Umbrella group aims to speak for Catholics

A new lay organisation which wants to articulate the views and opinions of mainstream Irish Catholics is being established.

The Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) will function as an umbrella group for a number of existing lay Catholic organisations, including local parish groups, and is hoping to attract thousands of members.

Whether it will be a standalone association with strong links to the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) or whether the ACP will join together with the new organisation will be up for discussion at the ACP’s annual general meeting in Dublin this weekend.