Both the Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates of All-Ireland have expressed concern and are seeking further information on the circumstances in which a concelebrated Mass involving three Catholic priests and a Church of Ireland rector took place last Sunday.
Responding to a report on the event in The Irish Times yesterday, the Catholic Primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Seán Brady, said last night that in holding such a Mass there was "a real danger of causing widespread confusion, raising false hopes and creating situations that are open to misunderstandings and manipulation".
He said: "True ecumenism is best served by initiatives that are respectful of, and sensitive to, the traditions, ethos and discipline of all those involved." He would be seeking further details "about the exact circumstances of the events as reported".
The Church of Ireland Primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev Robin Eames, said last night: "Such occasions, while well intentioned, can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations at a time when relations between our churches have improved so much."
He added: "I share Archbishop Brady's concern over the implications for ecumenical relationships and I will be similarly requesting more information."
Meanwhile, the man who organised the Mass, Fr Iggy O'Donovan, said last night it was "the most meaningful Eucharist I ever celebrated".
The Easter Sunday morning Mass took place at the Augustinian priory in Drogheda, Co Louth, which is in both the Catholic and Church of Ireland dioceses of Armagh. It was held to mark the 90th anniversary of both the 1916 Rising and the Battle of the Somme.
Fr O'Donovan invited Rev Michael Graham, rector at St Peter's Church in Drogheda, to take part in the concelebrated Mass with him, the Augustinian prior Fr Richard Goode and Fr Noel Hession.
Fr O'Donovan said last night he was inspired to arrange the Mass after hearing the Taoiseach call for inclusive ceremonies to mark 1916. He was reinforced in this by what he witnessed in Dublin during the "Love Ulster" riots last February.
The day before the riots he had returned from Rome, where he teaches history and theology for six months of the year, and was shocked by "the sheer visceral sectarian hatred of those young people. I thought that was gone".
As for the theology involved, he said he shared "the Eucharist every day with Roman Catholics whose theology I do not share". Besides, Rev Graham "has a very profound understanding of the Eucharist", he said.
The Mass was not publicised to avoid it appearing as a gimmick, he said, while the reaction of the congregation on the day was "palpably beautiful". The response of those who spoke to him since had been "overwhelmingly positive".
