Parishioners of St Catherine's Church on Meath Street in Dublin marked the official closing of the fire damaged church last Sunday with a 'procession of hope' to the neighbouring St John's Lane Church which will be their place of worship during renovations.
The mid-19th Century church was gutted by a fire that broke out in the crib on January 2, leading to extensive smoke and water damage which could takes years and millions of euro to repair.
On Sunday, Bishop Eamonn Walsh presided over the official closing of the church and the congregation processed from Meath Street with the surviving Easter Candle, the baby Jesus from the crib and a book with the names of the deceased of the parish to St John's Lane Church, an Augustinian church of the parish, where they were warmly welcomed by the prior Tony Egan.
A 48-year-old man has been remanded in custody having been charged with arson following the fire.
An architect has now been appointed to begin planning the restoration of St Catherine's Church.