- Written by: ICRN
Introduction
In the summer of 2025, the Steering Group of ICRN discussed the progress of the synodal process across the different Continental Assembly areas of the universal Church. We agreed on the importance of identifying areas and programmes that were making a difference. We recognised that the prcess of synodal discussion and discernment might be different in different cultures but we set out to find examples that might demonstrate a capacity for modelling and emulation.
The Model
A short presentation [ some 20-25 minutes] with the opportunity for questions and answer session. Some background reading material could be provided. We would follow the same day and time pattern over successive weeks. The material would be made available to the rest of the ICRN and to other networks, including CCRI who helped to publicise the material.
Read more: Celebrating and Sharing Good Practice in a Synodal Church
- Written by: Simon Napper
- Tracking progress being made by the Church in Britain
- Supporting local and diocesan initiatives
- Providing resources and information about good and best practice both here in the UK and worldwide.
- Written by: Alex Walker
Dr Phyllis Zagano, world expert on the question of women deacons and a member of Pope Francis's initial commission on the topic, will be speaking with the National Board of Catholic Women on Thursday, 26 February from 6.30-7.30pm - in a talk entitled: 'The Synod and Women: Which Way to the Future?'
Dr Zagano is the author or editor of 27 books, hundreds of academic and general articles. Her monthly column 'Just Catholic' is syndicated by the Religion News Service.
The event is free for NBCW members, and £5 for non members.
For more information, and to join this online event, please click HERE
- Written by: Phil Ferri
The Church That Folded Inward
The bell still rings
but it rings into space now —
into a nave padded with polite echoes,
into pews that remember weight better than bodies.
Across England, Wales, Scotland,
keys turn in doors that no longer open every Sunday.
Noticeboards pray harder than people:
Pray for vocations
Pray for vocations
Pray for vocations
as though heaven were a recruitment office
and God mislaid the application forms.
- Written by: Alex Walker
A DIVINE CALLING
Soline Humbert & Dr Mary McAleese
Thursday 12th Feb, 8 - 9.30pm London time
Soline Humbert never expected to experience a call to the Roman Catholic priesthood, when she was a young student at Trinity College, Dublin. Now she's written the book of her decades-long vocation, A Divine Calling. We are thrilled that she is giving us an evening (or morning or afternoon, worldwide) to tell us more.
"It is not God who calls one to the priesthood, it is the Church who does. And the Church is not calling women," Soline was told by Bishop Donal Murray, in 1991. He may have been the first to attempt to put Soline in her place, but was certainly not the last.
As Dr Mary McAleese, who has written the Foreward points out, Soline has endured decades of "being rebuffed, ignored, labelled, stereotyped, as if God only talks to clerics and like them has no time for women as equals."
To our delight, Mary, twice President of Ireland, canon lawyer and Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin, will be in conversation with Soline at our evening together on Thursday 12th February. Mary is noted as a trenchant critic of Church 'codology'. We're honoured to have her return to us as one of our most popular guests, who never fails to tell it like it is. We are guaranteed a thought-provoking and warmly affirming time with her and Soline.
Do not miss - Register now https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fBAYF8h9Qjm2HnSzG12tIw#/registration