CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY has asked GAA clubs to stop scheduling games at the same time as Sunday morning Mass.
The
Primate of All Ireland wrote to GAA leaders in Armagh, Louth, Derry and
Tyrone making the request after priests in the archdiocese raised
concerns about throw-in times, the Irish News reports (print edition).
It’s understood that county games are not held on Sunday mornings, but
lower-level club fixtures sometimes are.
The complaint echoes
concerns raised by the Church three years ago, when it warned there was
an “ever-increasing frequency in the scheduling of underage training
sessions and competitive games on Sunday mornings”.
Calling the clashes a
“conflict of interest”, the Irish Bishops Conference explained: “When
practice sessions or competitions occur repeatedly on Sunday mornings
then a young participant can lose the habit of going to Sunday Mass.”
The Catholic Church confirmed to TheJournal.ie
that Cardinal Brady had made the request after a meeting with clergy.
The four GAA County Boards replied saying they discouraged clubs from
scheduling games at the same time as church services, a spokesperson
added.
Cardinal Brady’s request comes as a Mayo priest has
complained that Croagh Patrick was becoming “secularised” by charity and
sporting events.
Fr Frank Fahey told the Sunday Times that the mountain should keep its “sacred” meaning and
association with the Church.
“There are plenty of other mountains where
many of these events could be held,” he said.