Key news points – please see full statement below:
– Bishops issue message of congratulations to Pope Francis as he concludes the first year of his Pontificate
– Bishops discuss the survey of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, and the Council for Marriage and Family of the Bishops’ Conference will host a special conference on marriage and family on 14 June
– Bishops express their deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to the shared nationwide church collection, held for those affected by the crisis in Syria, the wider Middle East and by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, which raised in excess of €5.3 million
– Bishops encouraged the faithful to participate in the Lenten initiative of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation entitled ‘24 hours for the Lord’
– Bishop William Crean, chair of Trócaire, on the announcement that the government commitment to achieve the UN target of 0.7% of Gross National Income by 2015 will not now be met in next year’s budget
– Bishops call on the government to increase its resettlement commitment to victims from the Syrian conflict to at least 300
– As Saint Patrick’s Day is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics in Ireland, the best way to honour our Patron Saint is to attend Mass
– Saint Columban is remembered as one of the greatest of all Irish missionaries. Bishops will promote a pilgrimage from their dioceses to Rome, between 8 and 15 October next, to mark the 1400th anniversary of his death
– Bishops asked for prayers for peace in the Ukraine and especially for all who have suffered greatly in that country in recent weeks, and that there will be a just resolution to the dispute.
