Community Radio Youghal’s new schedule began last Monday, March 29th. From that day, the station will broadcast live programmes from midday to 10pm Monday to Friday. All weekend programming is already live and there will also be some small changes to make the station’s weekend listening even better. Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com

Every weekday programmes will begin with ‘Yawl Ready for This?’ from midday ’til 2pm. It’s a light chat based programme with interviews, features, guests and music. The programme will have three presenters throughout the week; Kieran Kidney, Rhona Coughlan and Shane Supple who’ll retain his regular Local Music Scene as part of Friday’s show. The show will also feature an update on News, Weather and Bereavement announcements at 1pm.

CRY Chairman, Tommy Collins is confident that the new schedule will be a big hit locally. “Listeners will continue to enjoy all of their favourites here on CRY and, in addition they will now have a whole range of new presenters and new live programmes every day”, said the Chairman.

The station’s new evening magazine show ‘Youghal @ 5′ will begin each weekday at 5pm and run until 6.30 with News, live interviews, vox pops, bereavement notices, traffic news and more.

There will also be a new weekly Arts programme called ‘Spotlight’, every Wednesday from 6.30 – 7.30pm. CRY’s new inclusiveness programme ‘Perspectives’ will be on every Thursday evening from 6.30 – 7.30.

The new schedule will also feature a new Youth show on Tuesdays, as well as new programmes on Pipe Band music, American Country music and a new weekly documentary slot.

At weekends, Noel Cronin’s popular ‘Rural Report’ programme gets an extra half hour and will now run from 10am to midday on Saturday, while listeners can enjoy an extra half hour of Pat Reilly’s unique mix of News and current affairs from 3-5pm on Saturdays.

Station Manager, Declan Gibbons is excited, not just by the programmes, but by all of the volunteer involvement. “We put out the call for new volunteers a few months ago”, he told the Evening Echo “and since Christmas especially, we’ve had a huge response from volunteers of all sorts.

“Some people have offered to answer the phone, others want to present programmes, while many more have offered to do research and work behind the scenes. We’ll also have a huge number of people contributing  to programmes across the schedule.

All of the stations regular favourites will also continue to bring the best in local broadcasting to the communities of Youghal, East Cork and West Waterford.

So tune in to Community Radio Youghal, where from next Monday there will be even more on the station’s 104fm wavelength.

You can get full details of CRY 104fm’s new schedule and listen live to all your favourite broadcasters by logging on to www.youghalradio.com.

The Youghal branch of the Labour Party have been sharp in their criticism this week of the Youghal Town Council’s decision to move the monthly meetings from Monday evenings to Tuesday mornings. By Michael Twomey. Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com

The decision was taken under work to rule practices with the Town Clerk informing members that working beyond the Council office hours was not an option in the current industrial climate. A vote was taken by the members to move the time of the meetings and was carried by an 8-1 majority. The one dissenting voice was Cllr. Donie Daly. While some would question why a Labour Cllr. would not recognise or support the work to rule action, this was not the Cllr’s reason for rejecting the idea. Cllr. Daly would, in effect, not be fulfilling his duties as a Cllr. due to his inability to attend Tuesday morning meetings because of his own work commitments.

The impasse has incensed supporters of Cllr. Daly who won his seat on the Council with 380 votes. Labour Party Spokesman, Tommy O’ Connell expressed the views of these voters when he called the Council’s decision ‘undemocratic’. “What has happened here is that Cllr. Daly has been disenfranchised by the Council. If he cannot sit at meetings then that means the voices of 380 people cannot be represented, that is undemocratic,” he said.
Cllr. Daly did raise the issue at the Council meeting and was promised a response. Meanwhile, how long the work to rule action will last, given the most recent developments at national level between the government and the public sector unions, is unknown. However, Mr. O’ Connell said the members of the Labour Party are ‘furious’ at the Youghal Town Council. “We are furious about this. Youghal is the only Council in the county to adopt such a move. Midleton, Fermoy, Cobh, they haven’t done it. We want the 380 people who voted in Cllr. Daly, with the promise that their voices would be heard, to know what is going on here,” he added.

Mr. O’ Connell concluded that the party is fully sympathetic to work to rule practices and supports workers’ rights but that in the instance of disallowing Cllr. Daly’s right to represent the people of the town, the move has undermined the democratic structures of the Council wherein the rights of the people to be represented should come first.

Mayor of Youghal Sandra McLellan, Julie  Ann Rock and her staff and children all wearing their pyjamas at the Rocking Horse CRECHE/Pre school Youghal and enjoying the 2010 NCNA National Pyjama Day in aid of the Make-a-Wish-Foundation. Photo: Julie Ann Rock

Childcare providers and their children at the Rocking Horse Creche Pre school Youghal have spent the day in their pyjamas having fun and playing games and raising money through sponsorship for the Make-a-Wish Foundation which grants wishes for children living with a life threatening medical condition between the ages of 3 and 18.

A big thanks to children all over Ireland for spending Friday the 27th March 2009 in their pyjamas and helping to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As you can see, everyone had a very fun (and comfy!) day!

This year’s National Children’s Nurseries Association Pyjama Day was a great success with all of the proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A HUGE thanks to all who were involved!

A special thanks to all the Make-A-Wish volunteers who visited crèches all around the country

The Youghal Daffodil Day committee and volunteers held there annual fundraiser today with street stalls in the town selling fresh and silk daffodils, cards, shopping bags etc.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Daffodil Day on Friday 26th March is the Irish Cancer Society’s major fundraising day supporting cancer patient care and information services across the country. It’s a day for all of us to come together and pin a daffodil to the nation, giving hope and support to people affected by cancer in Ireland. Our mission for 2010 is to raise €4 million and we need your support to reach this target.

Up to 30,000 new cases of cancer expected this year and Irish Cancer Society best placed to provide expert advice, support and patient care

Irish public asked to support Daffodil Day on Friday March 26th to reach a target of €4 million

The Irish Cancer Society is calling on the Irish public to go out and buy a daffodil on Friday March 26th when over 3,000 volunteers will be selling fresh and silk daffodils and daffodil pins across the country. All monies raised will be used to fund free patient care services for people going through a cancer journey, from diagnosis right through to end of life care if that is required. For anyone who does not get the opportunity to buy a real daffodil on the day they can log onto www.plantadaff.ie to plant a free virtual daffodil and also make a donation online.

Speaking in advance of Daffodil Day, John McCormack, CEO, Irish Cancer Society said ‘During 2009, our specialist cancer nurses supported over 19,000 callers to our National Cancer Helpline. Our night nurses provided care to 1,700 people who were being looked after at the end of life at home, across the country. We funded hospital based eighteen oncology liaison nurses. We provided financial aid to the value of €700,000, we provided 1,600 sessions of counselling and we provided over €100,000 worth of grants to local cancer support centres providing emotional care and support to people affected by cancer.”

“But the pressure and demand for our services is increasing year on year especially in the wake of ever increasing cancer numbers. Approx 30,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Ireland in 2010 and cancer will affect one in three of us during our lifetime.  New cancer cases are expected to reach over 43,000 new cases in the year 2020. We see ongoing and significant advances in screening, early detection and treatment but still approximately 8,000 people will die from cancer in 2010 and cancer is responsible for 25% of all deaths every year,” continued Mr McCormack.

The Irish Cancer Society’s 23rd Daffodil Day will take place across the country on Friday 26th March and all monies raised will go towards growing the Society’s direct patient care services, including the National Cancer Helpline (Freefone 1800 200 700), the night nursing service, oncology liaison nursing, financial aid, counselling and literature.

The Irish Cancer Society is also planning to significantly expand its Cancer Information Service by establishing up to five Daffodil Centres in a range of hospitals nationwide, including designated cancer care centres, regional hospitals and private hospitals, in 2010.

Daffodil Centres are an extension of the Irish Cancer Society’s existing Cancer Information Service (which includes the National Cancer Helpline Freefone 1800 200 700) and will be located strategically within the hospital to make them visible and accessible. An experienced cancer nurse, funded by the Society, will run these Centres and will be supported by trained volunteers. The nurse and volunteers will address the information and support needs of those concerned about cancer, through listening, providing information and advice and accompanying people to appointments or treatments as necessary. The Irish Cancer Society’s first and pilot Daffodil Centre was opened in Galway University Hospital in July 2009.

* To donate to Daffodil Day, CallSave 1850 60 60 or visit www.plantadaff.ie

The Walter Raleigh Hotel was the venue for a very special Fashion Show on Tuesday 23rd of March. The Show featured the wonderful array of fashion available at Touch of Class, Youghal and all profit on the night was donated to the local branch of Casa. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Local boutique owners Tess and Teresa O’Brien were most professional in their approach to the staging of the event having had many years of practice as it has been staged for many local charities over the past 15 years. The very large attendance were most appreciative of the night’s entertainment and were loud in their praise of all concerned.

Casa has been in Youghal for the past 27 years. it is a national organisation which seeks to develop relationships between able-bodied people and people with special needs through socials, outings etc. Casa also brings sick people to Lourdes and many people from Youghal and the surrounding areas have travelled to Lourdes with Casa over the 27 years of its existence.

Funding all of these activities is very costly, (although helpers pay their own way) so Youghal  Casa was extremely grateful to all at Touch of Class for this wonderful injection of funds which allows us to spend less time fundraising and more time doing what we do best, spending time with our very special friends in Casa.

The group would also like to thank the very kind businesses who, even in these difficult financial times, sponsored some very generous prizes for the raffle.

There were over 450 in attendance on the night and a fabulous array of colours & styles were modeled by Illusive Pro Co. Touch of Class is 15 years in business this year. This season, Tess & Teresa have introduced exciting new labels, Expresso, Kate Cooper and CoCoMenthe. Touch of Class stocks sizes 10 to 18 and has a wide variety of labels on offer.

Click on image to enlarge – Photo: YoughalOnline.com

Listen to CRY’s sports commentator Eugene Crotty interview with the girls on 104FM Youghal Local Radio today Friday 26th March 2010 on Sports News at 6pm. You can also listen live on the web by clicking the CRY 104 FM Live tab on the top corner of this screen.

Congratulations to Holly Rose Twomey and Jess Lawton on being selected to represent Cork ladies soccer teams (U-12s and U-15s) respectively. Both players will travel to Dublin to play opposition teams from the capital this coming Wednesday ( March 31st 2010) before visiting Richmond Park to watch the ladies international side take on Sweden. Jess will also represent Ireland at U-15 level this August when a national selection travel to Scotland to take part in a tournament. Photo: Michael Hussey YoughalOnline.com

Both Holly and Jess have been training with Cork at the Winter Training Camp where they have impressed the FAI coaches. Their selection is a great development for girls soccer in Youghal. Their passion for the game always shows in training and in their performances for the U-14s this season.

The club would like to wish the girls the best of luck this week and continued success in future seasons.

Results Of ICA Raffle In Aid Of Bru Columbanus

Youghal ICA had a raffle this year to raise funds for BRU COLUMBANUS in Cork.  This is a home from home where people, who have seriously ill relatives in any Cork Hospital or Hospice,  can stay overnight for free.
The draw for prizes was held on Weds. 24th March at Cumann na Daoine.  Here are the results of the draw: Photo: Michael Hussey YoughalOnline.com

1st    Prize     EASTER HAMPER                             Rosemary Mathews
2nd                 Basket of Vichy Beauty Products      Davy Foley
3rd                  Bottle of Brandy                                    Ciss Walsh
4th                  Fruit Basket                                            Kitty Ronayne
5th                  Biscuits and Wine                                 Anna Swayne
6th                  Mini Hamper                                          Mary Lynch

The Committee and members of the Youghal ICA Guild wish to thank the public for supporting them in their fundraising for this worthy cause.  Thanks also to all who sold tickets, who donated prizes or helped in any other way to made this fundraising event a success.  The ICA would also like to acknowledge their appreciation to Ken Brooks and the staff of Supervalu  for facilitating the sale of tickets on their premises.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend John Magee, Bishop of Cloyne.

On 24 March  2010  it was announced by the Holy See that Bishop Magee had formally resigned from his duties as Bishop of Cloyne and was now bishop emeritus and that Archbishop Clifford will remain as apostolic administrator until the appointment of a full time successor to the Cloyne diocese. Photos: YoughalOnline.com

Responding to the announcement from the Vatican, Archbishop Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly and Apostolic Administrator to the Diocese of Cloyne said, “I would like to thank Bishop John Magee for the cooperation he has given me since my appointment as Apostolic Administrator to the Diocese of Cloyne on 7 March 2009.”

“I wish him all God’s blessings in his retirement.  I ask for the continued prayers and support of the lay faithful, priests and religious of the Diocese of Cloyne for all those who have suffered abuse.”

Cardinal Brady said, “I wish to acknowledge the long and varied ministry of Bishop John Magee in the Church.  I thank him for his contribution to the work of the Irish Bishops’ Conference over the past twenty years, particularly in the area of liturgy.  I assure him of my prayers at this time and wish him good health in his retirement.”

“However, foremost in my thoughts in these days are those who have suffered abuse by clergy and those who feel angry and let down by the often inadequate response of leaders in the Church.”

Bishop John Magee submitted his resignation in the wake of the controversy that followed disclosures concerning child abuse in his diocese.

Bishop’s resignation accepted

Dr Magee stood aside last March after it was revealed he did not follow proper child protection guidelines. Today’s announcement was made at 11am in the form of a press release issued through the Irish Bishops’ Conference, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co Kildare.

The short statement read: “His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend John Magee, Bishop of Cloyne. This announcement was made today in Rome at 12:00 local time.”

In a statement issued from the Cloyne diocesan centre, Dr Magee (73) welcomed the acceptance of his resignation. He extended his “sincere apologies” to any person who was abused by “any priest” during his time as bishop, “or at any time”.

“To those whom I have failed in any way, or through any omission of mine have made suffer, I beg forgiveness and pardon. As I said on Christmas Eve 2008 after the publication report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, I take full responsibility for the criticism of our management of issues contained in that report,” Dr Magee said.

He said he would continue to be available to the Government commission of Investigation into child protection procedures in the diocese “at any time”.

Dr Magee added he “sincerely hopes” that the work and the findings of the Commission “will be of some help towards healing for those who have been abused.” Dr Magee once served in Rome as personal secretary to Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul I and Pope John Paul II.

In a statement today, the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland said he wished to acknowledge the “long and varied ministry” of Dr Magee in the Church.

Cardinal Seán Brady said: “I thank him for his contribution to the work of the Irish Bishops’ Conference over the past twenty years, particularly in the area of liturgy. I assure him of my prayers at this time and wish him good health in his retirement.”

He added: “However, foremost in my thoughts in these days are those who have suffered abuse by clergy and those who feel angry and let down by the often inadequate response of leaders in the Church.”

Archbishop Dermot Clifford, who was appointed apostolic administrator to the Cloyne diocese and is Ireland’s longest serving Catholic Archbishop, said: “I would like to thank Bishop John Magee for the co-operation he has given me since my appointment as Apostolic Administrator to the Diocese of Cloyne on 7 March 2009.

“I wish him all God’s blessings in his retirement. I ask for the continued prayers and support of the lay faithful, priests and religious of the Diocese of Cloyne for all those who have suffered abuse.”

Dr Magee’s decision to stand aside from the governance of Cloyne diocese was applauded last March by the Boston-based lay Catholic group Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) as “an example of accountability for bishops everywhere”.

PASTORAL LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER
POPE BENEDICT XVI
TO THE CATHOLICS OF IRELAND

1. DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE CHURCH IN IRELAND, it is with great concern that I write to you as Pastor of the universal Church. Like
yourselves, I have been deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable young people by members of the Church in Ireland, particularly by priests and religious. I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way
Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them.

As you know, I recently invited the Irish bishops to a meeting here in Rome to give an account of their handling of these matters in the past and to outline the steps they have taken to respond to this grave situation. Together with senior officials of the Roman Curia, I listened to what they had to say, both individually and as a group, as they offered an analysis of mistakes made and lessons learned, and a description of the programmes and protocols now in place. Our discussions were frank and constructive. I am confident that, as a result, the bishops will now be in a stronger position to carry forward the work of repairing past injustices and confronting the broader issues associated with the abuse of minors in a way consonant with the demands of justice and the teachings of the Gospel.

2. For my part, considering the gravity of these offences, and the often inadequate response to them on the part of the ecclesiastical authorities in your country, I have decided to write this Pastoral Letter to express my closeness to you and to propose a path of healing, renewal and reparation. It is true, as many in your country have pointed out, that the problem of child abuse is peculiar neither to Ireland nor to the Church. Nevertheless, the task you now face is to address the problem of abuse that has occurred within the Irish Catholic community, and to do so with courage and determination. No one imagines that this painful situation will be resolved swiftly. Real progress has been made, yet much more remains to be done. Perseverance and prayer are needed, with great trust in the healing power of God’s grace.

At the same time, I must also express my conviction that, in order to recover from this grievous wound, the Church in Ireland must first acknowledge before the Lord and before others the serious sins committed against defenceless children. Such an acknowledgement, accompanied by sincere sorrow for the damage caused to these victims and their families, must lead to a concerted effort to ensure the protection of children from similar crimes in the future.
As you take up the challenges of this hour, I ask you to remember “the rock from which you were hewn” (Is 51:1). Reflect upon the generous, often heroic, contributions made by past generations of Irish men and women to the Church and to humanity as a whole, and let this provide the impetus for honest self-examination and a committed programme of ecclesial and individual renewal. It is my prayer that, assisted by the intercession of her many saints and purified through penance, the Church in Ireland will overcome the present crisis and become once more a convincing witness to the truth and the goodness of Almighty God, made manifest in his Son Jesus Christ.

3. Historically, the Catholics of Ireland have proved an enormous force for good at home and abroad. Celtic monks like Saint Columbanus spread the Gospel in Western Europe and laid the foundations of medieval monastic culture. The ideals of holiness, charity and transcendent wisdom born of the Christian faith found expression in the building of churches and monasteries and the establishment of schools, libraries and hospitals, all of which helped to consolidate the spiritual identity of Europe. Those Irish missionaries drew their strength and inspiration from the firm faith, strong leadership and upright morals of the Church in their native land.
From the sixteenth century on, Catholics in Ireland endured a long period of persecution, during which they struggled to keep the flame of faith alive in dangerous and difficult circumstances. Saint Oliver Plunkett, the martyred Archbishop of Armagh, is the most famous example of a host of courageous sons and daughters of Ireland who were willing to lay down their lives out of fidelity to the Gospel. After Catholic Emancipation, the Church was free to grow once more. Families and countless individuals who had preserved the faith in times of trial became the catalyst for the great resurgence of Irish Catholicism in the nineteenth century. The Church provided education, especially for the poor, and this was to make a major contribution to Irish society. Among the fruits of the new Catholic schools
was a rise in vocations: generations of missionary priests, sisters and brothers left their homeland to serve in every continent, especially in the English-speaking world. They were remarkable not only for their great numbers, but for the strength of their faith and the steadfastness of their pastoral commitment. Many dioceses, especially in Africa, America and Australia, benefited from the presence of Irish clergy and religious who preached the Gospel and established parishes, schools and universities, clinics and hospitals that served both Catholics and the community at large, with particular attention to the needs of the poor.In almost every family in Ireland, there has been someone – a son or a daughter, an aunt or an uncle – who has given his or her life to the Church. Irish families rightly esteem and cherish their loved ones who have dedicated their lives to Christ, sharing the gift of faith with others, and putting that faith into action in loving service of God and neighbour.

4. In recent decades, however, the Church in your country has had to confront new and serious challenges to the faith arising from the rapid transformation and secularization of Irish society. Fast-paced social change has occurred, often adversely affecting people’s traditional adherence to Catholic teaching and values. All too often, the sacramental and devotional practices that sustain faith and enable it to grow, such as frequent confession, daily prayer and annual retreats, were neglected. Significant too was the tendency during this period, also on the part of priests and religious, to adopt ways of thinking and assessing secular realities without sufficient reference to the Gospel. The programme of renewal proposed by the Second Vatican Council was sometimes misinterpreted and indeed, in the light of the profound social changes that were taking place, it was far from easy to know how best to implement it. In particular, there was a well-intentioned but misguided tendency to avoid penal approaches to canonically irregular situations. It is in this overall context that we must try to understand the disturbing problem of child sexual abuse, which has contributed in no small measure to the weakening
of faith and the loss of respect for the Church and her teachings. Only by examining carefully the many elements that gave rise to the present crisis can a clear-sighted diagnosis of its causes be undertaken and
effective remedies be found. Certainly, among the contributing factors we can include: inadequate procedures for determining the suitability of candidates for the priesthood and the religious life; insufficient human, moral, intellectual and spiritual formation in seminaries and novitiates; a tendency in society to favour the clergy and other authority figures; and a misplaced concern for the reputation of the Church and the avoidance of scandal, resulting in failure to apply existing canonical penalties and to safeguard the dignity of every person. Urgent action is needed to address these factors, which have had such tragic consequences in the lives of victims and their families, and have obscured the light of the Gospel to a degree that not even centuries of persecution succeeded in doing.

5. On several occasions since my election to the See of Peter, I have met with victims of sexual abuse, as indeed I am ready to do in the future. I have sat with them, I have listened to their stories, I have acknowledged their suffering, and I have prayed with them and for them. Earlier in my pontificate, in my concern to address this matter, I asked the bishops of Ireland, “to establish the truth of what happened in the past, to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from occurring again, to ensure that the principles of justice are fully respected, and above all, to bring healing to the victims and to all those affected by these egregious crimes”
(Address to the Bishops of Ireland, 28 October 2006).

With this Letter, I wish to exhort all of you, as God’s people in Ireland, to reflect on the wounds inflicted on Christ’s body, the sometimes painful remedies needed to bind and heal them, and the need for unity, charity and mutual support in the long-term process of restoration and ecclesial renewal. I now turn to you with words that come from my heart, and I wish to speak to each of you individually and to all of you as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

6. To the victims of abuse and their families You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated. Many of you found that, when you were courageous enough to speak of what happened to you, no one would listen. Those of you who were abused in residential institutions must have felt that there was no escape from your sufferings. It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel. At the same time, I ask you not to lose hope. It is in the communion of the Church that we encounter the person of Jesus Christ, who was himself a victim of injustice and sin. Like you, he still bears the wounds of his own unjust suffering. He understands the depths of your pain and its enduring effect upon your lives and your relationships, including your relationship with the Church. I know some of you find it difficult even to enter the doors of a church after all that has occurred. Yet Christ’s own wounds, transformed by his redemptive sufferings, are the very means by which the power of evil is broken and we are reborn to life and hope. I believe deeply in the healing power of his self-sacrificing love – even in the darkest and most hopeless situations – to bring liberation and the promise of a new beginning.

Speaking to you as a pastor concerned for the good of all God’s children, I humbly ask you to consider what I have said. I pray that, by drawing nearer to Christ and by participating in the life of his Church – a Church purified by penance and renewed in pastoral charity – you will come to rediscover Christ’s infinite love for each one of you. I am confident that in
this way you will be able to find reconciliation, deep inner healing and peace.

7. To priests and religious who have abused children You betrayed the trust that was placed in you by innocent young people and their parents, and you must answer for it before Almighty God
and before properly constituted tribunals. You have forfeited the esteem of the people of Ireland and brought shame and dishonour upon your confreres. Those of you who are priests violated the sanctity of the sacrament of Holy Orders in which Christ makes himself present in us and in our actions. Together with the immense harm done to victims, great damage has been done to the Church and to the public perception of the priesthood and religious life.

I urge you to examine your conscience, take responsibility for the sins you have committed, and humbly express your sorrow. Sincere repentance opens the door to God’s forgiveness and the grace of true amendment. By offering prayers and penances for those you have wronged, you should seek to atone personally for your actions. Christ’s redeeming sacrifice has the power to forgive even the gravest of sins, and to bring forth good from even the most terrible evil. At the same time, God’s justice summons us to give an account of our actions and to conceal nothing. Openly acknowledge your guilt, submit yourselves to the demands of justice, but do not despair of God’s mercy.

8. To parents
You have been deeply shocked to learn of the terrible things that took place in what ought to be the safest and most secure environment of all. In today’s world it is not easy to build a home and to bring up children. They deserve to grow up in security, loved and cherished, with a strong sense of their identity and worth. They have a right to be educated in authentic moral values rooted in the dignity of the human person, to be inspired by the truth of our Catholic faith and to learn ways of behaving and acting that lead to healthy self-esteem and lasting happiness. This noble but demanding task is entrusted in the first place to you, their parents. I urgeyou to play your part in ensuring the best possible care of children, both at home and in society as a whole, while the Church, for her part, continues to implement the measures adopted in recent years to protect young people in parish and school environments. As you carry out your vital responsibilities, be assured that I remain close to you and I offer you the support of my prayers.

9. To the children and young people of Ireland I wish to offer you a particular word of encouragement. Your experience of the Church is very different from that of your parents and grandparents. The world has changed greatly since they were your age. Yet all people, in every generation, are called to travel the same path through life, whatever their circumstances may be. We are all scandalized by the sins and failures of some of the Church’s members, particularly those who were chosen especially to guide and serve young people. But it is in the Church that you will find Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday,
today and for ever (cf. Heb 13:8). He loves you and he has offered himself the cross for you. Seek a personal relationship with him within the communion of his Church, for he will never betray your trust! He alone can satisfy your deepest longings and give your lives their fullest meaning by directing them to the service of others. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and his goodness, and shelter the flame of faith in your heart. Together with your fellow Catholics in Ireland, I look to you to be faithful disciples of ourLord and to bring your much-needed enthusiasm and idealism to the rebuilding and renewal of our beloved Church.

10. To the priests and religious of Ireland
All of us are suffering as a result of the sins of our confreres who betrayed a sacred trust or failed to deal justly and responsibly with allegations of abuse. In view of the outrage and indignation which this has
provoked, not only among the lay faithful but among yourselves and your religious communities, many of you feel personally discouraged, even abandoned. I am also aware that in some people’s eyes you are tainted by association, and viewed as if you were somehow responsible for the misdeeds of others. At this painful time, I want to acknowledge the dedication of your priestly and religious lives and apostolates, and I invite you to reaffirm your faith in Christ, your love of his Church and your confidence in the Gospel’s promise of redemption, forgiveness and interior renewal. In this way, you will demonstrate for all to see that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (cf. Rom 5:20).

I know that many of you are disappointed, bewildered and angered by the way these matters have been handled by some of your superiors. Yet, it is essential that you cooperate closely with those in authority and help to ensure that the measures adopted to respond to the crisis will be truly evangelical, just and effective. Above all, I urge you to become ever more clearly men and women of prayer, courageously following the path ofconversion, purification and reconciliation. In this way, the Church in Ireland will draw new life and vitality from your witness to the Lord’s redeeming power made visible in your lives.

11. To my brother bishops
It cannot be denied that some of you and your predecessors failed, at times grievously, to apply the long-established norms of canon law to the crime of child abuse. Serious mistakes were made in responding to allegations. I recognize how difficult it was to grasp the extent and complexity of the problem, to obtain reliable information and to make the right decisions in the light of conflicting expert advice. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that grave errors of judgement were made and failures of leadership occurred. All this has seriously undermined your credibility and effectiveness. I appreciate the efforts you have made to remedy past mistakes and to guarantee that they do not happen again. Besides fully implementing the norms of canon law in addressing cases of child abuse, continue to cooperate with the civil authorities in their area of competence. Clearly, religious superiors should do likewise. They too have taken part in recent discussions here in Rome with a view to establishing a clear and
consistent approach to these matters. It is imperative that the child safety norms of the Church in Ireland be continually revised and updated and that they be applied fully and impartially in conformity with canon law.

Only decisive action carried out with complete honesty and transparency will restore the respect and good will of the Irish people towards the Church to which we have consecrated our lives. This must
arise, first and foremost, from your own self-examination, inner purification and spiritual renewal. The Irish people rightly expect you to be men of God, to be holy, to live simply, to pursue personal conversion daily. For them, in the words of Saint Augustine, you are a bishop; yet with them you are called to be a follower of Christ (cf. Sermon 340, 1). I therefore exhort you
to renew your sense of accountability before God, to grow in solidarity with your people and to deepen your pastoral concern for all the members of your flock. In particular, I ask you to be attentive to the spiritual and moral lives of each one of your priests. Set them an example by your own lives, be close to them, listen to their concerns, offer them encouragement at this difficult time and stir up the flame of their love for Christ and their commitment to the service of their brothers and sisters.

The lay faithful, too, should be encouraged to play their proper part in the life of the Church. See that they are formed in such a way that they can offer an articulate and convincing account of the Gospel in the midst of modern society (cf. 1 Pet 3:15) and cooperate more fully in the Church’s life and mission. This in turn will help you once again become credible leaders and witnesses to the redeeming truth of Christ.

12. To all the faithful of Ireland
A young person’s experience of the Church should always bear fruit in a personal and life-giving encounter with Jesus Christ within a loving, nourishing community. In this environment, young people should be
encouraged to grow to their full human and spiritual stature, to aspire to high ideals of holiness, charity and truth, and to draw inspiration from the riches of a great religious and cultural tradition. In our increasingly secularized society, where even we Christians often find it difficult to speak of the transcendent dimension of our existence, we need to find new ways to pass on to young people the beauty and richness of friendship with Jesus Christ in the communion of his Church. In confronting the present crisis, measures to deal justly with individual crimes are essential, yet on their own they are not enough: a new vision is needed, to inspire present and future generations to treasure the gift of our common faith. By treading the path marked out by the Gospel, by observing the commandments and by conforming your lives ever more closely to the figure of Jesus Christ, you will surely experience the profound renewal that is so urgently needed at this time. I invite you all to persevere along this path.

13. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is out of deep concern for all of you at this painful time in which the fragility of the human condition has been so starkly revealed that I have wished to offer these words of encouragement and support. I hope that you will receive them as a sign of my spiritual closeness and my confidence in your ability to respond to the challenges of the present hour by drawing renewed inspiration and strength from Ireland’s noble traditions of fidelity to the Gospel, perseverance in the faith and steadfastness in the pursuit of holiness. In solidarity with all of you, I am praying earnestly that, by God’s grace, the wounds afflicting so many individuals and families may be healed and that the Church in Ireland may experience a season of rebirth and spiritual renewal.

14. I now wish to propose to you some concrete initiatives to address the situation.At the conclusion of my meeting with the Irish bishops, I asked that Lent this year be set aside as a time to pray for an outpouring of God’s mercy and the Holy Spirit’s gifts of holiness and strength upon the Church in your country. I now invite all of you to devote your Friday penances, for a period of one year, between now and Easter 2011, to this intention. I ask you to offer up your fasting, your prayer, your reading of Scripture and your works of mercy in order to obtain the grace of healing and renewal for the Church in Ireland. I encourage you to discover anew the sacrament of Reconciliation and to avail yourselves more frequently of the transforming power of its grace.

Particular attention should also be given to Eucharistic adoration, and in every diocese there should be churches or chapels specifically devoted to this purpose. I ask parishes, seminaries, religious houses and
monasteries to organize periods of Eucharistic adoration, so that all have an opportunity to take part. Through intense prayer before the real presence of the Lord, you can make reparation for the sins of abuse that have done so much harm, at the same time imploring the grace of renewed strength and a deeper sense of mission on the part of all bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful.

I am confident that this programme will lead to a rebirth of the Church in Ireland in the fullness of God’s own truth, for it is the truth that sets us free (cf. Jn 8:32).

Furthermore, having consulted and prayed about the matter, I intend to hold an Apostolic Visitation of certain dioceses in Ireland, as well as seminaries and religious congregations. Arrangements for the Visitation, which is intended to assist the local Church on her path of renewal, will be made in cooperation with the competent offices of the Roman Curia and the Irish Episcopal Conference. The details will be announced in due course.

I also propose that a nationwide Mission be held for all bishops, priests and religious. It is my hope that, by drawing on the expertise of experienced preachers and retreat-givers from Ireland and from elsewhere, and by exploring anew the conciliar documents, the liturgical rites of ordination and profession, and recent pontifical teaching, you will come to a more profound appreciation of your respective vocations, so as to rediscover the roots of your faith in Jesus Christ and to drink deeply from the springs of living water that he offers you through his Church.

In this Year for Priests, I commend to you most particularly the figure of Saint John Mary Vianney, who had such a rich understanding of the mystery of the priesthood. “The priest”, he wrote, “holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of his goods.” The Curé d’Ars understood well how greatly blessed a community is when served by a good and holy priest: “A good shepherd, a pastor after God’s heart, is the greatest treasure which the good Lord can grant to a parish, and one of the most precious gifts of divine mercy.” Through the intercession of Saint John Mary Vianney, may the priesthood in Ireland be revitalized, and may the whole Church in Ireland grow in appreciation for the great gift of the priestly ministry.

I take this opportunity to thank in anticipation all those who will be involved in the work of organizing the Apostolic Visitation and the Mission, as well as the many men and women throughout Ireland already working for the safety of children in church environments. Since the time when the gravity and extent of the problem of child sexual abuse in Catholic institutions first began to be fully grasped, the Church has done an immense amount of work in many parts of the world in order to address and remedy it. While no effort should be spared in improving and updating existing procedures, I am encouraged by the fact that the current safeguarding practices adopted by local Churches are being seen, in some parts of the world, as a model for other institutions to follow.

I wish to conclude this Letter with a special Prayer for the Church in Ireland, which I send to you with the care of a father for his children and with the affection of a fellow Christian, scandalized and hurt by what has occurred in our beloved Church. As you make use of this prayer in your families, parishes and communities, may the Blessed Virgin Mary protect and guide each of you to a closer union with her Son, crucified and risen. With great affection and unswerving confidence in God’s promises, I cordially impart to all of you my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of strength and peace in the Lord.

From the Vatican, 19 March 2010, on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH IN IRELAND

God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal, the charity which purifies and opens our hearts to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment
to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness,
holiness and generous service to society.

Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,
inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal
for the Church in Ireland.

May our sorrow and our tears,
our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,
and our firm purpose of amendment
bear an abundant harvest of grace
for the deepening of the faith
in our families, parishes, schools and communities,
for the spiritual progress of Irish society,
and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace
within the whole human family.
To you, Triune God,
confident in the loving protection of Mary,
Queen of Ireland, our Mother,
and of Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid and all the saints,
do we entrust ourselves, our children,
and the needs of the Church in Ireland.

Amen.

Students from the CIT course ‘Arts Participation and Development: Creative Approaches to Global Learning and Action’ Margaret Hayes, Martha Cashman, Niamh O Mahony and Grace McDwyer in conjunction with Cork Penny Dinners are holding a coffee morning in the newly renamed River Lee Hotel (formerly known as Jurys Cork Hotel) on the Western Rd.

The coffee morning will be held in the Weir Room on Saturday the 27th of March.

The coffee morning is open to all from 12 am to 3 pm and the Penny Dinners website will be formerly launched by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

Penny Dinners Cork, is a caring organisation funded solely by voluntary contributions, and have been serving Dinner to those in need in Cork since the 1840s. They offer a nourishing midday meal to all those in need, in exchange for a small coin, Approximately 30 meals are served a day. Financially they have been very hard hit by the recession and flood damages and even more dependant on voluntary contributions.

At the coffee morning there will be tea and coffee and a delicious array of cakes and there will also be fabulous raffle prizes on the day. It is an opportunity for the volunteers and friends of Cork Penny Dinners to catch up with all the exciting plans that are in train to keep Penny Dinners serving the people of Cork for another 100 years.

Brian Hogan is the son of Noel and Assumpta Hogan, Youghal, and even though he was interested in acting when he finished school, he worked in various jobs and positions until when, in his late 20’s, he played a small part in Youghal in the John B Keane play, Many Young Men of Twenty. And that was that! Report: Denise Fitzgerald. Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

He studied various courses with the Gaiety School of Acting and studied film technique which, ultimately, led him to a role in Fair City. Making a career out of acting, Brian has since performed in shows such as Dancing at Lughnasa, The Glass Menagerie and Guys ‘n’ Dolls.

As fate would have it, Brian recently met Sean O’Neill, Playwright and Director, who also has firm roots in Youghal. Sean had written a play entitled The Passion, the World Premier of which is to be performed at the Mall Arts Centre, Youghal, from March 30th through until April 3rd.

Brian told the East Cork Journal that Sean asked him how he would feel about playing seven different characters in ‘The Passion’. “At first I found it exciting and extremely challenging to pull this off and make it work,” Brian said. “As a result of further discussions with Sean I was reassured that, with the correct approach and dedication, this would work.

Sean gave me the script, which I read, and it was then I realized I had a formidable challenge ahead of me. This was the first time I had come across a script that made me question my decision to become an actor. However, having expressed my concerns to Sean he instructed me to allow the characters to naturally evolve and to stop rushing towards the characters and allow the characters to come to me”.

Brian has obviously taken Sean’s good advice to heart and, after weeks of intensive rehearsals, he is very confident that this play will be something never seen before in Youghal. Having such a professional and competent, all-local team involved in the production is a great support and encouragement to Brian, who is now looking forward with great ‘passion’ to performing in his home town again.

Doors open at 7.30pm with complimentary wines, teas and coffees for the opening night. Tickets available at Cree’s Card Shop.