Masses/Prayers of Thanksgiving in Ireland for Pope Benedict XVI

20 Apr 2005

PRESS RELEASE

20 APRIL 2005

SPECIAL MASSES/PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING IN IRELAND

FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Following the election yesterday afternoon of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as
Pope Benedict XVI, the following arrangements have been made in dioceses
for Masses and Prayers of Thanksgiving for our new Holy Father:

Armagh: The Archbishop of Armagh Dr Sean Brady will celebrate Mass on Friday
22nd April in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at 7.30pm.

Dromore: Bishop John McAreavey will celebrate a special Mass on Sunday 24th
April in Newry Cathedral at 10.00am.

Dublin: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will celebrate a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving
at the Pro-Cathedral Dublin on Friday 22nd April at 5.45pm. The Mass will
be celebrated in the presence of His Excellency Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto,
Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland and the Diplomatic Corps.

Ferns: Bishop Eamonn Walsh, Apostolic Administrator of Ferns will celebrate Mass
in St Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on Saturday 23rd April at 7.00pm.
Bishop Walsh has also asked the priests of the diocese to celebrate Masses in
their parishes in the coming days asking God’s blessing on the new Pope.

Limerick: Bishop Donal Murray will celebrate Mass in St John’s Cathedral, Limerick
on Sunday 24th April at 7.00pm. Bishop Murray has also requested that priests
celebrate Mass for the Pope in every parish between now and the weekend.

Meath:
Bishop Michael Smith has asked that prayers of thanksgiving for the new
pope be offered at all Masses in the diocese on Sunday 24th April.

Raphoe: Bishop Philip Boyce will celebrate a special Mass in St Eunan’s Cathedral,
Letterkenny, at 7.30pm on Friday, 22 April and he has asked every parish in the
diocese to have a special Mass for Pope Benedict XVI on a convenient day.

ends
20th April 2005

Further information:
Rome: Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Ireland: Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)