Scottish Catholic Observer

Delegates from around Paisley Diocese met from the second session of its historic synod last Saturday.

Representatives from parishes and religious communities gathered at Notre Dame High School in Greenock to discuss a Church less dependent on the clergy.

Bishop John Keenan (above) and Mgr Denis Carlin  both spoke about the need for Paisley to get an over dependence on the clergy out of our system.

Bishop Keenan also said he was convinced that ‘the Holy Spirit is present and working dynamically through the synod.’

He also flagged up the suggestions of Fr Benny O’Keefe (below), a retired and beloved Irish priest of the diocese.

“Here is his plan for our diocesan renewal, sent in to our Saturday Synod session handwritten on a piece of notepaper,” the bishop said. “1. Weekly Rosary and Benediction in every parish. 2. The Rosary in every home. 3. Genuflection to the Blessed Sacrament on entering the Church. 4. Monthly Holy Hour in the Church. 5. If receiving Holy Communion in the hand, step to the side and take the Host facing the Altar, bow and leave. 6. Talk in the Church only when necessary. 7. Priests need to instruct the Faithful on these matters in addition to the Gospel sermon.”

The Paisley Synod, the first of its kind in Scotland for over 50 years, is a revolutionary  attempt to involve clergy and laity in a fundamentally restructuring and renewal of Paisley Diocese.

—[email protected]