Anglican Communion of Ireland Conclave

The Anglican Church (Church of Ireland) will meet on January 7th to elect
a successor to Robin Eames who retires effectively as and from December
31st 2006.

The favourite at present to succeed him is Archbishop of Dublin, John Neill but there seems as if there well yet will be issues surrounding his appointment according to reports which have come our way. Seemingly, the separation of Church and State applies as much to this Church as it does to the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Some of the Northern bishops of the Anglican Communion are not too impressed with Neill's lack of pastoral empathy towards the northern situation and feel he may be too indifferent to what they consider their special situation!!!

However, overall, Neill is a remarkable man in many ways and it is his spirituality, compassion and theology which seems to be directing him towards the See of Armagh...its like a mini Vatican all over again....oh the joys how will we cope at all?

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The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Bishop Casey at Christmas

Now that the season of goodwill is truly with us maybe someone should advise the Purple Parliament that one of their brethren is awaiting still a decision from them on whether he will be permitted back into full ministry in the parish of Shanaglish, Co Galway.

I speak of course of our beloved bonking bishop, Eamon Casey as pictured here who returned to Ireland some time ago to face charges of having allegedly been sexually indiscreet with a female. The Gardaí (Irish police) carried out a full investigation into the allegations and found that Bishop Casey was and is innocent of all charges alleged against him and therefore will not proceed with any further criminal action.

However, our mitred ones have decided to carry out their own internal investigation 'in accordance with Catholic Church regulations' and until and such time as this is completed, the Bishop will not be permitted to perform any public ministry and is resigned to having to for the moment at least say Mass in the front room of his parochial house in Galway. What a shame!!!

The Silent Bishop

Lest it be forgotten, it was indeed Bishop Drennan (pictured here) who invited Bishop Casey back to the Diocese of Galway and appointed him to Shanaglish in Co Galway.

However it is his silence on this matter which has been most deafening to date and one now wonders what he will do to assist his predecessor back to full time ministry......

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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

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Papal Christmas Message to the Youth

This Christmas, Benedict XVI urged that the Child Jesus be recognized in all children, whom he called the ‘joy of the Church’ and ‘hope of the world.’

‘The wonder we feel before the enchantment of Christmas is reflected in a certain sense in the wonder that every birth arouses and invites us to recognize the Child Jesus in all children, who are the joy of the Church and the hope of the world,’ the Holy Father said.

Benedict XVI continued: ‘Christmas is the great mystery of the Truth and Beauty of God who came among us for everyone's salvation. The birth of Jesus is not a fable. It is a story that really happened, in Bethlehem, 2,000 years ago. Faith brings us to recognize in that little Child, born of the Virgin Mary, the true Son of God who, out of love, chose to become man.’

The Pope added: ‘In the face of the little Jesus, we contemplate the face of God, which is not revealed through force or power, but in weakness and the fragile constitution of a child.This 'Divine Child,' wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger with maternal care by his Mother, Mary, reveals all the goodness and infinite beauty of God. He demonstrates the faithfulness and tenderness of the boundless love with which God surrounds each of us.

‘For this reason we rejoice at Christmas, reliving the same experience as the shepherds of Bethlehem. Along with so many fathers and mothers who every day must make continuous sacrifices, along with the little ones, the sick, the poor we celebrate because with Jesus' birth the Father has responded to the desire for truth, forgiveness, and peace of our hearts.’

‘And he has responded with such enormous love that he astonishes us,’ the Holy Father said. ‘No one could have imagined it, if Jesus had not revealed it!

‘The wonder we feel before the enchantment of Christmas is reflected in a certain sense in the wonder aroused by every birth and invites us to recognize the Child Jesus in all children, who are the joy of the Church and the hope of the world.

‘The newborn who comes into the world in Bethlehem is the same Jesus who walked on the roads of Galilee, and who gave his life for us on the cross; it is the same Jesus who resurrected and, after his ascension to heaven, continues to guide his Church with the strength of his Spirit. This is the beautiful and great truth of our Christian faith!’

Addressing the youngsters of Catholic Action, the Pope assured them he ‘loves them,’ that he has confidence in them, and that he entrusts to them ‘today the task of being friends and witnesses of Jesus, who came to Bethlehem to be among us.’

‘Isn't it wonderful to make him increasingly known to your friends, in cities, in parishes, in your families?’ he asked. ‘The Church needs you to be close to all children and youngsters.’

Before taking leave of his guests, Benedict XVI added: ‘Give witness that Jesus does not take any of your joy away; rather, he makes you more human, truer, more beautiful.

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No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

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La Fheile Stiofan - St Stephens Day

Stephen's name means "crown," and he was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr's crown. Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church. The apostles had found that they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor. So they ordained seven deacons, and Stephen is the most famous of these.

God worked many miracles through St. Stephen and he spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of his hearers became followers of Jesus. The enemies of the Church of Jesus were furious to see how successful Stephen's preaching was. At last, they laid a plot for him.

They could not answer his wise argument, so they got men to lie about him, saying that he had spoken sinfully against God. St. Stephen faced that great assembly of enemies without fear. In fact, the Holy Bible says that his face looked like the face of an angel.

The saint spoke about Jesus, showing that He is the Savior, God had promised to send. He scolded his enemies for not having believed in Jesus. At that, they rose up in great anger and shouted at him. But Stephen looked up to Heaven and said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

His hearers plugged their ears and refused to listen to another word. They dragged St. Stephen outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. The saint prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he fell to his knees and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.

After such an expression of love, the holy martyr went to his heavenly reward.


St. Stephen's Day in Ireland

St. Stephen's Day honours the first Christian martyr, stoned to death shortly after the Crucifixion. St. Stephen's Day is a national holiday in Ireland, but the celebrations have little connection to the Saint.

In Ireland, St. Stephen's Day is the day for "Hunting the Wren" or "Going on the Wren."

Originally, groups of small boys would hunt for a wren, and then chase the bird until they either caught it or it died from exhaustion. The dead bird was tied to the top of a pole or holly bush, which was decorated with ribbons or colored paper.

Early in the morning of St. Stephen's Day, the wren was carried from house to house by the boys, who wore straw masks or blackened their faces with burnt cork, and dressed in old clothes (often women's dresses.) At each house, the boys sing the Wren Boys' song.

There are many versions and variations of this song, including the following:

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,
Although he is little, his family is great,I pray you, good landlady, give us a treat.
My box would speak, if it had but a tongue,And two or three shillings, would do it not wrong,
Sing holly, sing ivy--sing ivy, sing holly,A drop just to drink, it would drown melancholy.
And if you draw it of the best,I hope in heaven your soul will rest;
But if you draw it of the small,
It won't agree with these wren boys at all.

Sometimes those who gave money were given a feather from the wren for good luck. The money collected by the Wren Boys was used to hold a dance for the whole village.

There are different legends about the origin of this custom. One is that St. Stephen, hiding from his enemies in a bush, was betrayed by a chattering wren. The wren, like St. Stephen, should be hunted down and stoned to death.

Another legend holds that during the Viking raids of the 700's, Irish soldiers were betrayed by a wren as they were sneaking up on a Viking camp in the dead of night.

A wren began to eat breadcrumbs left on the head of a drum, and the rat-a-tat-tat of its beak woke the drummer, who sounded the alarm and woke the camp, leading to the defeat of the Irish soldiers and the continuing persecution of the wren.

The pursuit and capture of the wren is also related to the pagan custom of sacrificing a sacred symbol at year's end. In contrast to the legends of the wren as betrayer, the wren has also been revered in Ireland as the "king of the birds."

An Irish folktale tells of a contest held among birds to see which could fly the highest and should be accorded this title. The eagle soared higher than any other bird, but lost the contest when a clever wren, who had been hiding on the back of the eagle, flew off the eagle and soared higher in the sky.

The custom of going on the wren fell into disfavor around the turn of the century, and died out completely in most parts of Ireland, but has been revived throughout much of the country. Wrens are no longer killed-- an artificial wren may be used, or a real wren may be carried about in a cage.

The "Wren Boys" now include girls, and adults often accompany the young people. Folk costumes and traditional music and dancing are often part of going on the wren, and the money collected is often used for community or school projects.

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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

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Vatican needs more women, says Italian professor

"The problem with the church today is the lack of women in positions of responsibility at the Vatican", an Italian professor said at a Rome conference on feminism and the Church.This must change and I believe it will," she added, saying her argument "has nothing to do with the question of women priests." Lucetta Scaraffia, a professor at Rome's La Sapienza University, made the comments at a recent conference on "Feminism and the Catholic Church", Catholic News Service reports.

However, Professor Scaraffia and American Professor Mary Anne Glendon also argue that while in any social institution directives from the top are essential, lasting change flows from the grassroots up. Harvard Professor Glendon, who is President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, added that unless the Catholic Church can show the world concrete models of male-female cooperation in positions of responsibility and decision-making, the Church will continue to struggle against charges that it is chauvinistic.

She said the Church "will continue to have difficulty explaining the exclusion of women from the priesthood" unless it demonstrates the seriousness of its belief that women and men are equal, but not identical, by providing examples of lay women and men and priests working together in real partnerships. She said Church teaching that women and men are equal, but not identical, is a healthy corrective to the feminism of the late 20th century, which promoted a "unisex society."

Both women argued that, despite a widely held prejudice, for centuries the Church has been a key promoter of women's dignity and equality, particularly by offering them education and through women's religious orders, which raised up generations of strong, creative leaders.
While most people, including Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, recognise more must be done to include women in church decision-making, Professor Glendon said, "the right things have been said at the highest levels."

However, the push for women's equality too often has led to policies that force women to be "masculine" in order to get ahead in the world, the Professor said.

The more the Church demonstrates its belief in women's equality, she said, the more seriously people will take its leadership in defending the differences between men and women, she concluded.

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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

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Anglican Archbishop of Armagh Christmas Message

When those who came first to the Stable at Bethlehem saw with their own eyes the miracle of Christ’s birth they believed – but then they moved on …

This Christmas people of faith see the miracle of the Stable, the birth of Christ and the wonder of it all. They hear again the story and they gaze again at the scene of the Stable. They worship and adore.

But then we have to move on.

We move on in our family life, our everyday life, our relationships and we take up again our hopes and fears for the future. The difference is that we take the miracle of Christ’s birth with us. And it makes all the difference.

Not only on a personal level do we gaze and hear and move on – but as a community also. The message of love and hope at Bethlehem says it all – but life goes on. The real test is the difference we feel because of Bethlehem. Can we take that love and hope into 2007 for this whole community?

Can we take the real meaning of the Christmas story into how this community moves ahead in the new year? In personal terms as well as in the wider society Bethlehem of old can still spread its eternal message for us all …..

Once more the possibilities of progress and stability for this whole community beckons us forward. If we can translate the hopes of the Stable into new trust, new possibilities and new hope then as we leave the Stable there is a real and genuine reason to look forward to a brighter future for all of us.

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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Killaloe Diocesan Child Sex Abuse Scandal (1)

Bishop Wishy Washy of Killaloe has no doubt been considered one of, if not the most humane bishop this country has ever seen, especially when he gave the Travelling community use of his front lawn a few years ago....no planning permission sought though!!!

However it seems trouble is never too far from his door now that the near 72 year old has decided to consider a possible pastoral placement for convicted priest Fr Desmond. He was convicted in a Waterford court of having abused sexually a then minor, got a suspended sentence placed on the Sex Offenders Register and ordered pay financial compensation to his victim now 34 years old.

The bishop has not ruled out the possibility of employing the now convicted child abuser stating that he would consult with the Diocesan Child Protection Committee to consider a possible placement....one thing Bishop...you had better consult the people of the Diocese you are supposed to be shepherd to also....

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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Papal Christmas Greetings

Martin on the Move??

Rumour has it that Archbishop Martin of Dublin could very well be transferring back to Rome within a short space of time to be duly replaced by Bishop Eamonn Walsh...he who was handed the poisoned chalice which was Ferns those years ago....

This would be seen as a reward for Walsh but again his experience as a barrister would come in handy once the whole investigation into the Archdiocese of Dublin is finalised...which is going to happen only God knows when.....Walsh must be wondering how he keeps getting the short straw....and Archbishop Sean Brady will be left counting the days to when he may yet receive the red hat that has been denied Armagh for so long now......

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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

A Blessing on All

During the coming Christmas season

May you be blessed

With the spirit of the season, which is peace,

The gladness of the season,which is hope,

And the heart of the season,which is love.

Vatican Greetings

Il Papa Benny XVI is due to give his annual Urbi et Orbi Message on Christmas Morning from Saint Peters and the following link to the Vatican website should be of assistance in determining the time at which he will do so.....

http://www.vatican.va/

Nollaig Shona 's faoi Mhaise Dóibh

It is the time of year when we now need to take some time back from the hustle and bustle of daily life and especially the madness of the past few days and weeks in preparing for this most auspicious occasion....

But we must ask ourselves after spending all that money in rip off shops and wasting time trudging around looking for the perfect gift getting wet to the bone or nudged or even stampeded....what is it all about??

Just look at the picture of the Mother and Child and reflect upon the real meaning of Christmas and let the true spirit enter your hearts and lives...

* call to visit a neighbour

* bring an elderly friend /neighbour to your home for 2 or 3 days of Christmas

* telephone relatives and friends even to say happy Christmas

* go to Church and offer up your hopes, fears and wishes to God

Ag an ám seo, Nollaig Shona dóibh go léir

The Puppets & The Muppet (1)

It has been a funny week here with the clerical lambasting that Podge and Rodge (pictured) received from none other than the Archbishop of Armagh himself Seán Brady (pic alongside) as he believes they are corrupting the morals of our youth in Ireland today....anyone starting to notice the irony of the clerics especially those in high office in this country especially this year???

Where were they over the past few years when the Child Abuse allegations were being made?

The Archbishop needs to reflect on not how to compete with Podge and Rodge in getting the attention of the young people but actually involving them in the Church as opposed to continuously sidelining them at all times...no wonder the youth watch the dirty duo because there is no moral leadership from the Church leaders except criticism....easier get flies with honey than vinegar Archbishop!!!

Here is the full context of the whole matter as selflessly gleaned from another site.....

Ireland is becoming "a society of Podge and Rodge" rather than one of decency and respect, according to the Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop of Armagh Sean Brady.

In an interview with Irish Times religious affairs correspondent Patsy McGarry, Archbishop Brady said that people, especially parents, were becoming worried "about where we are going, morally and spiritually".

And he cited "a growing coarseness and aggression" especially evident in road traffic deaths, excessive drinking, early sexualisation of children and stress. Such phenomena were "dehumanising", Archbishop Brady said.

Dehumanisation was linked to secularisation. Growing violence and declining respect for human life and the integrity of the human person were evidence of this, he said. These trends were the opposite of Christian values which "called on Christians to look after one another" Archbishop Brady continued.

This was not confined to Ireland, he noted. Recalling a recent synod of European bishops, he pointed out that many there felt that "more and more people were fearful of the future, isolated, and made no life commitments".

This reality was one of the major reasons behind the falling numbers of young people becoming priests or religious.

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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Fr? Mother? Fr Mother?

BASIC (www.basic.ie) have claimed that due to the plunging numbers of Catholic Clergy in Ireland, within 50 years, we will have very few Irish priests in Ireland. The number of ordained priests has declined as follows

2001 - 17,906

2005 - 16,322 indicating a loss of 1,584 in just 4 years that figures are available and if this trend alone continues over the next 20 years we are in serious trouble indeed...

At present 43% of Irish clergy are in 50-70 age bracket, with the 80+ group increasing in numbers...

Will we have female clergy or even open a debate on the possibility?

According to a spokesperson for the Bishop of Kerry Bill Murphy (pic alongside),

'this is simply a non-starter, I can't see it happening.' !!

Well Bishop, you may not see it happening but you could at least start the debate!!!

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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce