The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference (also known as the Irish Episcopal Conference) is the assembly of the Bishops of Ireland exercising together certain pastoral offices for Christ’s faithful on the whole island of Ireland.
The Conference enables the Bishops to exchange views, and share their wisdom and experience in order to promote the common good of the Church in Ireland. General Meetings of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference normally take place on a quarterly basis.
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference seeks to build effective consensus among the Bishops, thereby contributing to the unity of the Church in communion with Pope Benedict XVI. Through its links with the Church in neighbouring countries and across the world, it strengthens and enriches efforts to increase faith and proclaim the Gospel message to all nations. At the same time, the Conference fully respects the personal authority, responsibility and ministry of each individual Bishop within his own diocese.
Structure
To help it fulfil its aims more effectively, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has established various Episcopal Commissions, departments, councils, agencies, councils and other bodies which focus on specific tasks and areas of responsibility within the mission of the Church. Day to day operations are overseen by a secretariat.
The five Episcopal Commissions are as follows:
- Catholic Education and Formation
- Pastoral Care
- Planning, Communications and Resources
- Social Issues and International Affairs
- Worship, Pastoral Renewal and Faith Development
You can see in the FOOTER the various councils and agencies that come under the five Episcopal Commissions.
Membership
The current membership of the Irish Bishops’ Conference comprises the Bishops (or Diocesan Administrators) of the 26 dioceses of Ireland together with the seven auxiliary Bishops.
President
Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
Vice-President
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland
Episcopal Secretary
Bishop William Lee, Bishop of Waterford & Lismore
Standing Committee
Most Rev. Denis Brennan DD
Archbishop Dermot Clifford DD (Chair, Planning, Communications & Resources Commission)
Most Rev. Seamus Freeman DD (Chair, Worship, Pastoral Renewal and Faith Development Commission)
Most Rev. Christopher Jones DD (Chair, Pastoral Care Commission)
Most Rev. Brendan Kelly DD
Archbishop Michael Neary DD
Most Rev. Leo O’Reilly DD (Chair, Catholic Education and Formation Commission)
Most Rev. Noel Treanor DD (Chair, Social Issues and International Affairs)
