ARCHBISHOPS HOUSE
DUBLIN D09 H4C2
Dear Father Peter,
I write concerning a further National Collection to help defray the costs of the recent World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis. The collection will take place in all churches in Ireland over the weekend of 10 and 11 November. In the Archdiocese of Dublin, this will replace the normal second collection for SHARE.
The overall cost to the Church in Ireland for hosting the World Meeting comes to €19.4m. To date €15.4m has been raised by way of local church collections and by other donations. This leaves us with a deficit of €4m.
Pope Francis presided over wonderful events in Dublin and in Knock. We have much to be grateful for to the Holy Father. In Dublin, the main events were the Festival of Families in Croke Park and the Final Mass in Phoenix Park. In addition to the huge crowds who attended these events, over one million people watched them on television while so mnay gathered along the streets of Dublin to greet Pope Francis.
Special events in Dublin included the visit to the Capuchin Day Centre, a short call at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Sean McDermott Street and an inspiring event in the Pro-Cathedral with 375 young couples from all over Ireland who were preparing for or who recently celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony. He also held a meeting with survivors of abuse. Above all, Pope Francis came to encourage the gift and fruits of faith in family life.
Over 11,000 people came to Ireland from overseas and the three days Pastoral Congress in the RDS was an encouraging event for many of our parish communities.
While I am acutely conscious of the many financial demands facing families and parishes at this time, all support offered would be greatly appreciated.
Yours very sincerely in the Lord
+Diarmuid Martin
Archbishop of Dublin
