Paul KeenanPetition launched in parishes
St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, has launched a petition for the retention of a Catholic chapel at the town’s main hospital.
Following revelations locally that hospital management are in discussions to merge the chapel with those of other faith traditions into a single inter-denominational space, a Chapel retention Committee was formed by concerned Catholics and the idea of a petition proposed.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic this week, Fr Eamon Kelly of St Eunan’s confirmed that the petition will now be issued through churches this weekend for those wishing to defend what he insists is a popular chapel among hospital patients and visitors.
“For many people, the chapel has been a central part of Letterkenny hospital for the past 50 years,” he said. In addition to daily Mass, he added “it is a place people have come to in happy times and sad.” He repeated his appeal for hospital authorities “not to deprive Catholics of their chapel”.
The chapel at Letterkenny has been closed since the building was flooded last July, though this aspect has not been raised as a reason for closing the room.
The Letterkenny petition can also be accessed online at www.raphoediocese.ie