Politicians in Louth and Meath have been inundated with complaints and now a petition is gathering momentum online calling for the religious segment to be restored.
Many elderly people in the north east who couldn’t go to church because of illness or mobility tuned in to listen to the Mass.
The programme was broadcast on a weekly basis from different churches around the locality.
Senator Alison Comyn, a former broadcaster herself, publicly criticised the decision and has called for the Mass to be restored.
She was informed by Eamonn Doyle, the Content Controller on LMFM, that the final Mass on LMFM was broadcast in April last.
In an email to her, he said the main reason for the change is the decline in traditional local radio broadcasts driven by the widespread availability of live and recorded Mass services online via church webcams, which allow people to watch and listen at any time and not just at a fixed Sunday hour.
The station was also given permission to make the move by Coimisiún na Meán, the media regulator.
He also stated that the decision was flagged in advance the previous Sunday and also on the Late Lunch Show by Gerry Kelly.
The station has also confirmed that the their daily Death Notices service will continue.
But Senator Comyn said she has been inundated with calls from listeners about the Mass being ditched.
She said: “I am hugely disappointed at this decision and it is a devastating loss for many across the north east who relied on it as a weekly lifeline.
“It fails to recognise the reality facing many elderly, vulnerable and housebound people across Louth and Meath and the wider area.
“For so many people, Sunday Morning Mass on LMFM at 9am was not simply another radio programme. It was part of their weekly routine, part of their connection to their faith and their community, and in many cases, a genuine lifeline.
“I spoke directly with Station Controller Eamonn Doyle about the decision last week and while I appreciate the changing nature of broadcasting, I also conveyed the strength of feeling that exists among listeners.
“I have received a flood of calls from deeply upset listeners since this announcement was made. There is also now a sizeable petition circulating in Drogheda calling on LMFM management to reconsider the move.”
Another local councillor, Anne Marie Ford of Fine Gael, was also bombarded with complaints by listeners and is publicly supporting the demand to restore the Mass.
She stated: “Not only do our listeners in Louth and Meath enjoy the Mass on the radio but I know for a fact that people tune in from other counties as far as Laois to listen to LMFM. There must be choice for all.”
There was a strong reaction on local social media against the axing of the Mass.
Darragh Jamie McGann wrote on Facebook: “Many people seem to forget that for many older people radio has been a lifeline, especially those housebound or living alone. Hearing local news, death notices and Sunday morning Mass has always been so important.”
Áine Brennan said: “The older population all look forward to Mass on Sunday morning on the radio. People in nursing homes and hospitals. I myself would listen to it on a Sunday morning. I hope management reconsiders this and keeps Mass on radio. It would be a terrible disservice to local older people in the north east if it is taken off the air.”
Mary Wallace Gannon added: “Hopefully LMFM will reconsider this. I know so many people who love hearing Mass on their local radio every Sunday. Please don’t let this happen. It’s really important, especially for people confined to home, hospitals or nursing homes.”
LMFM is owned by the Onic Network, which is a radio subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s News UK and Ireland Ltd.