October 2003 General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference

08 Oct 2003

October 2003 General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference

INTRODUCTION
The Irish Bishops’ Conference held their scheduled General Meeting in Maynooth on Tuesday/Wednesday 7/8 October 2003. Part of the Meeting was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto.

VATICAN VISITOR

The Meeting was addressed by Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” for Human and Christian Promotion, with particular reference to the charitable dimension of the Church’s mission in the developing world. Cor Unum was established in 1971 by Pope Paul VI to promote the co-ordination of the Church’s social and charitable initiatives and to ensure optimum use of available resources. During his visit to Ireland, Archbishop Cordes is also meeting with representatives of Trócaire.

DAY FOR LIFE 2003
The bishops drew particular attention to the “Day for Life” on Sunday 12th October 2003, and their Pastoral Letter “The Wonder of Life” to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope John Paul II (See Press Release of 3rd October).

POPE’S SILVER JUBILEE
The following Irish bishops will attend the celebrations of the Pope’s Silver Jubilee in Rome and the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Dr Seán Brady (Archbishop of Armagh and President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference), Cardinal Desmond Connell (Archbishop of Dublin), Dr Philip Boyce (Bishop of Raphoe) and Dr John Magee (Bishop of Cloyne).

PRESIDENT MC ALEESE TO VISIT ROME

It was noted that President Mary McAleese will attend the celebrations marking the 375th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Irish College, Rome on 6th November 2003.

MEETING WITH TAOISEACH
Representatives of the Conference will meet with the Taoiseach on 29 October 2003 to discuss a number of matters including human embryonic cloning and euthanasia.

STAFF APPOINTMENTS

The following appointments were announced: Fr Alan Hilliard (Archdiocese of Dublin) as Executive Secretary to the Episcopal Commission for Emigrants and Monsignor James Cassin (Diocese of Ossory) as Executive Secretary to the Episcopal Commission for Education. The appointment of a new Director for the Catholic Communications Office was ratified, and a separate press release will provide details of the appointee in the next few days.

CHILD PROTECTION
There was further discussion of Child Protection issues, including the deliberations of the Lynott Committee which was established in June 2003 to prepare a comprehensive Child Protection Policy for the Church in Ireland.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next General Meeting of the Conference will take place on Tuesday/Wednesday 9/10 December 2003.

ENDS
8 October 2003

Further information:
Fr Martin Clarke (087) 220 8044
Ms Brenda Drumm (087) 233 7797.