THE BISHOP of Clogher has urged road users to take extra care this Bank Holiday weekend.
Bishop Liam MacDaid – whose diocese includes parts of south Donegal – has asked all road users: motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, to take special care of themselves and their loved ones.
Bishop MacDaid said: “Road accidents can have so many contributory factors – weather conditions, speed, alcohol, drugs, high jinks in the car, use of mobile phones, texting while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, tiredness.
“As of today, road fatality figures so far this year stand at 53 in the Republic and 18 in the North. This loss of human life is heart-breaking for the loved ones of the deceased and a tragedy for our society as a whole.
“Ahead of this May bank holiday weekend I am asking all road users to exercise particular vigilance in terms of safety and to be responsible on the roads over the coming days.
“Care for one another in our community is a basic human value across different faiths and cultures. This duty of care also applies to our road use and it is fundamental to the common good of all in society.
“Prayer and reflection can change our driving behaviour, calm our aggression, remind us of the spiritual, moral and physical importance of what we are about to do. I recommend the following dedicated prayer for motorists which can be said before driving:
Prayer for motorists before driving
Holy Mother, hear our prayer,
Keep us in your loving care,
Whatever the perils of the way,
Let us not add to them this day.
So to our caution and attention,
We add a prayer for your protection,
To beg God’s blessing on this car,
To travel safely near and far.
Bishop Liam MacDaid is Bishop of Clogher. The Diocese of Clogher is a cross-border diocese which includes the counties of Monaghan, Fermanagh and portions of Tyrone, Donegal, Louth and Cavan. The diocesan Cathedral of Saint Macartan is located in Monaghan town.
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