There were no pictures of Bono or U2 flashed up on screen during last night's "U2charist" at Dublin's St George's and St Thomas's church. "He has enough worship as it is," said organiser Greg Fromholz.
However, the Church of Ireland service did feature six songs from the band. Hits such as I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and One were sung by the Discovery Gospel Choir and accompanied short films and a light show that wouldn't have been out of a place at a U2 concert.
This was Ireland's first U2-themed liturgy. It follows a trend that started in the US in 2004 which has since spread across the world, in which the group's more spiritually laden lyrics are used to enthuse the congregation. For some services, Bono's words have been reshaped into prayers while the band's image flashed on screens.
"I've never heard of such a popular rock band who can hardly go one song without mentioning Jesus," said Mr Fromholz, of the diocesan youth initiative 3Rock.
Last night, however, visions of Bono were banned. "People do say it's very gimmicky," said the Rev Katharine Poulton, rector of St George's and St Thomas's. "So, we wanted to stay away from it being about the worship of Bono. It's not. It's a service to God, with U2 music taking the place of traditional hymns."
The service was approved by Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough, the Most Rev John Neill.
