Archbishop to lead prayers for ‘uncertain times’

Amidst renewed uncertainty around Brexit and an attempt by Westminster to impose abortion on the North, Archbishop Eamon Martin has announced plans to lead prayers at the Papal cross near Drogheda to mark the 40th anniversary of the visit of St John Paul II to Ireland.

Speaking at Mass in Newry, Co. Down at the weekend with the Polish community to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II, Archbishop Eamon insisted that the Church “consistently highlights the fundamental right to life and speaks out against all attacks on innocent human life – including from abortion and euthanasia”.

Archbishop Eamon said that to “mark both the visit of Pope Francis to our country one year ago, and the 40th anniversary of Pope St John Paul’s visit, I will lead a short prayer service ‘For Ireland and for Humanity’ on September 29 next at 5pm at the Papal cross near Drogheda.

“I invite the faithful in the Diocese of Dromore and the Archdiocese of Armagh to join me by coming together at the same time in their parishes,” he said.

The archbishop said he hoped that people will echo the prayer of John Paul II in 1979 when he asked people to pray to protect humanity.

“It is the perfect prayer for us during these troubled and uncertain times for Ireland – north and south,” Archbishop Eamon said.