Archbishop Eamon Martin invites people across the island to pray ‘For Ireland and for Humanity’

Archbishop Eamon Martin invites people across the island to pray ‘For Ireland and for Humanity’

 

The Prayer service will be live-streamed on the Armagh Diocesan Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArchdioceseOfArmagh/

 

You, or a representative, are invited to attend a special prayer service ‘For Ireland and for Humanity’, led by Archbishop Eamon Martin, to commemorate the visit to Ireland of Pope Saint John Paul II in 1979, and of the Holy Father Pope Francis in 2018.  Details: 

 

Date and time:           Sunday 29 September 2019 at 5.00pm

Venue:                         Papal Cross outside Drogheda, Co Louth, Archdiocese of Armagh

In attendance:           Archbishop Eamon Martin, parishioners and priests

Background:              The faithful of the Archdiocese of Armagh and of the Diocese of Dromore will pray in their local parishes at the same time as Archbishop Eamon Martin will lead a prayer service using the text delivered by the Pope Saint John Paul II on 29 September 1979 in Drogheda.

 

Speaking ahead of the prayer service, Archbishop Eamon said, "The tragedy of violence and conflict continues in many parts of the world today.  In particular, Ireland, north and south, is going through a period of political and economic uncertainty and the imminent introduction of very liberal abortion legislation in Northern Ireland continues to give grave cause for concern.  Creating and maintaining a peaceful society is core to the mission of our Church.  We will use the same prayer service that Pope Saint John Paul II used to pray for peace and reconciliation in Drogheda, forty years ago.  It is the perfect prayer for us during these troubled and uncertain times.  Some of the key themes of the pontificates of Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Francis focus on the protection of human rights, violence in society, and the promotion of peace in society.  All are welcome.”

 

To commemorate both the 40th anniversary of the visit of Pope Saint John Paul II in 1979, and the first anniversary of the visit of Pope Francis in 2018, people across Ireland are invited to join with Archbishop Eamon Martin for this special prayer service.  Priests and parishioners in the two dioceses will join with Archbishop Eamon at the Papal Cross as well as in services in their own parishes to be held at the same time: 5.00pm this Sunday, 29 September.