The Armagh Diocesan Congress March 2026
The Armagh Diocesan Congress has been inspired by the late Pope Francis, who called the whole Church to be more synodal, in keeping with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council (1962 –1965). To put it simply, synodality comes from a Greek phrase which means “walking together”. In the context of the Catholic Church, it refers to all the baptised – clergy, religious and lay faithful – walking together, working together, and listening to each other, while being open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Instead of just a few people at the top deciding how we can best proclaim the Gospel message in a rapidly changing world, everyone can join the conversation, trusting that God will guide them in their discussions. Preparations for our Diocesan Congress have been ongoing for some time, preceded by a year of prayer and reflection (2021 -2022). The questions that emerged most sharply are significant:
How do we awaken faith in the hearts of young people? How do we support families amid the complexities of today’s fragmented world? How do we renew our parishes and communities so that they radiate the joy and hope of the Gospel? Hence the title of the Congress: “Youth, Family and Faith”. In the coming weeks, every person in every parish will be given an opportunity to have their say in relation to these three areas. That will involve:
- Listening Carefully;
- Speaking Honestly and Respectfully;
- Praying and Reflecting Together;
- Making Decisions and Proposals;
- Staying open to the Holy Spirit.