‘Selfish panic’ is called out in webcam service
ARCHBISHOP Diarmuid Martin of Dublin is appealing to people to “avoid selfish panic gestures, thinking only of ourselves” and “put aside the alarmists” in his message for St Patrick’s Day.
In Dublin’s Pro Cathedral, as he blessed the shamrock for the national feast day, Dr Martin appealed to people to listen to the experts and “scrupulously respect the measures that are proposed” to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Stressing the importance of social distancing and maintaining the approved distance from each other at all gatherings, the Archbishop said not to do so is utter irresponsibility. “Let no one think that they know better,” he said.
Referring to the extraordinary circumstances in which St Patrick’s Day this year is taking place, he said for generations people have come to the Pro-Cathedral on St Patrick’s Day to remember the national patron saint, to pray for Ireland and its people, and to celebrate what is deepest in Irish national identity.
“St Patrick’s Day Mass in this Pro-Cathedral has always been a day in which many people from overseas came to celebrate with us and proudly to remember their Irish heritage,” he said.
But St Patrick’s Day 2020 was different.
“We celebrate with a small number of people present, linked by webcam with others.
“All of us are fearful about the future and many are fearful as they feel increasingly vulnerable,” he said.
Describing it as a difficult situation and one that will not see its end for some time, Dr Martin said the sacrifices people were being asked to make were “overshadowed” by the great commitment of the public health services, “especially our nurses, doctors, public health officials and carers”.
“We owe them all a debt of gratitude,” he told the congregation.