An Bord Pleanála undermined autonomy, says bishop

THE constitutional autonomy of religious orders may have been undermined by An Bord Pleanála’s refusal to allow internal construction work at St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, according to the Bishop of Cloyne.

In a letter read out at all Masses in the diocese yesterday, Bishop Dr John Magee said the decision infringed on the right of religious orders to manage their own affairs.

He also stressed the significance of the board’s findings for the future development of all churches who operated out of protected structures.