INTRODUCING the West of Ireland Pastoral Theology Association at St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, at the weekend, Father Eugene Duffy spoke of "tile need to decentralise theological resources in this country".
Most were concentrated in the Dublin area, said Father Duffy, the association president, while the rest of the country was "greatly unresourced".
Speaking to an attendance which included almost 200 people from tile west, he noted that part of Ireland was "rich in reserves of imagination and creativity", which could be harnessed to assist in reflection on social, cultural and pastoral issues, while he highlighted the need to present the results of such reflection in language which is "fresh, intelligible, and accessible to a non specialist audience".
Formally introducing the association, the Tuam priest and theologian Father Enda Lyons identified theology as "faith, seeking understanding".
He spoke of the resistance to the word "theology" itself, which conjured up notions of the "technical and meaningless" for most people, "even priests".
But he pointed out that "it ministers to our minds", whereas "mystery is often used to avoid bringing mind to faith". Theology was "an arrows inviting the mind to go on and on".
The association, he said, "would help us here in the west to reflect on our faith, articulate questions, to seek answers, and also to understand our faith as we live it here in Ireland and the west of Ireland in particular". He invited everyone interested to take part.
Wishing the venture well, the Bishop of Achonry, Dr Thomas Flynn, said it could be "the beginning of great renewal here in the west".
The launch "has created change for us all, and opportunities," he said.
The association will have its next meeting at St, Joseph's care centre in Knock, Co Mayo, on April 25th at 7.30 p.m.
