Controversy erupts after Catholic, Protestant clerics concelebrate Easter mass

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Belfast, UK, Apr 20, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Controversy in Ireland continues after a Protestant clergyman marked the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Western Front by celebrating mass with three Catholic priests, reported the Belfast Telegraph.

Both the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland have promised to launch investigations after it was revealed that the minister, Rev Michael Graham, had brought 20 members of his congregation to the Augustinian Priory in Drogheda, Co Louth, where they took Communion.

The Catholic primate, Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh, said he intended to seek further details about the event, which drew about 1,000 people.

"True ecumenism is best served by initiatives that are respectful of, and sensitive to, the traditions, ethos and discipline of all those involved," he reportedly said. "Otherwise there is a real danger of causing widespread confusion, raising false hopes and creating situations that are open to misunderstandings and manipulation."

The head of the Church of Ireland also expressed concern about the implications this incident would have on ecumenism.

“Unfortunately, such occasions - while well intentioned - can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations at a time when relations between our Churches have improved so much," Archbishop Robin Eames was quoted as saying.

Fr. Iggy O'Donovan, one of the Catholic priests involved, told the Irish Times he had had no intention of defying Church rules, which strictly prohibit intercommunion.

Comments: 40

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Jack Leone
Wantagh, NY 05/31/2006 10:32 AM EST

I must bring out to the public that Our Lady had given a message to Fr. Stefano Gobbi, who founded the Marian Movement of Priest. She told him that "ECCLESIATICAL MASONRY" would be apparent in the Church. She added that it's wrong to uphold the idea that all religions hold a portion of the truth. (This is relativism, a diseased mindset that the Holy Father is strongly opposed to). This article just proves what Our Lady told him. Masonry is a cult that believes all religions are fine as long as one accepts a "higher power." This ultimately leads to compromise, which is where we are right now. It seems that what Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin started is simply flourishing: the changing of the altar to a table, no saints in parish churches, on and on and on... When will it all end? Our Lady is warning us to change and turn back to God and the way the Catholic was and still should be. When will this happen? The false and heretical teachings by Jesus' priests is terrible and leading many souls to hell. Although Garabandal is not accepted by the Church, the message about Cardinals, Bishops, and priests is 100% accurate. It's all in line with the Gospels and the New Testament. Friends, ecclesiatical masonry is the root of the mess. It takes orders from masonic lodges. Read "A Scientist Researches Mary: Mother and Co-Redemptrix" by Courteney Bartholomew, M.D. It's an easy to read, straight-forward scholarly work on Mary's role as our Mother, trying to lead us back to Her Son, Jesus.

Published by: Jack Leone
Wantagh, NY 05/30/2006 09:11 AM EST

The Church is in such a horrible mess. It's unbelieveable. It's just one thing after the next that is wrong. I'll say it again, Vatican II had it's good points, but a tremendous amount of trouble has come out of it. There's just too much confusion and it's all never ending.

Published by: Kieran Raval
USA 05/25/2006 07:12 PM EST

Be not Afraid! says the Lord. Ultimately, the truth of Jesus Christ will triumph. Until then, be faithful and remain in His love. A comforting commentary: Fr. Richard Neuhaus' book "Catholic Matters" should be read by all. Thanks be to God.

Published by: Jack Leone
Wantagh, New York, USA 05/23/2006 01:17 PM EST

I've been to the Tridentine Mass that my diocese provides. There's nothing like it. Why priests (who have the indult) don't choose to learn it and say it, is beyond me. There's something very wrong and evil going on in the Church. As far as ecumenism goes, we should be working to getting all non-Catholics to come into the Church. What's happened is that they have played a role at the Second Vatican Council in almost de-Catholisizing the Church in many ways. Why this was all allowed, just beats me.

Published by: Gordon Bateman
Australia 05/22/2006 11:30 PM EST

The chaos we see today is the child of the illicit Vatican II. "By their fruits ye shall know them". The fruits of Vat.II is the apostasy of Modernism. Read the papal Encyclical "Pascendi" OF Pope St. Pius X and you will realise that all the curent crop of the hierchy are no longer members of the Mystical Body of Christ as taught by Pope Pius XII. Read all the past teachings of Popes since the French Revolution and find they condemned `a priori the teachings of Vat.II and you will realise that we are in the time of Universal Apostasy as prophesied by St. Paul in his epistle, II.Eph.2 and its coming CHASTISEMENT.

Published by: Peter Kullavanijaya
Clarendon Hills, IL 05/12/2006 08:07 AM EST

The problem with Catholic Light - just like Budweiser Light - is that it lacks substance. False Ecumenism is a sure sign of that. Thank you very much, Vatican II and the post-Counciliar (Past Vatican II) Church. It's becoming less Catholic and more and more Protestant.

Published by: Jack Leone
Wantagh, NY 04/28/2006 02:23 PM EST

Fr Benedict,

I agree that Christian unity is important. It's whatthe Lord wants, however, we Catholics should be working and praying for all Christians to accept all seven sacraments that the Lord Himself instituted, whereas some only accept two of them. Catholics must work toward this. The other churches are not in communion with the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. What happened at the mass shouldn't have. It was wrong. Ecumenism is to promote unity of Christians toward one goal, the Holy Catholic Church with its Apostolic Tradition and the Sacraments.

Published by: Jack Leone
Wantagh, New York, USA 04/28/2006 12:48 PM EST

I agree with Jim H as well as many people who have made comments. I like Claire Phillips comments and she's right.

Published by: Jim H.
USA 04/28/2006 12:08 AM EST

John Healy of Washington, DC you are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. Ecumenism does not mean compromising the Catholic faith. Yes, Jesus teaches us to love everyone but the Church teaches that we must never compromise our Catholic faith. The compromising of our faith is where lies most of the problems in the Church today. Jesus also said if they do not accept the Gospel, turn on your heels, shake the dust from your feet and go on your way. I find it amazing that so many so-called Catholics have the audacity to make statements about the faith yet they do not understand the faith and that is why they take so many Church teaching out of context. How very sad.

Published by: John Healy
Washington, DC 04/24/2006 11:14 AM EST

It is truly sad that anyone would be against ecumenism or would be against reunifying the church. Why should a handful of doctrinal differences be the sole rationale preventing reunification? Jesus of the first three Gospels would be appalled by those people objecting to concelebrated services.

Published by: Barry Mc Innes
AUSTRALIA 04/23/2006 10:21 PM EST

Do not worry! As you know that before Jesus comes again the church as we know it will appear to barely exist. Painful as these times of Apostasy and sacrilege that we are now living in, be consoled for all of these things and much much more will still need to occur.See it all as a sign of the times and pray the Rosary and from personal expereience our Blessed Mother will obtain the essential consolation and reassurance we need. Remember when Moses climbed the mountain the children of Israel turned ferral except for a few whose commitment to their faith helped to save them. Pray for all dissenters, don"t fight or argue with them unless you have the cunning of a serpent,as you will NEVER NEVER win an argument with satan.

Published by: Jason
Louisiana, USA 04/21/2006 06:37 PM EST

With the lack of sanctifying grace in the Novus Ordo Missae (New Order of mass, of Pope Paul VI), the liturgical abuses rampant since Vatican II are understood. The new mass itself is an abuse. If one wants to be truly Catholic, he (or she) must attend only a Traditional Latin Mass offered by a validly ordained Catholic priest. If one honestly compares the Traditional Latin Mass with the New mass, he (or she) will see the many differences. He will see that one is obviously Catholic and the other is not.
Dominus vobiscum.

Published by: Michael Arciga
Lemon Grove, CA. USA 04/21/2006 06:30 PM EST

What is the problem? It started in the Catholic Tradition, it ends in the Catholic Tradition. Don't change to reflect our times and convenience. Come back to the Traditional Church!

Published by: Phil Trevathan
Franklin, TN, USA 04/21/2006 04:50 PM EST

Very, very sad. "Fr." O'Donovan and all the rest of the "progressive" dissenters should just admit they really aren't Catholic and start another "church", rather than trying so hard to destroy the Holy Catholic Church!

Published by: marie
New York City 04/21/2006 04:36 PM EST

We didn't hear about disobdients when the beautifully structured Mass was the only Mass in the U.S. Some priests take the opportunity of options.

Published by: chuck
vermont USA 04/21/2006 03:33 PM EST

How could a priest think it was ok to a) have non Catholics receive our Lord, and place?
Answer: No need to look further than our pope giving communion to the protestant , brother Roger of Taize. How's that for an example!!

Published by: Tom Heckenkamp
USA 04/21/2006 02:44 PM EST

Father Benedict of USA's comment is indicative of the heretic priests filling the supposed ranks of Catholic clergy in the modern age. Tolerance plays second fiddle to Catholic Doctrine and Tradition in their NEW (Novus Ordo) "Church."

Published by: Kelly Cavanaugh
Wisconsin 04/21/2006 02:41 PM EST

..and the Vatican II litany of nonsense continues to this day!
Fortunately, watch for Pope Benedict's actions in the next months! We need a thorough cleanup!

Published by: Claire Phillips
Nanaimo, Canada 04/21/2006 02:30 PM EST

I find the first letter from Fr. Benedict (U.S.A.) very disturbing. Heretical at best. Ecumenism is not a tool to be used as a way to further Protestantize our Church. We want our separated brethren to come "Home." Not to encourage another schism, as in so many of these separated churches. Or for that matter another Reformation. Vatican II is not the doorway to the further watering down of Doctrine. To receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord requires one to profess the Catholic Faith as the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Faith. One. The key to ecumenism. Please pray, in charity, for all to be one in the faith of our Lord and Church Fathers. The Holy Catholic Church.

God Bless and help us all.

Published by: Jack Leone
Wantagh, NY 04/21/2006 02:23 PM EST

So far nothing has cpme out of bringing the other Christian groups back into the Catholic Church. God intended one flock with one Shepherd. I pray that there will be one Church as God intends it. There's one Truth not 50,000 truths. Yet I believe that God in His Almighty Providence can save people who do NOT know the faith or Jesus or the Catholic Church that tried to live a right life. In today's world it's very hard to be willfully ignorant.

The Church is in bad shape today. There's too much free for all. I'll keep saying and may be for a long time (I hope not!). Would the Pope allowed what has happened in this article? NO WAY! The Second Vatican Council has not been applied right at all in many ways.

St. Joseph, ora pro nobis!

Published by: Moira Murphy
Manitoba Canada 04/21/2006 02:17 PM EST

Opinions by Father Benedict (one posing as a
priest, by the way)are all contrary to the Catholic faith and reveal
a severe hostility to the Church..difficult to
even imagine him as a Church faithful, let alone a priest!

Published by: Dee Downing
Concord, NH USA 04/21/2006 02:01 PM EST

I agree with almost everyone's comments except "Father Benedict"'s...hmm... Is he a Catholic priest or something else. If he's Catholic, shame on him for those remarks. As a convert to Catholicism, I totally agree that we do not want to be Protestantized and yes, the Mass was invalidated by the inter-communion allowed. Be a Catholic or, of couse, it is your option to go to the Protestant church down the street. As our Holy Father Benedict said, we might need a smaller, but purer Church. Amen

Published by: EdR
Pittsburgh Pa.USA 04/21/2006 01:34 PM EST

Thomas Driscoll: Keep doin it your way! You'll end up on the dung heap of history along with those who did it their way. There is one Church, Holy Catholic and Apostolic! You are not the head of it! You and others of like ilk do not make Church policy or laws! Your a Modernist! Keep goin in your direction and you will not be Catholic by reason of your own choices contrary to Church Doctrine.

Published by: Ed R.
Pittsburgh, Pa. 04/21/2006 01:27 PM EST

Fr. O'Donovan must have gotten his degrees and was ordained on the internet. "he had not intention of defying church rules". poppycock!!! God Bless him , he's a liar!!

Published by: E. Menendez
Beaufort, SC,USA 04/21/2006 01:01 PM EST

I believe the "good ole boy" priesthood mentality confuses priests on where their loyalty lies-we will all stand alone at our particular judgements. It seems the laity see things more clearly much of the time whereas the priests are segregated and so able to close their eyes and harden their hearts to the truth. Obedience is truely most pleasing to God, so we must pray very hard and sacrifice for our priests that more of them will have a martyrs heart for the Lord rather than for other priests who are in error. It is good to unite to those following the truth, but to stand up and call a spade a spade when the going gets tough. Saints were not mamby pamby about anything to do with the faith or with Almighty God.

Published by: Jim H.
USA 04/21/2006 12:51 PM EST

My comment is about Father Benedict's statement on sharing the “Eucharist”. Shame on you Father Benedict! You, being an ordained Catholic priest (?), SHOULD understand our faith well enough to know the reason WHY the Church does not allow other faiths reception of Holy Communion. You SHOULD know that other faiths do not accept the "Real Presence" of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and this is why they are refused communion. Heretics and apostates sow confusion in the Church and not the other way around. The first thing people like you do when others do not agree with you is to resort to name calling i.e. “Bigots” etc. What an oxymoron!!! Who is the intolerant one?

Published by: Norm Adams
Pumkin Hook NY USA 04/21/2006 12:28 PM EST

Lord Jesus, I offer you all my sorrows for the sacrileges caused against You and the indiffernce shown You in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

Published by: Lucille
Kelso, Wa USA 04/21/2006 12:14 PM EST

Ignorance is not bliss.
Catholics 'claim' to not know their faith well enough to live it. They can't explain it to others. The time for this 'lie' to die is now. No one else is to blame when a Catholic is disobedient. In this case, the priests are mislead. No one's fault but thier own. It is certainly a time to live one's faith fully, even when you don't fully understand all the 'whys'
of it. We as a holy people must defer to Jesus and His teachings, in and out of season. It is arrogant to think we know more than 2000+ years of discernment and life of the Church. "I set before you life and death, a blessing and a curse. Choose then, which you want...." Vat.11 isn't at fault here. Individuals are. Love Jesus, love one another. This is Mercy Week. Pray, Pray! Be merciful. It is the time, now! Mercy does not mean agree with everything. It means have compassion for one another in a very difficult time in the Church. Show mercy. Receive mercy. Aren't we all in need of it?
It is also time for faithfully Catholics to claim back the church through prayer and every kind of supplication to God. St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

Published by: Robert Peszynski
Minneapolis MN USA 04/21/2006 11:37 AM EST

Another example of how much we need to pray for priests!

Published by: Greg W.
Overland Park, KS 04/21/2006 11:32 AM EST

Could the priests involved be from that ominous 60-70's lot which continues to cause so much pain and bleeding on Body of Christ? True ecumenism might be shown by the Church of England giving back all the stolen property and offering a long over due apology for the slaughter of so many good and brave Catholics by that wretch Elizabeth and her cohorts. Give Ireland back to the Irish. Pray, Pray, Pray without ceasing!

Published by: Father Benedict
USA 04/21/2006 11:05 AM EST

Only sectarians aka bigots reject God's plan for a reunited Church of Christ.
Such intolerance is associated with religious sects which is apparently what those so-called Christian churches have become.
There is no scandal or confusion is sharing with our brothers and sisters.
You speak of unity but sow nothing but division.

Published by: John Polhamus
San Diego, Ca USA 04/21/2006 10:06 AM EST

Ah, yes. Martini today publicly calls for the use of condoms, and a pie-eyed Irish priest flagrantly flouts the rules of communion, but those who favour the Traditional mass are still refused daily access by bishops who deliberately want to confuse convergence with conversion. The church will not be protestantized. They seem to utterly forget that we live in an age of memory, electronic if nothing else, and that their rash acts already suffer the judgements of Catholic history. They mock history, precedent and Divine Law, but history will have the last laugh. I reiterate, we will NOT be protestantized.

Published by: Angel A.
Bensalem, PA USA 04/21/2006 07:36 AM EST

Sadly enough this shows how great the abuse is in the Church and how the leaders are losing control of the flock. We must pray for our Holy Mother Church that God may enlighten the Pope, the bishops, and the clergy and get them to proclaim the Truth without compromise. They have a job to do and they better start doing it or will have to respond on judgement day for the loss of so many souls.

Published by: Jacques DUMON
France 04/21/2006 06:18 AM EST

Some Catholic priests are very confused and unclear in their heads. We have to pray much on their behalf. In our parish, the priest also has allowed a protestant woman (who asked this) to take Communion. How many people who come to wedding or burying masses and are not even Christian, come to Communion only to act like true faithful people act? And the priests don't care...
Ask how many priests have once read "Redemptionis Sacramentum" Instructions? You'll be amazed. An how many who read it and don't care too...

Published by: Rodolfo Mora
Port Hueneme, CA USA 04/21/2006 03:02 AM EST

Today, in our Catholic Church, the virtue called OBEDIENCE it is long gone. Everyone in the Church pretends to be his own pope. Diabolical confusion

Published by: Max
Bradenton, FL, USA 04/20/2006 07:38 PM EST

The Mass was invalidated by the protestants "celebrating".

Published by: Thomas Driscoll
Ballydehob, Co. Cork Ireland 04/20/2006 05:26 PM EST

For over 800 years the British have stood on our necks and perpetuated division on our island - with help from the Anglican communion and silent compliance from the Roman church in Ireland. Irish Christians will continue to look for new ways to bring reconciliation. In Ireland organic institutional unity and doctrinal precision need to take second place to the reconciliation of all God's people

Published by: Jason Miller
Santa Paula, CA USA 04/20/2006 03:27 PM EST

Although what the priest did is most certainly wrong, we must also be sympathetic to the problems endured by the Irish people and their desperate need & desire for reconcilliation. Pain often causes us to make bad choices.

Published by: Helen G.
Canada 04/20/2006 12:03 PM EST

Another reason to scrap
"ecumenism" !

Published by: Sheila Warner
Vineland, NJ USA 04/20/2006 11:40 AM EST

How could a priest think it was ok to a) have non Catholics receive our Lord, and 2) not clear his planned Mass with his Bishop in the first place? This fuels the Vatican II fallout controversy......

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