Limerick synod backs bigger role for women in life of the Church

Hundreds of delegates at Ireland’s first diocesan synod in 50 years have backed proposals calling for women to have more prominent roles governing the local church, writes Sarah Mac Donald.

Over three days last weekend 400 delegates from the Diocese of Limerick voted on 100 proposals and passed 97 of them, including one calling for the establishment of a working group to explore how and where women can play a leadership role in the governance of the Church within the diocese. It was passed by more than 80 per cent of delegates as a priority.

A proposal to develop lay-led liturgies was supported by more than 90 per cent of delegates.

Lorraine Buckley, who was a delegate at the synod and is the faith development coordinator for Limerick diocese, the first woman in the Irish Church to hold such a role, said there was “a healthy discussion” on the issues of women priests and women deacons.

However, these were looked at as part of the universal themes that the synod discussed on its final day but could not vote or legislate on.

On Sunday, Bishop Brendan Leahy pledged to include the synod’s support for these issues in his report to Rome.

Ms Buckley said the proposals on women were about giving a “sense of equality and inclusion and recognising the gifts of everyone” in the decision-making of pastoral councils and at diocesan level.

Other proposals looked at how to serve the local faith community at a time of declining vocations to the priesthood.

According to Ms Buckley, nine lay-led liturgies were held ahead of the synod in each of Limerick’s pastoral areas.