Galway Bay fm newsroom - Bishop of Clonfert, Bishop Michael Duignan has published a Pastoral Reflection on the future of the church in the diocese.
The theme of the reflection is the church pre and post pandemic, how the faith community can learn from the Covid-19 experience, and the direction the church should now be taking.
Bishop Duignan says in the past, we have often spent much time and energy trying to engage with and convert secular society.
He suggests that perhaps now is the time for us to seriously engage with and convert ourselves and the way we live as a Christian community within that society.
Bishop Duignan recognises there is great uncertainty ahead for the church - acknowledging that many feel the Pandemic simply hastened the already evident decline in Church life.
However, he notes many others are more positive in their assessment of the impact of Covid-19.
He says more time for reflection has brought, for some, a new spiritual awakening - while our online presence has opened up a new space for spiritual encounter and enrichment.
But he ultimately acknowledges that whatever form it takes, the new parish and diocese will be very different from what it was before Covid-19.
Bishop Duignan hopes the Pastoral Reflection will provide an opportunity for all of those involved in the church - such as clergy, pastoral groups, church organisations, families and laypeople - to discuss the ideas raised and provide their feedback.
