Jakkass wrote: » I can't help but think you're bringing an external agenda into this. Do you not think that it is hard for these people to lose a church that had sentimental value to them?
john_d_baptist wrote: » I want to know one thing... and I dont want to sit reading through the reams of posts; has the cause of the fire been established yet? thanks
silver campaign wrote: » No, nothing official yet. There are lots of rumors, but none without substance. All they are are rumors. The most ridiculous being arson. I suppose that comes with the territory though. No matter where or when a fire takes place, there will always be people who think and sometimes even hope it was arson. It won't be the case on this occasion though.
Ghost Buster wrote: » No nothing yet. Lots of wild speculation and conspiracy theories but Im not even sure if the building is safe enough for forensics to enter.
truthisfree wrote: » The Church is not acting fast on this and appears not to be acting at all I might add. This is purely from a point of view of someone who has experience of structural engineering.
Jakkass wrote: » Surely it's common sense not to act in official capacity before you have any evidence. The Roman Catholic Church has stated clear intentions to restore it, surely that's enough.
Ghost Buster wrote: » I agree with you in some of what you say and neither am i a Catholic. I was raised as one but defected this year through countmeout.ie But you asked - "how in the name of god can you set fire to a place of worship because of child abuse," If you read The Ryan report (I can post it if you cant find it on line) there is a section on what effect all the different forms of child abuse can have on the resulting adult mind. Its frightening and essentially means that there are walking time bombs in this country. Very sad, pitiable disturbed folk, angry as hell and out for justice. They arent getting it through normal means and so will inevitably get it them selves. I dont agree but i cannot lecture these folk. I hope this wasnt arson but if not its just a matter of time before such events happen.
Always number 1 wrote: » I was born and reared in Longford. My family and I were baptised as Catholics in St Mels Cathedral, we went to confession there, made our Communion and confirmation there. Different members of the family were at different times there, ministers of the word and ministers for the Eurcharist, altar boys, members of the choir. My grandparents were buried from there. Over the years, my family and I attended school masses, easter ceremonys, Christmas masses etc; there. We always visited the crib on Christmas morning to get our piece of straw from the crib, we lit candles when we had exams coming up or other special intentions. I no longer live in Longford but my family do. I attended Christmas morning mass in the church in my new parish and as I was praying and thinking back of Christmas masses I had been at in the Cathedral it was in flames. I had intended to call into the Presbytery early in the New Year to book the church for my wedding and now that will not happen. While I am not hugely religious, it played a huge part in my upbringing and I never truly realised what we - Longfordians - had til its (almost) gone.
dollydimples82 wrote: » i havent read the ryan report but i do know from personal experience that burning down a building or shouting abuse can help no one, its only when you realise this can you move on with life.
Ghost Buster wrote: » With all due respect can I suggest you read it then before flippantly suggesting that the victims should just "move on with life''. Many dont have a life of much worth to move on with and surprise surprise dont have as rational a thought process as you might wish they would.
MDFM wrote: » so be it..the cathedral is going to be rebuilt..happy days. burning down a building doesnt repair the sins of the past.
Ghost Buster wrote: » "So be it"!!!!!! My god but your a cold one and with people of your mind set these are far from sins of the past. They will continue. Happy days ? Genuine question: Are you a parent?
dollydimples82 wrote: » i just have one question for you micky 32, how did you get to take this photo? I have been reading articles in all newspapers, listening to local news and yet the building has yet to be declared safe, hence delaying the forensics, yet you have a photo. I pass the cathedral every day and its under police guard day and night, i am not doubting that the photo is real, i have studied it and if i am correct it was taken from the right side of the alter?
garfieldsghost wrote: » Latest word is that the structural engineer's preliminary inspection indicated that the building is not safe to enter, so it may be some time before the cause is established. I also heard from one of the firemen that the wooden supports in the bell tower have been severely damaged and that they may not hold out. I'm not an engineer, but I'd imagine some swift, major works would need to be carried out to secure it... As an aside, I can't believe how far OT this thread has been allowed to become. Where are the mods when you need them? Half the posts here should be moved to a relevant conversation in the Christianity section...
ballsymchugh wrote: » the saddest part is listening to the elderly people talking about never being able to set foot in there again. let's hope it's not the case. some of us in Longford were dragged up by our parents and that generation, and owe everything to them. i know many, many people who are just saddened that they may not see it again. i have to agree with you, my dad grew up behind st mels and he was deeply saddened by the fire. he said it was the 1st thing he seen when he woke up and last thing he saw at night. he used to play on the steps and in the gardens. he hopes that they will be able to keep the original building, as he thinks that if they have to knock it they will only build a concert structure and it wouldnt be the same. I have just read the longford leader in which the bishop said that a group of young girls went on the wren and collected €400 to give to the st mels restoration fund, this is what st mels means to us longfordians. lets bring this thread back to the cathedral and our memories.
truthisfree wrote: » A crozier believed to have belonged to Saint Mel was found in the 19th century at Ardagh near the old cathedral of St. Mel. The crozier is now kept at Saint Mel's College in a darkened bronze reliquary that was once decorated with gilt and colored stones.Link I am not sure when this was written but it would be a stroke of luck if the crozier was not in St Mel's Cathedral when the fire gutted it. I am going to keep looking...
dollydimples82 wrote: » sorry to dash your hopes but the following piece was written in todays LONGFORD LEADER.... "The fire also claimed a number of priceless important historical artefacts which were on display in the Diocesan Museum, based at the Cathedral. "There were vestments and chalices which dated back to the 1600s; book shrines which were hand crafted by monks as well as the Bell of Fenagh Abbey and St Mel's Crozier which was 1,000 years old," Fr Tom Murray explained to the Leader on Monday." I have heard that at a mass last saturday night that the priest said the only thing that was saved was a picture of the holy family, and according to the leader today that the Crypts under the cathedral where bishops were buried are intact.. Prehaps when the building is deemed safe more antiques can be saved. Also i think it would be nice to do a documentary on the restoration of st mels, many of us would love to be able to see the inside for ourselves and obviously we wont be allowed. But i think if at possible we should follow this from start to finish, it is history in the making.
I thought it might be useful to consider St. Mel's Cathedral in Longford where a vandalism on Christianity, not seen since the time of Attilla the Hun, was practised by C.B. Daly.
