Bishop’s plea: For God’s sake, don’t swear

A bishop has asked people not to use the name of Jesus Christ as a form of foul language.

The bishop of Raphoe in Co Donegal, Philip Boyce, urged people to treat the name with respect, and he urged people to bow their heads when pronouncing the name of Jesus.

“It is sad to hear the name of Jesus being used carelessly and unheedingly, at times as a curse instead of a blessing, in uncultured and rough language.

“It is offensive in public, and if used over the airwaves in a reckless manner, a person would have to apologise.”

Bishop Boyce made his comments in his pastoral letter to parishioners. He said for many people today, the taking of the Lord’s name has merely become a habit which many do not know they are even uttering.

“For some people it becomes a habit, so that they no longer notice that they are taking the name of Jesus in vain. And, yet, they are not completely unaware of the words they use, for if a priest happens to come into the company, you could hear them say ‘Excuse the language, Father’. But it is with the Lord himself they should excuse themselves and from him ask pardon.

“The words and the names we use are important. We honour a person if we use his name with respect. To say that bad language is only words, and that they mean nothing, is not true. The disrespectful use of a name dishonours another person. Furthermore, we shall honour each other if we learn to honour God, for we are made in his image and likeness.”

He urged people to treat the name with respect.

“The name of Jesus is held in veneration by all who believe in Christ. We bow our head reverently when it is pronounced. It becomes a prayer keeping us in contact with our Lord and God, and deepening our friendship with Christ, our Saviour.”