Unholy row over Mass invite to Protestants
Wednesday April 19 2006
THE Catholic hierarchy has ordered an inquiry into how a Protestant clergyman was allowed to say Mass in an Augustinian church.
The unprecedented ecumenical service took place on Easter Sunday.
Church of Ireland clergyman, the Reverend Michael Graham, concelebrated Mass with Fr Iggy O'Donovan and two other priests at the Augustinian Priory in Drogheda, Co Louth.
The row has echoes of the uproar that followed President Mary McAleese's decision to receive communion at Christ Church Cathedral in 1997. The resultant furore forced Cardinal Desmond Connell, the then Archbishop of Dublin, to explain that the Anglican communion was "not what it appeared to be".
In the latest case, Mr Graham, of St Peter's Church in Drogheda, brought 20 members of his congregation to the Mass, where they joined their Catholic neighbours in receiving Communion.
The concelebration has provoked an angry response from the Catholic hierarchy. Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Sean Brady, has ordered an inquiry into the service, which he said was not in the interests of "true ecumenism".
"I intend to seek further details about the exact circumstances of the concelebration, which is contrary to Catholic Church rules," Dr Brady said.
"True ecumenism is best served by initiatives that are respectful of, and sensitive to, the traditions, ethos and discipline of all those involved.
"Otherwise, there is a real danger of causing widespread confusion, raising false hopes and creating situations that are open to misunderstandings and manipulation."
Dr Brady has the responsibility for ensuring adherence to church rules and discipline in churches in the archdiocese of Armagh, which covers Drogheda in Co Louth.
Ecclesiastical protocol will require him to write to the Provincial of the Augustinian Order in Ireland, Fr Gerry Horan, who is based in Dublin.
Fr Horan was not available for comment last night.
It is likely Dr Brady will give a report on his findings to the Papal Nuncio, Dr Giuseppe Lazzarotto. The Nuncio will report to Rome on what is regarded as a serious breach of the rules upheld by both the late Pope John Paul II and his successor, Pope Benedict XVI.
Significantly, last night the Church of Ireland Primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Robin Eames, said he shared Dr Brady's concern over the implications for ecumenical relationships. He said he would similarly be requesting more information.
"Such occasions, while well-intentioned, can lead to misunderstandings at a time when relations between our churches have improved so much."
Rebel priest Fr O'Donovan was unrepentant. He denied he had set out to defy the Church's rules, which strictly prohibit intercommunion, when he organised a special Mass to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising. And he said it was Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who had inspired him to organise the service, which marks a landmark in inter-church relations in Ireland.
"I am not saying that I spoke to the Taoiseach personally, but it was Bertie Ahern who gave me the inspiration when I heard him appealing for an 'inclusive' commemoration of the 1916 Rising," he said.
"I was taken by the Taoiseach's invitation to Ulster Unionists to attend last Sunday's parade in Dublin's O'Connell Street, and I got the idea of inviting the Rev Michael Graham, the local Church of Ireland rector, to take part in the Mass and to receive Holy Communion at our own service in the priory on Easter Sunday."
