Keeping Christ at the heart of the post-pandemic Catholic Church

Episode 26 October 11, 2021 00:12:36
Keeping Christ at the heart of the post-pandemic Catholic Church
Catholic News
Keeping Christ at the heart of the post-pandemic Catholic Church

Oct 11 2021 | 00:12:36

/

Show Notes

Bishop Robert Byrne has recently returned from the week-long International Eucharistic Congress that took place in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Established in 1881, these congresses take place every four years and celebrate the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Bishop Byrne’s diocese, Hexham and Newcastle, is about to embark on a ‘Year of the Eucharist’. It’s an opportunity, he says, to re-connect with the Sacramental Church – Christ in the Eucharist at the source and summit of our Catholic faith.

“We’re having a year of the Eucharist, linked with the synodal process that the Holy Father has asked us to engage with. It’s an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how we listen to the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“We need to consider how we emerge from the pandemic. What kind of Church do we want to be? A listening Church? An active Church? A Church that’s ready to go to the margins? A Church that is always focused on Christ and can only be fed on Christ? It’s only Christ that adequately feeds us, and we only really get to know Him through the Eucharist.

“That’s why, for me, the Eucharistic year in the Diocese will be one that is feeding people so that they are able to listen to the voice of Christ speaking in their hearts so that we can re-form as it were – re-form and go forward.”

Bishop Byrne acknowledges the role that technology has played over the past 18 months – particularly the live streaming of Mass. He also appreciates that personal and family prayer in the home has strengthened. However, this is not a substitute for our Eucharistic encounter with Christ in our churches.

“Our faith isn’t just a personal devotion – it’s something that we share. We draw strength from each other and, of course, from Christ ultimately. We can only do that really effectively by coming together as God’s family to hear the Word spoken to us and to receive the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist so that we grow together.”

Other Episodes

Episode 93

August 15, 2025 00:14:12
Episode Cover

National Walking Pilgrimage for the Jubilee Year

As the UK endures its fourth heatwave of the year, more people than ever are using their spare time to get out and about...

Listen

Episode 42

October 04, 2022 00:12:42
Episode Cover

Little changes make a difference when caring for the environment, says Bishop

As the Social Justice department of the Bishops' Conference launches a new revised edition of the Bishops' teaching document on the environment The Call...

Listen

Episode 80

October 23, 2024 00:07:23
Episode Cover

New lectionary starting to arrive in parishes

Canon Christopher Thomas, General Secretary here at the Bishops’ Conference secretariat, gives us an update on the new lectionary that will be used for...

Listen