Launch of preparations for the World Meeting of Families 2018
On Saturday 22 October, a special conference marking the Catholic Church’s celebration of family and family life took place in DCU Saint Patrick’s Drumcondra Campus in Dublin. Guest speakers included the co-chairs of the Council for Marriage and the Family of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin (pictured) who, along with over 600 delegates, participated in this special event to formally launch preparations for the 9th World Meeting of Families in Dublin which will take place from 22-26 August 2018, on the theme: “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World”.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, President and host of the WMOF2018 said, “When I think of the organizational challenges which the Meeting of Families at my doorstep I shiver. But when I find myself at a gathering like this – yes I still shiver – but I realise also that together we will accept this gift and challenge of Pope Francis in such a way that he will be proud of us.”
Also addressing the delegates and groups dedicated to supporting marriage and the family, Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “One of my hopes is that we will develop Catholic family support groups at diocesan and parish level which might not only assist with marriage preparation, but also with supporting couples in the years immediately following marriage”.
Human trafficking targets the most vulnerable – Bishop Brennan
Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns represented the Irish bishops at the annual meeting of the Santa Marta Group from 26 – 27 October in Rome.An initiative of Pope Francis, the Santa Marta Group is an alliance of bishops and police chiefs from around the world, working with civil society, to prevent trafficking and modern day slavery. Bishop Brennan said that human trafficking is a challenging and dreadful crime which targets the most vulnerable, and that all sections of Irish society have a role in confronting the secretive and pernicious activities of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Bishops invite faithful to join Pope Francis in praying for people of Syria
Irish bishops have invited the faithful to join with them and with Pope Francis to pray for peace in the Middle East and especially for the people of Syria on Monday 31 October. This prayer initiative has been organised to coincide with the Holy Father’s participation in the ecumenical commemoration of the 500thof the Reformation due to be held in Sweden on 31 October. Bishops invite the faithful to hold a prayer gathering in parishes, schools, community venues, or at home. A special prayer has been designed for use on the day and is available, with a longer parish prayer service, on www.catholicbishops.ie. #PeacePossible4Syria
News Snippets
Read all these stories on www.catholicnews.ie
- Addressing 220 delegates at the annual conference of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in Tullamore on 13 October, Archbishop Eamon Martin identified the role of parish volunteers as vital in safeguarding against abuse.
- A new short film on ‘The Joy of Love in Marriage and the Family’ which highlights the work of individuals, agencies and movements working to support marriage and family life is now available on catholicbishops.ie.
- Churchgoers in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin are being offered suggestions about living their faith and sharing it with others. The proposals are highlighted in a leaflet entitled Sharing Our Faith Everydayis a practical guide to show people how to share their faith in everyday situations. The leaflet is available from www.kandle.ie
- The bishops’ 2016 virtual Advent Calendar will go live on catholicbishops.ie to coincide with the first Sunday of Advent on 27 November.
Pope Tweet: We are disciples, but also missionaries, bringing Christ wherever he asks us to be present. @Pontifex
Produced by the Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
