Bishop Hugh Gilbert said: “In reaching a decision about a translation for the Lectionary, the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland itself considered the values they would most expect a Lectionary to embody, for example, accuracy, dignity, facility of proclamation, and accessibility.”

"We will now be in the dreadful position of having to turn some people away from Mass once 50 people are already present,” said Fr Tim Hazelwood of the Association of Catholic Priests.

"Good governance demands that the prevailing clericalist culture of secrecy must end," says Soline Humbert.

"We may be physically isolated, but we are not separated. We are untited as the body of Christ. We are the Church," says the Assoication of Catholic Priests of Ireland.

Bishops need courage not to keep looking over their shoulders to Rome and to confront – respectfully but robustly – those who want to lead us back to the nineteenth century.

Is it contrary to Canon Law to insist that funerals of priests accused of abuse must take place in private chapels?

“This is not a time for wringing our hands in frustration or for sitting on our hands in despair. We need to talk. We need to work together. We need to stop deferring decisions that need to be made now.”

“Each bishop can act as he sees fit, with the result that priests have no certainty about their retirement. Priests have no rights in this matter and depend on the goodwill of individual bishops.”

One of his first tasks in Ireland will be the appointment of bishops, including appointments to several dioceses that have been vacant for some time.

How can the last priests in Ireland survive the final years of their lives with comfort, esteem and affection?

Irish Church’s reform groups highlight need for baptised to get involved in the debates going on at the synod.

"Secretive approach confirms need for Irish Catholic Church to learn value of transparency.”