The placing of "unacceptable" adverts seeking a priest to say Mass in an isolated south Doengal church has led the Bishop of Raphoe, Most Rev. Dr Philip Boyce to revoke an agreement he had with parishioners.The remote St Colmcille's chapel at Laghey Barr near Ballintra is once again the subject of controversy.
This week Bishop Boyce removed control of the property from parishioners only seven months after he placed it in their care. A letter from the bishop of Raphoe was read out by parish priest Fr Seamus Dagens at Mass in the main parish church, St Bridget's Ballintra.
In his letter, the Bishop said the church was handed over to the Laghey Barr community last september, as a pastoral gesture. The community could use and take care of the local church building and invite a priest occasionally to celebrate Mass.
His letter stated that the experiment had not worked. Mass was celebrated very frequently in contravention of the agreement and "unacceptable" adverts seeking priests to celebrate Mass had been placed in newspapers.
He informed parishioners that all permissions granted to the Laghey Barr community were revoked with effect from last Monday. He added that the situation was now as it was before last September, with Fr Dagens as parish priest, being responsible for the church building and for any liturgical celebrations he may "deem fit" to hold there.
Last September Fr Dagens tendered his resignation after his plans to sell the Chapel was opposed by up to 50 parishioners.
The parish priest had planned to use the proceeds of the sale of Hill-top Chapel to boost community funds and help extend Laghey National School.
When the Chapel was passed to the care of the local community the row was settled and Fr Dagens withdrew his resignation.
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(Source: FFPVT)