Blog Layout

When is A Chaplain Not really a Chaplain?

Colm Holmes • 31 March 2024

Archbishop of Dublin  Dermot Farrell homily on 27 March 2024


I was quite perplexed to read in Sarah McDonald's report in the Tablet (Archbishop Outlines Benefit of Humbler Church) that the Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, had put quotation marks around the word chaplain in his Chrism Mass homily, as in:


"The 'chaplain' who is a mother can minister in a way that complements the ministry of the priest." 


Is the Archbishop telling us that she is not really a chaplain?


Is that because:


(1) Canon law defines a chaplain as "a priest to whom is entrusted in a stable manner the pastoral care, at least in part, of some community or special group of Christ's faithful, to be exercised in accordance with universal and particular law" (Canon 564).


(2) The 1997 Instruction from the Vatican: 

It is unlawful for the non-ordained faithful to assume titles such as "pastor", "chaplain", "coordinator", " moderator" or other such similar titles which can confuse their role and that of the Pastor, who is always a Bishop or Priest.(58) https://www.vatican.va/.../rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997...


Soline Humbert


Link to The Tablet article

Link to the complete homily

by Colm Holmes 4 November 2024
Papal plámás is no substitute for an end to discrimination against women
by Colm Holmes 15 October 2024
Vatican says NO to EQUALITY?
by Colm Holmes 4 August 2024
Dr Luca Badini Confalonieri with Fr Helmut Schüller
by Colm Holmes 12 July 2024
WAC International response to Instrumentum Laboris
by Colm Holmes 11 July 2024
It is a dull document but perhaps all the cans that have been kicked down the Synodal road will yet create a din that cannot be ignored.
by Colm Holmes 1 July 2024
Christchurch Cathedral June 30th 2024
by Margaret Hebblethwaite 9 May 2024
The Tablet used WAC Ireland's "Last Supper" painted by Irish artist Nora Kelly on its cover
by Colm Holmes 26 April 2024
One of the leading thinkers in the Irish Church welcomes the Pope’s ‘change of culture’ but warns that it will peter out unless there are reforms to structures and institutions
by Colm Holmes 15 April 2024
Press Release 15 April 2024: Response to the Vatican letter "Dignitas Infinita"
by Colm Holmes 6 April 2024
Overall control of the Study Groups should be given to the Synodal Office
More posts
Share by: