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Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Rising numbers prompts benediction at Cork's historic Eucharistic Procession to move outdoors
Rising attendance at Cork's historic Eucharistic Procession has prompted a return of the outdoors benediction ceremony this year. The move was announced on Wednesday night as the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin, announced details of this year's event next month, a religious event that has been a part of the social fabric of the city for almost a century. 'The Eucharistic Procession is deeply rooted and of huge importance to the people of Cork City and beyond,' Bishop Gavin said. Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross speaking at the launch. Picture: Brian Lougheed 'We are almost 10 decades on since the first procession through the streets of the city. 'Last year, we had a tremendous turnout and this year we are preparing for the ever growing numbers. 'The most notable innovation to this year's procession is the decision to take the final prayer and benediction back out onto the streets to a specially constructed platform at the National Monument on Grand Parade. This will allow for greater participation of the growing numbers participating. 'I'm most grateful for everyone's assistance in continuing — and growing — this long-standing Cork tradition.' The Eucharistic Procession, to mark the feast of Corpus Christi, has been a significant part of the city's religious heritage for 99 years. The idea of taking the procession through the city emerged in the years after the turmoil of the War of Independence and the Civil War as part of wider efforts to close rifts and facilitate healing in a city deeply divided by the conflicts. The first procession took place on June 6, 1926, under the auspices of Bishop Colahan, with tens of thousands of people participating. The Eucharistic Procession on Grand Parade on May 26, 1940. It grew to become the largest Eucharistic Procession in the country, with tens of thousands of people walking annually from their parish churches to the city centre for benediction outdoors on Daunt Square. But against the backdrop of a fall-off in church attendance and a near collapse in vocations, attendance at the procession dwindled over the last two decades to just a few hundred faithful, before covid brought the event to a complete halt. However, in 2023, Bishop Gavin embarked on a mission to rejuvenate and reimagine the event and was blown away by the response when some 4,000 people processed from the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne through the streets to attend benediction at Saints Peter and Paul's Church on Paul St, where he delivered the sermon at his first Eucharistic Procession since his appointment as bishop in 2019. Numbers increased significantly last year, and thousands processed through the streets, before hundreds packed into the church, with hundreds more left standing outside watching the ceremony on big screens. With a larger crowd expected this year, Bishop Gavin has decided to take the final prayers and benediction of the blessed sacrament outside again, with a stage and altar due to be erected on the Grand Parade. Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, with Cllr Tony Fitzgerald and members of Mayfield Community School choir. Picture: Brian Lougheed 'This year's procession will have participants from every continent and many countries,' he said. Cork's Catholic parishes have been welcoming newcomers to Cork for a couple of decades now and they are making a very valuable contribution to the life of our parishes and our diocese as well as working in so many walks of life. "I'd like to invite individuals and groups from across the city and county to be part of the celebration. You cannot have the word 'community' without 'unity'." The Eucharistic Procession will take place on Sunday, June 22, leaving from the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne at 3pm.
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Anger in Cork at City Council's decision not to open a book of condolence for Pope Francis
Independent Ireland Deputy Ken O'Flynn says a decision taken by Cork City Council not to open a Book of Condolence for Pope Francis is generating real hurt and disappointment among residents, 'many of whom who feel that it reflects a stunning lack of generosity and respect at a time when political leaders across the world are uniting to praise the legacy of the Pontiff' who died on Monday. 'There is simply no reason why Cork City Council cannot follow the example of City Councils elsewhere in the country who have opened a Book of Condolence- especially for people who live on the south side of the city,' said O'Flynn on the decision by the council, following the death of the Pope, who met the then-Lord Mayor of the city Tony Fitzgerald in 2018. 'I am aware that a Book of Condolence will be available at the Cathedral and that is right and proper. But we must recall that Pope Francis was not just a beloved spiritual leader to billions of Catholics, he was also a head of state, who wielded his enormous public influence across the globe and here in Ireland for the common good of the most disadvantaged. 'It is incredible that Cork City Council felt it could just ignore this political and diplomatic reality. Its failure to provide the bare minimum in terms of respect is deeply regrettable. 'I want to know how the Council arrived at this decision. Was it proposed and rejected? If so, I want to know by whom. Did it even make on to the agenda? 'The decision not to proceed with making a Book of Condolence available must be reversed immediately.' In 2005, thousands queued on the morning of Tuesday, April 5, 2005, to sign books of condolences for the former Pope John Paul II in Cork. Unlike now, two books of condolences were available in the city, both at the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, but also at Cork City Hall. Then Lord Mayor Seán Martin was the first to sign the book at City Hall, which was left open for the week following his death. However, current Lord Mayor Dan Boyle has told the Irish Independent that he was informed by City Hall that protocol is not to open a book of condolence, and instead it's to encourage the public to sign the Book of Condolence that has been opened at St Mary's Cathedral. "First thing yesterday I checked with Corporate Affairs in City Hall about protocol on this. "We consulted with the Diocese of Cork and Ross and agreed that their having a book of condolence was importance. This morning I have signed that Book of Condolence at St. Mary's Cathedral.' In a statement given today to the Irish Independent, Cork City Council said that the Lord Mayor has sent a letter of condolence on behalf of the people to Bishop Fintan Gavin. In the letter, the Lord Mayor tells the Bishop that he is 'saddened by the loss of a leader who helped redirect and repurpose the Catholic Church towards more traditional Christian values of helping the displaced and dispossessed.' "The Lord Mayor's office was in consultation with Bishop Fintan Gavin in relation to a Book of Condolences for the Pope,' the council statement reads. 'A book of condolences has been opened at the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, Shandon and online. The Lord Mayor attended the cathedral this morning to sign the Book of Condolences and will be encouraging Councillors, and the wider community to sign the Book of Condolences at the cathedral.'
