Latin Mass in Cork

The Latin Mass returned to the church of Ss Peter & Paul in Cork for the first time in more than 30 years on Saturday, April 26 2003. The Mass, celebrated by Fr Gabriel Burke of Cloyne diocese, was organised by the Latin Mass Society of Ireland to mark the first Latin Mass Society AGM to take place outside Dublin. More than 250 people, most of them local, attended.

Fr. Burke Celebrates the Tridentine Mass
at the Church of Ss Peter and Paul in Cork

The church of Ss Peter & Paul, near Paul Street, is ideal for the celebration of the old Mass. It was designed by Augustine Welby Pugin, the foremost church architect of his day, and dedicated on the feast of SS Peter and Paul, June 29, 1866.

Some years earlier, at a public meeting within its unfinished walls, Bishop William Delaney of Cork, said: "Here we have an imperishable work. In a thousand years, this church will be standing as it is nowŠ" Whether it is due to the forbidding words of Bishop Delaney or the determination of the people of Cork and its clergy, Ss Peter & Paul¹s has, to date, been spared the "makeovers" that continue relentlessly in many churches and cathedrals today. Among the notable features of the church, as can be seen from the photographs, are the magnificent altar Russian oak pulpit and the great west window.

Pulpit

LMSI president Peadar O Laighleas chaired the AGM which was held in the Fastnet Room of Jury's hotel across the river. He conveyed the apologies of Frank O'Farrell, the Cork sporting legend, who was unable to travel from England to deliver his keynote address. All four provinces of Ireland were represented at the meeting. The president noted with some amusement that he was not sure whose idea it had been to hold the AGM in Cork but he agreed that it was an inspired one. It spoke eloquently of the LMSI's commitment to restore the liturgy in every diocese in the country. It was agreed that the next AGM would be held in Connaught.

The LMSI is grateful to Bishop John Buckley for giving permission for the Mass. It is also grateful to Fr Keohane PP for accommodating the society and to the sacristans, choirmaster and organist at the church.

All Photographs courtesy of Maire O'Regan from Bishopstown

West Window and choir. A choir of 12 were present, from
various choirs led by Pat Buckley of Ss Peter and Pauls.