Bishop of Cloyne to meet Soc Dem member Ken Curtin over reading ban

The Bishop of Cloyne, Canon William Crean, will meet with Cork Social Democrats member Ken Curtin today after he was removed from Cobh’s rota of Church readers due to his stance on abortion.

The general election candidate learned at Mass last week that he would no longer be allowed to read in St Colman’s Cathedral due to his party’s pro-choice stance. He was told his role as a lector was over due to his party’s commitment to repealing the Eighth Amendment.

Mr Curtin said this could set a precedence for Ministers of the Word, Ministers of the Eucharists, and choirs and would be a hugely backwards step at a time when Mass attendance is falling.