From Catholic News Service

Irish religious leaders express worry after ecumenical Mass

By Cian Molloy, Catholic News Service

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- Catholic and Anglican archbishops in Ireland have expressed concern that an Easter Mass was concelebrated by Catholic priests and a Church of Ireland minister in Drogheda.

The ecumenical celebration was organized by Augustinian Father Ignatius "Iggy" O'Donovan, who teaches history and theology in Rome for six months of the year, to mark the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916, which served as a prologue to the war that won independence from British rule in 1922.

The Mass at the Augustinian priory was concelebrated by Father O'Donovan and two other Augustinian priests, Father Richard Goode and Father Noel Hession, as well as the Rev. Michael Graham of St. Peter Anglican Church in Drogheda. More than a dozen members of the Anglican church attended the Mass.

Rev. Graham told The Irish Times newspaper that the event was "a wonderful occasion" and that he had shared in the consecration "in all its fullness."

Following the newspaper report, the two archbishops of Armagh, Northern Ireland, issued statements expressing their concern.

"True ecumenism is best served by initiatives that are respectful of, and sensitive to, the traditions, ethos and discipline of all those involved," said Catholic Archbishop Sean Brady, primate of all Ireland. "Otherwise there is a real danger of causing widespread confusion, raising false hopes and creating situations that are open to misunderstandings and manipulation."

Anglican Archbishop Robin Eames, head of the Church of Ireland, said he agreed with Archbishop Brady's concerns.

"Unfortunately, such occasions, while well intentioned, can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations at a time when relations between our churches have improved so much," he said.

Speaking on RTE Radio April 19, Father O'Donovan confirmed that he bore sole responsibility for organizing the event. He said that those who quibbled about the difference in understanding about the nature of the Eucharist between the two churches were splitting hairs.

"As far I know it's the first time that Anglican and Catholic ministers had concelebrated Mass together since the Reformation, but the sense of unity at the Mass was palpable," Father O'Donovan said, adding that although he has read the statements no archbishop had contacted him.

At an April 23 Mass in Dublin, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin commented on the controversy, without mentioning it directly.

"Today we are often confronted -- whatever their personal intention -- with individuals who feel that they can create a new image of the message of Jesus on the basis of individualistic gestures, even outside the discipline of the church," he said. "It is even sadder when, as in these days, the Eucharist is chosen as a vehicle for such individualistic gestures.

"The Eucharist is a gift; it is not ours to be used as any individual sees fit," the archbishop said. "Celebration of the Eucharist is an ecclesial act. Ecumenical dialogue must go on with renewed vigor. But the Eucharist is not to be manipulated for personal or social agendas. The pain of division is real, but that pain cannot authentically be overcome by shortcuts."

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