EVERY parish in Ireland is to be informed by the Archdiocese of Tuam that the activities of Co. Mayo ‘visionary' Christina Gallagher does not have the approval of the Catholic Church.Ms. Gallagher, who is originally from Knockmore, Ballina, founded the House of Prayer at Achill Sound in 1988 but has fallen out of favour with Church authorities since.
The former housewife claims to have the stigmata - wounds of the crucified Christ - on her hands and feet.
Tens of thousands have flocked to the Achill House of Prayer over the years and the flow of pilgrims has continued despite the decision of the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Michael Neary, to ban Sunday Masses there.
Ms. Gallagher's stated desire "to save the world from Satan" has led her to decision to open a chain of prayer houses worldwide.
Initially, the Tuam Archdiocese sent a warning to the Hierarchy in the United States that they did not regard her or the House of Prayer as credible and requesting that they not support her.
Now, following damaging claims in the Sunday World newspaper, which have been denied by Ms. Gallagher's supporters, the warnings about her activities have been extended to Ireland.
The paper claimed that Ms. Gallagher has been amassing wealth on foot of her religious activities.
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Tuam confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) that every parish priest in the country is being asked to inform their congregations that Ms. Gallagher's group has "no ecclesiastical approval whatsoever."
Ms. Gallagher claims to have received messages from Our Lady warning of worldwide calamaties "leading to the third world war" and asking that she set up a chain of prayer houses throughout the world.
Christina Gallagher was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
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