Why is Archbishop Eamon Martin Ignoring the Synodal Process?
WE ARE CHURCH IRELAND asks why Archbishop Eamon Martin is ignoring Pope
Francis’ Synodal process by continuing to call for only MALE vocations to the
priesthood when the issue of women priests featured prominently in the global
synodal process?
Speaking at Croagh Patrick, Archbishop Martin said: “We are trying to get the
message out that priesthood is an important vocation for the church. Our numbers
in the priesthood are dwindling but we are hopeful that the Lord is still calling
people…”
Yet Ireland’s National Synthesis from all 26 diocese concluded that:
The role of women in the Church was mentioned in almost every submission
received. Several of the submissions called for the ordination of women to the
permanent diaconate and the priesthood. Many young people cannot understand
the Church’s position on women. Because of the disconnect between the Church’s
view of women and the role of women in wider society today, the Church is
perceived as patriarchal and by some, as misogynistic.
Unfortunately, the Archbishop’s comments ignore the Irish Synthesis, show
disrespect to the views of Irish Catholics and reinforce the perception of a
patriarchal and misogynistic church.
It is clear that some in the patriarchal church consider the preservation of a male,
celibate clergy to be more important than making the Eucharist available to the
people in a renewed Synodal model of church.
Ursula Halligan and Colm Holmes
Joint Co-ordinators