Irish National Synodal Assembly
28th Sunday A
Cobh
11 October 2026
My friends,
Next Saturday 17th October an unusual meeting will take place near Gormanston, Co. Meath. There will be about 300 people present representing every diocese in the country, lay women and men, religious, priests and bishops. When referred to in the media it will be called the ‘Irish National Synodal Assembly’. This meeting has been a long time in preparation, because it is five years since the Irish Bishops’ Conference promised to convene a meeting of this kind and to do so, having engaged in a thorough consultation with people at every level of engagement in the life of the Church in Ireland.
Given the turbulence and crisis we have been through in recent decades, the basic question for all, “What does God want from the Church in Ireland at this time?” This entire project was inspired by Pope Francis, as he challenged the Churches all over the world to examine itself under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So, all the meetings that have taken place over these past five years have had “Conversations in the Spirit” as their guiding star. These conversations were anchored by spiritual texts, silent reflection and guided conversation. All the time people were directed to deepen their understanding of the three themes, Communion, Participation and Mission.
As these conversations went on, they were carefully collated by a National Steering Committee. The first fruits of that consultation were presented to a meeting of delegates in Kilkenny this time last year, under the title “Baptized and Sent” – it enabled the gathering to situate our shared call to discipleship and incorporate the priorities that emerged from across the whole Church on the island of Ireland. Not surprisingly, the first two priorities were BELONGING and CO-RESPONSIBILTY and LAY MINISTRY. THEN FAMILY, WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE. The need for FORMATION and CATECHESIS is equally urgent – while so many are well educated, they are poorly formed and informed in faith.
Since this time last year, these priorities have been examined in great detail with view to identifying the good work being done by many groups across Ireland and recommending models of best practice to one another. This has been a thorough enquiry into what is required of all in Church if we are to be co-responsible disciples for the future emerging Church amongst us.
The meeting next Saturday, will consist of reviewing, endorsing and recommending proposals to the Conference of Bishops’ and several other groups in the Irish Church. The delegates from every diocese will already have received and are reading a substantial working document. Cloyne will be represented by seven delegates, who are all members of the Cloyne Diocesan Pastoral Council, established this year. The Cloyne Diocesan Pastoral Council has participated and contributed to the ‘Conversations in the Spirit’ that have found expression in the proposals to be considered at the Irish National Synodal Assembly in Gormanston.
This is clearly a slow process requiring patience, perseverance and deep faith. While we have the revelation of the Bible, the teaching of the Church in the Catechism, we don’t always have the zeal and commitment together to ‘Fan the Flame’ of Christian life in the times that are ours. This is a great call to renewal in the life of the Church in Ireland. This is not an effort to recreate the past, rather to help the Church to emerge anew to be a light for the nation.
So many of you are engaged with and support your parish life and we are thankful. I ask your prayer for all who are engaged in this task of reflection and renewal – so vital for the future generations.
