“For the listening process to be robust I am now inviting views from parishioners from across the diocese in order to determine what are the most important issues facing the Church in the coming years, and how should we best respond.” - Bishop Duffy.
“Let there be no ambiguity, this is not a victimless crime.”
He said that the destruction of St Mel’s Cathedral in 2009 touched many, as did the fire in Paris, where the people expressed shock, disbelief and real sadness about the devastation. But ultimately we are the Church; we are the house that God wants to rebuild.
“It holds the bread that we believe has been transformed into the body of Christ. That is what we believe and that is why this act of desecration is so distressing” – Bishop Francis Duffy.
“By virtue of our baptismal vocation we are all called to serve in our Church and to utilise our gifts” – Bishop Francis Duffy.
Peter McVerry Trust believes the Government must still bring forward legislation to link rents to the Consumer Price Index before the year end.
An Teaghlach Naofa is a prayer network founded to pray for the protection of the sanctity of marriage, the family and human life.
“The determination of the bishops, priests and people ... to restore St Mel’s is a source of encouragement and a sign of faith in the community” - Bishop Smith.
“Sunday mornings we have bigger congregations than we have been seeing for a considerable time. Our webcam is reaching people far from Longford.”
The reopening of St Mel's has been a “great blessing” and an “uplifting moment” for the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois according to parish priest, Fr Brendan O'Sullivan.
After a massive €30 million renovation programme, using the latest building technology and the skills of master craftsmen and contemporary artists, St Mel’s Cathedral will be officially rededicated on Sunday 17 May 2015.
Longford's Phoenix is seen as a symbol of the renewal for the Irish Church.
“From the start we set ourselves a five-year target to achieve a functional cathedral for Christmas 2014" - Fr Tom Healy.
Massive €30m five-year restoration project to be completed on time.
