Brochure for the International Eucharistic Congress
International Eucharistic Congress - Hope In Troubled Times
The 50th International Eucharistic Congress, to be held in Dublin in June 2012 ,
is being anticipated locally with the same optimism experienced in the last such
congress held in Ireland in !932. That event was a critical moment in modern
Irish history , healing many wounds after the Civil War and drawing together in
unity the Irish population ,predominantly Catholic ,under the umbrella of the
Roman Church .On that occasion a million people gathered for Mass celebrated by
the papal legate in Phoenix Park ,Dublin and the famous Irish tenor ,John
McCormick , sang Panis Angelicus . After years of dissent the people of Ireland
were challenged to move forward in faith and solidarity.
Such a unifying occasion, one to promote hope, is very much needed today as the
Church in Ireland faces tremendous troubles .Rocked by the extensive clerical
abuse scandals and consequent decline in Church attendance, it is an
unprecedented time of turmoil .At this same time the country is facing a
severely devastating economic crisis .Ireland, which a few years ago was rated
first among the countries of the European Union has fallen to last .So certainly
there is a need for some good news !
Two momentous events in the month of June have set the stage for optimism in
these times of trouble .The first visit of a British Queen to Irish soil,
however cynical many were beforehand, was an overwhelming success. Said Enda
Kerry , the Irish prime minister," In one bowing to the Irish dead, the English
monarch closed one circle of Irish history ". A second circle was closed by the
visit of Barak Obama to his ancestral home in the tiny Irish village of Moneygal.
Before the president, Prime Minister Kerry spoke of the untouchable wealth of
the Irish People -measured not in money or stocks but one alive deep within
them, an economy named as "the transforming currency of the celtic heart, and
spirit and soul ".
Obama built on this sentiment by reminding the people of Ireland of their
history of pain and deep struggle which had proven their ability to overcome
hurts with their great power of endurance -always rooted in a spirit of hope .
He praised them for their achievements in the peace process, as a people who had
moved from hatred and mistrust towards peace and reconciliation, inspiring the
world because of "the Irrepressible nature of the Irish to love -nudging them on
to reconciliation".
This spirit of love and reconciliation is what the upcoming Eucharistic Congress
will focus on, in the belief that it will be a third beacon of hope in a broken
country. As the church gathers to focus on the Eucharist the realities of the
present day hurts can too be addressed, healed and a people brought to wholeness
around that sacrament of love .that sacrament where Jesus is among us as a
nourishing , forgiving , transforming and reconciling presence .
This is not only a moment of optimism for the Irish Church but for the Church
throughout the world. Yes it provides an opportunity to stand in solidarity with
the pained people of the local church in Ireland but it also aims for
participants from every country present to reap the benefits of this Congress
.The Holy Father , Pope Benedict 16th is expected to attend and his presence in
itself will evidence a step towards reconciliation and rebuilding of severed
relationships of trust in Church leadership .
For the Canadian Church, the Eucharistic Congress already has a deep
significance. The previous congress, occurring every four years, was held in our
country .in Quebec .Certainly the experience of the Toronto Diocese was a
powerful one for the five hundred delegates who gathered at the Chateau Mont St
Ann to attend the conference and also spend time as a community to pray, reflect
together and plan ways to return to their local parishes prepared to share the
wealth of their accumulated experiences .
Once again the Toronto Diocese is participating in the Eucharistic Congress,
that is planned in Dublin for June of next year. It is hoped that once more
there will be good response to this event .In the last four years we too in our
Canadian church have experienced hurts and disappointments.
We too have been devastated by our own
abuse scandals and have been angered by cover-ups and ,in some cases ,poor
leadership in response to care for the victims , Like the Irish Church, we also
are challenged to reform and rebuild ,to seek forgiveness and reconciliation
.Our shared experience has already been of advantage to the Church in Ireland
and has bonded us with their reality .Two of our Canadian prelates , Archbishop
Thomas Collins of Toronto and Archbishop Terrance Prendergast of Ottawa ,have
been working for some time as counsel to the Irish Bishops .Canada now has a
special relationship with them based on shared pain which can be built upon .To
gather around the Eucharist ,our central prayer , can only serve to strengthen
this bond .
The 50th International Eucharistic Congress could be, like the Congress in
Ireland in 1932 .a defining moment in our story .a momentous event to move
forward .righting our wrongs and drawing on the power of Jesus ever present
among us in bread broken and shared!
Registration for those wishing to attend the 50th Eucharistic Congress in Dublin
June 9-18 is now open .Registration is limited and will be filled on a first
come basis.
Anyone wishing for further information or wishing to register may do so by
accessing the archdiocesan website.
www.archtoronto.org/iec