AMRI: A Call for Peace in Gaza and the Middle East
“Pursue peace with all…” Hebrews 12:14
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI), echo the words of Pope Francis in calling “for an immediate halt to the weapons; and for the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages may be released and a final ceasefire reached” in Gaza. After many decades of violence and avoidable bloodshed in the region, it is critical to seek lasting pathways to sustained peace.
We stand in solidarity with all Christians and people of all faiths in positions of leadership, including the His Holiness Pope Francis and the World Council of Churches, and fully support peacemakers, such as Latin Cardinal Patriarch of Jerusalem in their calls for peacebuilding, freedom and justice for all humanity.
AMRI are horrified at the renewed mass bombardment by the Israeli government directed at Palestinian civilian populations and their critical social infrastructure. Targeted attacks towards already traumatised children, women and men is unconscionable, illegal and wrong. We are saddened at the orchestrated denial of basic essential needs and human dignity for the people of Gaza, the destruction to their critical infrastructure and the devastation to our Common Home. This reality makes return of Israeli hostages to their families ever more challenging.
We are equally disturbed by the increased violence in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers and settlers on Palestinian communities, including raids, home demolitions, destruction of olive groves, abductions and the killing and wounding of many children, women and men.
We appeal for justice and mercy in ensuring immediate access to basic human needs such as water, food, shelter and fuel for necessary medical assistance. We call on the Israeli government and Hamas to establish an immediate and lasting ceasefire and to work towards a dialogue focused on fairness, compassion and human dignity for all.
Ends.
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AMRI Executive Council welcomes Vatican Declaration Fiducia Supplicans
The AMRI Executive Council welcomes the new Vatican Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, that allows for spontaneous blessings and opens the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without changing the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.
AMRI Pilgrim to carry Irish Flag at World Youth Day in Lisbon
Ms Charlene Duff, travelling with the AMRI DCU young people’s group will carry the Irish flag at the opening ceremony of World Youth Day in Lisbon, at which Pope Francis will be present. The Pope has invited young people from all over the world to meet him in Lisbon. The theme for WYD is ‘Mary arose and went with haste’ (Luke 1:39). World Youth Day (WYD) takes place from 1-6 August 2023.
The Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) for the first time will lead a group of 40 young adults to WYD. This group comprises 10 nationalities, a combination of priests, religious sisters, missionaries studying and working in Ireland, and young adults from Dublin City University Inter-faith chaplaincy.
National pilgrimage coordinator, Mr Gerard Gallagher of AMRI says:
“It will be a very joyous occasion and a privilege to join with tens of thousands of young people from around the world to greet Pope Francis and be inspired by his deep faith and vision for peace, justice and care for our Earth.”
Read in full AMRI WYD Press Release
AMRI calls for cooperation with Inquiry into historical abuse in religious run schools
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) calls for co-operation with the government’s scoping inquiry into revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders. To read in full use the link below
AMRI Executive expresses dismay at statement on blessing same-sex unions.
At its recent meeting, the Executive Council of AMRI expressed its deep dismay at some of the language and concepts used in the Response and Explanatory Note issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the possibility or not of blessing same-sex unions.
Submission from AMRI on new Lectionary Translation – June 2021
AMRI welcomes that the Irish Episcopal Conference is consulting widely on the translation of the new lectionary. The Lectionary for Mass is the liturgical volume from which God’s Word is proclaimed during the celebration of the Eucharist; so it is of central importance in the life of the Church. We welcome the opportunity to make this submission.
AMRI welcomes announcement of Synodal Path for the Catholic Church
The AMRI Executive wholeheartedly welcomes the announcement of a new Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland leading to the holding of a National Synodal Assembly within the next five years.
As a missionary organisation, we note that synod and mission are closely connected. Cardinal Mario Grech in his recent address to the Bishops of Ireland on Synodality highlights this, quoting the International Theological Commission, Synodality in the life and mission of the Church: “Making a synodal Church a reality is an indispensable precondition for a new missionary energy that will involve the entire People of God. Synodality is lived out in the Church in the service of mission.” A synodal path then must be a way to reach out to those on the margins, to listen to their voices as they challenge and reveal Christ to us.
AMRI Statement of of Solidarity with the Religious of Myanmar – March 2021
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) stand united with the people of Myanmar, who overwhelmingly voted for a democratic government at the November 2020 elections. We are shocked and saddened as we learn of all that is happening since February 1. We are deeply moved by and commend the courageous determination of the people, particularly the young, in defending their right to democratic values and principles.
Dying with Dignity Bill AMRI statement
March 2021
In this statement we, the Executive Council of the Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI), wish to contribute to the ongoing public conversation about the ethics of end-of-life care and the sensitive question of assisted dying raised by the Dying with Dignity Bill (2020).
Joint Statement for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse
February 2021
First Minister Arlene Foster, Junior Minister Declan Kearney, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop John McDowell, and representatives from Barnardo’s and the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) have met to discuss the remaining Hart recommendations for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse.
Joint statement for victims and survivors of historical and institutional abuse
AMRI statement, Mother and Baby Homes
January 2021
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) welcomes the publication of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission Report.
Meeting of AMRI members with Mary O’Toole SC, Chair of the Scoping Inquiry
All Hallows College, 9th January 2024 By Sr Mary Hanrahan PBVM
AMRI Executive Council welcomes Vatican Declaration Fiducia Supplicans
The AMRI Executive Council welcomes the new Vatican Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, that allows for spontaneous blessings and opens the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without changing the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.
