^{Father Tony Flannery, founding member of the Association of Catholic Priests of Ireland, hosted 40 members of the International Catholic Reform Group in County Limerick, April 13, 14, 15 and 16. The event was named as an "International Network of Church Reform Movements Participative Conference". See the entry regarding this Conference on the Association of Catholic Priest Website. The ACP announcement for the Reform Conference stated that the "international participants will speak of their experience of Church Reform in their parts of the world, and how we can move forward." Go to tonyflannery.com where he stated in an interview with Catholic Ireland what he hopes results from the conference. Father Flannery said:}

^{… there was "No predicting what will come out of this. We are trying to leave it as open as we possibly can to let it develop. I would hope that by the Thursday we would have a few very clear and definite statements on different aspects of Church reform that we have agreed on." He continued:}

^{"Some of the topics expected to be discussed throughout the week include sharing perceptions of the reform agenda of Pope Francis, the future of parishes and communities, women’s equality and how to communicate with the Vatican,"}

^{With the exception of one session, the Conference was closed to the public.}

^{The conference concluded April 16th, on the Feast Day of St. Bernadette. I wonder if St. Bernadette and the topic of Women in the Church was a coincidence! Father Flannery commented for April 15th, on his blog, at tonyflannery.com, that the injustice served upon the women of the Church, took centre stage. (My words) "A press release appeared on his blog and the ACP on Friday, and this is what was said regarding the subject of the Women in the Church:}

^{"Participants focused on several topics affecting the life of the Church. Central to the discussion was the role and full equality of women in church life. During a very open and honest discussion, it became clear that there is much pain concerning the exclusion of women from governance, leadership and ordained ministry – and how that causes division and affects the entire life of our Church".}

^{I paid close attention to the above statement: … …"the exclusion of women from governance, leadership and ordained ministry…and how that causes division and affects the entire life of our Church".}

^{While there were other ecclesial issues of reform that the Conference identified, the words quoted here about the on-going exclusion of women, might well be the Church’s greatest concern. I say so, because, I believe, it just might be our Lord’s greatest concern. If the exclusion of women from governance, leadership, and ordained ministry continues, it will indeed have harmful effects. I hate to use the "H" word……you know…."heresy".}

^{I am wondering if this Reform Conference or the International Catholic Reform Movement, is ultimately going to have any universal success at influencing the Vatican, local bishops or the people in the pews, particularly about the Women in the Church}

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