Limerick priest condemned by fellow clergy as magician duo win talent show
A CITY priest's criticism of the inclusion of magic in a fundraising talent show was condemned by his fellow clergy members at the weekend as the performing sisters won the competition in Crescent College Comprehensive.
Fr Terence O'Connell was at the centre of controversy last week as he appeared on papers and national radio stations criticising the school for allowing two magicians to take part in the show, which was raising funds for the Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
"I couldn't support any kind of magic, especially if its running concurrently with an event that is predominantly Christian," said Fr O'Connell. The St Patrick's curate also told the parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Fr Damian Ryan, on RTE's Liveline that he should question his priesthood for supporting any kind of magic.
A very large audience attended the talent show in the Dooradoyle school on Friday evening, including a large number of priests from Limerick, one of whom apologised for any confusion over the Catholic Church's views on magic.
"I'd like to apologise sincerely for the total misinterpretation of the church's script," said curate in Raheen, Fr Eamon Fitzgibbon. "I hope there was no distress caused to any of the performers or organisers of the show because you're all wonderful people."
The Crescent talent show proved to be a huge success on Friday night with the sizeable attendance generating almost €5,000 to send young helpers to Lourdes on the pilgrimage.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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