Bishop of Galway Martin Drennan has invited representatives from every parish in the county to a Service of Reparation for survivors of abuse in the Cathedral on Palm Sunday at 3pm.

The letter from the Bishop, dated 9 March 2010, which was quoted in last week's edition of The Irish Catholic newspaper goes on to say: "In our prayer we'll remember all who are survivors of abuse, all in need of healing, in need of the peace that only God can give".

However, according to a spokesperson for the Bishop, even the title of the event has to be decided. "It is going ahead alright on Palm Sunday but the details of it have yet to be confirmed. I don't think it will be a mass but I can't nail anything down yet," said the spokesperson.

As well as featuring readings, prayers of intercession and hymns, the Bishop has asked attendees to place a sprig of palm on the altar at the service "to express the penitential mood of the day".

"It would be ideal if each parish could be represented and bring a bunch of palm to place on the altar. Parishes may decide on particular ways to express the penitential mood of the day before setting off for the Cathedral".

However, the editor of The Irish Catholic, Garry O'Sullivan said he does not expect Galwegians to flock to the Cathedral to ask for forgiveness.

"I will not ask God's forgiveness for crimes of physical, sexual and emotional abuse," he said. "We had nothing to do with it. It didn't bring shame on us; it brought shame on the Church.

"We are ashamed of our bishops and the Church, but not shamed by it as Catholics. I think it is outrageous the way this thing is worded and if it is not what he had in mind then he should have worded it differently. He has basically called on every parish to express their shame," he added.

Comments (3) »

Are they having a laugh?
written by Joe Gallagher, March 17, 2010

I thought this was an early April Fools joke with someone taking the mickey. But this crazy event seems to be true. A stand-up comedian on mind-altering drugs could never dream this sort of thing up in a million years.

Shameless
written by Maire Smith, March 18, 2010

Is a group of people dumping twigs on a shelf supposed to get the Bishop of Galway out of his compromised situation? Will it help him to hang on to his job if he manages to convince people that they are to blame for his failures and actions? He should apply for a job on the TV programme Shameless.

Camp extravaganza
written by Tony Geraghty, March 21, 2010

This pantomine could be a golden opportunity for one of Galway's more "theatrical" priests to shine and get noticed by Broadway, by choreographing some slick moves by the bishop and designing some eye-catching outfits for the supporting cast. The Gaiety surely beckons!

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