Diocesan News
Marking the Day of Remembrance and Recognition in Cork
Following the Government announcement that 18th March 2022 would be a public holiday, described by An Tánaiste as a ‘day of remembrance and recognition’, the clergy of Cork, Cloyne and Ross agreed to open churches across the Diocese to make symbolical, liturgical and prayerful space for remembrance and recognition.
From St Patrick’s night until the morning of 18th March church light will be left on to proclaim Christ the light of the world, shining in darkness. On 18th March, principal churches in all parishes will be open for people to visit and pray between 10am and 12noon. Some churches will hold a specific liturgy. In those churches where there is a bell/bells, they will be bellringing at 11am.
The Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, welcomed these initiatives from the parishes and chaplaincies of the Diocese, saying: “When I met on Zoom with the group of clergy in response to the announcement by An Taoiseach of this public holiday as a day of recognition and remembrance, everyone agreed that we should do something appropriate not only to acknowledge the suffering of so many during this pandemic and not only to remember all who have died, but also to give thanks for the so many generous, sacrificial, human responses to the challenges we have all been living through, most especially by frontline workers.
“As the war in Ukraine now, understandably, dominates our news and preoccupies our current responses, it is important that we do not ‘move on’ from the shared experience of the pandemic, without remembering and recognising those who need to be remembered and recognised. In any case, the pandemic, like this war, has changed and is changing our world. Christian neighbourly responses of generosity, hospitality and compassion, will continue to be needed for a long time to come.”
Several parishes have supplied information about their plans for Friday, 18th March. For other parishes, please consult the local clergy via the parish listing on the diocesan website.
Diocesan Media & Information Technology Officer
087 7055 989
Ms Denise Stobart
media@corkchurchofireland.com