Statement of the Winter 2024 General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference:

Themes discussed by the bishops during their meeting included preparation of a new edition of the lectionary based on the Revised New Jerusalem Bible in response to the 2021 public consultation, and, parishes becoming involved in the Community Sponsorship Programme, run by the Irish Red Cross, to welcome and to host families seeking refuge in Ireland.  Other themes included:

• Programme for Government of the incoming 34^th Dáil needs to prioritise end of life care
• Support charities working for families in need and the homeless this Christmas
• Child safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Ireland
• Discussion on the final document of the XVI Synodal Assembly
• Pope Francis’ new encyclical Dilexit Nos (He loved us) on the human and divine love of Jesus Christ, expressed through the symbol of His Sacred Heart
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• Bishops support call to action to bring peace to the Holy Land 
• Responding to the outcome of COP29
• Catholic Schools Week 2025: Alive in Christ!
• Participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18-25 January 2025
• Countdown to 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope in Ireland, Rome and the world
• Advent 2024 – the season of hope and preparation
• In Memoriam

  Detail:

• Programme for Government of the incoming 34^th Dáil needs to prioritise end of life care

Bishops prayed for the protection of human life at all stages, from conception until natural death. 

The bishops congratulated all those elected to the 34^th Dáil and offered prayers that the Holy Spirit will guide them to carry out their duty to promote the dignity of every human person and the common good at all times.  The bishops noted recent parliamentary votes on Assisted Suicide, both on a private members Bill in Westminster and on the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying in Dáil Éireann. 

Bishops said, “Assisted suicide, far from being an expression of autonomy, is a failure of care.  By legislating for assisted suicide or euthanasia, the State would contribute to undermining the confidence of people who are terminally ill, who want to be cared for and want to live life as fully as possible until death naturally comes.
 
“In our culture, we rightly hold doctors and nurses in high esteem because they are presumed always to be at the service of life, for as long as their patient lives.  We call on Catholics to stand firmly in support of nurses and doctors who stand for life.  One day it may be your life.”
 
“Now, as recently elected TDs to the 34^th Dail begin meeting to discuss the formation of a new government, we appeal them to uphold human life at all its stages, and to prioritise the provision of palliative care for people living with chronic and terminal illness.”  See related video Through the Valley and the bishops’ pastoral letter Freedom to Live Fully, Until Death Comes of 24 June 2024

Bishops highlighted their recent message ahead of the election, particularly the issues concerning the dignity of families and individuals who are struggling because of cost of living pressures or homelessness. 

Bishops said, “A new government should be formed as quickly as possible to provide stability to society, work to alleviate the burden on those living on the margins, and to increase housing supply for young families seeking homes.  We reiterate our call for improved social dialogue in Ireland to tackle the issues that we face.  The lower turnout at this election is worrying, especially in some urban areas.  The new government needs to tackle this disconnect from the democratic and political process.  A new model for social dialogue has to include voices which represent the whole of society, including people of faith, so that there can be a truly inclusive and meaningful participation in the life of the nation.”

• Support charities working for families in need and the homeless this Christmas

Over the three weeks of the General Election campaign, the twin social challenges of family poverty and homelessness have been to the fore.  Conscious of the ongoing effects of energy inflation and other cost of living stresses, the bishops encouraged all those who can, to support Catholic and other charities working to support families throughout the year and especially at Christmas time.  These include the annual Christmas appeal of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Crosscare (the social services agency of the Archdiocese of Dublin), the Capuchin Day Centre and others.  This year’s SVP appeal focuses on providing help to parents whose income has been devastated by high rents and the spiralling prices.  One-parent families, low income households, those depending on one-off supports and people with disabilities are all especially vulnerable to food and fuel poverty.  The SVP Christmas campaign is entitled The Wonder of Christmas, see svp.ie
 
Bishops said, “We ask parishioners to make a special effort to support the Saint Vincent de Paul appeal this Christmas.  The SVP works to provide vouchers to those in need so that families can pay for food, heat their homes and so that children can enjoy the wonder of Christmas.“

Trócaire’s Christmas campaign
The Christmas 2024 campaign of Trócaire, the overseas development agency of the Bishops’ Conference, shines a light on the devastating impact of global poverty and inequality calls on people to support children caught in conflict.  Through powerful stories of individuals and communities affected by crises, Trócaire is encouraging generosity and solidarity, urging people to make a difference with their donations during this holy season.  Bishops encourage people to donate at Trócaire.ie

• Child safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Ireland

The chief executive of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Mr Aidan Gordon, and Dr Keith Holmes, the Interim Chair of the NBSCCCI, advised the bishops on activities engaging the current work of the Board.  The bishops were briefed on the recent Safeguarding Conference held in Rome, hosted by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which affirmed the commitment of the Church to support the development of suitable structures across Europe to ensure children are safe when participating in Church activities.  Bishops noted that the professional organisation that supports people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse,Towards Healing, reported an increase in demand for its services following the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report in September. 
 
RSM Ireland’s Strategic Review of Child safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Ireland
In 2021, and in line with best practice, the Bishops’ Conference and the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI), initiated a major wide-ranging independent external review of child safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Ireland.  This review was carried out by the professional services consultancy RSM Ireland, and is published today.  The review evaluated all aspects of safeguarding and outreach to survivors, including the impact and effectiveness of the important work done by the NBSCCCI, as well as the two support organisations for survivors, Towards Healing and Towards Peace, and it has been welcomed by the three organisations.  The review itself involved desktop research, including literature review and consideration of safeguarding structures and processes in other countries.  RSM also consulted widely with key stakeholders including, inter alia, designated liaison persons, safeguarding officers, and representatives from other organisations in Ireland dealing with safeguarding issues.  RSM also sought the views of victims and survivors of abuse within the Catholic Church.  Please see reports below:

Strategic Review of Child Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Ireland
A Report of a Public Consultation with Survivors of Abuse

• Discussion on the final document of the XVI Synodal Assembly

Bishops Brendan Leahy and Alan McGuckian updated the bishops on the XVI Synodal Assembly, held from 2 to 27 October in the Vatican, that gathered 368 delegates from around the world.  The two bishops attended the Assembly on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference.  They shared how, building on the relationships that had been established in previous year’s Assembly, the atmosphere was joyful and serene, fostering open and frank conversations that reflected the Church’s unity in diversity.  Bishops Leahy and McGuckian expressed gratitude for the transformative experience lived over four weeks. 
 
They noted the clarity of the description of synodality provided in the Final Document: “…synodality is a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the Church to be more participatory and missionary so that it can walk with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ.”  It is about a style of Church, involving processes and events enabling people to discern together what God is asking of them.
 
Noting the unusual step by Pope Francis of publishing the Synodal Final Document immediately after the final vote, the bishops at the Winter General Meeting welcomed Pope Francis’ recent accompanying note emphasising the Final Document is part of his ordinary magisterium and to be a guiding inspiration for the Church.
 
The bishops recognised the Final Document’s call among many other things, for greater inclusion of women in leadership roles in the Church. 
 
Bishops Leahy and McGuckian spoke to the bishops of the significance of key prayer moments during the Synodal Assembly, such as the penitential rite on the first day, the Rosary for Peace, and an ecumenical service, all of which highlighted the Synodal Assembly’s focus on humility and the broader mission of the Church in the world to be at the service of humanity especially in promoting peace.  The ecumenical service also reminded the delegates of the context of Church reform initiated at the Second Vatican Council (1962 – 1965). 
 
In this initial engagement with the Final Document, the bishops welcomed the creation of new forms of ministry, the call for making participatory structures in the Church obligatory and holding regular diocesan assemblies, as well as increased lay involvement in the formation of priests. 

The Final Document also emphasises accountability and transparency not just in the areas of abuse, but across all areas of Church life.  Bishops noted how the Final Document has proposed a revision of Canon Law to clarify the relationship between consultation and decision-making in the Church.  The Synodal Assembly underlined the importance of ecumenism with sixteen fraternal delegates from various Churches present throughout the Synodal Assembly.  The role of Bishops’ Conferences in synodality as an important topic was also highlighted in the Final Document.
 
Bishops recognised the providential development that the Catholic Church in Ireland had already embarked on a Synodal Pathway in 2021, which can now continue and pick up speed during 2025.  The themes that emerge in Ireland over this time will form part of a structured discernment process in the lead up to the first National Synodal Assembly in 2026.
 
During their meeting, bishops shared how the Synodal pathway is what the Spirit is calling the faithful to pursue at this time in the Church’s journey along the pathways of history.  Bishops acknowledged that, as happens on any journey, a certain fatigue can set it, but as Pope Francis reminded delegates during the Mass marking the conclusion of the Synod in Rome, we need to ask the Lord to lift up our hearts and let ourselves be woken up by the power of the Gospel: “We always need to return to the Lord and the Gospel so we can get back on our feet.” It is also instructive that Pope Francis wrote to priests in May asking them to become ‘missionaries of synodality.’ 

The bishops concluded, “No doubt there is more to be gained from engagement with the Final Document, and we undertake to continue to explore it further.  We thank all who have been involved with the Irish Synodal pathway to date, and encourage continued engagement in parishes and dioceses, religious congregations and movements, across Ireland.”  To view the Final Document, visit, Synod.ie

• Pope Francis’ new encyclical Dilexit Nos (He loved us) on the human and divine love of Jesus Christ, expressed through the symbol of His Sacred Heart

Bishops reflected on the encyclical letter by Pope Francis Dilexit Nos (He loved us), published during the Synod in October, on the human and divine love of Jesus Christ expressed through the symbol of His Sacred Heart.  To view a brief video by Archbishop Eamon Martin welcoming Dilexit Nos please click here.
 
In the context of next year’s Jubilee Year, the bishops noted that 2025 coincides with 350^th anniversary of the Revelations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in France.  Bishops commended the upcoming launch of the Sacred Heart Crusade of Love and Hope which, following a Papal blessing in Rome in January, will organise a pilgrimage of four Sacred Heart statues to the four ecclesial provinces of Ireland to encourage people to encounter Christ in their lives. 
 
Next year, on Sunday 22 June, ahead of the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on 27 June, Archbishop Martin will celebrate Mass in Our Lady’s Basilica, Knock.  All are welcome.      

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities

During their meeting, bishops made special reference to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrated every year on 3 December.  Prayers were offered for people with disabilities and their carers on the day by Archbishop Eamon Martin.  The bishops emphasised the importance for parishes of marking significant days like this International Day during Masses or liturgies.  In an address in October last, Pope Francis said, “I do not like the word ‘disability,’ I prefer ‘differently abled.’”  Creating an inclusive parish entails not only adapting structures, which might be the easy part, but also changing mindsets in order that our brothers and sisters who are disabled will be considered full participants in the life of the parish.
 
The bishops reflected on key messages from the National Catechetical Directory Share the Good News, published in 2010, that stated “awareness within the parish community that those living with physical and/or special learning needs often experience a sense of exclusion, and that their families and carers feel isolated and even rejected”.  Importantly the Directory also advocated that, “particular attention should be paid to equality of provision and to accessibility”.  The bishops commended parish communities who have worked to address the issue of accessibility in their parishes.   
 
During next year’s Jubilee Year of Hope, over 28 and 29 April, there will be a special weekend dedicated to Persons with Disabilities.  The fact that “differently abled” people are at the heart of the Jubilee Year is significant in itself.  The bishops encouraged priests and parish pastoral councils to make every effort to invite persons with disabilities to be at the heart of the parish, and to ensure that the structures are in place for them to participate fully in parish life.

• Bishops support call to action to bring peace to the Holy Land 

The humanitarian crisis in the Holy Land was again discussed by the bishops during much of their meeting.  Flowing from earlier statements by the Bishops’ Conference, and aware of the important role that all Churches have in advocating for peace and showing solidarity with those who suffer, the bishops unanimously decided to become signatories to an Open Letter: Embracing our Faith: A Call to Speak out on the Holy Land.  This is a joint initiative of Pax Christi International, CIDSE (an international family of Catholic social justice organisations, of which Trócaire is a member) and ACT Alliance Europe.  The letter seeks to lay the groundwork for meaningful advocacy, calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access, the release of hostages and the protection of civilians, efforts to address the root causes of violence and measures to respect the status quo on Jerusalem’s Holy Sites.  The letter also calls for dialogue on bringing about a lasting solution and respect for the human rights of all.  Bishops encourage everyone to support this call to act for peace.  Those who wish to sign the letter can access it here.

• Responding to the outcome of COP29

In the context of a discussion on climate change, Bishop Martin Hayes of Kilmore, and Laudato Si’ coordinator of the Bishops’ Conference, updated the bishops’ meeting on the 29^th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, which concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 24 November.  Bishop Hayes said:
 
“The compensation amount agreed for the loss and damage fund (to help low-income countries pay for the damage caused by climate-related natural disasters) at COP29 is $300 billion per year.  This figure falls far short of addressing the actual reality.  It is therefore very disappointing that COP29 failed to address the real cost of compensation to developing countries for the loss and damage suffered by them due to global warming caused by our developed countries.  It is worth recalling Pope Francis’ observation in his 2023 apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (Praise God for all his creatures):

“The COP29 financial aid package is weak and illustrates that COP29 arrived at a consensus based on the lowest common denominator between the participating nations of the world.
 
“As Ireland is one of the richest countries of the world, we must do better and be accountable for the impact of climate change on the poorer struggling economies of the world.  In Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical letter Laudato Si’ (Praise be – On Care for our Common Home), he emphasises the ‘intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet’ (LS16), thereby highlighting that the cry of the earth is the cry of the poor.
 
“According to Professor John Sweeney, climate scientist and member of the Laudato Si’ Working Group, a figure of $5 trillion per year would be required to alleviate the damage caused by climate change to developing countries, this being a multiple of the $300bn compensation recent figure agreed for loss and damage at COP29.  Those advocating on behalf of the developing countries sought $1 trillion per year.  Therefore, the amount agreed at COP29 is a mere 6% of that needed to compensate those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis but who are on the front lines of its effects.  Humanity will pay a heavy price for this abject failure.”

• Catholic Schools Week 2025: Alive in Christ! 

Bishops commended the theme of Alive in Christ! for Catholic Schools Week 2025, that will run from Sunday 19 January to Saturday 25 January.  During this special week, Catholic schools across Ireland will explore what it means to be fully alive as a human being – living life to the full in Christ.  Sensitive to the age appropriateness of the various classes and years, the theme will explore how we exist for one another in Christ, building from the wellbeing of the individual, extending the notion of true wellbeing to others, to our families and communities, and to The Other, in God.  The 2025 theme will mediate on hope, the true purpose and meaning of human life, and, in the more senior years, on true freedom.  The theme connects with Grandparents’ Day on the Wednesday of CSW, and correspondingly with the subject of Family in schools at post-primary level.

• Participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18-25 January 2025

The bishops welcomed the 2025 theme and resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which will take place on 18-25 January next.  The theme will be Do you believe this? (based on John 11:17-27).  The Week of Prayer materials were prepared by the ecumenical community at Bose in Northern Italy.  The bishops also noted that 2025 marks the 1,700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council of the Church and one which led to the Nicene Creed, which is recited and professed at Mass each Sunday.   The resources for the Week of Prayer are available both as downloads and printed versions via this link – Resources for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025, and on Catholic Education Partnership’s X platform @CatholicEducIRL.

Irish Inter-Church Meeting
The bishops also received a report on the 34^th Irish Inter-Church Meeting which was held at Dromantine, Newry, Co Down, on 12 and 13 November, addressing the theme Finding the Face of God in One Another.  The IICM meeting focused on the continuing journey of reconciliation and healing in Ireland amidst the fracturing dynamics in contemporary society in Ireland.  The meeting considered a range of areas in which Churches in Ireland, drawing from the Gospel, might offer society on the island in terms of addressing polarisation, conflict and the trauma that is the continuing legacy of past violence and division.  This theme will continue to be part of the ongoing work of the Irish Council of Churches/Irish Inter-Church Meeting.

• Countdown to 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope in Ireland, Rome and the world

The bishops planned for the Holy Year’s faith-filled and social programme for the Church in Ireland.  On Christmas Eve, 24 December at 7.00pm, the Holy Year will begin with the opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome.  To echo the theme of hope, Pope Francis is calling on all Catholics to renew in the hope of Christ, using Saint Paul the Apostle as a guide for this special year.  In Ireland, and around the world, each diocesan bishop will celebrate Mass on Sunday, 29 December, to mark the solemn opening of the Holy Year. To read the full statement of the bishops visit CatholicBishops.ie

• Advent 2024 – the season of hope and preparation

Bishops said, “we have now begun our Advent journey, a time of patient waiting and joyful hope.  As we look forward to the celebration of Christmas 2024, we pray, and encourage all to pray, to the Lord for an end to wars across the globe and for justice and peace to reign in our uncertain world.  We remember most of all the innocent, as they suffer most in terms of death, injury, hunger and displacement.  The coming of Christ brought light into a darkened world, ‘a light that darkness could not overpower’ – and we earnestly pray for light at this time.”

Digital Advent calendar on catholicbishops.ie
2024 marks the eleventh year of the digital Advent calendar, a popular resource for families, schools and parishes available on the homepage of catholicbishops.ie.  During the 24 days of Advent, new content will be available behind the calendar’s digital doors.  Every day online viewers can enjoy brief personal video reflections and prayers for this holy season.

• In Memoriam

Bishops prayed for the repose of the soul of Bishop Donal Murray RIP, Bishop Emeritus of Limerick, who passed into Eternal Life on 13 October 2024.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.

ENDS