The 11 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin was disrupted by a pro-Palestinian protest on Sunday.
Videos circulating online show around thirty predominantly elderly protesters who walked up the church aisle carrying a variety of placards and photographs on 22 December. They arrived after Holy Communion, just as the choir had made its way to the base of the sanctuary where they would normally sing. The protest prevented the choir from fulfilling its choral duty.
The priest celebrating the Mass made an appeal to the protesters, saying: “The Irish people have not been silent, and the Irish people have supported the voice and actions of our government. I would also like you to know that the Catholic community living in Gaza is especially in our thoughts and prayers.”
His statement was met with applause from the congregation.
The priest concluded by saying: “We would be grateful if you would please leave our church as we conclude our liturgy this morning.”
The protesters then left, and the priest was able to finish by making the parish announcements.
A similar event was reported to have occurred at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, two weeks ago.
The protesters remain unidentified, while they are not believed to be connected to the Church. It is unclear why they have specifically targeted Catholic churches, especially when Catholic charities have been at the forefront of providing aid to Gaza.
Trócaire, the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, has been addressing human rights violations and providing humanitarian aid in the Palestinian territories and Israel since 2002.
The Irish Church has also maintained a particularly close relationship with the Church in Gaza during the ongoing conflict. On 21 July, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, celebrated the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass in the Cathedral.
The Catholic Herald confirmed the 22 December incident with cathedral staff, with Fr. Kieran McDermott stating: “I think that it is inappropriate that the celebration of the Eucharist is interrupted for political protest.”
Photo: Pope Francis addresses the congregation at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral during his visit to Ireland to attend the 2018 World Meeting of Families, Dublin, Ireland, 25 August 2018. (Photo credit STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images.)
