Monday, July 16, 2012

Archbishop hits out at drink culture that marred Park gig

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has condemned Ireland’s drink culture that marred the recent Phoenix Park concert where nine people were stabbed in separate assaults.

In his homily as he celebrated Mass at the Pro-Cathedral yesterday, the Dublin archbishop referred to the mayhem that erupted during the Swedish House Mafia show. 

The gig saw 33 arrests and 70 charges of public order, and drink and drug-related offences being brought before the courts.

Gardaí are conducting an in-depth review into all aspects of the trouble.

Dr Martin said the apostles were sent out to bring the good news and "with authority over unclean spirits".

He said Christians must spread the message of Jesus in such a way that it enabled individuals and the community to be free from things in our culture that entrapped and burdened them.

He said the vision the apostles presented was the very opposite to a consumerist-driven society rushing for the non-essential and almost "divinisation" of the superfluous and the transient in life, which in the long term led to emptiness.

"The peaceful yet purposeful journey of the apostles contrasts with any culture of violence and of the emptiness of a culture of drink which has left its mark on society in Dublin in these days, hurting the weak and the vulnerable."

Archbishop Martin said the Church community should be a model of human living of the good and a signpost to lead society away from the "demons of our own day".