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.

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.

"For some, God is an irrelevance, for some an irritant and for others an invention. For those who have faith, God is the centre of all things.”

Longford native Seamus O’Rourke (56) will be ordained for the Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois by Bishop Francis Duffy.

More than 100,000 people have visited St Mel’s Cathedral since it re-opened last Christmas five years after it was burnt to a shell on Christmas Day 2009.

Members of the public have until 17 June to register their vote in the RIAI Public Choice Award.

“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.

"No person should ever be marginalised or set aside," Bishop Duffy.