A Church of Ireland minister concelebrated Mass with three Catholic priests at the Augustinian priory in Drogheda Co Louth on Sunday to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, write Patsy McGarry and Paul Murphy
Last night Rev Michael Graham, rector at St Peter's Church in Drogheda, said he had been invited to do so by the former Augustinian prior there, Fr Iggy O'Donovan. Also taking part in the Mass were the current prior Fr Richard Goode and Fr Noel Hession, another member of the Augustinian community there.
Between 15 and 20 members of Rev Graham's congregation attended the Mass also and received Communion. Last night Rev Graham said the event, which had not been widely flagged, had been "a wonderful occasion." He had shared in the consecration "in all its fullness" and raised the chalice as did the other concelebrants.
Rev Graham was greeted with prolonged applause by the large congregation when he appeared on the altar. He later told the worshippers that "this is the first public celebration in Drogheda of the Eucharist by a Catholic priest of the Anglican tradition in a Catholic church of the Roman tradition since the Reformation."
In his homily Fr O'Donovan said "we seem to be living mid-way between an age which is dying and another which is waiting to be born. There are, however, some pointers to the way which lies ahead.
"We are joined here today by members of our sister Church of Ireland, and we thank them for the gift and encouragement of their presence among us."
He continued that "the Christian church of the future has to be one in which the different traditions are united in a shared service of the Risen Christ and in which we are enriched not threatened by our differences. That is why I am delighted to welcome Rev Michael Graham and members of his congregation here today."
Also in attendance were the Mayor of Drogheda Cllr Tommy Murphy, members of the borough council, representatives of the Garda, and former Fianna Fail minister Padraig Faulkner