With
the Halloween long-weekend approaching, Bishop Fintan Monahan has
called on all road-users to show extra vigilance to the increased number
of young people walking in the dark to ‘trick or treat’ their
neighbours.
Bishop Monahan said, “I was reassured to hear this week that the theme of the Road Safety Authority Annual Conference was ‘Tackling Speeding’. Sadly, at 126 fatalities so far this year, the figures for road fatalities and accidents in the State are higher than for the same period last year. This loss of life is heart-breaking for the families and loved ones involved. Put bluntly, road fatalities are an avoidable tragedy for our society.
“Every
individual road user – pedestrian, cyclist, scooter, motorcycle or
vehicle – has a responsibility to one another to prevent road traffic
accidents. What readily comes to mind is the parable of the ‘Good
Samaritan’ which encourages us to act responsibly, be respectful and to
care for the stranger. Human life is sacred and, especially at this
time of year, we need to be alert to more challenging driving
conditions.”
Bishop Monahan concluded, “We should all heed the advice of the professionals, the RSA and the Gardaí, namely: not to speed, don’t hold a mobile phone, always wear a seatbelt and to expect the unexpected when using the roads. This weekend, in a special way, I invite parishes to pray for those who have died on our roads, for road traffic victims, for their families and to encourage safer driving.”
17th century paidir as Gaeilge
In ainm an Athar le bua,
In ainm an Mhic a d’fhulaing an phian,
In ainm an Spiorad Naoimh le neart,
Muire is a Mac linn inár dtriall. Áiméan!
A contemporary road safety prayer
Holy Mother, hear our prayer,
Keep us in your loving care,
Whatever the perils of the way,
Let us not add to them this day.
So to our caution and attention,
We add a prayer for your protection,
To beg God’s blessing on this car,
To travel safely near and far.
Amen.