God & I: Julieann Moran

GROWING up in Newbridge, Kildare, what kind of religious formation did you receive as a child?

Faith and parish life played a central role in my upbringing. My grandparents, parents, and extended family were deeply faith-filled. I was baptized and received all my sacraments at Saint Conleth’s Parish in Newbridge. My parents, Mary and Noel, nurtured my faith, teaching me childhood prayers and ensuring we never missed Sunday Mass. Even on holidays, my father insisted we attend.

Our family was actively involved in parish life – my father was a minister of the collection for over 25 years; my mother served on an early parish pastoral council, and both my grandmothers attended daily Mass. My brothers were altar boys, though girls couldn’t serve then. Instead, I became a reader at Mass, first in primary school and later in secondary school, where I also served as a junior Eucharistic minister and participated in the Faith Friends program. Priests were a familiar presence in our home, and faith was seamlessly woven into daily life.

You have had a diverse career spanning faith development, pastoral renewal, and leadership roles within the Church. What inspires you to dedicate your life to these areas?

Before working in faith formation, I had varied careers, including making rearview mirrors for cars, managing hotels and legal conveyancing. However, my path has not been a straightforward one. A very personal challenge led me to ministry. At one point, my son, Daniel, and I spent time in a women’s refuge and were registered homeless. It was a very difficult period, but it also became a turning point for me. During this time, I experienced my own personal encounter with God, and the pastoral care I received from a curate priest profoundly impacted me. This led me to studying theology and eventually finding a ministry in the Church.

My journey reminds me of the journey of the disciples on the road to Emmaus – because of my strong foundation in faith, I was able to recognize Christ again in my life. This realization changed everything and set me on a journey filled with grace and purpose.

Synodality is a concept that is still new to many Catholics. Could you explain it simply? Why it is essential for the Church’s future?

Synodality comes from the Greek synhodos, meaning “journeying together.” At its core, it means that every baptized person has a role in discerning the Church’s mission. Everyone – whether ordained, married, single, or religious – has the right and responsibility to participate in decision-making. A synodal Church ensures that all voices are heard and that collective wisdom guides its future.

Your appointment as General Secretary of the Synodal Pathway in Ireland is a significant leadership role. What drew you to this mission, and what are its biggest challenges and opportunities?

I was already volunteering with the Irish Catholic Bishops when Pope Francis announced the Synod. His call to include diverse and marginalized voices resonated with me, as I have experienced marginalization myself. I felt compelled to apply for the role, believing that a broader range of voices needed to be heard. It is a privilege to serve in this capacity and to help expand the conversation beyond those traditionally involved in Church life.

How is the Synodal Pathway ensuring marginalized voices have a meaningful role?

We have taken small but significant steps. During the universal synodal process, we opened the door to all voices, hosting consultations and listening sessions across diverse backgrounds. The feedback gathered was reflected in our national synthesis sent to Rome. A key principle of the synodal process is ‘circularity’ – going back to those we listened to, ensuring their input continues to shape the next steps. We must remain patient, as systemic change takes time, but we are committed to creating spaces where these voices are not only heard, but actively included.

Many young people feel disconnected from institutional religion. How is the Synodal Pathway working to re-engage them?

Young people in Ireland have told us they want us to stop answering questions they haven’t asked. This underscores the need to listen more before acting. We’ve held youth gatherings, but reaching those on the periphery remains a challenge. Digital engagement is crucial, as many young people live in virtual spaces. Another often-overlooked group is young families – newly married couples and parents – who may not find existing structures accessible. Strengthening digital outreach and ensuring youth representation in parish and diocesan councils would be significant steps toward greater inclusion.

The Catholic Church in Ireland faces many challenges, including secularization, sex scandals, and declining vocations. How can the Synodal Pathway address these issues while fostering renewal?

Despite challenges, there has been an encouraging increase in young men discerning vocations, partly due to last year’s Year of Vocations in Ireland. The Synodal process centers on listening – to God and to one another. Engaging with the baptized community can provide valuable insights and support for the way forward.

The Synodal journey is not a smooth path; rather, it is more like a mountain trail, requiring perseverance amid external influences such as secularism. Key to this process is prayer, discernment, and Scripture, ensuring the Church moves forward with informed and collective decision-making.

One possible solution is the promotion of new lay ministries, emphasizing shared responsibility among all baptized members. Strengthening faith formation within families and parishes is essential, as vocations naturally arise from vibrant faith communities. The focus should be on renewing faith at the grassroots level, and fostering an environment where vocations can thrive organically.

You attended the Universal Synod on Synodality in Rome, which concluded last year. Ireland is now preparing for its own national Synod. What does this major convention hope to achieve?

I had the privilege of participating in the Continental Assembly in Prague, and later attended the final week of the Universal Synod in Rome. A pivotal moment was Pope Francis’ decision to publish the final Synod document immediately, emphasizing transparency and urgency.

Ireland’s Synodal journey has already fostered meaningful dialogue through roundtable discussions, bringing together laypeople, religious, and clergy. Initially, the Prague assembly was disappointing, with a hierarchical top-table dominating the space. However, by the time of the Rome assembly, inclusive roundtable discussions had been implemented, reflecting Ireland’s approach and reinforcing the importance of shared dialogue.

The Irish Synodal Pathway aims to maintain this spirit of inclusivity and co-responsibility. Seventeen key themes have emerged, including the role of women, youth involvement, belonging, sexuality, clergy support, faith formation, and ecumenism. The goal is to translate these themes into concrete actions at the local level.

Large national assemblies are important, but true renewal must be evident in local communities. The hope is to see synodality in action – where diverse voices come together to discern priorities and implement meaningful change at the grassroots level, ensuring a more engaged and responsive Church in Ireland.

How has your faith evolved over the years, and what spiritual practices sustain your work?

My life hasn’t always been easy, and I think that’s true for many people. Relationships often reflect the brokenness of human experience. What has changed most in my faith is my deepened understanding of mercy and forgiveness.

Growing up in 1970s Ireland, I experienced the effects of the Charismatic Renewal and the Second Vatican Council. Unlike my parents’ generation, who often feared God, I was taught that God loved us, and we were meant to love Him. While this was a comforting idea, it wasn’t until later in life, through my experiences, that I truly grasped the transformative power of mercy and forgiveness.

Dorothy Day has been a significant influence on me, particularly her belief that the Gospel removes our right to judge between the deserving and undeserving. This perspective has shaped my ministry, reminding me that no one is beyond God’s mercy or forgiveness. My faith has matured through this lens, strengthening my approach to both life and work.

What image of God resonates most with you in your daily life and work?

Two images of God are particularly meaningful to me – one playful and one traditional.

The first is the Trinity as a dynamic, joyful dance. The term perichoresis – meaning to “dance around” – captures a vision of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit holding hands, moving in harmony, and making space for all of us to join in that relationship. This image fills me with joy and always makes me smile.

The second is Rublev’s icon of the Trinity, depicting three angels at Abraham’s table. Their identical faces yet distinct roles symbolize unity and diversity. The icon invites us into divine hospitality, reminding me of Jesus’ words: “In my Father’s house, there are many rooms.” The background elements – the house, tree, and mountain – evoke themes of divine presence, sacrifice, and revelation. Both images call us into relationship with God.

What does St. Anthony represent for you personally?

The Saint of Padua is deeply revered in Ireland. A few years ago he ranked among the top five favorite saints in a national competition. Nearly every church here has a statue of him, and my grandmother introduced me to his intercession.

In Ireland, it’s common to pray to St. Anthony when something is lost – whether a physical item or even faith itself. He is not just the patron of lost objects, but of spiritual rediscovery. Whenever a loved one struggles with faith or direction, I turn to St. Anthony in prayer. My devotion to him also connects me to my grandmother’s, whose faith and traditions shaped my own.

You have an unusual sporting hobby – target shooting – and have won European prizes. How did you get into this sport?

I’m now a bronze world champion in target rifle shooting – the first Irish woman to win a world championship medal in the sport. It all started in 2017 when a friend invited me to a Ladies’ Day at his shooting club. I wasn’t particularly interested, but I agreed to go to help make up the numbers. To my surprise, I loved it.

There’s something in my personality that drives me to perfect a skill. When my first shots didn’t land as expected, I had to try again. I returned the following week, joined the club soon after, and entered my first competition – winning a medal in my classification. From there, I became hooked.

I competed nationally for a few years, winning multiple medals before entering an international competition in Great Britain, where I won gold and achieved Grand Master status. That success led me to the World Championships in Germany, where I placed third – something I never imagined possible. It has been an extraordinary journey, and I absolutely love the sport.

ORIGINALLY from Newbridge, Co Kildare, Julieann Moran has worked in the faith, hospitality and legal sectors. She holds both a Baccalaureate in Theology and Arts, and a Master’s degree in Faith and Culture from the Pontifical University, Maynooth, as well as a Certificate in Social and Human Studies from Maynooth University.

Julieann is the Irish President of the European Laity Forum. She is an executive member of the National Mission Council of the Bishops’ Conference, and a member of the National Synodal Team.

In September 2022 Julieann was appointed the General Secretary of the Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland. Previously she was the National Secretary for the Society of Missionary Children at Missio Ireland, where she raised mission awareness and developed evangelization resources for dioceses, parishes, and Catholic primary schools.