THE restored cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow was rededicated in a 2 1/2 hour ceremony yesterday afternoon.
In his homily, the main celebrant, the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Dr Laurence Ryan, referred to the controversy which preceded the cathedral's restoration.
He said the reordering was "indeed painful for many of us" and it was not easy for people "to sever their attachment to furnishings which had special associations for them over the years".
Many people, he said, were able to overcome their nostalgia and accept that what was involved in the restoration meant no disrespect "for furnishings which had meant so much for their devotion in the past". The only purpose of the changes was to give new life to the worship which is celebrated in the cathedral "now and by future generations".
He paid tribute to those people who had been open to compromise in the controversy and had accepted the revised design. He hoped yesterday's ceremony "will bring to us all the grace to speed whatever healing is still needed" among those who do not share the belief that the renovation was necessary.
The restoration started eight months ago following prolonged opposition from a group of people who objected to the removal of the Blessed Sacrament from its traditional place on the main altar and to the removal of the pulpit.
A forum of people, including the author and researcher, Dr Miriam Hederman O'Brien, Mr Frank O'Rourke, former executive of the Bank of Ireland and the Dublin architect, Mr Derek Green, were called in to make a recommendation and propose a compromise. It included leaving the Blessed Sacrament on the main altar and relocating the pulpit to a heritage centre nearby.
A small group continued to oppose these changes and brought the matter unsuccessfully to the High Court and the Supreme Court.
Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday, Dr Ryan said he hoped that when this group of people saw the restored cathedral they would accept the restoration was worthwhile.
Among the senior clergy officiating yesterday were the Papal Nuncio, Dr Luciano Storero; the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell; the Bishop of Ossory, Dr Laurence Forristal; the Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Dr Eamonn Walsh, and the Vicar General of the Diocese of Ferns, Father Lory Kehoe. Representing the Methodist community was the Rev George McFarlane. Members of the Church of Ireland were also present.
In a statement at the weekend, the Friends of Carlow Cathedral said they regretted Bishop Ryan had proceeded "with the destruction of the historic interior of the cathedral despite the opposition of the majority of people here".
The most impressive span of carved altar rails in Ireland, a carved timber pulpit from the people of Bruges and a mosaic floor were gone, and the stained glass east window, which was made in Munich, had been covered it said.
