The three Augustinian priests who concelebrated Mass with a Church of Ireland rector in Drogheda on Easter Sunday, in commemoration of the 1916 Rising and the Battle of the Somme, have apologised unreservedly to Catholic Church authorities and given an undertaking not to do so again, writes Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent.
A statement released by the Augustinian Order last night read: "The Irish Province of the Augustinian Order deeply regrets the pain, confusion and damage caused as a result of the Easter Sunday Eucharistic celebration at its church in Drogheda.
"The three Augustinians involved - Fr Richard Goode, Fr Ignatius O'Donovan and Fr Noel Hession - having reflected on the seriousness of their actions, have written to the Archbishop of Armagh, Archbishop Seán Brady; to the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto; and to Fr Robert Prevost, the Prior General of the Augustinian Order, who is resident in Rome. Their letter apologises unreservedly for the ill-considered celebration and gives an absolute commitment as to future conduct in matters liturgical.
"In an effort to bring closure to the issue, neither the Augustinians involved nor the Augustinian Order, will be making any further statement in relation to the matter."
An accompanying statement from the Catholic Primate Archbishop Seán Brady said: "On 18 April last I undertook to seek further details about the exact circumstances regarding the celebration of Easter Sunday Mass at the Augustinian Priory in Drogheda, in commemoration of the 1916 Rising.
"I welcome today's statement of the Irish Province of the Augustinian Order and the expression of regret which it contains. I have received correspondence from Fr Goode, Fr O'Donovan and Fr Hession, and I note in particular their undertaking to respect the discipline of the church regarding the celebration of the Eucharist in future. We are all aware of the pain caused by the divisions among Christians and of the need to constantly recommit ourselves to pray and work patiently for the healing of those divisions."
Contacted by The Irish Times last night, the Church of Ireland rector at St Peter's in Drogheda, the Rev Michael Graham, who took part in the concelebrated Mass, said: "I respect and understand the position of all Augustinian priests involved. I will continue to pray for the visible unity of the church." Last week the Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames said as far as he was concerned the controversy over the concelebrated Mass was "totally closed".