Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Fr Tom Ryan (left), pictured with Skycourt manager Pat Kelly, Canon Brendan O’Donoghue and Fr Arnold Rosney. c/o Fr Tom Ryan
mercy on the mall

Priests visit shopping centre to hear confessions

Priests have been inspired by Pope Francis to reach out to people in new ways.

TWENTY PRIESTS ARE going to be available to hear confession at the SkyCourt Shopping Centre in Co Clare on 8 December.

Shannon parish priest Fr Tom Ryan told TheJournal.ie that the Mercy on the Mall initiative is to mark the opening of the Year of Mercy.

Fr Ryan said he was inspired by Pope Francis’ call for priests to “go to marketplace and proclaim the story of god”.

He said he has organised for 20 priests to be available at various locations throughout the shopping centre from 1-6pm on 8 December for “a confession, a chat, a blessing or a prayer”.

Fr Ryan said that if the event is successful it could be repeated throughout the country.

Pope Francis tells us get up and go out and meet the people where they’re at.

Fr Ryan noted that the Year of Mercy coincides with the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the second Vatican Council, which encouraged priests to reach out to people in new ways, adding:

“The church doesn’t move very fast with anything … this could be a new way of preaching the gospel.”

SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly told the Irish Catholic he was very keen to facilitate the idea.

“It gives Christmas shoppers an opportunity to do their shopping under one roof and avail of the opportunity to meet with a priest and have a chat in a neutral environment where they are comfortable,” he said.

Read: Nurses at Beaumont to start work-to-rule the week before Christmas

Read: The IFA’s president is gone after a week-long pay scandal

Your Voice
Readers Comments
122
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.