Youghal invited to celebrate return of restored church organ – By Christy Parker

YOUGHAL METHODIST CHURCH is inviting the wider to community to join ‘Come Celebrate and Sing,’ an evening of carols and recitals celebrating the restoration of their church organ. The night, will take place in Methodist Church, Friar Street on Wednesday December 14th.

The organ in question is a two-manual (keyboard) Megahy pneumatic instrument, constructed by the legendary Cork organ builders of the same name, over 100 years ago. Its façade carries 75 pipes with very many more behind it. For half its life it would have been operated by hand pump before an electric motor was installed.

However the years took their toll and earlier this year the melodious monument fell into some disrepair. As the Megahy firm no longer trades, the Church recruited organ builders Kenneth Jones & Associates of Kilcoole in Co. Wicklow to conduct repairs. “The work took about three months to complete in Wicklow and we are extremely happy to see the organ restored to its splendid, original form,” says Gordon Good, who carries the title of Property Steward for the Youghal church.

The restoration cost ran into tens of thousands of euros and was met by private benefactors. It is regarded as money well spent.  There is pride and admiration in Gordon’s voice when he quotes the restorers’ summary that describes the organ as “almost all pipe work of spotted metal, which is superb for organ pipe construction and gives finest quality and tone.” That description alone transcends religious relevance and casts the organ into the realms of valuable Youghal heritage.

The upcoming ‘welcome home’ celebration will bring the talents of Ian Sexton to the keyboard in a cross-denomination exercise. Ian is the Organist & Master of The Clerks Choral of Youghal’s Collegiate Church of Saint Mary the Virgin. He also tutors at the Department of Music, UCC and director of a mixed voice chamber choir dedicated to repertoire before 1750.

On a night on which some readings may also be shared, the attendance will further have an opportunity to donate to the Youghal St, Vincent de Paul Society as they leave the church. “We hope the townspeople in general will come and share what will be a joyful night, just eleven days before Christmas,” invites Gordon.

Come Celebrate and Sing is at the Methodist Church, Friar Street on Wednesday December 14th ,f commencing at 8 pm.

A LEADING priest has launched a broadside against the Catholic Church hierarchy, saying they are sticking their heads in the sand over a number of crucial issues, such as women priests.

Fr Joe McGuane, who is based in Youghal, Co Cork, warned that if the current church regime continued, Mass attendances in Ireland would soon be reduced to small groups of old women.

His comments came as relations between the church and the Government sank to a historic low after Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore confirmed the forthcoming shutdown of Ireland’s embassy in the Vatican.

The financial problems facing the church could leave some clerics “filling supermarket shelves at night or on the dole if they have bad backs,” the priest said.

In a hard-hitting assessment of the crisis that now faces the church, he warned: “The Papal Nuncio knows as much about the abuse-rocked Diocese of Cloyne as a cow knows about a holiday.”

Fr McGuane said that some Dublin parishes now had greater populations than some west of Ireland dioceses.

He said the Eucharistic Congress, to be held in Dublin next summer, was “designed as a distraction”, with interest in it — on a scale of one to a 100 — ranking as minus three.

He added: “Priests will have to drag themselves along to — I suppose — the Phoenix Park or Croke Park for a ridiculous jamboree, and dragoon as many parishioners as possible along with them.”

Fr McGuane told the Irish Independent that he took no pleasure in his assessment of the problems facing the church — but warned that those problems could only be overcome with honesty, courage and transparency.

He said a crucial issue now facing the church was the role of women.

“We are the only profession that excludes women; the only one who insists that it (the vocation) is for life.

“Unless we have married women, we will soon have tiny numbers.

“But then they will only be catering for a few, so I suppose there is no need to panic. Furthermore, there will be income only for a few.

Leadership

“Is it any wonder we are in the mess we are in? Seventeen years after the late Brendan Smyth was convicted of child sexual abuse, not alone are we still at square one but we have actually gone backwards.

“This is because of our dearth of leadership,” he said. “Our prelates are, by and large, incapable of initiative and innovation. They are almost entirely bereft of ideas. They have no idea what to do.”

The Diocese of Cloyne did not respond to Fr McGuane’s comments last night.

Fr McGuane — who is chaplain at the St Raphael’s Centre — insisted that the church’s problems started at the top.

“There have been proposals that all bishops appointed before Diarmuid Martin should resign. This would be useless while the present system of appointments is in place. Clones would replace them,” he said.

“They, in turn, would appoint similar clones to all positions and their characteristic would be blind knee-jerk unconditional obedience, no matter how stupid the instruction.”

- Ralph Riegel

Irish Independent

www.independent.ie

“Taken to Youghal on 31st October 1602, he was marched by a troop of soldiers through the streets to the place of execution”

Blessed Dominic Collins (1566-1602) Irish martyr, Jesuit brother
When the Desmond Rebellion was put down in 1583, Dominic Collins of Youghal became a professional soldier in the Catholic armies of Europe. Ten years later he joined the Jesuits in Santiago de Compostela. Sent back to Ireland in 1601 as a companion to Fr James Archer SJ with the Spaniards going to Kinsale, he was eventually captured and put to death for his faith. Patrick Duffy tells his story.

Early life: a soldier of fortune
Dominic Collins was born into a leading Catholic family in Youghal, Co Cork in 1566. Both his father and his brother served as mayor in the town.and he may have attended the Jesuit school set up in the town in 1577.
The local people recognised Elizabeth as Queen, but did not want Anglicanism as the new religion. So when the Desmond Rebellion was crushed (1583), there was little else for a young Catholic man of ambition to do but to seek a career on the continent. Sailing to France, Dominic enlisted in the Catholic army of the Duke of Mercoeur and quickly became a military governor. He later transferred to the Spanish army and was in the garrison at La Coruña.

Joins the Jesuits
Here in 1598 he met the Jesuit priest, Father Thomas White from Clonmel, who had earlier founded the Irish College at Salamanca and had come to La Coruña to hear the confessions of Irish soldiers during Lent. Dominic confided in Fr White his intention of joining the Jesuits. Fr White explained the difficulties of studies for the priesthood. Dominic said was happy to be a Jesuit brother.
The Jesuits were reluctant to accept him, feeling that a battle-hardened soldier would not settle into religious life, but Dominic persevered and was admitted to the novitiate in Santiago de Compostela. Here he proved his mettle when the Jesuit College was struck by a plague. Dominic tended the victims, nursing some of them back to health and comforting the others in their last hours.
A report sent to Rome at this time describes him as a man of sound judgment and great physical strength, mature, prudent and sociable, though inclined to be hot-tempered and obstinate.

Battle of Kinsale
At this time Ireland was in turmoil. O’Neill and O’Donnell had revolted in Ulster and in 1601 King Philip III of Spain decided to send an army to help them. An Irish Jesuit, Father James Archer, who was acting as O’Neill’s envoy with Rome and Spain, asked that Dominic, who knew the needs of soldiers, be sent with him to Ireland.

Siege of Dunboy Castle
After the shock defeat of the Irish and the Spanish at the Battle of Kinsale, Fr Archer went back to Spain. Dominic went with O’Sullivan Beare’s men to the Beara peninsula and was along with a group of 143 soldiers under the command of Richard McGeoghegan, who took refuge inside Dunboy Castle. This was a small square fortress on the mainland overlooking Beare Island. Here Lord Carew, the president of Munster and an army of 4,000 soldiers besieged them for several months.
During the siege, Dominic, though a veteran of many battles, could not as a religious take part in the fighting, but he could and did give bodily and spiritual assistance to the wounded and the dying. Knowing too how keen Carew would be to capture a Jesuit, he thought that by handing himself over as a hostage he could negotiate an honourable cease-fire. But Carew refused any negotiations and the besieged surrendered. Carew ordered Dominic and two others to be kept prisoners while the rest were hanged in the market-place, fifty-eight on that day, and the remaining twelve four days later. A plaque on the ruins of Dunboy Castle today commemorates their brave struggle.

Interrogation and torture
The three surviving prisoners were brought to Cork for interrogation. As the other two had little to reveal, they were soon executed. But Carew interrogated Collins, hoping he could persuade him to become a Protestant and thus gain a propaganda victory.  He alternately tortured Dominic and made him primises of preferment to high ecclesiastical office. Some of Dominic’s own family visited him, urging him to save his life by pretending a conversion which he could afterwards repudiate. But Dominic would have none of it, and clearly made a choice of a martyr’s death.
Martyrdom
Taken to Youghal on 31st October 1602, he was marched by a troop of soldiers through the streets to the place of execution – the first time he had seen his home town in fifteen years. He wore his black Jesuit gown and addressed the crowd in Spanish, Irish and English, cheerfully telling them that he had come to Ireland to defend the faith of the Holy Roman Church, the one true path to salvation. So moved were the crowd that the hangman fled and a passing fisherman was forced to do the job.
Influence
Left hanging on the gallows, the rope eventually broke and Dominic’s body fell to the ground. Under cover of darkness, local Catholics took his body away and buried him with respect in a secret place. From that day he was venerated as a martyr in Youghal and his fame quickly spread throughout Ireland and Europe. In the Irish Colleges of Douai and Salamanca the Jesuits showed his portrait and many favours and cures were attributed to his intercession.
Although used to the rough life of the army camp, Dominic always kept a strange innocence and gentleness. He is one of the most attractive of all the Irish martyrs.

Information courtesy www.catholicireland.net

Join us to pray the novena to Blessed Dominic Collins

9 days of prayer which begins on Sunday 23rd October and finishes Monday 31st October, Feast of Blessed Dominic Collins

Mass will be celebrated in Holy Family Church, Youghal, in his honour at 7.30pm

All Welcome & light refreshments after

A priest in the scandal-hit diocese of Cloyne in Co Cork has urged his fellow clerics to speak out and defy the “culture of fear” that pervades the Catholic Church.

Fr Joseph McGuane has become the first ordinary cleric in Cloyne to comment on the child abuse controversies that rocked the diocese and the entire church in Ireland.

Fr McGuane – who is a chaplain in St Raphael’s Centre, a community hospital in Youghal – said ordinary people were very angry that “justice has taken a back seat”.

“The leadership has sailed us into a perfect storm and there must be a new way of thinking to get us out,” he said.

“The church is in a bigger crisis now than it was back in 1994 when the Fr Brendan Smyth scandal brought down the government.”

Fr McGuane argued that the church needed to totally transform itself and guarantee greater transparency.

But he acknowledged that ordinary diocesan clerics faced the task of rolling back “a culture of cover-up and dictatorship”.

“It would be a great help if my peers spoke out – sadly, I am the only one.

“There is a culture of fear within the diocese. Good people are afraid of the repercussions if they do speak out – it is hard to break ranks,” he said.

The cleric said that the emphasis within the church has been on authority and control from the top down, with desperately negative consequences.

Fr McGuane also hit out at former Bishop John Magee, who vanished weeks before the Cloyne report was published.

The whereabouts of the Newry-born bishop, a former private secretary to three Popes, is still a mystery.

In Dr Magee’s absence, Archbishop Dermot Clifford of Cashel and Emly had to handle queries over the shocking revelations in the Cloyne Report last month.

Fr McGuane said it was now clear that Dr Magee should have resigned three years ago when Cloyne’s problems over its handling of clerical abuse allegations were first highlighted by the church’s own watchdog body, the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children (NBSC).

“I said back in 2009 that Bishop Magee should resign,” Fr McGuane said. “The head of FAS, the Taoiseach, the Financial Regulator and the heads of the banks all fell on their swords. Why should it be any different in the church?”

Fr McGuane insisted there was hope for the future and said men of “courage” like Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin have signalled the way forward.

 

Monday, 8 August 2011

www.belfasttelegraph

Sinn Féin TD for Cork East Sandra McLellan has welcomed the Government response to the Cloyne Report, but said that the deeds which made it necessary were a shameful disgrace.

Speaking in the Dáil today on an all-party motion Deputy McLellan said:

“What astonishes most people with regards this report is that it related to a time when the Catholic Church in Ireland had put in place detailed procedures for dealing with child sexual abuse, and during a period of constant revelations with regards child abuse by priests. Best practice as contained in guidelines and rules doesn’t matter one iota if there isn’t implementation. There was abject failure on behalf of the church and to a lesser degree the state.”

She added:

“I am very glad that the Government have taken issue with the disgraceful lack of engagement by the Papal Nuncio with the Commission and the outrageous interference of the Vatican in matters of child protection in this state. I welcome the Government’s stated priority of bringing abusers to justice and in particular the appointment of the Assistant Commissioner to examine the possibility of doing this. In addition, I would make a personal call on all abuse victims to go straight to the Gardaí as the body best able to deal with allegations of abuse.”

“Sinn Féin are heartened by the ‘Children First’ child protection guidelines being placed on a statutory footing. The government has made firm commitments following the Cloyne report. We are determined to see that these commitments are delivered upon.

She concluded:

“This has been a long and painful chapter in Irish history and the reports and investigations are set to continue. We must make sure that no child, from this day forth, is ever subjected to the horrors visited on the victims detailed in this and previous reports. This must end. Immediately.”

Wed, Jul 13, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Sinn Féin’s TD for East Cork, Sandra McLellan, says the Cloyne Report highlights a disgraceful litany of concealment and evasion by the Catholic Church.

Commenting on the publication of the Cloyne Report, Deputy McLellan said:

“The Cloyne Report provides a window into a very dark and shameful episode in our recent past. It is a shocking indictment, above all, of the Catholic Church, which ignored its own guidelines and procedures designed to protect children from child abuse. What is especially shocking is that this report brings the clerical sexual abuse scandal right up to 2009.”

“Instead of a policy of child protection the Church implemented a policy of deliberate cover-up, concealment and evasion. Their obvious priority was the protection of the institution of the church while the lives of children were being destroyed.”

“I extend my deepest sympathy to the victims of these despicable acts. The publication of this report is undoubtedly a painful reminder for them. The Government must ensure that the lessons of this Report are learned.”

Welcoming the Government’s commitment to act on the recommendations of the Report, Deputy McLellan said:

“I welcome the strong response of the Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald and the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter to this Report. The commitment to place the Children First guidelines on a statutory basis and to legislate on the issue of soft information is very welcome.”

 

Classroom crucifix ban overturned

Friday March 18 2011

A ruling banning religious symbols in classrooms has been overturned by human rights judges.

Victory for the Italian government came in an appeal against an earlier verdict by the same court in which a mother won her case that the display of crucifixes in Italian state schools breached religious freedoms enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights.

 

If upheld on Friday, the decision would have affected religious schools across Europe.

But a “Grand Chamber” of the European Court of Human Rights completely reversed the original result, declaring that the judges could find no evidence that the crucifix placed on classroom walls influenced pupils.

The National Secular Society (NSS) said the final outcome was a severe blow to the rights of parents not to expose their children to promotion of a particular faith.

NSS executive director Keith Porteous Wood said: “This is a severe blow to the concept of state neutrality in relation to religion, and to secularism. It flies in the face of Europe’s increasing plurality and diversity and risks damaging the (human rights) court’s previous reputation of treating all citizens equally.”

But the UK Independence Party’s Paul Nuttall welcomed the result, saying: “It was the right judgment but in the wrong court.

“The European Court of Human Rights should never have attacked the rightful autonomy of the Italian state, nor undermined the religious freedom, culture, history and identity of its people.”

The original, unanimous, court decision in 2009 was a victory for Soile Lautsi, a non-Catholic mother who complained that her children, aged 11 and 13, were exposed to crucifixes in classrooms at their school in northern Italy.

But Friday’s 15-2 majority verdict decided that, “while the crucifix is above all a religious symbol, there is no evidence before the court that (its) display on classroom walls might have an influence on pupils”.

Press Association

Youghal’s streets turned green for St. Patrick’s Day 2011

The sun shone brightly on the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Youghal which was, again, organised by the Youghal Pipe Band, under the supervision of piper Michael McCarthy. The colourful parade began at 3.00pm at the north end of the town at Dolphin Square, where all the different floats, clubs, societies and business displays assembled. Photo: Kevin Power/ Will McGoldrick/Michael Hussey/David Farrell/Kieran McCarthy for www.youghalonline.com

Thousands of people crammed the streets to see the colourful dancers, marching bands, theatre troupes and local groups proudly showcasing the cultural diversity of the town, which was the highlight of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebration.

The Youghal town councillors, including newly-elected TD, Sandra McLellan, and Mayor of Youghal, Mary Linehan-Foley, cheered the parade as it passed the town hall with adults and children alike waving tri-colours, shamrocks, leprechaun hats and fancy dress costumes in forty shades of green.

Youghal Pipe Band leader Michael McCarthy who organised the event said, “We were very pleased with the support for this year’s event. The weather was fantastic and everybody was in great form. The floats, displays and input from clubs and organisations was particularly good this year and made it very difficult for the judging committee to pick the best floats. I would like to thank all sponsors and everyone who helped to make this event such a resounding success. It was great to see the event broadcasted live again this year by YoughalOnline.com and local broadcaster Shane Supple and cameramen Kieran McCarthy and David Farrell deserve great credit.”

Well done to the Youghal Pipe Band in organising a very successful St. Patrick’s Day parade and we look forward to next year’s event. Beidh an craic nócha!

Youghal Pipe Band leader Michael McCarthy made a special presentation to Ken Brooke from Brookes Super Valu in recognition of his sponsorship of the event each year.

Best Float

The prize for best float went to Perks Entertainment Centre with Youghal Credit Union receiving second place prize.

Best Banner

Tweenies won the prize this year for the Best Banner with second place going to Youghal Disability Group.

Best Culture Group

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eochaille won the Best Culture Group in this year’s parade.

Best Juvenile Group

Youghal Cubs claimed the title of Best Juvenile Group while Chatterbox came second place.

Best Marching Group

Youghal Pipe Band won the award for best Marching Group.

Best Club Display

Youghal Vintage

Best Business Display

Greenbarn

Best Colourful Display

Condon’s Florists

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE IN YOUGHAL 2011 – Photo: Kevin Power/ Will McGoldrick/Michael Hussey/Kieran McCarthy for www.youghalonline.com

Satire on parade for St. Raphael’s Centre early St. Patrick’s Day parade.

ST. RAPHAEL’S CENTRE, YOUGHAL, adopted a satirical stance when it held its second annual St. Patrick’s Day two days early, yesterday. (Tuesday March 15th 2011). The parade took ‘Empty Pockets’ as a theme and over 40 clients, staff, friends and locals paraded through the grounds carrying token symbols of the country’s dire journey towards the financial rocks.
Report – By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Aided by the centre’s arts department, the imaginative creations included a large brown envelope, a giant empty pocket, a miniature ghost estate and emigrant-carrying aeroplanes. €540bn notes were also dispersed, though not, diplomatically, in the brown envelope. “We decided to hold the parade early as it can be difficult for residents to access the main parade on a bank holiday,” explained art therapist John McHarg.

Local piper Christy McCarthy from the Youghal Pipe Band led the procession. St. Patrick himself officiated and in the true spirit of Christianity, declined to comment on the unholy mess various vipers had made of the country he converted.
Click on image to start slide show of the St. Patrick’s Day parade