Repeal Campaigner Desecrates Dublin Church
15.08.2017
A pro-abortion campaigner has provoked outrage in a Dublin parish by draping a “Repeal the 8th” jumper on an altar. The campaigner photographed the pro-abortion stunt at Mary Immaculate Church in Inchicore, and circulated the images on social media.
The altar is in an outdoor grotto in the grounds of the Inchicore church. The black jumper has the “Repeal” logo of the pro-abortion campaign printed on it, and was placed purposefully on the sacred space.
Fr Gerry O’Connor, a member of the Association of Catholic Priests’ leadership team, said he was “irritated” when he saw the image, which was originally posted on Instagram, but was shared many times on Twitter. “I think it’s a stunt aimed to provoke a bigger gulf between people who are trying to find the common good, or trying to reach a consensus around this complex issue,” he said.
Fr O’Connor said the act seemed more about offending rather than persuading people. “I think it does very little to encourage a mature reflection, where people authentically listen to each other and try in their own conscience to make their own minds up about this issue.”
However, he said he did not want to overstress the fact that it was an intrusion into a sacred space or a desecration, but definitely provocative. He added that acts like these “alienate people further”.
The Irish Catholic. August 10.