7 March 2008
ACCORD Annual Conference takes place in Galway
In his opening address to conference this evening, Bishop Willie Walsh, President of ACCORD, will contrast the environment of marriage in which ACCORD, then the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council, began its work more than forty years ago with the environment within which it operates today. Please see below extracts from Bishop Walsh’s address:
“While ACCORD, in delivering its services, has to take account of this very different marital environment, the core values of ACCORD remain constant. These values include:
Catholic Service – Supporting the Sacrament of marriage and the pastoral care of clients
Unconditional Positive Regard – through support, Love, Respect and Acceptance
Commitment to Excellence – through all our people in our work
Voluntarism – through offering our gifts in service of others
Christian Spirituality – through being conscious of the presence of God in ourselves and others.”
This year’s conference will be addressed by a number of experts who will focus on various aspects of the work undertaken by ACCORD counsellors and facilitators:
- Mr David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist, to speak on: “Parenting in the 21st century”
- Fr Michael Drumm, Director, Mater Dei Institute, Dublin, to speak on: “Continuing the ministry of Christ Today”
- Dr Tom Moriarty, Clinical Sports Psychologist, to speak on: “Managing pressure more effectively”
The conference also sees the launch of a New Spirituality Process in relation to the work of ACCORD.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
ACCORD serves the pastoral needs of marriage and the family. ACCORD is an agency of the Catholic Church and provides a nationwide service to couples preparing for or seeking a deeper commitment to traditional marriage and family values and structures. All services provided by ACCORD’s 800 plus volunteers through its 57 centres are confidential, delivered by professionally trained and highly skilled practitioners who demonstrate the personal qualities and competences required to carry out this very important work. Each of our volunteers delivers at least 100 hours of service per year which demonstrates their commitment to all aspects of our work.
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Kathy Tynan, Communications Officer (086 817 5674)
