on this day, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, 15 August 1994. Many bishops lead their dioceses on pilgrimage to Ireland's Marian Shrine during August.
- The Diocese of Elphin includes portions of counties Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath and Galway. The Cathedral Church for the diocese is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo. The diocese has a Catholic population of about 70,000, 38 parishes and 90 Catholic Churches. The Patrons of the Diocese of Elphin are St Asicus and Immaculate Conception.
- Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or the taking up of Mary into heaven. The Church has celebrated this feast since about the tenth century. Pope Pius XII proclaimed as a solemn teaching in 1950 that "the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory."
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
15 August 2010 | Personal reflection of a diocesan bishop by Bishop Christy Jones on the occasion of the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Knock
I have been invited to share with you some reflections on my life as a Bishop. Of the many rich experiences I could share with you, I have decided to speak about a few: the participation of lay-people in the life of the church; reaching out to our youth; the challenges of rapid social and economic changes and our response to scandals within the church.
I feel very fortunate that as the second youngest of a family of eleven I had, as a child, been formed in a home of love, faith and prayer. I am also always grateful for the quality of education I received in Summerhill College in Sligo. Later, I embarked on discerning God’s call to priesthood in St Patrick’s College Maynooth and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Elphin. Over the years, I worked in parishes, taught in my old alma mater - Summerhill College. I also helped found and manage Sligo Social Services for many years and was administrator of the Cathedral Parish in Sligo before being appointed Bishop in 1994.
On this very day, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, sixteen years ago, I was ordained bishop. It was a day that in a very real sense was to change my life. During the ceremony, I remember the ordaining bishop addressing me as follows:
As a father and brother love all those whom God places in your care. Love the poor and infirm, the stranger and the homeless. The title of bishop is not one of honour but of function. Therefore a bishop should strive to serve rather than rule.
Then he ended with the words:
Attend to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit appoints you as overseer of the Church of God in the name of the Son Jesus Christ whose role of teacher, priest and shepherd you undertake and In the name of the Holy Spirit who gives life to the Church of Christ and supports our weakness with His strength.
I remember feeling truly humbled and truly unworthy at that moment. However, at the same time, I did believe that the Lord was calling me and that he would be with me all the way. That is why I chose for my motto: “Fiat Mihi”. Those words were Mary’s response to the Angel Gabrielle: “Be it done unto me according to your word”. I was saying to the Lord: “Yes, if this is your wish … but I will be trusting and depending on you to the end”.
I can honestly say sixteen years later that I have trusted in the God who called me that day, I am still trusting in Him and He has never failed me. The times when I feel fearful or worried are the times when I begin to depend on my own strength and resources. I feel fearful and worried because I know how limited I am, how selfish and indeed how weak and sinful I can be. It is then that I must return to my motto “Fiat Mihi”.
The Second Vatican Council
As I look back I can truly say that I have very happy memories of my years as bishop. I was ordained priest in June 1962 just months before the Second Vatican Council opened in Rome. Therefore the teaching of the Council has been part of my priestly life from the very beginning. My years as a priest working every day in Sligo Social Services Centre with staff and our many hundreds of volunteers gave me a great insight into the gifts, talents, goodness and competence of lay people.
The documents of Vatican II proclaimed the importance for the Church that lay people - men and women, young and old should, because of their baptism, take their rightful role and responsibility in the life of the Church. I believe in my heart that the more lay people participate in the life and ministry of the Church, the more their lives will be enriched and the more energy and dynamism they will bring to the life of the Church generally.
Participation of Laity
From my first days as bishop, with the total support of priests and religious, we endeavoured in every way to prepare the lay people of the diocese for a more active role in the life of the Church. We knew that it would be difficult to change the “mind-set” of centuries. We brought lay people and priests from other dioceses to share their experiences especially of what was succeeding. We set up a group of priests, religious and lay people to establish an office for parish development and renewal and to appoint a full time lay person as its director. A competent married lay man was chosen to head up the venture. In time, the group of people evolved into the Elphin Pastoral Planning Group and to this day they plan, monitor and support our director of Parish Development and Renewal in promoting more active participation of the laity in the life of the church.
Results
It is very difficult to measure results but thank God we now have a Parish Pastoral Council composed of laity working in collaboration with their priests in almost every parish of the diocese. We also have a restructured Diocesan Pastoral Council representative of lay people, priests and religious. In my eyes, this is the most important Council in the diocese. Chaired, by a lay woman, it is the hub of diocesan pastoral listening, planning and activity.
As I look down at our Congregation every Sunday I imagine and dream of what could be achieved if each lay person present took their rightful active part in living and promoting the mission of the Church as a herald of good news for our challenging and changing times. I know people who are praying and back again at Mass because of something a friend said to them at work.
Impact of Economic and Social Change
I have seen huge change in the faith and prayer life of our people during periods of economic boom in our country: firstly in the 1960’s and 1970’s and then in the 1990’s. It was great to see full employment and much prosperity but very rapidly things material preoccupied the minds and hearts of people. God and the good news of the Gospel was often pushed from the centre to the sidelines of life.
Many invested all of their time, effort and energy in their jobs, houses, cars etc. and took their relationships for granted. Yet life itself teaches us that our real happiness and joy comes not from things like jobs, houses or cars, however important they are, but from our happy relationships with each other and with our God. Likewise our greatest suffering and pain comes not from the loss of a job, car or house but from broken and betrayed relationships. Relationships do not happen. Parents and children must make relationships happen. They must work hard to acquire the gifts - the building blocks of all relationships - of acceptance, trust, tolerance, patience, forgiveness and love.
Our heart goes out today to individuals and families who are suffering from unemployment and huge mortgages and we must do everything in our power to help. Maybe in those difficult times our people will rediscover the importance of having time for themselves and for their God once more.
The Challenge of the Young
It truly saddens me to hear that Catholic children are coming to school today who cannot make the sign of the cross or recite any simple prayer. Some children see the inside of the Church for the first time when they come for First Communion. It saddens me also that children do not have that Sunday morning experience of the faith community at Mass in the Church, of the chat with neighbours outside the Church and the only Irish breakfast of the week afterwards. The supermarket seems to have become the place of worship for many families on a Sunday. Again we must try in every way to reach out to those parents and encourage them to take an active part in the evangelization of their children.
From my studies in sociology as a young priest, I learned how Durkheim was one of the first social scientists to carry out a scientific survey. It was on suicide. He found that in times of rapid social change people are isolated from great sources of support e.g. the local community and the family. They are left without any norms or guidelines. They find themselves in a state of “Anomie” which means a normless vacuum. I think many of our young people are in this situation. From my experience as Bishop, I can truly say that the vast majority of young people today are remarkable. They are very honest and have a great concern for justice and for the poor and especially the poor of developing nations.
They have close friends who are important to them - but if friends fail and they may not have family, community or Church support - then they may find themselves in a dark place and often do not even have the support of faith.
Bridging the Gap
Since my teaching days, I miss very much contact with young people. Sadly our current culture with its ever growing generation gaps means that today young people are rarely present where adults are gathered. Sadly commercial interests have succeeded so well in isolating youth from adults so they can target their pockets. Each year our diocese brings between eighty and one hundred wonderful young people with us on our pilgrimage to Lourdes. I always look forward to the opportunity this gives me to sit down and chat over a cup of coffee with the young people present about their lives.
Young people tell me that there, in Lourdes, they see the Church community at its best with beautiful liturgies and caring for the sick and the suffering. They also experience a sense of belonging to their peers in Lourdes, to the adult leaders and indeed to the pilgrimage community. Most of them tell me they wish to return the following year.
Our diocese has built a state of the art youth club at the centre of Sligo City. We have also established a diocesan youth office at St Mary’s, Sligo, and appointed a diocesan youth director. The ongoing challenge is for each parish to find ways and means of involving their young people in the life of the parish community, perhaps as readers in the Church, as Eucharistic Ministers, as Faith Friends, raising money for the poor at home and in the Third World.
Most Enjoyable Experience as Bishop
People often ask me what work as a Bishop I find most enjoyable. I would have to say parish visitation. It is very tiring but most rewarding. Every three years, I try to visit each parish of the diocese.
It gives me a great opportunity to meet with the local priests on their own ground. Thank God to date I have always received a warm welcome. I am always amazed at the knowledge every priest has of his parish, the people and the life story of each person. We should really celebrate and thank God for our priests who continue to minister so joyfully despite what they are suffering in these difficult dark days.
I visit the primary schools before lunch. Today they are places of joy and not of fear as they were in our day. The buildings and facilities are state of the Art and the principal and teachers obviously love the children entrusted to their care. Joy literally radiates from the eyes of the children as you talk to them. It was great to read Sarah Carey in The Irish Times last year saying that our primary schools were the envy of countries in Europe.
After lunch, I bring the Eucharist to those who are sick and housebound. Those people are not thinking about profit or property or power. It is a joy to see how they welcome Jesus into their homes and into their hearts. Your faith is really refreshed and strengthened by the experience.
It is great also to see how many families care for their sick and their aged. Some have to make huge sacrifices to keep their aged parents at home. Then of course our parents made huge sacrifices for us when we were children. They would have died for us.
Reasons for Hope and Joy
Although I may be coming near the end of my time as bishop - the effort of renewal and ministry continues with new and exciting developments. Recently as a diocese we decided to restore the Permanent Diaconate and to introduce dedicated catechists in some of our parishes. I am grateful to God that at this time we have seven men in our diocese preparing for the permanent diaconate. It is astonishing that in such a secular society we still have people in the world of business and in the professions willing to offer themselves as candidates for the permanent diaconate. As you know once they are ordained, deacons, they will preach the Gospel and minister at Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. This September our first full time catechist - a young married woman will begin work in two of the largest parishes in the diocese. Catechists will help all members of the Christian community discover the richness of their faith and help them to share it with others Please pray for them. I am certain that as deacons and Catechists they will enrich the ministry of the Church in our diocese and be a real bond between priests and lay people.
Reasons for Sadness
I hope, in the light of what I have said, that you get some small idea of what my life has been like as bishop! It has been hard work every day all the way but very gratifying work. With the support and guidance of priests, religious and lay people it is truly amazing what a diocese can achieve.
Throughout the sixteen years a dark heavy cloud of regret embarrassment and shame has engulfed the Catholic Church in Ireland. Nothing deliberately designed by individuals or a group of individuals could have caused such suffering to children and could have so undermined the trust of people in their Church as the scandals of child sexual abuse by priests and religious.
Our greatest anxiety and care has to be for the victims – the children who have suffered so much hurt and pain. As Church we must never cease to express our sincere regret, our apology, our shame and our horror at what has been done to children so loved by Jesus Christ. Indeed Jesus continues to suffer in the children abused. We must do everything possible as a Church through counselling and therapy to help the healing of victims and their return to health. In every parish of the country we are putting in place policies and procedures that will prevent children from ever again being abused by bishops, priests, religious or indeed any lay people who work as volunteers with the Church. And we must do everything in our power to help with the spiritual hurts and needs of victims wherever they seek such help.
The Church Continues
Anyone who knows anything about the history of the Catholic Church knows that through the centuries the Church has been failed by popes, bishops, priests and religious. Yes all of us fail the Church from time to time because we are sinners. However through the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus continues to live in the Church and, through the Church, He continues to preach and teach to heal and forgive in our day.
The Church will survive because Christ has promised to remain with us forever. The Church was here before we came along. It will be here long after we are gone. Every generation including our own is called through prayer and care of our neighbour to help people discover Jesus in their hearts and homes and in every person they meet every day.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- Bishop Christopher Jones is Bishop of the Diocese of Elphin. Bishop Jones was ordained a priest on 21 June 1962 and ordained bishop on this day, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, 15 August 1994. Many bishops lead their dioceses on pilgrimage to Ireland's Marian Shrine during August.
- The Diocese of Elphin includes portions of counties Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath and Galway. The Cathedral Church for the diocese is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo. The diocese has a Catholic population of about 70,000, 38 parishes and 90 Catholic Churches. The Patrons of the Diocese of Elphin are St Asicus and Immaculate Conception.
- Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or the taking up of Mary into heaven. The Church has celebrated this feast since about the tenth century. Pope Pius XII proclaimed as a solemn teaching in 1950 that "the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory."
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
10 August 2010 | Homily of Bishop Christopher Jones to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Religious Life of Sister Jacinta Cullinane
10 August 2010
Homily of Bishop Christopher Jones to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Religious Life of Sister Jacinta Cullinane The Call of the Lord
The Words of Jeremiah in this first Reading today spell out very beautifully the origin and nature of every vocation to the Religious Life. They make it quite clear that although Jacinta Cullinane heard the call as a young girl that choice that call of Jacinta was in the heart of the Lord from all eternity. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”. This is why the call is so sacred, why it should be welcomed with great warmth and responded to with the surrender of one’s heart and life. The Lord goes on to say “what I require of you I will enable you to accomplish on my behalf, I will put my words in your mouth, my thoughts in your mind, my gifts in your hands, my courage in your heart. I will instruct you and guide you in the way you are to go. Do not be afraid”. In all of this God is telling all who are called to the Religious life that they should have no fear for the future, that they must put their trust not in their own power and strength but in the presence and strength of the God who calls.
Celebrating the Response
Today we are not only celebrating the Call of the Lord but also and in a special way the response of a young girl who grew up in this village back in the forties and fifties.
Family and Faith
Where did Jacinta get the Faith, the generosity and the courage to say yes to the Call of the Lord. It was the Faith and the prayer life of her parents and family that fostered in her young heart an abiding love for God and a ready willingness to respond when she heard the Call.
The Cullinane Family
Jacinta was born the fourth child of Michael and Catherine Cullinane in 1935. They are both with the Lord now. Her oldest brother died at birth and her brother Mike died at the age of twelve. Her sister Gretta died four years ago. Jacinta has two brothers and two sisters living – Frank who is married with five children outside of Castlerea – Bartley married with five children living here at the home place in Ballinagare – Teresa married with four children in Castleplunket – Carmel married with five children whose loving husband died only two weeks ago. May he rest in peace.
I am assured that Sr Jacinta has been a tower of strength for her sisters and brothers, her nieces and nephews and indeed for her grandnieces and grandnephews.
Response to the Call
Back in the 1950’s and 1960’s young people usually entered Religious Life at seventeen or eighteen years of age after leaving secondary school. Jacinta suffered much illness as a young girl growing up and she tells us that it was as a patient in Cappagh Hospital that she began to hear in her heart the Call of the Lord to Religious Life. The witness of the Sisters and staff had a profound influence on her.
Jacinta studied as a boarder at Saint Peter’s Secondary School Athlone. After her Leaving Certificate in 1953, though still contemplating Religious Life, she was offered a job as receptionist in Carrick-on-Shannon. I believe she is still remembered in the areas around Carrick-on-Shannon where she danced at Maypoles, Carnivals and in dance halls to the music of Mick Delahunty and the Clipper Carlton. From Carrick-on-Shannon Jacinta went to work for a short time in Limerick but at this stage the Call to Religious Life became very strong and loud and so, on the 8 December 1957, at the age of twenty two, Jacinta Cullinane became a postulant in the Mercy Community. And as we say the rest is history.
Sister Jacinta’s Ministry as a Sister of Mercy
In 1961 Sister Jacinta qualified as a primary teacher in Carysfort College and came back to Sligo for her final profession in 1963.
It was at this time that I first came to know Sister Jacinta personally. She was always so welcoming to meet – always full of energy and warmth. Her first appointment was as primary teacher in the Convent of Mercy School, Pearse Road, Sligo. During her years teaching there she worked at night at St Anne’s Youth Centre which is owned and funded by the Mercy Community. Sister is still remembered in Sligo for her magnificent ministry among the poorest of the poor each night in that Youth Club. Young boys and girls very often deprived of love and care in their own homes experienced a sense of being wanted, being valued, being loved – a sense of their own self esteem and self-worth because of the care of Sr Jacinta and her staff. She was a first class primary teacher but I would say her greatest work was in that Youth Centre.
A Story
Let me illustrate what I am saying by a little story. One day down town in Sligo I met Jacinta walking. Beside her was this big gangly fellow who could find himself in any company or on any road of life. He wanted to play a guitar and Jacinta was bringing him down town to buy one. I never heard how the music went after that but I was at the going away party for Sr Jacinta on the night before she left Sligo. I remember being deeply moved when in the midst of the sing song, the big tall guy for whom she bought the guitar stood up and with a deep and beautiful voice sang for Jacinta “Swing low, sweet chariot” to the music of his own guitar. A symbol of Youth Club success!
Ministry in Castlerea
Sister Jacinta went from Sligo to teach in the primary school in Elphin and then to my amazement I heard one day that she was appointed to work with children with special needs. How versatile can any one person be – a primary school teacher, a youth worker in a rough urban Youth Club, and finally a ministry to children with special needs. I remember when I heard of her change to Castlerea to special needs saying to myself – what a Religious, what obedience and what generosity with such a variety of gifts.
Ministry with Special Needs
I believe that Sister Jacinta enjoyed every ministry that she exercised in the diocese as a Sister of Mercy. But I am absolutely certain that she experienced her greatest joy of all in Saint Michael’s Castlerea when she ministered with the young people with special needs. She received many prestigious awards from her ministry in Castlerea and indeed throughout the county but nothing gave her greater joy than the achievements and awards of the children themselves because that gave them confidence to make greater progress with their own lives.
Awards to Sister Jacinta
For the record I would just like to refer briefly to the awards that have been conferred on Sister Jacinta for her magnificent ministry. I know Jacinta that this may annoy you but it may also inspire others to reach for the stars.
While Sister Jacinta is concerned only with the achievements and the awards received by people with special needs I believe that we should end our reflection on her life by remembering the awards conferred on herself over the years:
- In the late 1990’s she received in Strokestown the Star Award for her project on behalf of children with autism.
- In 2002 she received the Roscommon Herald People of the Year Award outright.
- In 2002 she also received the Roscommon Association Dublin Golden Jubilee Award because of the votes of readers of the Roscommon Champion and Roscommon Herald.
- In 2008 Sister Jacinta received the Hall of Fame Sports’ Star of the Year Award for her work on behalf of the Special Olympics.
I love the Gospel which Jacinta has chosen for today. It is the scene at the Jordan where the disciples asked Jesus the question “Rabbi where do you live” and Jesus replied “come and see”. It is so obvious that Sister Jacinta has found Jesus very much in the children whom she served through the last fifty years and especially in all the children with special needs. I believe that in choosing this Gospel she is saying to all of us: “If you want to find Jesus come and see Him in the children for whom we care”.
As we celebrate the life of one Sister we celebrate and thank God for all the good Sisters who have surrendered their lives in love to the Lord. We celebrate and thank God for their faith, their generosity, their love of God and of people.
For you Sister Jacinta and for all of your Sisters in the Mercy Community we pray the prayer of Saint Paul in the second reading today: "We pray that you all may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breath and length, the height and the depth – until knowing the love of Christ which is beyond all knowledge you are filled with the fullness of God". That is indeed our prayer for you today on this your fiftieth year as a Sister of Mercy in the diocese of Elphin and it is our prayer for all your Mercy Sisters wherever they are. May the God who loves you bless you with many more years of health, happiness, joy and peace. Amen
ENDS
This homily was delivered by Bishop Christopher Jones, Bishop of Elphin, in the Sacred Heart Church, Ballinagare, Co Roscommon on Sunday 8 August 2010.
Further information:
Martin Long, Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth, 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
3 August 2010 | Bishops’ response to the DES examination of areas for possible divesting of patronage
In looking to the future the Church has made clear the commitment of Catholic communities throughout Ireland to providing denominational Catholic education to parents who desire such for their children. Catholic schools in Ireland are caring, inclusive communities, which offer quality in teaching and learning, and which have made, are still making, and will continue to make an outstanding contribution to society and Church in Ireland. However, the Catholic Church in Ireland does not see itself in the future as the sole or dominant provider of schools. As recently as 2007 the Church formally detailed its view on future provision at primary level in our document Catholic Primary Schools: A Policy for Provision into the Future (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/24).
The data made available today by the Department on its website, using its own criteria, provides solid information on existing schools in ten geographical areas. No particular school listed in the Department’s documentation is being prioritised as a candidate for divesting. Importantly, no school will undergo a change in patronage without a transparent process of consultation which takes full account of parental choice, the concerns and interests of the local community, teachers’ rights and the common good.
Verifying parental choice
Parental choice is the key area with regard to education. Both the Irish Constitution and the teaching of the Catholic Church emphasise the primary role of parents in the education of their children. The verification of parental choice demands much more than a simple quantitative analysis. It necessitates the measurement of parental attitudes, beliefs, values and expectations. In addition, it requires a long-term framework through which a variety of complex issues can be addressed.
Clarification of terminology
Religious affiliation is not the only measure of inclusivity and diversity in Ireland. It is important to define key terms in the process, such as denominational schooling, non-denominational schooling, inter-denominational schooling and multi-denominational schooling. It is often suggested that multi-denominational schools are more diverse, plural and inclusive. However many denominational schools (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) have in fact been leaders in embracing social diversity through reaching out to students with special needs, to various socially disadvantaged groups, to ethnic / racial minorities and by providing education in communities suffering from serious socio-economic problems. Such Catholic schools are fully embedded in local communities.
Internal Church reflection
An internal Church reflection on the nature and scope of Catholic schools and education for the next generation is now required. This will involve consultation with patrons and trustees, parents and students, Parish Pastoral Councils, Boards of Management, Catholic Colleges of Education and other ecclesial bodies. The Catholic Schools Partnership, under its Chairperson Fr Michael Drumm, will play a leading role in this process. We live in a changing Ireland and our Catholic schools and parishes must continue to adapt to new cultural and social contexts. We expressed our understanding of the true nature of a Catholic school in the pastoral letter Vision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland (http://www.catholicbishops.ie/education/955), published on 8 May 2008.
Schools are among the most important of social realities. We look forward to progress on these steps that need to be taken in the development of a long-term framework with regard to the patronage of primary schools. Change needs to be thought through carefully. We invite those who are interested in the future of Catholic schools to make their views known and to contribute to this important debate in our society.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678