Church should heed laity on cathedral changes

FOR the past eight years the people of Cobh in Co Cork have been trying to get across to their bishop that they do not want their cathedral changed or interfered with in any way.

They would be quite happy to see a new altar in the position of the current temporary one, but they do not want the altar rails taken away and mosaics in the nave and sanctuary dug up and either stored or relayed in a different position.

Cobh cathedral is one of the last churches in Ireland where it is possible to kneel to receive holy communion, and the people of Cobh want it to stay that way.

For a long time now the Catholic Church has been claiming that it is a ‘listening’ church and that the laity are an important part of it.

How can we believe these things when the people of Cobh, who feel very strongly about the issue, have been ignored by the Church authorities?

It would appear that these authorities will only listen to what we have to say when we agree with them.

Finally, it is the people of Cobh who have paid for the restoration of their cathedral, just as their ancestors paid for its construction, and they should be heard when it comes to what the future of their wonderful church is to be.

What is happening in Cobh today is shameful.

Séan Healy

‘Rosetta’

Old Mallow Road

Cork