International Eucharistic Congress 2016

As you know the next Eucharistic Congress is due to take place in Cebu in The Philippines in 2016 - Dublin hosted the last one in 2012. A reader, Nino, passed on this video, the theme song for the Congress, so I'm bringing it to your attention. I have no doubt that the next Congress will be a real festival of faith, so it would be well worth saving the pennies and cents to try and get over.  I would love to go, but work and finances will decide. Thanks Nino for the link.

Eucharistic Congress 2012: Some Thoughts

Well, the 50th International Eucharistic Congress is over and the Church is preparing for the next one in Cebu in the Philippines.   We had a large contingent from the Philippines over and, as always, their faith was most impressive.

I spent the week going up and down to the Congress doing some continuity work for the television broadcasts on EWTN, some vox pops and interviews, some of which were for EWTN radio.  One of the most impressive interviews was with Pat Kenny who runs the Fr Willie Doyle blog.  He gave a talk on the Irish Jesuit on Monday evening in St Kevin's Church hall which was packed.  I interviewed him on Tuesday afternoon and I think it will be a very interesting programme.  Fr Willie is one of the Irish figures who should be put forward for canonisation - if he were Italian, Polish, French or Spanish, he would probably be canonised by now.

Anyway, the Congress.  I must say I was very impressed by the organisation and it was obvious that a lot of hard work went into it, so congratulations to those who pushed the sleeves up and tackled what was a mammoth task.  The RDS had a real festival atmosphere and I was delighted to see that many of the new congregations and communities had come and their presence would have encouraged the Irish, many of whom are unaware that religious life is more vibrant in the Church today than it ever was.   Despite what the secularist media say, the Church is alive and kicking!

The liturgies were, for the most part, done very well, although there are a number of issues - some abuses crept in, but then given that these abuses have become part and parcel of the Irish liturgical scene they were to be expected.  But Rome was watching (and the Holy Father referred to abuses in his message yesterday), so I presume over time a gentle but firm hand will deal with them.  But there was a prayerful atmosphere as well as a jubilant one: the Congress gave Irish Catholics an opportunity to celebrate their faith and be exposed to the universal nature of the Church and the many ministries, associations and congregations which are part of our faith.  So well done to the organisers for facilitating that and facilitating it so well.

There were many wonderful speakers, and a number who should not have been asked, and that had been one of my concerns earlier.  That said I was delighted to have the opportunity to see and hear some world class speakers, including the new bishop of Shewsbury, Bishop Mark Davies who is a most remarkable man: a holy man, a good bishop and one with an evangelical soul.

While I thought the ecumenical dimension was a good idea, I think they have should have been more careful.  Ruth Patterson, a Presbyterian minister, was one of those involved, and after having a podium to speak at the Congress she came on to RTE radio and basically said that the Catholic Church will have no credibility or effectiveness until it ordains married men and women.  She also said that orthodoxy was a subtle form of idolatry.  She is entitled to her opinion, but I would imagine having been given a platform to speak at a major Catholic event, she would have the graciousness not to attack the Church as she did.  Inviting her was a  mistake, though the organisers cannot be held responsible for what this lady says after the event.  However given her reputation, prudence would have suggested they should not have taken the chance.

One group who was not invited, and I think should have been, were the members of the Personal Ordinariates.  Given that this was the first Congress following the Holy Father's establishing the Ordinariates, I think an invitation should have been forwarded to the leaders of the various Ordinariates.  I'm sure Mgr Newton from the UK Ordinariate would have been delighted to come, and he could have been a keynote speaker.  It would have been most appropriate given that the theme of the Congress was communion with Christ and with one another, seeing that they have just entered full communion with the Church.  Perhaps the organisers in Cebu will invite them for 2016.

I also think the Eucharistic Procession was really lovely, though I believe we should have had it in O'Connell street.  There seems to be a fear of having such processions in the city now, I presume some do not want to appear triumphalist given recent history, but I think we need to start regaining confidence in our faith again. Let's face it if the gays and lesbians can parade down O'Connell street proudly in their hundreds in their upcoming Gay Pride March, we have every right to do so in our tens of thousands.  Interestingly this Congress may have brought confidence back to the Catholics of Ireland.

The Statio Orbis yesterday was very well prepared for.  Contrary to the reports in The Irish Times which says only 50,000 turned up, the figure was much more obviously about 70,000-75,000.  Strange that, Patsy McGarry, the religious affairs correspondent was sitting a few seats away from me and saw the same crowd as I did: perhaps he needs to go to Specsavers and have his eyes checked - obviously his glasses are not up to scratch.   In fact Patsy was pretty obsessed with figures all week: at the press conferences the one question he always asked concerned attendance figures.  Indeed the secular media have been quite boorish in its coverage, and all the work of Fr Kevin Doran and his committee overshadowed by their obsession with apologies.  

I was disappointed to see Joe Duffy of Liveline involved in the presentation of the Statio Orbis - given his attitude to the Church and his bashing of priests and Church doctrine on his radio show he should not have been invited.  Nor, in my opinion, should have an invitation been extended to Enda Kenny (unless, of course, he gatecrashed).  I noticed though when he arrived there was booing and very little clapping - it was very subdued. I'll say one thing for him though, he has nerve.  That said, the Statio Orbis was a wonderful celebration of faith, the highlight being the Holy Father's message.

So all in all, congratulations to the organisers for facilitating what became a great festival of faith.  It would be great to have such gatherings and festivals more often: perhaps the Church in Ireland may consider a national Congress every few years.  I know we have the Divine Mercy Conference each year, but I think the faithful Catholics of Ireland would like other events to help nourish their faith. Perhaps some national gathering for the Year of Faith???  So Fr Kevin Doran deserves a lie-in this morning and a few weeks holiday. 

Lest some critics take a shot at me in the combox, I do admit that the Congress was not perfect, but all in all it was a success: it made us Catholics feel proud of our faith and reminded us of what is important. It may not sort out the Church in Ireland, but it gives us a boost to start working on reform realising that there are a lot of good, solid, orthodox and prayerful people and organisations out there quietly working away to proclaim the Gospel.  It also brought Cardinal Ouellet to our shores, the one who will be responsible for appointing our new bishops (indeed the majority of them as many of the present bishops are due to retire in the next few years): he needed to see the Church in Ireland, virtues, vices and flaws, to help him in his decision making, and I think he got a good start on that. 

Now I'm exhausted, and no doubt many others, so we might all just take a few weeks to recover and get going again for October: the Year of Faith.  Any suggestions anyone?  Anyway, given our positive experience, I think we'll have to start saving: next stop - Cebu in the Philippines 2016.  I wonder if Ryanair will put on a few flights?

On EWTN Duty

I will be on duty for EWTN at the Eucharistic Congress for the next week, juggling parish work and recording down at the RDS.  I will not have much time to myself, so I will not be blogging for a week.  Please keep our work in your prayers.   Thank you.

You can follow our coverage on EWTN at the following sites:

Ireland and UK:    http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=ukirln

The US:    http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=domeng

Canada:    http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=caneng

Pacific Rim:   http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=pacrim

Africa/South Asia:  http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=afrasia

German language channel:  http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=germaneur

Spanish (US):  http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=domesp

Spanish (International):  http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=intlspan

Of The Eucharist, Theology And The Urge For An iPad

A few interesting pieces of news, this Friday morning.  

As we prepare for the Eucharist Congress next week, a theological symposium has been taking place in Maynooth with a number of excellent speakers.  The Papal Legate, Cardinal Ouellet gave an impressive talk on "The Ecclesiology of Communion, 50 Years after the Opening of Vatican II" (see a Zenit report here).

Among the things he spoke about, one concerned devotion to the Eucharist which "must not be belittled as a pious but now outdated custom" but rather, it is "a development of the living tradition, which felt the need to express faith in Christ's real presence in the sacrament in this way".  A wonderful reaffirmation of the faith of the Church in the Holy Eucharist.   There are some in the Church here in Ireland who should take careful note of these words. 

In Ireland there is a growing movement for adoration and many churches now have adoration chapels, and some even have perpetual adoration.  Our own bishop here in Meath, Bishop Michael Smith, has made it a priority of his episcopal ministry to promote Eucharistic Adoration within the diocese and he has been very successful.  I hope and pray the Eucharistic Congress will revitalise the faith of many in the Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Father addressed similar issues yesterday in his celebration of Corpus Christi in Rome.  Here's an interesting article on his homily.

I see the fall out from the CDF's Notification on Sr Margaret Farley's book Just Love is continuing.  Now the Catholic Theological Society of America have come out in her defence and are rebuking the Vatican for such a narrow-minded approach to theology.  It said in a statement that the Vatican's move "risks giving the impression that there can be no constructive role in the life of the Church for works of theology". 

One has to wonder where these people are coming from - can one really say that dissent and rejection of the core moral teachings of the Church, taken from the Gospel, is constructive and building up the life of the Church?  In reality it breaks down the life of the Church as it introduces a moral anarchy into the communion of the faithful and makes sinful practices a valid alternative to the life of virtue or even the norm.  Theological investigation does have a part to play in the life of the Church, assisting the Magisterium in proclaiming the Gospel and exploring in ever greater depth the faith which Christ has given to us. 

Theologians, however, are not the Magisterium.  They do not define the faith nor how it is to be lived.  And when they propose to validate a manner of life or lifestyle which is in direct contradiction to the teaching of Christ and the Commandments and then promote themselves as a teaching authority in the Church they commit the sin of simulation - posing as authentic teachers of the faith when they are not.  One would think that having had so many years of study behind them these theologians would realise that.  But then again, ideology is a powerful thing and can blind even the most brilliant of thinkers. 

This is where humility comes in.  The Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said that theology must be studied on one's knees - he was right.  The first attitude one must have when it comes to studying theology is humility - not curiosity, not creativity, not the desire for fame, but humility because one must always remember that when it comes to theological investigation we are exploring the mystery of God (read today's Office of Readings - the first reading is from the Book of Job and humility before God: Job 40:1-14; 42:1-6).   However it seems some of our contemporary theologians think they are doing theology from their own little cathedras. 

And here's an interesting snippet.  The bishops of New Zealand have outlawed the use of the iPad for the celebration of Mass (their statement).  It seems some of their priests were using their iPads instead of the Missal for the liturgy.  I know that there is enthuasiastic discussion among some priests of how the iPad has all the texts you need and is very handy when travelling - no need to bring a Missal or breviary.  I would not be keen on it to be honest - call me a Luddite, but I prefer the book - there is something more reverent.  Of course I'm hopeless when it comes to Kindle and iPads - some friends are urging me to get one of each, but I am resisting.  I admit an iPad would be handy for work and internet when travelling, but the Kindle does not entice me at all: I love the feel of a good book. 

Papal Visit To Ireland, June 2012?

Is Pope Benedict coming to Ireland to close the Eucharistic Congress in June 2012?  The Irish Independent is convinced he is.   Other news outlets are taking up the story, including the Belfast Telegraph.  Protests expected - no doubt about that.   Is it a good idea?  Perhaps.

For one thing it will provide an opportunity for victims of abuse to meet him and talk to him, and to actually see that he is not the unfeeling, evil ogre the press in Ireland and certain groups have made him out to be.  It will be a moment of healing for them and the Church in Ireland.  That is badly needed and can only be good.    It will also mean that the Congress organising committees will have to look again at their programme and exorcise certain elements, and a certain theologian, from their plans.  Recent conversations with many involved in the organisation over the last few weeks have only confirmed the truth of what I said in my last post on the Congress. 

Also, it might do something to push the Cause of the Venerable Matt Talbot who has been waiting in the wings for far too long.  There is a miracle, I believe, but I do not hear of anything being done about it.  As these things must remain secret, all I can say there is that a person who is known to me was mysteriously healed of a malignant tumour through Matt's intercession back in 2002. 

With reference to the last post: a Papal visit will ensure the corrected translation will be implemented as planned.  After all which Irish Bishop or MC wants to pop into the Papal tent before the Mass to explain to His Holiness that for the sake of sensitivity to senior priests the translation has been put on hold...... 

I think it would be a good idea if he came.   Only worry - RTE and print media's campaign of anti-Catholicism in preparation for the visit.   So we would have to endure that - but then a bit of penance in preparation for the visit would have its benefits.

Eucharistic Congress Worries: Responses

Seems my reflection on worries about the way the Eucharistic Congress is going has started a debate in the comments box.  Interesting thoughts on both sides, well worth reading and reflecting on.  Link.  I see Thomas Groome, a theologian whose work is seriously questionable and is a supporter of the ordination of women, has popped up in the discussion;  Catholic Culture has a comprehensive summary on his doctrines for those unacquainted with him.

Eucharistic Congress 2012: Worrying Developments

Meeting with a priest friend the other day, he let me read some of the documents emerging from the committees organising next year's Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.  One of them which lays down the rules for the journey of a Eucharistic Congress bell through the country (pretty rigid rules) reads more like something out of "Have I Got News For You?" or  the script of a Monty Python sketch.   But then again, the documents online are just as bad. 

 

Reading through the Pastoral Preparation Programme, available online here, I see a lot of problems, the main one being a disordered emphasis on the individual rather than on the mystery of the Eucharist.  The theme of the congress is The Eucharist, Communion with Christ and One Another, it seems to me most of the emphasis is on the latter end of the theme. 

 

Have a read of the document and see for yourself, it will remind you of those awful paraliturgies we have had to endure for the last thirty years, where we focus on "our" gathering, "our" story, "our" experience - the sort of stuff that has led a couple of generations of Catholics away from worshipping God to worshipping themselves. In reality this is where the Church is in Ireland at the moment, and has been for some time - certainly my generation got nothing else. The sort of stuff which reduces the mystery of the Eucharist to the subjective celebration of a community turned in on itself, rather than a community turning to God worshiping him and celebrating the Mystery of Salvation.  As a priest trying to prepare his parish for the Congress and foster a genuine Eucharistic faith this stuff is no help at all, more of a hindrance actually.

 

I know from a number of sources that there is a serious dispute going on behind the scenes.  Orthodox faithful who want to make the Eucharistic Congress a real celebration of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist against the old guard who seem most uncomfortable with Catholic Eucharistic piety - looking at these documents it seems the old guard won.

 

The Holy Father has already said that he sees the Congress as part of the Church's renewal in Ireland, I'm afraid if it turns out as the documents here intend, it will do the opposite.  One good thing though, with Eucharistic devotees from around the world in Ireland witnessing this stuff it will become apparent to the powers that be in Rome that serious doctrinal reform is needed in Ireland and that the Visitation must go far beyond the issue of child abuse and seminaries. 

 

As for the Eucharistic Congress Dublin 2012, another priest said to me last night: "It seems like its going to be another wasted opportunity for Ireland - as were the Years in preparation for the Jubilee 2000, the Jubilee itself, the Year of the Rosary, the Year of the Eucharist, the Pauline Year, the Year of the Priest....all of which were virtually ignored in Ireland."  I hope not, there is still time to turn the thing around.  

Servant of the Eucharist

The idea of a victim soul may sound strange to modern ears, even within the Church, but, as today's feast reminds us, he or she has a unique vocation in the Church, living in a radical way the Lord's call to his disciples to take up their cross and follow him.  Today is the feast of Blessed Alexandrina da Costa, a Portuguese lay woman who spent most of her life bedridden, but found there the means of interceding for the world.  Alexandrina's story is fascinating and bound up with the apparitions of Fatima - she would have been contemporary with the visionaries.  She is often called the "Fourth Visionary" since her life of suffering and reparation fulfils in a mystical way, the calls of Our Lady.  Interestingly, Alexandrina died on the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, 13th October. 

Alexandrina is also famous for two extraordinary occurrences.  She had many visions which sustained her in her suffering, but it was her passion ecstasies which brought her to the attention of many.  Every Friday she entered into a mystical state and went through the passion of the Lord.  During those ecstasies her paralysed limbs regained their power.   These ecstasies were filmed and these films were examined as part of her Cause. The other was her eleven year fast, as she lived only on the Eucharist.  This is a medical fact - she underwent extensive tests and was observed by doctors who found that she ate or drank nothing except the Eucharist, with no ill effects.

Since I was ordained, most Monday evenings, I attend a small Eucharistic prayer group under Blessed Alexandrina's patronage - it has been a great source of blessings and graces for all involved, most particularly for my priesthood.  Members of the group have travelled to Fatima and to Balasar in the north of Portugal where Alexandrina lived and is buried.  So today is a special day for them.  I wish them a happy feast day. 

My colleague, Caroline, over at the St Genesius blog notes that the Archbishop of Braga has suggested to Archbishop Dermot Martin of Dublin, that Blessed Alexandrina be declared one of the patrons of the 2012 Eucharistic Congress. An excellent idea! 

There is an online video which includes some of the footage from one of passion ecstasies here.