Today Archbishop Martin addressed the Melbourne Clergy Conference on the theme ‘The Parish: a new Mission Field’. Speaking on the changing nature of religious practice in Dublin he said many young people in the Diocese were totally un-churched, despite years of Catholic religious instruction in schools.

Archbishop Martin said the work of faith formation must become more and more central in the work of Parishes. He said the message of the Gospel is not ‘yesterday’s message’. “The family is the first parish, the first Church, “said Dr. Martin. He added that parishes must invest in parents as the primary educators of children and restore their confidence in passing on the faith.

He said passing on the faith to young people is a time-consuming task. There are, he added high moments in such a task, among them the success of World Youth Days.

ENDS

More information on World Youth Day 2008 is available at www.wyd.ie
The full text of Archbishop Martin’s speech is available at dublindiocese.ie