Hope and Transformation: A Look Back at the ‘Not the End of the World’ Conference

 

On 31 May 2025, over 100 people gathered for the Not the End of the World Conference—a day filled with deep reflection, meaningful conversations, and a shared hope for the future of the Church. From the powerful insights on synodality and the call of our baptism to the wisdom shared about the Sacred Heart of Jesus, attendees left feeling inspired and encouraged.

Synodality: Walking Together in Hope

Julianne Moran, General Secretary of the Irish synodal pathway, outlined the true meaning of synodality—a journey of faith where we walk together, fuelled by hope. Rather than a new initiative dreamed up by our late Pope Francis, synodality is deeply rooted in how God calls the Church to be. Derived from Greek origins meaning “walking the path together,” it reminds us that every baptised person has a vital role to play. This isn’t just about leaders—it’s about all of us, listening, discerning, and embracing shared responsibility as a Church family. With Jesus as the example, five key principles guide the way: Baptism, Prayer, Scripture, Listening, and the Holy Spirit. It’s a journey of trust, transformation, and making the good news truly come alive. Julieann reminded us that we often say, “I was baptised,” when we should in fact be saying, “I am baptised,” a present-tense reality that calls us to act in the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

The text of Julieann Moran’s talk can be found here:

Pilgrims of Hope – Julieann Moran

 

The Sacred Heart: Healing a Broken World

Bishop Alan spoke into the realities of today’s challenges—the ‘polycrisis’, so named by Pope Francis, which includes conflict in our world, the breakdown of families, relationships, and even our climate. Bishop Alan outlined Pope Francis belief that each of these crises is caused by a “failure of the heart,” for which he offered a powerful solution in his final encyclical Delixit Nos: the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Quoting frequently from Delixit Nos, Bishop Alan reminded us that the heart is where real transformation happens—it’s where we find welcome, hospitality, and true connection. Without a living, feeling heart, we risk becoming strangers to ourselves and to others. But the heart of Christ invites us into encounter and miracle-working love. True reparation—healing relationships, mending broken hearts, and building a civilisation of love—starts right here in my own heart when I place the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the centre. To this end, Bishop Alan is promoting the Novena to the Sacred Heart, beginning on Thursday 19th June until 27th June. Everyone across the diocese is encouraged to pray this novena together.

The Sacred Heart Novena booklet can be downloaded here.

 

Christian Hope: Trusting in God’s Plan

Austen Ivereigh brought a refreshing take on Christian hope, drawing from Pope Francis’s reflections. He challenged us to see hope not as naive optimism that ignores God’s role, nor as apocalyptic pessimism that removes human agency. Instead, authentic Christian hope is about seeing God’s hand at work—even in difficulty, even in failure. Pope Francis’s method for reform—contemplate, discern, and act—calls us to trust that God is moving, even when the road is tough. Patience (pasciencia), rooted in Christ’s suffering, teaches us that life can emerge from death, hope can rise from despair, and God’s Kingdom will endure.

 

The Text of Austen Ivereigh’s talk can be found here:

Pilgrims of Hope – Austen Ivereigh

 

 

 

 

A Call to Action

The small group discussions sparked heartfelt conversations. Themes of finding hope in difficult times, understanding suffering, and the power of baptism resonated deeply. Many expressed a renewed sense of purpose—feeling called to act rather than remain in despair. As the Church moves forward, there is excitement in imagining the future Church to look more like the early Church—humble, faithful and rooted in encounter.

As the day came to a close, Bishop Alan encouraged greater confidence and welcome in our churches, and Julianne Moran reminded us to boldly claim our place as baptised individuals, whilst Austen Ivereigh urged us to trust the “slow work of God”. The Church isn’t retreating; it’s stepping into an apostolic age—an age of renewal, faith, courage and above all, hope!

 

And Finally, A Word of Thanks

A word of thanks to all our speakers and delegates, who by their presence made this an inspiring conference. Thanks also to our host Pat Coyle from Jesuit Communications, who helped the day to flow smoothly and gently, by introducing the speakers and summing up the main points of each talk for our consideration.

Thanks also to Professor Duncan Morrow, Director of Community Engagement at Ulster University, and his team, who allowed us the use of their fabulous facilities and to UU’s Chartwell catering team who provided the tea and coffee.

And finally, thank you to our BJC volunteers without whom much of our work would be impossible.

 

 

Books by Austen Ivereigh