Interview with Bishop Brendan Leahy - 1st November 2015(S05E49b)(Podcast excerpt)

Interview with Bishop Brendan LeahyWe are joined this week by Bishop Brendan to reflect on a number of things which are happening at the moment. Two and half years into his episcopate Bishop Brendan reflects on how things are going for him as a "newbie" bishop and what it has been like moving into Limerick diocese.We have a short discussion on the Synod to date and what is coming up in the next few months for the delegates but Bishop Brendan reminds us that Synod isn't just for the delegates - it is to involve the whole diocese. And as such there is a opportunity for people to become more involved with reflection on the Acts of the Apostles called 'Who leads the Church? - Noticing the Holy Spirit at work'. Bishop Brendan reminds us that all renewal in the church cannot be fruitful without a reflection on scripture which was something stressed in the pastoral letter calling the synod. The reflection on the Acts of the Apostles is a tool or guide to help people to pray, think and reflect on how challenges and opportunities have always been with the church throughout its history from the very earliest days. The text can be read by ourselves or in groups and there will be short video clips and reflections available on the Synod2016 website or the diocesan website (and we will also link on SS102fm).Now that the Synod on the Family is over in Rome and it is expected that Pope Francis will shortly be publishing an Apostolic Exhortation on its findings, Bishop Brendan shares his perspective on the challenges of it. First off how messy the process is of discerning what the Spirit is telling us. Secondly for us to realise that the message of the love of God needs to be got out to peopleExtraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy will run from December 8th which was announced by Pope Francis. Bishop Brendan reflects on how the theme of mercy has been a strong message in the pontificates of the popes in the last century from John XXIII right up to now to Pope Francis. Again it is the idea that we need to stress the mercy of God, that no matter what we think we have done, when we know we have messed up, the love of God is always there for us to fill in the gaps that may be there in our lives. In Limerick we will have Jubilee Doors of Mercy, 24 hours for the Lord and a diocesan pilgrimage to Rome. But also there will be more local based items and celebrations during the year.Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]