Church should act to put the Mass card scamsters out of business

WOULD it help you cope with the loss of a loved one to know that a scoundrel has got a nice monetary windfall from your bereavement? I suspect not. But strange to relate, this is happening every day throughout Ireland.

I am referring to the phenomenon of fake Mass cards on sale in shops nationwide, several of which came to my notice recently.

These can be ‘Mass cards’ promising that a Mass will be said for the repose of a person’s soul, or a ‘Mass Bouquet’ - announcing that a Mass will be said for the intentions or wellbeing of a living person. The cards cost €3 or €4, well below what a person of average means would consider appropriate to donate to a priest when getting a Mass said.