Strange Easter "Mass"

Both these men describe themselves as Catholic priests. The trouble is that the one on the left (Rev. Michael Graham), Rector of St. Peter's Church, Drogheda is a 'catholic priest of the Anglican tradition'. The other is Rev. 'Iggy' O'Donovan, O.S.A. of the Augustinian community in Drogheda.

The picture shows them concelebrating Mass in St. Augustine's Church in Drogheda on Easter Sunday before a congregation of Catholics, Protestants and members of the Baha'i Faith.

Most of you have probably never before seen a Catholic priest purporting to concelebrate Mass with a Protestant clergyman. If you disapprove, it is probably because, in Fr. Iggy's words, you are 'corrupted with piety'.

I think on the part of many involved with this, it was foolish but well-intentioned. (No less wrong for that). I wonder, however, about Fr. 'Iggy' who has a history of publicity seeking. Apart from all the other criticisms one could make of this 'ecumenical gesture' there is the fact that it has the potential to do great damage to genuine ecumenical efforts, defeating its self-proclaimed purpose.

Fr. O'Donovan claims that he does not share the theology of the Catholics with whom he daily shares the Eucharist. Perhaps he should consider the implications of that and do the honorable thing.