A Derry based priest has urged caution against buying Mass cards from corner shops that are signed by unknown, and in some cases "non -existent priests."Speaking this week to the Derry Journal Newspaper Fr Michael Canny, who is Administrator at St. Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry, said people should be careful when buying pre-signed Mass cards.
He said, “Requesting a Mass for a particular intention is centuries old and deeply rooted in parish life and for some curious reason seems to meet a need in people. However, it should be remembered that other prayers are also of great value. When going to a wake house people feel the need to bring a Mass card. Perhaps the carrying and handing over of a Mass card helps them in some curious way to feel more comfortable. It should be remembered that going to the wake and saying a prayer is also of great value.”
Father Canny suggested people could write a note to the family of the dead person saying they will attend Mass and say prayers themselves.
“This would be a very welcome change from buying the Mass card from the corner shop signed by some unknown and in some cases nonexistent priest,” he added “As with all other things in life people should be careful especially when getting pre-signed Mass cards.”
Referring to Section 99 of the Charities Act 2009 recently introduced in Ireland which stated that the sale of pre-signed Mass Cards in shops, as opposed to directly from the Catholic Church has been a matter of public concern for some time, Father Canny said: “The concerns are twofold: one, will a Mass actually be offered in respect of the specific intention offered, and two, is there an element of profit behind the sale of such cards?”“This is not the first time that pre-signed Mass Cards that are on sale in shops have come to the attention of Bishops and Government."
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