The Rev. Adam Pullen, Church of Ireland Rector in Stranorlar has expressed shock and dismay on behalf of his community that the HSE has excluded their Church for services in their new plan for the Community Hospital in Stranorlar.
Rev. Pullens understands their Church is to be converted into a dayroom and they are being left with no facilities whatever for prayer and worship in the hospital.
Leas Cheann Comhairle Pat the Cope Gallagher said he’s contacted the HSE to have the plan changed.
He said it was disgraceful to think that any plan could literally eliminate a sacred place used extensively by the Church of Ireland and other religions.
He’s contacted Rev, Pullens to express his regret and that of the Donegal constituency as news of the decision emerged.
It is understood the plans for the new hospital will see beds cut from 78 to 64: that’s according to Fr. John Joe Duffy. He says the new plan is for minimum upgrading to meet the immediate demands of HIQA standards on health and safety and does not offer any permanency for future years.
Rev. Pullen said the fact is that some 20% of the residents in the Stranorlar represent many faiths other than the Catholic ethos. He said his congregation is shocked, angered and dismayed that the HSE has gone ahead with the new plan without any contact whatever with their religious community. He said their church in the hospital must be saved and a historic window donated by the late Lady Hynes preserved.
“Insofar as I can see the plan is to put a door in place of this window and that is not acceptable and we are appealing for public support to ensure our ethos is best served in keeping our church in the Stranorlar Nursing unit open, he added.
This view his shared by Fr. Duffy who said that while the Catholic church in the hospital was substantially reduced in size, that had been agreed with the relevant
Fr. Duffy said: “I’m deeply hurt and shocked that a new plan has emerged that puts an end to the Church of Ireland chapel in St. Joseph’s and I am calling for public support right across the divide to ensure that does not happen.
“I’m also dismayed that with 20% of a non-Catholic resident population in St. Joseph’s that the HSE or the Dept of Health would want to ignore or stop their services at the community hospital. The local clergy and rectors are regular visitors there and Rev. Adam Pullans lead hymn-alongs on a very regular basis.
“We must unite in our resolve to ensure that all faiths are fairly and equally treated and I’m hoping the relevant authorities will realise their error and immediately put new plans in place to retain the Church of Ireland in St. Joseph’s.”
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