Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI), a new group for Irish Catholics

the culture of deference

Maybe for the next census we will have a new extra question.
Are you a member of the RCC or the Irish Catholic splinter group.


The Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI), a new group for Irish Catholics committed to reform and renewal in the Church, was formally launched today. 150 people turned up this morning to the launch.

The organisation aims to provide a voice for lay Catholics in the same way that the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) does for the clergy. Mr McCann said there was a realisation among many Catholics that the Church was in crisis and that the pews on Sundays were emptying of young people.

He said lay people had “very good reasons not to be happy” but he was hopeful that Pope Francis could signal a different approach which would involve the laity in the way envisaged by Vatican II.

“We have lost one generation and we will probably lose the next generation if we don’t do something about it,” he said. “What will the Church be like in 20 to 30 years time? If the laity doesn’t stand up and be counted, you’d fear for the future.”

Among the issues agreed for discussion was the lack of a voice among the laity within the Church, how the Church could provide a voice for young people being forced to emigrate and the sanctions imposed on clergy who speak out against the Church on certain issues.

Sr Cora Richardson, a former missionary nun who is in favour of women priests, was applauded when she asked the question: “Are women Catholics or not? Are they part of the Church or not?”

Soline Humbert said there was gender apartheid with the Church and that she had a personal sense of vocation towards the priesthood which was not recognised because the Catholic Church does not recognise women priests.


The issue of abortion was not raised as a subject for discussion.


http://www.irishtimes.com/news/new-lay-catholic-association-set-up-to-stem-crisis-within-the-church-1.1414774

Kivaro

Too late.

666irishguy

They have lost the battle and are too blind to see it, my generation (born in the 80's to 90's) are unreachable by what are now elderly men and women hopelessly at odds with our values. The said generation are unwilling and to be frank unconcerned about being dictated to by an institution that has collapsed in all but name. The recruits have stopped joining and once the older generations have disappeared, the money will too. The fact the issue of abortion was not raised says it all. Bury your head in the sand and ignore reality from the get go. Business as usual.

Galvasean

The whole thing strikes me as being unbelievably arrogant. Rather than admitting that the religion is not for them they want to have it changed to suit them.

Turtwig

Galvasean wrote: »

The whole thing strikes me as being unbelievably arrogant. Rather than admitting that the religion is not for them they want to have it changed to suit them.

Well yeah that's typically how schisms tend to work. "We're not happy with Catholicism, so we're going to change it. We're reformed Catholics."

PopePalpatine

It must be really frustrating being a CoI bishop right now. "Bloody hell, you believe the same sort of stuff that we believe! Why aren't you joining us?!"

Galvasean

PopePalpatine wrote: »

It must be really frustrating being a CoI bishop right now. "Bloody hell, you believe the same sort of stuff that we believe! Why aren't you joining us?!"

Answer: "Because you're Protestants."

Delirium

Galvasean wrote: »

Answer: "Because you're Protestants."

and to resolve that problem they start up their own protestant church :pac:

Sulla Felix

Galvasean wrote: »

Answer: "Because you're Protestants."

I've had this conversation. My mother is having none of it. Despite her stated desire to actually be able to go to mass, but won't because of disagreements with some of Roman church doctrine, she won't switch church.
It's bizarre. Some religious Americans I know consider themselves Christian first and <denomination> a very poor second.

shruikan2553

Sulla Felix wrote: »

I've had this conversation. My mother is having none of it. Despite her stated desire to actually be able to go to mass, but won't because of disagreements with some of Roman church doctrine, she won't switch church.
It's bizarre. Some religious Americans I know consider themselves Christian first and <denomination> a very poor second.

"But we were raised catholic and we are catholic, its just we dont agree with everything so the church should change to get with the times and then we can all by happy catholics"

Tends to be the attitude.

A large part of the Irish catholics are unable to see themselves as protestants even when they share more beliefs with them than the catholics.

coffee_cake

PopePalpatine wrote: »

It must be really frustrating being a CoI bishop right now. "Bloody hell, you believe the same sort of stuff that we believe! Why aren't you joining us?!"

Sums it up for me. Even on boards, so many "catholic" posters are clearly protestant but decide that's an insult and of course they're catholic :rolleyes:

As for the new group, as long as they don't start annoying the rest of us, let them at it

swampgas

If this group does get traction, one big problem they will have is access to churches. The RCC pretty much owns all the "Catholic" churches in Ireland, will the ACI want access to these? Will they want to wrest control of them from the RCC? Will they need to fund and build their own new church buildings?

ShooterSF

koth wrote: »

and to resolve that problem they start up their own protestant church :pac:

No no no this is "reformed catholic" nothing like protestant :pac:

Galvasean

If it walks like a Protestant, talks like a Protestant... then it must be a neo-Catholic! :pac:

But hey, if a large chunk of Catholics want to defect from Rome rule and start a religion based on love and kindness than more power to them!

The Black Oil

Why do they feel entitled to the young generation?

Hotblack Desiato

Galvasean wrote: »

start a religion based on love and kindness

Contradiction in terms.

Hotblack Desiato

The Black Oil wrote: »

Why do they feel entitled to the young generation?

They were fed up with the priests getting all the action? :pac: