Choir quits Rathkeale church after priest fails to censure 'loud, late-arriving' Travellers
A ROW over members of the travelling community wearing inappropriate clothes and disturbing Sunday Mass in Rathkeale has escalated with the decision by the local church choir to boycott the service in protest at the handling of the issue.
There was a wall of silence in Rathkeale this week as both local priests Canon Joseph Dempsey and Fr William Russell, local councillors and choir members all refused to comment on a dispute that has exposed the sensitive divide between the traveller and settled communities in the town.
The issue came to a head during Mass on Valentine's Day, when a member of the congregation stood up and spoke out against the apparent disrespect being shown to the church by scantily-clad young traveller women, and by people who continuously disturbed Mass by arriving late and making noise throughout the service.
However, a number of locals who did not wish to be named said many in the parish were "very upset" after Fr Russell distanced the church from the sentiment expressed by the local woman, prompting the long-serving choir to walk out in protest.
Noel White, chairman of the Rathkeale Community Council and a member of the choir, said a "difference of opinion" had led to an unfortunate situation: "My interpretation of this is the priests have to cover themselves, because there could be cries of discrimination. I suppose what was said (during Valentine's Mass), they had to distance themselves from. A priest is a priest, he treats everyone the same.
"In fairness to the canon he's been saying it Sunday after Sunday about people turning up late. It's difficult to know what to do. You can't close the door to the church. Hopefully the choir will be going back in the next two or three weeks, and we'll be back looking for new members as always."
Mr White said that some members of the choir "feel that not enough is being done to keep order" during Sunday Mass, and that "some people I know won't go to half eleven Mass anymore". "It's hard. Never mind that they're not fully dressed going in. That's beside the point.
"It's people arriving late and disrupting Mass that's the problem. And it isn't just one side of the population either. You'd say something if it was at half eight, but I don't see how you can be turning up late for a Mass at half eleven. Sure it's practically the middle of the day. I don't know how it's going to be solved," he added.
Ben Archibald, spokesperson for Travellers' rights group Pavee Point, said that it was important that both sides of the community meet and air their grievances over the issue.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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