Irish Churches meet to foster closer relationships and learn from one another

Representatives from the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Church of Ireland House of Bishops met at the Columba Centre in Maynooth on September 21, 2026. The annual gathering focused on strengthening relationships and sharing insights through prayer and fellowship.

The bishops discussed several topics, including education matters such as recent primary school surveys on divestment. They also addressed artificial intelligence in relation to the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, published by Pope Leo IX in May, and discussed synodality regarding the upcoming National Synodal Assembly.

Bishop Brendan Leahy, a member of the Catholic Bishops' Council for Ecumenism and Dialogue, said the meeting allows leaders to learn from one another's experiences through receptive ecumenism. Bishop Michael Burrows, who co-convenes the meeting with Leahy, noted that the discussions covered substantial issues ranging from AI to school governance.