2009 has been an extraordinary year in the history of the Irish Catholic church, culminating in the Murphy Report on the Archdiocese of Dublin.  This will continue to have its impact in 2010, especially in the promised papal pastoral letter to the Irish church.  We have serious misgivings about the fact that this will be confined to Ireland, but are prepared to cooperate in any really sincere attempt to rebuild trust between hierarchy and people.

Our test for sincerity will be whether the proposed reforms will include regular structured opportunities for bishops to listen to the legitimate questions and concerns of the people of God.  The deliberate denial of such opportunities, promised by Vatican II, has been the single greatest weakness of the Irish church - although that weakness is not confined to Ireland alone. 

2010 will also also see the culmination of the ongoing inquiry into the diocese of Cloyne, presently being conducted by the Dublin commission.  It is too early to say if other dioceses will also be investigated.  We will continue to press for this.

Undoubtedly also the present crisis must see other developments in 2010.  We will be doing all in our power to foster a wide dialogue with all who are interested in constructive change, so that our church can weather this crisis and recover its integrity.

The crisis we are living through has revealed serious weaknesses in individual bishops, leading to the obvious conclusion that those individuals should be replaced.  However, this will not be sufficient to end the crisis, because the aristocratic culture and structure of the church tends to corrupt individuals by giving them undivided responsibility.  The crisis will therefore continue until this problem of undivided power is resolved. 

VOTF™
Mission Statement

To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church.

Our Goals

2. To support priests of integrity

3.To shape structural change within the Catholic Church.

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