PILGRIMS who attended a Mass at the centre of a DPP investigation have hit back in defence of the Bishop of Raphoe Dr Philip Boyce.
Today it was reported that a humanist had made a formal complaint to Gardai about the contents of a sermon delivered at the Knock shrine by the Letterkenny-based bishop last August.
A former Fine Gael election candidate claimed the sermon was incitement to hatred against non-Christians.
The Director of Public Prosecutions is now examining that claim – however we understand it is unlikely that any charges will be brought.
In fact Dr Boyce wrote to complainant John Colgan to say he did “not wish to disparage in any way the sincere efforts of those with no religious beliefs, atheists, humanists etc.”
“I have too much respect for each human person, since I believe all are created in the image of God. At Knock I wished to encourage and confirm the hope of believers, even in the present challenging times, since trust in God was the theme I was given.”
Today donegaldaily.com was inundated with emails and comments from people supporting the Bishop.
Mary O’Hara, who was at the sermon, said: “Dr Philip is a holy man who would not offend anyone. It is ridiculous that anyone could take offence from that sermon.”
John Horkan, who was also at the Knock Mass last August, told us: “Honestly Mr Colgan needs to get a life, Bishop Boyce is a wonderful human being and this attack on him says more about Mr Colgan than anyone else.”
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