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Controversial Limerick priest refuses to apologise
THE International Brotherhood of Magicians has demanded an apology from a Limerick priest who described magic as an "abhorrence."
However, Fr Terence O'Connell has responded by saying that he is sticking to his beliefs and that the magicians "have some cheek" asking him for an apology.
The Limerick Chronicle, sister paper of the Limerick Leader, reported on Tuesday of this week that Fr Terence O'Connell had labelled the inclusion of two young magicians in a talent show fundraiser in Crescent College for a pilgrimage to Lourdes a "thundering disgrace".
Fr O'Connell said it was "appalling" to think that Rachel and Ruth Andrews, two young magicians, would have any part to play in the raising of funds for a Catholic pilgrimage.
The curate from St Patrick's parish generated further controversy this Wednesday when he said on RTE's Liveline that Fr Damian Ryan, Parish Priest in Our Lady Of Lourdes, should question his priesthood for supporting any kind of magic.
"A performance of magic is sinful," said Fr O'Connell on the show. "I couldn't support any kind of magic especially if it's running concurrently with an event that is predominantly Christian."
Both priests featured on Joe Duffy's show for over an hour on Wednesday afternoon along with a large number of callers including the father of top Irish magician, Keith Barry.
Three of Limerick's most popular magicians, Terence Andrews, father of Rachel and Ruth, Paddy "The Great Padini" Ward and Vincent Finucane have demanded that Fr O'Connell issue an apology for his comments.
"I have instilled in my children a love of magic and just like us they regularly perform for the elderly and infirm free of charge," said Mr Andrews. "This show is for a trip to Lourdes and I am very annoyed and upset over what he has said about it, I had to read it three times before I believed it."
"We have over 300 members, none of whom have ever had an objection from a member of the clergy. The first president of the Munster Society of Magicians was a priest, Fr Buckley. Canon Horan from Ballinasloe is also one of our members. We travel to nursing homes and hospices around the country free of charge bringing joy and happiness which some would say is the essence of christian values," he added.
"St John Bosco was a magician and if a saint is a magician then what is this priest on about? We just came from a magic conference in Blackpool that had 3,500 people there, many of them priests," said Paddy Ward, who has performed for both Catholic and Protestant bishops in Limerick.
Fr O'Connell has said that there is no question of him withdrawing his comments or issuing an apology to the magicians.
Headmaster in Crescent College, Dermot Cowhey said the whole affair was unfortunate and that his concern was for the young people who have been upset by the events.
"A major focus of their education is that they are men and women for others. They are living this aspiration by putting on this concert for the benefit of other people. It is an unselfish act. They deserve our deep gratitude and admiration and we in Crescent are immensely proud of them," said Mr Cowhey.
The Crescent Talent Show will go ahead as planned this Friday evening and there are still some tickets available from the school's reception at 229655 or from the Limerick Pastoral Centre on 400133.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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