A proposal by a bishop to confirm all children in his diocese in a football pitch next year has had a mixed reaction.
The Bishop of Clogher, Dr Joseph Duffy, has sent a letter to schools across the large diocese of Clogher suggesting that all 1,500 sixth-class pupils be confirmed on the same date next year. The date will be May 21st and the venue will be St Tiernach's Park GAA stadium in Clones, Co Monaghan.
Dr Duffy says he feels this would be an appropriate way to celebrate confirmation at the start of the new millennium. "I think it would celebrate the unity of the church in the diocese."
He stressed there was no question of the new format being forced on people and was anxious to receive feedback from parents, schools and principals before a decision was made.
"Letters were sent to the schools before the summer holidays. In recent weeks I'm aware a lot of people have wakened up to the idea and are asking questions about it. Some people are not happy."
He said if there were sufficient numbers in favour of the proposal, it would go ahead and an alternative would be organised for those against it.
Some parents have reservations about the proposal. They are particularly concerned about the impact the weather might have on an open-air ceremony. They also feel that the bishop would not be able to anoint all the children and lay his hands on them individually.
Dr Duffy said he would be assisted by priests in confirming the children which "is quite a legitimate way of doing it".
As for the weather, he said it could be a problem but one could only hope for the best.
Ms Patricia McQuillan, a teacher at St Michael's National School, Anyalla, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, said the parents and children of her school were very excited about the ceremony.
"They realise it will be a special year for them and that it will be talked about for years to come."
However, a parent who contacted the Marian Finucane programme on RTE radio yesterday said her 12-year-old son was very annoyed at the suggestion that he should be confirmed on a GAA pitch. "It smacks of the bishop and priests being way off beat when it comes to knowing what young people want."
Another anonymous caller said there was absolute uproar in some parts of the diocese, with families believing clothes on which they spent considerable sums would be ruined on the wet turf.