Re: Re: reorganisation and destruction of irish catholic churches

Describing The Place of Worship as a Directory is also problematic – but we sahll return to that at another time.

It seems strange that POW, which has been around in three editions since 1966, has never had the anomoly of its canonical status sorted out by the Irish Episcopal Conference. Are we to infer from this a lack of political will to do so or simply a lack of interest in authentic liturgy?

I am not sure who was responsible for the first manifestation of POW. The second edition (1972) was the responsibility of Cathal Daly when Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. The third (1993) edition is closely associated with Joe Duffy, Bishop of Clogher. Given the phenomenal gutting done by both of these gentlemen respectively on Longford and Monaghan cathedrals, you will understand my hesitation to underwrite anything associated with them that might be seen in the slightest way to legitimate their acts of cultural vandalism. Just look at St Macartan’s in Monaghan and at St. Mel’s in Longford!!