The People Speak Out

Local voices connecting globally

This is important: to get to know people, listen, expand the circle of ideas. The world is crisscrossed by roads that come closer together and move apart, but the important thing is that they lead towards the Good.  (Pope Francis)

Canon Law 212 calls upon the laity to speak up:

2 - The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires.

§3. - According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.

National Synthesis Report for Ireland

Dear WAC Members & Friends,

We were delighted and relieved to read the National Synthesis for Ireland which was published on 16 August 2022. It included many of the reforms we have all been campaigning for for the past 25 years:

  • Women in all ministries
  • Welcome for LGBTQ+
  • Married priests & optional celibacy
  • Shared decision making

This Report marks a watershed moment for the Catholic church in Ireland. It will be a reference document for years to come.
Here are 2 paragraphs from the conclusion:

National Synthesis of Ireland
Paragraphs from the Conclusions section (Page 24)

The General Secretariat for the Synod encouraged each synthesis to conclude by indicating ‘the steps to be taken in response to that which was recognised as the call of the Holy Spirit, highlighting in particular those points regarding which it is considered important to solicit the further discernment of the Church’.[13]

In answer to this we point to the fact that across the various submissions and syntheses many issues emerge consistently, including a strong desire for women’s involvement in leadership and ministries – ordained and non-ordained - and additionally, a concern around the Church’s approach to the LGBTQI+ community and to the hurt experienced by its members. There is also a call for greater lay involvement and participation. Some obstacles in Canon Law which limit the full realisation of this could be revisited.

Please do take the time to read the National Synthesis Report.
This link will bring you to the National Synthesis Report


We have 2 events lined up for the autumn: 

"A Practical Response to the Cry of Earth and the Cry of the Poor" - Caoimhe de Barra, CEO of Trócaire, 7.30pm Thursday 29 September 2022 in Mercy International Association, 64A Baggot Street Lower, Dublin, D02 XC62       CLICK HERE to book your FREE ticket

"PRIEST or PRESBYTER?" - Professor Tom O'Loughlin, 7.30pm Thursday 27 October 2022 - ZOOM Meeting CLICK HERE to book your FREE ticket

We are also planning for events around the Synodal Pathway.

Best wishes,
Colm Holmes
Spokesperson and Joint Convenor