School to withdraw from the sacraments in Irish row

A County Laois Gaelscoil may withdraw its pupils from the celebration of certain sacraments over a disagreement on the use of Irish.

The row centres on 23 children at Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, who have been prepared for the upcoming events of First Penance and First Holy Communion through the medium of Irish.

However, parish priest Monsignor John Byrne has refused to concede to a request from the school to have these services celebrated completely 'as Gaeilge'.

''I have offered a bi-lingual celebration, exactly the same as last year's ceremony to which there was a good reaction. This is about a sacrament and growing up in the Church, it is not a school event and its purpose is not the promotion of Irish. I'm extremely disappointed by this, I hope common sense will prevail and we can sit down and prepare the ceremony in a way that respects everyone,'' Msgr Byrne told The Irish Catholic.

The Chair of the Board of Management at the school, Séamus Ó Ceanainn said the decision was regrettable and was not the preference of the vast majority of parents and children: ''It's to the credit of the parish that Masses are celebrated in other languages and that cultural diversity is acknowledged. We're merely requesting that the annual sacraments for our school continue to be celebrated as Gaeilge. Msgr Byrne is of the opinion that the sacraments are not subject matter for us. Upholding the ethos of any school is very much subject matter for a school management body.''

By way of a compromise, Mr Ó Ceanainn suggests that a visiting priest, proficient in the use of Irish, be allowed to celebrate the sacraments in the parish church.

''Most parents want the celebration of the sacraments as Gaeilge, in their own parish. However, if this cannot be facilitated, parents have expressed willingness to have their children receive the sacraments outside the parish, which is an indication of their disappointment at the moment.''
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