Bishop Fintan Monahan urges pedestrians to be safe as clocks go back this bank holiday weekend

26 Oct 2018

  • Blessing of Roads’ ceremony to take place at Cathedral on Saturday

Bishop Fintan Monahan urges all road users to take extra care – especially pedestrians – over this October bank holiday weekend in the Republic.

Bishop Monahan said, “All human life is both sacred and fragile. Alarmingly, for 2018 to date, 120 people have died on our roads.  The largest cohort of deaths relate to drivers at 52, followed by pedestrians at 32, then passengers at 18, motorcyclists at 11 and pedal cyclists at 7.  This loss of life is avoidable.”

Bishop Monahan continued, “I firmly believe that prayer and reflection can change our driving behaviour, calm our aggression, remind us of the spiritual, moral and physical importance of what we are about to do.

“Bank holiday weekends are high risk times on our roads and especially so as clocks go back this weekend.  In this context, pedestrians are particularly vulnerable and have a responsibility to be visible.  Road deaths are preventable with care, attention and vigilance.  It is always heart-breaking for me to hear of a life lost on our roads.  Each of us has a responsibility when we get behind the wheel to ensure we are not putting lives at risk”.

After 6.30pm Mass in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis, Co Clare, this Saturday a ‘Blessing of the Roads’ ceremony will be performed and prayers offered for the safety of all road users. 

Bishop Monahan recommends the following dedicated prayers for motorists which can be said before driving:

 17th century paidir as Gaeilge

In ainm an Athar le bua,
In ainm an Mhic a d’fhulaing an phian,
In ainm an Spiorad Naoimh le neart,
Muire is a Mac linn inár dtriall. Áiméan!

A contemporary prayer in the English language

Holy Mother, hear our prayer,
Keep us in your loving care,
Whatever the perils of the way,
Let us not add to them this day.
So to our caution and attention,
We add a prayer for your protection,
To beg God’s blessing on this car,
To travel safely near and far.
Amen.

ENDS

Notes to Editors 

o    Bishop Fintan Monahan is Bishop of Killaloe