‘New Irish will bolster our faith’

THE strong religious faith of the “new Irish” will help strengthen our own faith, the Bishop of Cork and Ross said yesterday.

Most Reverend Dr John Buckley made his comments from the altar as dozens of immigrants from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Asia and Africa — many for the first time — took part in the city’s 81st annual Corpus Christi procession from the North Cathedral.

He also prayed for Fr Ganni, an Iraqi priest who worked at Lough Derg for two years, and who was murdered in Iraq last Sunday, alongside three deacons, after celebrating Mass.

Up to 20,000 people from parishes across the city thronged the city centre and joined the procession to Daunt Square where Bishop Buckley presided at Benediction.

During his homily, he said while the country’s increased prosperity was welcome, he said people are searching for something more.

Answers to these questions can be found in the Mass, he said.

“We should share the joy of the Mass with others and reach out to those who for one reason or another have grown casual or careless in their attendance at the Mass,” he said.

“From the Lord they will hear no word of condemnation or rejection — only words of welcome, understanding and love.”

Illness prevented soprano Cara O’Sullivan from performing at yesterday’s ceremony.