Updated: Special Masses/Prayers of Thanksgiving in Ireland for Pope Benedict XVI

21 Apr 2005

PRESS RELEASE

21 APRIL 2005

UPDATED: SPECIAL MASSES/PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING IN IRELAND

FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Following the election on Tuesday afternoon of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
as Pope Benedict XVI, the following arrangements have been made in dioceses
for Masses and Prayers of Thanksgiving for our new Holy Father:

Achonry: Prayers for Pope Benedict XVI will be said at Masses in the diocese
on Sunday 24th April.

Armagh: The Archbishop of Armagh Dr Sean Brady will celebrate Mass on
Friday 22nd April 2005 in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at 7.30pm.

Clogher: The Bishop of Clogher Dr Joseph Duffy will celebrate Mass for
Pope Benedict XVI in St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan on Monday 25th
April 2005 at 8.00pm.

Cloyne: The Bishop of Cloyne Dr John Magee has asked all the faithful
of the diocese to come together in each parish on the evening of Thursday
28th April 2005 for a special Mass for Pope Benedict XVI.

Dromore: Bishop John McAreavey will celebrate a special Mass on Sunday
24th April 2005 in Newry Cathedral at 10.00am.

Dublin: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will celebrate a Solemn Mass of
Thanksgiving at the Pro-Cathedral Dublin on Friday 22nd April at 5.45pm.
The Mass will be celebrated in the presence of His Excellency Archbishop
Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland and the Diplomatic Corps.

Ferns: Bishop Eamonn Walsh, Apostolic Administrator of Ferns will celebrate
Mass in St Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on Saturday 23rd April
2005 at 7.00pm. Bishop Walsh has also asked the priests of the diocese to
celebrate Masses in their parishes in the coming days asking God’s blessing
on the new Pope.

Limerick: Bishop Donal Murray will celebrate Mass in St John’s Cathedral,
Limerick on Sunday 24th April 2005 at 7.00pm. Bishop Murray has also
requested that priests celebrate Mass for the Pope in every parish
between now and the weekend.

Meath: Bishop Michael Smith will celebrate the 8.30 am Mass in the Cathedral
of Christ the King, Mullingar on Sunday 24th April 2005 for Pope Benedict
XVI. Bishop Smith has also asked that prayers of thanksgiving for the
new pope be offered at all Masses in the diocese on the same day .

Raphoe: Bishop Philip Boyce will celebrate a special Mass in St Eunan’s
Cathedral, Letterkenny, at 7.30pm on Friday, 22 April 2005 and he has
asked every parish in the diocese to have a special Mass for Pope Benedict
XVI on a convenient day.

Waterford and Lismore: Bishop William Lee will celebrate a special Mass
in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford at 5.40pm on Monday
25th April 2005 and he has asked every parish in the diocese to have a
special Mass for Pope Benedict XVI on a convenient day.

ends
21st April 2005

Further information:

Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)