Final Mass after failed bid to save Catholic church

TEARS were flowing when the last Mass of the season was held at a Llyn Catholic church which is earmarked for closure.

Earlier this year, the Bishop of Wrexham, Peter Brignall, published a reorganisation plan which will see 22 of its 60 places of worship closing, which includes Sant Garmon in Abersoch.

The decision has angered many users of the church and a petition, organised by the Friends of Sant Garmon, has been sent to the Pope asking him to help stop its closure.

“Sant Garmon is unique,” said Sue Roberts, the administrator of the Friends of Sant Garmon who have rallied to the cause. 

“It is a holiday church not only for the congregation but also for priests. Priests can come to Sant Garmon for a ‘busman’s holiday’ in exchange for celebrating Mass at weekends.
“Churches in other parts of the diocese are being closed because of lack of priests. This does not apply to Sant Garmon. They come here from all over, one even came here this year from Chicago.

“Closing Sant Garmon does not make sense, it fulfils a real demand from Catholic holidaymakers all over the Llyn Peninsula and it has more than paid its way over the years”.

A spokesperson for the Wrexham Diocese said: “The bishop acknowledges that some within the church will find the Pastoral Plan painfully challenging but its purpose will be to inspire, renew and strengthen the faith of all believers.”