BUSY CATHOLICS WHO haven’t set foot in a confessional are being urged to do so before Easter.

Shoppers and commuters in the capital are being targeted, with what’s essentially a ‘confession blitz’ organised by the Dublin Archdiocese.

Twelve churches in or close to the city centre will be keeping office hours today. They’re opening between 9.30am and 6pm — and again next Saturday.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said the initiative was inspired by a call from Pope Francis earlier this month.

The Pontiff urged Catholics “do not lose another day” and said they should take the opportunity to make their confession whether its been “two days, two weeks, two years , twenty years, forty years?”.

According to the Archdiocese, “there will be a number of confessors available throughout the day so that sufficient time will be available for people to have a conversation about their life”.

These are city churches participating:

• Saint Mary’s, Pro-Cathedral                 
• Saint Andrew’s, Westland Row
• Saint Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street
• Saint Teresa’s, Clarendon Street
• Our Lady Queen of Peace, Merrion Road
• Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Bachelors Walk
• Saint Joseph’s, Berkely Road
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar St.
• Our Lady Refuge of Sinners, Rathmines
• Saint John’s Priory, Johns Lane
• Saint Saviours, Dominick Street
• Saint Mary’s, Haddington Road

Read: Catholic church preparing for priestless parishes

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