The Diocese of Down and Connor has revealed that it is to investigate the sale of mass cards being sold across Belfast because of concerns raised about their "authenticity" by a local newspaper. According to the Andersonstown News newspaper, the "Spiritual Gift" mass bouquets are being sold right across the city and are produced by the MCC company based in Longford and owned by Thomas McNally.
The company recently failed in its bid to challenge the newly enforced 2009 Charities Act that bans the retail sale of pre-signed mass cards unless approved by a Catholic bishop or head of a religious order.
In November the Bishop of Mpanda (Tanzania) Dr William Pascal Kikoti requested the company to stop using his name, as did Father Bernard Latus, a Polish priest based in the Diocese of Roseau in the West Indies, and Fr Joseph Nzelu of the Diocese of Kitui in Kenya.
According to information that emerged during the court case in October 2009, 100,000 cards have been sold in Father Latus' name and he received about one per cent of the mass stipends.
The Belfast Media Group was able to buy a mass card with Father Latus' name on it on the Antrim Road and Andersonstown Road.
Speaking to the Anderstown News newspaper, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Down and Connor Fr Edward Magee said he was very concerned to hear that people were paying for mass cards and that they may not be legitimate.
”I would question the authenticity of these mass cards and the diocese will be investigating this matter further. This has not been done with the approval of the diocese and I would encourage people to report sales of these cards to their local clergy.”
“The Catholic Church would seriously discourage anyone from purchasing a card unless they are sure of its source,” Fr Magee added.
”There are very tight regulations over the sale of mass cards. They should be signed by a priest and after that, the intention and donation are given to the priest who will celebrate the mass. Each priest has the capacity to sign a mass card and a careful record is kept of who it is being said for and where the donation will be sent. When a priest's name is printed on a card how can you be sure the mass will be said? And is the money being passed on?"
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