Irish bishops issue pastoral letter on conversion

April 03, 2012

The bishops of Ireland have released a pastoral letter on conversion.

“The word ‘repentance’ means seeking forgiveness for our sins, but more than that, it involves transforming our attitudes and our lives,” the March 29 letter states. “The New Testament word, metanoia, means a profound change of outlook.”

“The reason for carrying out acts of penance is that we know we have often failed to appreciate that everything we have and are is a gift from God,” the letter continues. “We have all pursued our own interests, standing and influence as if these were our goal in life. And so it is good to pray, fast and give alms--activities which express a realization that the pursuit of such goals cannot be what makes ultimate sense of our lives.”

 

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Further information:

• Repent and Believe the Good News (Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference)