Dr Phyllis Zagano and Dr Joe Grayland discuss the diaconate and the actual need for deacons and women deacons. When we talk about the diaconate, we’re talking about many, many different things. What good is the diaconate? Why would anybody want to be a deacon, particularly a woman? Why would a woman want to be…

Recently recently attended a personal development session in New Zealand designed for diocesan priests, where the person leading the training said that in every relationship, the priest has power over everyone else. Grayland thinks the analysis is a little limiting. “I actually thought it was a little bit clericalist list as well. “But apparently, even…

This Flashes of Insight conversation looks at the sexual abuse crisis from the perspective of restorative justice. It asks whether the experience for Church ministers is an opportunity for the theology of reconciliation to grow into change? It considers whether restorative justice a matter of putting things back together as they were, as it were…

As a Catholic, the horror of sexual abuse is not that the Church is being scapegoated by the media, it’s the horror that ordinary Catholics feel conned. The comments were made from Wales by Professor Thomas O’Loughlin in a “Scapegoating: The Church’s fall from grace”, a Flashes of Insight conversation with Dr Joe Grayland, Dr…

Synodality in Germany is an oft-mentioned topic that for some is concerning, others confusing and then for another group is considered the “great future”. “Synodality is a moment of crisis,” Professor Margit Echolt from the University of Osnabrück, told Flashes of Insight. “The issues centre around the democratisation of the Church, equality, sexual abuse, women,…

Through his book, “In the Shadow of the Cross”, former vice-chancellor of Australian Catholic University, Emeritus Professor Greg Craven of The Glenn Institute; the ACU’s public policy think tank is promoting deeper thinking and conversations about important issues confronting Christianity and society. In this conversation Craven is joined by two members of the former Australian…

This edition of Flashes of Insight – Let’s Talk Liturgy focuses on the Eucharist as something more than a ritual. The discussion talks people through the COVID-19 experience and asks about the lessons we may have learned and hints at some of the practices that as people of faith we could embrace in this changing…

Join Joe Gayland, Tom O’Loughlin, James Siemens, Carmel Pilcher, Kevin McGinnell, Sophy Morley, Jo and Gerard Shepherd, Judith Courtney, Judy Foster and Jo Ayers in this edition of Flashes of Insight – Let’s Talk Liturgy as they talk through the COVID-19 experience and ask about the lessons various parishes and church communities may have learned.…

People on the edges are what the Church sacrifices most today Elizabeth Young RSM told the conversation on Flashes of Insight. She describes these people as ‘lost opportunities’. Young, a pastoral worker who once worked in a large diocese, says that city dioceses, hospitals, schools and parish communities are generally well resourced and have good…

Anything that authenticates, makes visible and validates women’s ministry will help women take their rightful place in the Church says Kate Bell, a theologian and catechist. She made the comment on Flashes of Insight, a conversation between herself, and fellow theologians, Fiona Dyball, Elizabeth Young and Jo Ayers. The women discussed the newly approved ministries…