Diocesan News

Published on October 22, 2026

Statement of Delegates following the National Synodal Assembly

 

Moladh go deo le Dia!

We, the delegates to the National Synodal Assembly convened by the Irish Bishops have come from every diocese in the country, from religious congregations and Church movements, from city and countryside, men and women, young and hold, ordained, lay, and consecrated, united in our common baptism and in our gratitude for being part of this graced moment in the discernment of God‘s will for His Church in Ireland at this time.

We gathered to pray together, to deliberate and to discern. Our gathering forms part of a process initiated by the Irish Bishops in 2021, nourished by the global Synodal process inaugurated by Pope Francis and reaffirmed by Pope Leo, strengthened by the deliberations of the Synod of Bishops in Rome, and grounded in the faithful witness of Church communities the length and breadth of the country who continue the tradition of proclamation, ministry and service to God‘s Holy People on this island.

Our discernment today was an exercise in spiritual discernment through which we have sought to attend to the voice of the Holy Spirit rather than to advance partisan or factional interest. We have, before God, sought to discern how the people of our time can best be invited to encounter Jesus Christ and His Good News.

We recognise in the synodal process a means by which the mission for which the Church exists can be advanced by strengthening communion among all the baptised and broadening participation in proclamation and witness.

We believe that the Church will more closely approach what God asks of us by pursuing five pathways:

• the Church that proclaims the Gospel
• the Church that is a community of belonging
• the Church that is a place of healing
• the Church that accompanies
• the Church that empowers for ministry and co-responsibility.

We have offered our recommendations on the proposals before us to the Irish bishops for their consideration and further discernment. Some proposals have been highly recommended or recommended, while others have been identified as needing further discernment or have not been recommended. We recognise that these different outcomes are all part of an authentic synodal process. Discernment does not end with this Assembly, and matters requiring further reflection remain part of our continuing journey together.

Through this journey, we have learned that we can gather as the People of God to listen, pray and discern together. As we look to the Bishops’ Conference to take forward the recommendations we have discerned together, we commit ourselves to continuing this journey and to making synodality part of the ordinary life of our parishes and dioceses.

May Mary, Our Lady of Knock, Mother of the Church and Queen of Ireland, the model of discipleship, may inspire all the People of God to live their baptismal calling to draw closer to her Son and to one another.
Amen

Gormanston, Co. Meath, 17th October 2026

Safeguarding Month: Creating a Safe Parish–A safe parish is one where children and young people are cherished, listened to and protected. Our safeguarding policies, training and procedures help us to provide safe environments for everyone involved in parish activities. We are grateful to our Parish Safeguarding Representatives, clergy, staff and volunteers for their continued commitment to this important work.

Mission Sunday: World Mission Sunday is the Holy Father’s annual appeal for spiritual and financial support so that the life-giving work of overseas mission and missionaries can continue. It takes place on the weekend 17th / 18th October. The theme for this year is “One in Christ, United in Mission.” World Mission Sunday collections take place in every single parish where the Church is present. This includes not only Ireland and Europe, but also in poorer parishes in developing countries. It is a moment of universal solidarity when each member of the Church family, regardless of location or background, play their part in supporting each other.

Killaloe Priests Annual In-service: The Priests of the diocese will be on their Annual Diocesan In-Service in Loughrea beginning on the evening of Sunday Oct. 11th until the afternoon of Wednesday 14th. This is a very important time for priests to be together and to engage in on-going personal and pastoral development. It is also a time for the priest of the diocese to engage ministry in a discerned and reflective way. It is hoped that all priests in active ministry would be completely free from pastoral engagements during this time. We invite you to keep the Priest of the Diocese in your prayers.

Ten Years of Episcopal Leadership

On Friday next 25th September , we join the Diocese of Killaloe in wishing Bishop Fintan Monahan a very happy 10th anniversary of his episcopal ministry.  Bishop Fintan was ordained Bishop of Killaloe in the Cathedral of SS Peter & Paul Ennis on Sunday 25th September 2016. We give thanks for ten years of dedicated service , steadfast faith and compassionate leadership , and we pray that the Lord will continue to bless Bishop Fintan as he shepherds the people of Killaloe Diocese with grace and wisdom. May St Flannan’s and St Senan continue to bless and guide him in his ministry.

Vacancy: Executive Director, Accord CLG

Accord CLG is the national agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, providing marriage preparation, relationship counselling and relationship education services across 25 counties.  We are currently recruiting for the position of Executive Director. For further information and applications contact Forvis Mazars execrecruit@mazars.ie, +353 (1) 4494400.

 

The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has published the first encyclical, major teaching letter, of his papacy.  The letter, Magnifica Humanitas (The Grandeur of Humanity) is, at its subtitle explains, aimed at safeguarding humanity at a time of artificial intelligence.  At its heart is an appeal to all people of good will to work together to ensure that AI will be developed and used in ways that promote ‘human flourishing’ and help us to build a better and more just world.  At this moment in time, the human family is facing a ‘pivotal choice’ and Pope Leo is calling on the global community in all its manifestations – international organisations, governments, commercial companies, scientists and technology specialists, educators, citizens, parents and consumers – to work together to ensure that those who are driving the development of the technology are truly open about what they are doing and are subject to oversight and accountability.  Pope Leo observes that “most people are watching and waiting, observing from afar and merely hoping for the best.”  He insists that crucial questions cannot be avoided: “Where are we going?  Toward what goal do we wish to orient ourselves?  What direction should we choose as people and as a human community?”

Screenshot

“INTO THE DEEP” This week the Diocese of Killaloe launches a new Electronic newsletter called “Into the Deep”. The hope is that this periodic production will help share good news from across the Diocese as well as offering liturgical and pastoral resources that maybe helpful for parishes and Pastoral Areas.  The communications team of the Diocese would like to invite you to make contributions and suggestions for future issues. If you would like to share photos, contact us or make submissions you can email us at communications@killaloediocese.ie.

Bishop Fintan Monahan urges road safety for motorcyclists over May long weekend

Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for those people who have died under the care of Milford Care Centre. thanksgiving to be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Castletroy, on Sunday 10th May 2026 at 3pm.  Please feel free to invite family and friends to join you in solidarity and support.

Easter Blessings

 

 

Lenten prayerful resources available for in person and online reflection

Participants can join the livestreamed sessions by registering at:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/ByDrDnhLRzakEH_N79Kxjw

• Lent 2026 will run from Ash Wednesday 18 February until the Easter Triduum on Holy Thursday, 2 April. For Christians, Lent is the time of preparation for Easter and it commemorates Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the desert before He began His public ministry.
• During Lent – through prayer, sacrifice and charity – we are called to renew our Christian life in preparation for Easter:
– Prayer: The Stations of the Cross, a devotional commemoration of Christ’s carrying the Cross and of His execution, are often observed. As well as giving something up it is becoming more common to take something up as well and this may include taking time to volunteer, or spending more time in prayer.
– Sacrifice (penance) is an essential part of the lives of all Christ’s faithful. It arises from the Lord’s call to conversion and repentance. Christians undertake penance: in memory of the Passion and death of Jesus; as a sharing in Christ’s suffering; as an expression of inner conversion; as a form of reparation for sin.
– Charity: During Lent many of the faithful commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence (traditionally known as almsgiving), the money saved from this can be donated to charity, for example, contributing to their Trócaire box (see Trocaire.org).

Accord Marriage Preparation Programmes – Are you getting married in 2026? Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service provides Marriage Preparation programmes for couples choosing to get married in the Catholic Church.
Make a booking today for courses in Nenagh or Ennis at www.accord.ie

RTÉ will broadcast all Sunday Mass and worship transmissions directly from churches, marking a significant move away from studio-based broadcasting to local church locations and worship settings. This Sunday’s Mass will be broadcast live at 11.00am from Saint Mary’s Church, Navan, Co Kildare, in the Diocese of Meath, and the celebrant will be Father Declan Hurley.

The new broadcasts will be produced by independent production company, Scratch Films, led by documentary filmmaker Liam McGrath, who has been awarded the RTÉ contract for Sunday worship broadcasting for the next three years.

Christian Unity Week 2026

Catholic Schools Week 2026