ONE of Ireland’s best-known places of pilgrimage is in danger of losing its authenticity and giving false hope to thousands.Over the last number of weeks Knock Shrine in Co. Mayo has been in the media glare following predictions by a Dublin clairvoyant that the Virgin Mary would appear there.
But members of the Catholic Church have been quick to say that recent events are in danger of undermining the Shrine’s essential message.
Last weekend over 10,000 people descended on the West of Ireland site — around 7,000 people gathered in the Basilica with a further 3,000 people waiting outside.
Father Frank Ryan, parish priest at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in West Kilburn, London did not make the trip and believes that people should not be going in search of a spectacle.
The Portlaoise native, who has been with the parish for four years, said: “I don’t think people should be focusing on this apparition element of Knock.
Knock is a great place for pilgrimage and a great place to go and pray and that is what it should be about. People might want to go for a spectacle but I don’t think that is healthy.
“Looking at it from a mental health point of view, as I work with a number of people facing such issues, it might attract a lot of that kind of person looking for a miracle and it won’t necessarily happen. That is not a good thing.”
He added: “Knock is a great place to go to pray and, from a community point of view, to express your faith and solidarity — that’s all fine, but that is all. The fact that thousands are descending upon it looking for this miracle is not a good thing. I don’t think it’s relevant in relation to what Knock is. It doesn’t send across the right message.
“Pilgrimage is fine, but advertising something that is supposed to happen and then it doesn’t happen is not a good message to be sending out. But I think people who have faith and who go there normally will continue to go there and have not bought into the hype at all.”
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has also said that recent events at the shrine should be regretted rather than encouraged.
In a statement he said: “For 130 years now the pilgrims to Knock have been pilgrims in faith. Such faith makes Knock pilgrims firm in hope and active in love for the sick and suffering.
They do not expect visions or seek further apparitions. It is not healthy, does not give glory to God and certainly is not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena.
“The apparition of 1879 was neither sought nor expected by the humble, honest people who were its astonished witnesses. Their faith reveals the patience and humility that characterises true belief. The Shrine of Knock is living witness to that faith. “Unfortunately, recent events at the Shrine obscure this essential message.
They risk misleading God’s people and undermining faith. For this reason such events are to be regretted rather than encouraged. The Shrine of Knock will be best served by retaining its authentic identity.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
SIC: Irish Post