NEW BIBLE CHAPEL OPENS ITS DOORS IN GLENDALOUGH AFTER FIRE
THE Bible Chapel in God’s Cottage, Glendalough is now open daily as a place of prayer and pilgrimage.
Future plans for God’s Cottage were placed in doubt after a fire severely damaged two sheds on the site back in July of 2016. The outbreak of fire was described as ‘suspicious’ at the time.
Now, four years later, the main building has been replaced by the Bible Chapel. The official opening had been scheduled for Sunday, April 5, with pastors from the different Christian Churches invited to attend, but it had to be postponed due to Covid 19.
Fr. Thady Doyle said: ‘In July 2016, we suffered the complete loss of our small yard buildings in a suspected arson attack. It was a major loss, especially as we hadn’t them insured. However it spurred us into action, and now, four years later, the main building has been replaced by the Bible Chapel as a place of prayer and pilgrimage for all Bible believing Christians right at the heart of Glendalough.’
The Bible Chapel is considered truly unique and the only one of its type in the whole world.
‘The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus is as truly present in the Bible as in the Sacred Host. Yet, while there are many Blessed Sacrament Chapels, this is the first Bible Chapel within the orbit of the Catholic Church, though our Bible Chapel is ecumenical rather than solely Catholic.
‘To help make ours truly a Bible Chapel, not merely have we the Bible facing towards the people on the altar, inviting a person to read, but we have the seven “I am” statements of Jesus framed and on the walls in a way similar to which one normally finds the Stations of the Cross on the walls of Catholic Churches,’ explained Fr Thady.
A quiet opening ceremony has now been held on Monday, June 29, after the initial ceremony had to be rescheduled, Due to Covid-19, the actual ceremony took place at the Mass rock in the adjoining field, with Mass celebrated by Fr. Thady.