Tens of thousands of people took part in pilgrimages throughout the country to mark one of the major events organised by the Catholic Church for the Jubilee Year 2,000. In the Curragh, the Chairman of the Catholic's Church's Jubilee Committee, Bishop Laurence Ryan, called on more than 10,000 pilgrims to transform Irish society with the light of the Gospel.
Bishop Ryan urged Christians to counteract social injustice, violence and scandals in public and church life. The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin said they could transform Irish society with the light of the Gospel. He was preaching at a major celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's birth at the Curragh.
Over 10,000 pilgrims from all over Kildare and Leighlin diocese converged on the Curragh racecourse. Many had walked from the nearby town of Newbridge and a small band had spent the week travelling though County Carlow and parts of Kildare and Laois. The local Church of Ireland Bishop, Richard Clarke, came along as did representatives of other Christian churches.
In a joint pastoral letter marking national pilgrimage day, the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Bishops of Ferns have asked for forgiveness for the many unchristian attitudes, policies and practices that found their way into their Churches since the Reformation. Bishops Brendan Comiskey and John Neill say they are now fully embarked on a common Christian journey.
The bishops' joint pastoral in Ferns recalls that St Aidan founded their diocese around the year 600 and that Christians remained united for almost 1,000 years. Following the Reformation a long period of hostility began and they ask to be forgiven for the many unchristian attitudes, policies and practices that found their way into their Churches over the past five centuries.
The two bishops say that the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960's was chiefly responsible for ending the enmity between their Churches and that relationships had undergone a revolution. "By the grace of God they are now fully embarked on a common Christian journey towards full unity in faith and doctrine," the two bishops say. In their joint pastoral letter, Bishops Brendan Comiskey and John Neill say they hope their conversion of heart in relation to past ecumenical failings may hasten reconciliation between their flocks. The two bishops lead a walk linking their Cathedrals to mark national pilgrimage day.
The parishes in Dublin's north inner city remembered Matt Talbot on this the 75th anniversary of his death. The route of their pilgrimage began at O’Connell’s school, where he was a pupil, and included Rutland St, where he lived, and Gardiner St Church where he attended daily mass. It ended at his tomb in Sean McDermott St church.
In County Leitrim the pilgrimage began in Killargue and Newtownmanor with a short prayer of remembrance at Dromahair Church. The pilgrimage, led by local priest Father John MacTiernan, then made its way along the river Bonet, stopping at three stations along the route, to the fifteenth century Franciscan abbey at Creevelea where mass was celebrated.
In Limerick there were assembly points throughout city, from which people proceeded to the Gaelic Grounds accompanied by local bands. Every parish brought a symbol to represent the character of the parish. Concelebrated mass was presided over by Bishop Donal Murray. At the request of the Catholic hierarchy, all GAA matches were cancelled to facilitate the parochial and diocesan celebrations.
