News / Media
Closing Mass of the Limerick Diocesan Synod 2016
Closing Mass of the Limerick Diocesan Synod 2016
After three Synod days we returned to our Cathedral to join with hundreds more for a joyful, prayerful and inclusive celebration of the Eucharist. A packed church heard Church of Ireland Bishop Kearon encourage us: This is the end of the beginning, now you go out, be assured of our prayers, he said. Watch the full celebration here.
Read MoreRTE - Equality for women leading issue at synod
RTE - Equality for women leading issue at synod
More than 6,000 people from 60 parishes were consulted over the past two years about the issues they believe are important and which must change if the church is to survive.
Read MoreThe Irish Times - Women must play bigger role in church, Synod hears
The Irish Times - Women must play bigger role in church, Synod hears
Limerick Diocesan Synod hears call for lay-led liturgies without priests on weekdays
Read MoreLive 95FM - Conclusion of the Diocesan Synod at Mary I to focus on the future
Live 95FM - Conclusion of the Diocesan Synod at Mary I to focus on the future
Today sees the conclusion of the Diocesan Synod at Mary I, with the focus on the future and where the outcomes will bring the Limerick Diocese.
Read MoreClosing Prayer on second day of the Synod
Closing Prayer on second day of the Synod
Closing Prayer from Saturday, Day 2 of the Synod.
Read MoreLimerick Diocese Pastoral Plan
The Diocese of Limerick has celebrated a Diocesan Synod, the first in 80 years. It has been an event of the Holy Spirit, an experience of deep encounter, a time of hope. The image of it that I treasure is one found on our Synod website - the hall in Mary Immaculate College with 400 people, lay, priests, single and married, young and older, gathered together in circles working hard but joyfully at discerning what God was calling us to as a Diocese.
Throughout our preparation for the Synod, the whole Diocese has been learning together to be "synodal", that is, walking together, journeying together, with Jesus among us, as we move forward in hope. When we gathered in April we invited the representatives of other churches and other religions along with representatives of the civic and social agencies of the City and County Council to join us. I felt our gathering was a glimpse of the Church that the Holy Spirit wants to be a community of communities with Jesus among us, serving society at all levels, offering it a soul, wanting to give our spiritual and social contribution that builds up the fabric of society.
I recall more than one person saying to me how moved they were to find themselves sitting side by side with priests, chatting about future directions of the Church. Some young people said to me they were sure if other young people could see this, they would be hugely impressed and really begin to understand more about the Church.
So I thank God for the Synod. It has given us an experience and an image that provide a benchmark in our hearts and minds for the future. With this pastoral letter I now present the Diocesan Plan that has been developed on the basis of the Synod. Before getting into the detail, I would like first of all to offer some perspectives that emerged from the Synod.
