National event on Church's future to take place in Athlone and Clonmacnoise

Delegates from the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland will be in Athlone this weekend for a National Pre-Synodal Assembly designed to help shape the future direction of the Catholic Church.

The event is taking place in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and will be followed by a prayer service will be held at the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise at 6pm.

This initiative is part of the synodal pathway process of renewal which the Catholic Church in Ireland, and around the world, is currently undertaking at the invitation of Pope Francis.

In March 2021, the Bishops' Conference announced the synodal pathway for the Church in Ireland, leading to the organisation of a national synodal assembly.

A five-year timeline is envisaged for this work comprised of a two-year phase of listening and discernment, followed by a three-year phase of planning and implementation.

Saturday's pre-synodal assembly in Athlone will involve diocesan representatives, religious congregations; representatives from other Catholic groups and lay ecclesial associations; members of the clergy; and members of the synodal pathway steering committee and task group.