The dispute between the Franciscans and Abbey House of Prayer Steering Group remains in deadlock with the voluntary group that reopened the church as a house of prayer 18 months ago, taking issue with some of the information released by the Order last Friday in its strongly worded statement responding to the sit-in.
The Abbey House of Prayer Steering Group says the Franciscan Order has, so far, made only indirect contact with the group in the form of a letter sent by the Order’s solicitor requesting them to vacate the building.
The impasse in the dispute continues despite a second local TD – Deputy Michael Murphy - seeking a meeting with the Order about its “surprise” decision to permanently close the church from December 31 onwards. Independent deputy Mattie McGrath has also sought a meeting with the Order.
The newly-elected Fine Gael TD, who up to last month was Mayor of Clonmel, wrote to the Provincial of the Franciscan Order in Ireland. Very Rev. Aidan McGrath OFM, last week stating that he shared the “sense of disappointment” felt by the people of Clonmel and surrounding area when the closure was announced.
His request for a meeting with Fr McGrath and other representatives of the Order in Dublin to discuss the future use of the building, however, was turned down by the Order’s Provincial Secretary Fr David Colins OFM as the Order felt “this is not the right time until the current situation is resolved”.
This response to Deputy Murphy’s overture was issued the same day the Franciscan Order released its detailed statement through a Dublin-based public relations firm responding to the Abbey House of Prayer Steering Group’s sit-in and clarifying what it viewed as some “factually incorrect statements” made in media interviews, statements and social media posts published about the controversy in the preceding days.
The Franciscans said they learned with “great disappointment” that individuals have “illegally occupied” the church. This “constituted trespass” and presented “serious health and safety concerns”.
“These individuals have been requested to vacate the building and turn over the keys but despite this request they have failed and refused to do so,” said the Order.
“The Abbey House of Prayer Group understood at all times that their access to the Friary church building was under a bare licence to occupy which could be terminated on the provision of three weeks notice: in fact, much greater notice than that was provided.”
The Franciscans’ statement reiterated that their “sad and difficult” decision to withdraw from Clonmel after over 700 years in the town was as the Order outlined in September 2022 due to its “ageing and reducing” membership.
Notification of Closure
The Franciscans said it was a statement that the Abbey House of Prayer Group was given only 10 days notice of the decision to close the church was “factually incorrect”
“The public notification of closure was issued on December 20. However, well in advance of this, on October 29, two friars from the Franciscan leadership team travelled to Clonmel and met with two representatives of the Abbey House of Prayer Group.
“At that meeting those representatives were informed that the Franciscans would be closing the church building. This decision was confirmed in writing on November 1.
“Initially, the closure date was proposed to be December 18, but out of consideration for a forthcoming concert, the Franciscans extended the date to December 31, on foot of a request from the Abbey House of Prayer Group.”
Financial Contribution
The Franciscan Order’s statement described as “incorrect” reports that all costs including insurance in relation to the property have been covered by the Abbey House of Prayer Group.
“Since the Franciscans withdrew from Clonmel in January 2023, they have provided approximately €160,000 for the insurance, upkeep and maintenance of the building,” the statement added.
No Decision on Future
The Franciscans also said they wished to state categorically that there was no truth in the statement that “they intend to convert the church into accommodation for rental purposes”.
“No decision regarding the future use of the building has been made at this time.
“The Franciscans are very aware of their responsibility for this listed building, and it will not be allowed to fall into decay.”
“In recognition of the affection of the people of Clonmel for the shrine of St Anthony, the Franciscans have offered to cover the cost of the transfer of the much-loved shrine to the nearby parish church.
“The Franciscans would dearly wish to have been able to maintain their presence in Clonmel, but regretfully this was simply not possible,” the statement concluded.
Abbey House of Prayer Group response
Pat O’Gorman of the Abbey House of Prayer Group responded that while the Order repeated the reasons it has left Clonmel, it still hasn’t explained why it is ending the arrangement for the church to remain open as the Abbey House of Prayer.
He said the Group has requested the Bishop of Waterford & Lismore to ask the Franciscans if they are willing to sell the church for community use.
He said the Franciscans told the Group to keep their communications with the Order concerning its decision to close to church confidential until the announcement. The Group felt it was “unfair” the Franciscans have now released this information as its members have faced criticism for not divulging the planned closure earlier to the community.
Mr O’Gorman said the Group wanted to see a breakdown of the €160,000 insurance, upkeep and maintenance costs cited by the Franciscans.
Offers Declined
He explained the Group offered to pay the insurance for the church building for 2024 but the Franciscans declined. The Group also offered to fundraise for the replacement of the church’s boiler that cost €35,000 last year but that offer was also declined.
Another Abbey House of Prayer Group member Joe McCormack, meanwhile, expressed doubt that the Franciscans would be allowed to remove the St Anthony Shrine from the church given that it was a listed heritage building. He didn’t believe its removal to the parish church would have public support in Clonmel.
Mr McCormack added it was unfortunate the governance structures in the Catholic Church are such that, even in the age of synodality, six men can meet in Dublin to decide the fate of a church in Clonmel, without any local consultation.
As the sit-in continues, Deputy Michael Murphy hopes to meet with representatives of the Abbey House of Prayer Group later this week to discuss the situation with them. He said he wants to work closely with the Group to secure a resolution to the dispute.