The Irish church was left reeling last week after two attacks on young priests, one from the Synod Synthesis Document and another from a recently resurfaced video involving the Association of Catholic Priest’s Father Brendan Hoban.
The Synod Synthesis Report had many valid and thoughtful points, which were overshadowed by the fact that it had singled out only one group for attack, young traditional priests, writing:
Some participants were concerned that some younger priests are very traditional and rigid in their thinking and may not have the requisite skills for co-responsible leadership.
There are many reasons to take the Irish Synod in good faith based upon the many documents and statements so far. However, this lends much power to those who claim that the process is predetermined, as this pre-emptive attack seems to give credence to the idea that the Synod is comprised of old cranks and failed reformers with grudges against more joyful and confident young priests.
This was followed by the rediscovery of shocking comments about young priests from Father Brendan Hoban of the Association of Catholic Priests. These remarks sent shockwaves around the world and left Catholics completely stunned and hurt. Such comments have to be heard to be believed:
Now, in a welcome move, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan has made an appeal for Traditionalists to be included in the Synod Process.
In a statement on the Waterford and Lismore website, he wrote:
The synthesis also reveals an attitude to what could be termed ‘traditional’ faith which is mildly dismissive. From my own interaction with some ‘conservative’ or traditional’ believers it was clear that many did not engage with the synodal process at a parish level. It would be interesting to research why this was so. Is it because they themselves feel marginalized? Or because they felt that Church teaching cannot be changed and that there was no need for this synodal process and that little fruit would ensue? Or perhaps they felt they simply had better things to do with their time? These are all questions to ponder. If the Church in Ireland is worried about groups on the margins of Irish society then we will have to dialogue in a more serious way with what might be termed ‘traditional Catholics’.
The dark and divisive comments about young priests in the Synod Synthesis Report and in Father Brendan Hoban’s rant have not served the People of God well, yet one can only hope that these comments from a figure such as the bishop will go some way towards a true spirit of Synodality and inclusion.