2015 was a significant year for the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois with the rededication of Saint Mel’s Cathedral. At the ceremony in May 2015 Bishop Colm expressed his hope that the cathedral will be “a place where all will feel welcome, especially those who come with heavy hearts and those searching for answers to questions for which the world has no solutions”.
Since then many thousands of people visited Saint Mel’s to marvel at the beautiful work of restoration and also to pray and to find peace. We are now in the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy; an initiative of Pope Francis. It provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our understanding of God’s abundant mercy and also on how we are merciful to those around us. Mercy can build up our hope and can contribute to that all important quality of peace.
May our reflection on, and our experience of mercy be the beginning of greater hope and peace in the coming year. I wish you and your family members at home and abroad a happy Christmas and a peaceful 2016.
+Francis Duffy
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