Neary warns of double standards over respect for religions

Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary has warned against double standards when it comes to respect for religions other than Christianity about which, he said, people seemed free to say anything.

"Anyone who dishonours the faith of Israel, its image of God or its great figures must pay a fine. The same is true for anyone who insults the Koran and the convictions of Islam. But when it comes to Jesus Christ and that which is sacred to Christians there seems to be a different standard; freedom of expression knows no limits," he said.

“We have become accustomed to Christianity being marginalised in the public domain, instanced by the banning of Christian symbols in certain quarters,” he said. Attempts were being made “to reshape the values of the Irish people in ways that are fundamentally opposed to the gospel,” he said.

Speaking at the summit of Croagh Patrick during the 10.30am Mass there this morning he asked whether “in our commendable endeavour to become more understanding of the values of others have we lost our capacity to uphold and respect our own values?”

He said that “ if all we can see in our own religious tradition is the negative and destructive then we are no longer capable of recognising what is good, wholesome, life-giving and positive in any religion or culture. The reality is that we can only value the sacred traditions of others with respect if we have an appreciation of our own sacred traditions. In this way we can enable others to reclaim what is best in their heritage.”

He spoke as tens of thousands of pilgrims climbed the mountain on the annual Reek Sunday pilgrimage.

Situated eight kilometers south west of Westport, Croagh Patrick’s distinctive conical shape rises 764 metres above Clew Bay. According to the eighth century Book of Armagh, St Patrick fasted on its summit for 40 days and 40 nights in 441 AD and also built a church there.

At the end of his fast St Patrick threw a silver bell down the side of the mountain which knocked she-demon Corra from the sky into a lake at its base, since known as Lough na Corra, and that he then banished all snakes from.

In 1903 then Archbishop of Tuam John Healy revived the pilgrimage and on July 20th 1905 an oratory at the mountain summit was completed and dedicated.

Until 1974 the pilgrimage took place through the night, providing one great advantage, people couldn’t see the distance ahead or the sheer angle of the last third of the climb. It also meant many were at the summit to witness the spectacular sunrise over Clew Bay on a clear day.

The night-time climb was discontinued by the bishops in 1974 for safety reasons.

Last September the Lonely Planet's 1,000 Ultimate Adventures ranked climbing Croagh Patrick as its ultimate pilgrimage.