The Diocesan Administrator for the Raphoe Diocese said he’s ‘heartbroken’ at last night’s devastating church fire in Derrybeg.
Monsignor Kevin Gillespie was reacting to the blaze that destroyed St Mary’s Church in Derrybeg.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the destruction by fire this morning of Séipéal Mhuire, na Doirí Beaga, the parish church for the parish of Gaoth Dobhair,” Msgr Gillespie said.
“I wish to express my support to Fr Briain Ó Fearraigh, Parish Priest, who has the full support of the community as he faces this Challenge. I join with him in thanking the personnel of the Fire Brigade both in Gaoth Dobhair and from near and far in the county who did their very best to save the building. We are grateful to an Garda Síochána who must now lead the necessary investigations.”
The remains of St Mary’s Church, Derrybeg, after a devastating overnight fire.
Read the full statement below:
“I am heart broken to learn of the destruction by fire this morning of Séipéal Mhuire, na Doirí Beaga, the parish church for the parish of Gaoth Dobhair. I wish to express my support to Fr Briain Ó Fearraigh, Parish Priest, who has the full support of the community as he faces this Challenge. I join with him in thanking the personnel of the Fire Brigade both in Gaoth Dobhair and from near and far in the county who did their very best to save the building. We are grateful to an Garda Síochána who must now lead the necessary investigations. I think of Fr Brendan Ward, CC, and the many priests who have served this church and for whom it is their native parish, myself included. And I think of all the people of Gaoth Dobhair at home and away who will receive this news with great sadness. Séipéal Mhuire has served the parish since 1972, and it is here that the most significant moments of the life of the parish are marked. With God’s help, with our Lady’s intercession, with the support of the community and the hard work of the clergy, a new parish church will rise again in one form or another. In the meantime, the life of faith will continue and will guide and sustain the parish of Gaoth Dobhair.”
—————————————————————————————————————————-
“Tá mo chroí briste faoi dhó Thigh Phobail Mhuire na Doirí Beaga ar maidin inniu. Tá tacaíocht iomlán an phobail leis an t-Athair Briain agus é ag tabhairt ar an tubaiste seo a lamháil. Cuirim le buíochas an t-Athair Brian do fhoireann bhrigeaid dóiteán an cheantair agus ó stáisiún eile sa chontae a rinne a dtréan iarracht an séipéal a shábháil. Agus tá muid buíoch don Gharda Síochána a bhfuil an dualgas orthu na fiosrúchán cuí a stiúradh san am ara amach domhain. Smaoiním ar an tAth Breandan agus na sagairt uilig a rinne seirbhís sa pharóiste agus gurb í seo a Teach Pobail dúchais, me féin ina measc. Agus smaoiním ar phobal Ghaoth Dobhair sa bhaile agus i gcéin a ghlacfaidh leis an nuacht seo mar ábhar bróin. Tá Séipéal Mhuire ar an fhód o 1972 agus is inti a cheiliúrtar croí-ócáidí saol an phobail. Le cuidiú Dé agus le cuidiú Mhuire, le tacaíocht an phobail agus dea-obair na sagairt, tógfar Teach an Pobail go h-úr ar dhóigh amháin nó ar dhóigh eile.”
An tAth Caoimhín Mac Giolla Easboig
Riarthóir Deoise Rath Bhoth.
Tags:
