Bishop MacDaid urges all road users to be safe and recommends prayer for motorists

25 Oct 2012

Bishop MacDaid urges all road users to be safe and recommends prayer for motorists

Ahead of this October bank holiday weekend in the Republic, Bishop Liam MacDaid, Bishop of Clogher calls on all road users: motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, to take special care of themselves and their loved ones.  Bishop MacDaid said “We have all been deeply touched by the heart-breaking loss of innocent lives on our roads over the last week.  This loss of human life is tragic for the loved ones concerned and our society as a whole.

“Ahead of this October bank holiday weekend – which coincides with the mid-term break from school – I am asking all road users to exercise particular vigilance in terms of safety and to be responsible on the roads over the next number of days.  Care for one another in our community is a basic human value which travels across different faiths and cultures. This duty of care also applies to our road use and it is fundamental to the common good of all in society.

“I ask road users to take heed of the advice of the Road Safety Authority that this is the most dangerous time of year on our roads.  I also welcome the announcement that Gardaí will increase the level of road safety enforcement over this long weekend.”

Bishop MacDaid concluded, “As individuals we have an obligation to exercise a duty of care to other road users by improving our driver behaviour and, at a public policy level, this improved behaviour should be matched by effective strategic planning and resourcing.”

Bishop MacDaid recommends the following dedicated prayer for motorists which may be recited before driving:

Before I take my place behind the wheel
I pray, O Sacred Heart – Guide me on my way.
Virgin Mary, Morning Star, from every danger guide this car.
Thou dear Lord who gave it to enjoy,
Grant that its purpose be to save and not destroy.
Amen

Notes to Editors

The Diocese of Clogher is a cross-border diocese. It includes the counties of Monaghan, Fermanagh and portions of Tyrone, Donegal, Louth and Cavan. The Diocese of Clogher has 86,047 Catholics, 73 priests, 37 parishes and 85 churches. The Cathedral of Saint Macartan is located in Monaghan town.

  • Up to 25 October the recorded 2012 road fatality figures stood at 141 for the Republic, and at 34 for the North.  Road fatality statistics provided by An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678