Frequently Asked Questions:  

Which bishops are going on the ad limina pilgrimage?    
All of the bishops are going except Bishop Fiachra O' Ceallaigh, Auxiliary 
Bishop of Dublin, who is recovering from surgery.  

Who else will go to Rome with the bishops?   
- Fr Aidan O'Boyle, Secretary to the Bishops’ Conference; 
- Fr Tim Bartlett, Secretary to the Northern Bishops; and, 
- Mr Martin Long, Director of the Catholic Communications Office.
 
Have reports been sent to the Vatican already by individual dioceses?   
Yes

Does each report present an underlying theme?      
The report from each diocese describes the actual situation of the Church 
in that diocese (overview of the present situation, facts and figures) for 
which the diocesan bishop is responsible, its problems, its relations with 
non-Catholic and non-Christian religious communities, with civil society and 
with the public authorities.  

It is forwarded to the Holy See some months in advance so that it can be 
studied and synthesized and a summary presented to the Holy Father. This 
allows the Holy Father to acquaint himself with the situation of each diocese 
prior to meeting with the bishop.

What are the main topics to be covered by the bishops? Will these vary from 
diocese to diocese?  
During the visit the bishops will meet with the various offices of the Roman 
Curia. The offices have special significance and importance because of the 
close connection that exists between these offices and the Pope in helping him 
to carry out his mission of leadership in the Church. 

The bishops will visit these offices to discuss the situation of the Church in 
Ireland at this time, to make known pastoral initiatives, to discuss specific 
issues of concern, ask questions, seek information, furnish any clarifications, 
respond to possible requests. 
 
Individual bishops may wish to discuss particular matters with a specific office. 

Will each diocesan bishop have a private meeting with the Pope? 
Yes

Will the group of bishops concelebrate Mass with the Pope in his private 
chapel? 
No, as part of this ad limina visit, the bishops will concelebrate Mass at the 
four main basilicas in Rome beginning with Mass at the tomb of St. Peter 
(Principal Celebrant: Archbishop Seán Brady, Monday 16th October at 7.30am), 
St. John Lateran’s (Principal Celebrant: Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Thursday 
19th October at 6.30pm), St. Mary Major’s (Principal Celebrant: Archbishop 
Diarmuid Martin, Friday 20th October at 4.00pm) and St Paul’s (Principal 
Celebrant: Archbishop Michael Neary, Monday 23rd October at 5.00pm).

The bishops will also concelebrate Mass in the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, 
and at the catacombs of Santa Priscilla, the basilica of San Clemente (home to 
the Irish Dominicans in Rome) on Friday 27th October at which the Principal 
Celebrant with be Bishop Laurence Forristal.

ends