Dear Bishop Coll,
Just a quick note to welcome you to the Diocese of Raphoe.
I attended the wonderful celebrations in St Eunan’s Cathedral and the historic installation of your Lordship as Bishop of Raphoe, and I must praise all those who organised such a truly memorable occasion.
However, I was shocked – absolutely shocked – to witness politicians of a certain pro-abortion party present and promote themselves to you at the alter during the ceremony. Then when the celebratory procession of the clergy left the cathedral, they proceeded to ‘press the palms’of many of the congregation who remained inside.
St Eunan’s Cathedral is the House of God, as are all our places of worship. These sacred buildings are not some sort of religious Galway Tent where favours are given and favours are received.
Why these politicians are not censured for their conduct I’ll never quite understand.
I would be extremely dismayed if this is yet another instance of a bishop publicly nailing their political colours to the mast, particularly when it is thought that the dark days of the past had been replaced by transparency and accountability in our Church.
Hopefully this is not a case of ‘New Bishop – Same Old, Same Old’.
Yours faithfully,
A supportive but disgruntled parishioner
