Cleric slams ‘ostentatious’ wearing of Remembrance poppy by TV stars
A TOP Church of Ireland cleric has criticised the “ostentatious” wearing of poppies by everyone from sports commentators to ‘X Factor’ judges almost as a fashion statement.
Canon Peter Campion, whose grandfather and two great-uncles fought at Gallipoli, said the poppy was “a symbol of memorial of the grim reality of the terrible loss of life”.
Canon Campion was speaking at the annual national service of remembrance at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin for those who died in World War I.
He said he admired Republic of Ireland soccer star James McClean for refusing to wear the poppy and said football fans’ heckling of him was “disgraceful”.
“He shows great restraint, strength and integrity in enduring these annual taunts, but it must be very difficult and hurtful for him nonetheless,” he told the congregation, who included President Michael D Higgins who laid a wreath at the war memorial in the cathedral.
For the first time, a member of Sinn Féin attended the ceremony at the Anglican cathedral.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Irish Independent she was there because “I believe in respect and honour for our dead and I believe in forging ahead now in a very thoughtful, considered and determined way to unite people and to build reconciliation.”
Elsewhere yesterday, a reception was held at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral in Dublin for the new Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, the first African priest to hold the Church’s most senior diplomatic role in the State.