The National Conference of Priests of Ireland (NCPI) Conference and AGM takes place in All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin, from Monday 8th – Wednesday 10th September 2003. The theme of this year’s conference is: ‘The Spirit in the Church: Pastoral energy and structure in the Catholic Church in Ireland forty years after Vatican II.’ Speakers at the conference are Donal Dorr, Ann Codd and Paschal Scallon. Donal Dorr is a Kiltegan Missionary, Theologian and facilitator. Having taught philosophy and theology in his early career, he moved on to work for twenty years in community animation and leadership training in Africa and Ireland. He has served as a consultor to the Vatican Council for Justice and Peace and is the author of several books. Ann Codd is a Presentation Sister who has worked in education in Ireland and in the UK, in parish ministry and in training people for leadership and administrative roles in pastoral settings. She is part-time Director of the Pastoral Office of CORI. Paschal Scallon is a member of the Vincentian Community. Since 1996 he has been a member of the Ember Mission Team, which is the Vincentian’s Community’s parish mission initiative. He is the secretary of the national executive committee of the NCPI. Almost 100 people are expected at the conference including priests, religious and lay people. The conference will be facilitated by Frank Dologhan, a business consultant from Newry, Co.Down who does a lot of work with the Church in strategic planning in parishes and is a member of Love is for Life Trust. Fr John Littleton, President of the NCPI said: “The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was the most significant event in the history of the Catholic Church for several centuries. Its insights have major implications for how it proclaims the Good News that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Word made flesh, the Saviour of the world. Yet, many Catholics today do not appreciate the importance of the Council. If the vision of the Council had been properly implemented, the Church would not now be experiencing the loss of credibility that has characterised the last few years. The Council stressed the common dignity of all baptised people, a community model of Church with serious collaboration between clergy and laity, greater participation by everyone in the liturgy and the need for respectful relationships with Christians of other traditions and peoples of other faiths. The fortieth anniversary of the Council provides a timely reminder to renew the spirit of the Council so that its vision may be released once again throughout the Church.” Ends 4 September 2003 Further information: NCPI Office (01) 836 7970 Fr John Littleton (086) 272 4964 NOTE TO EDITORS: Further information on the conference and the texts being delivered is available on the NCPI’s Conference Website: www.catholiccommunications.ie/ncpiconference2003 |