The decision by the parish priest of Oranmore village to refuse to allow the second annual Christmas carol festival to be staged in the local Church of the Immaculate Conception next month could scar the community for a long time, it was claimed this week.
Mark Keane, an organist at Salthill Church who contributed to last year’s festival, says he was “saddened” and “ has questioned his own music ministry” after learning about the controversy.
The event, which was held in Oranmore Church last year and raised €5,000 for the local St Vincent de Paul Society and Corrib Lions Club, hit the headlines earlier this week when the organisers issued a statement outlining the local community’s “shock” and “disbelief” at being refused the church venue.
Liam O’Carroll, the chairman of Oranmore Community Development Association - which organises the festival - says it was “extremely disappointed and deeply saddened” by the parish priest’s decision, especially as the date for the event (December 8 ) coincided with the beginning of Advent, the season of peace and goodwill.
He has written to Bishop of Galway Dr Martin Drennan about the matter. “The parish priest [Canon John O’Dwyer] refused us last year initially but later changed his mind. This year he told me there were complaints about last year’s event from parishioners. He said he had not seen them but they were with the bishop. He said last year was a once-off but he never indicated that to me then. In media reports he is quoted as saying he refused us because the event clashed with a Mass on the holy day and he had complaints about there being an admission charge to a church.”
Mr O’Carroll says the festival is a “dignified and uplifting” event and the development association is “disappointed and frustrated” as it was trying to do something positive.
“We are a voluntary organisation - we organise the St Patrick’s Day parade and a family fun day - we thought the festival would get the Christmas spirit into the village. We felt the church was a suitable venue - the festival would celebrate the start of Christmas, seating was in situ, the acoustics were good and it holds 800 people.”
He says despite this setback the event - which will feature the Band of the 4th Western Brigade, soloist Anne Marie McGreevy and the Calasanctius College Choir - will go ahead at a different venue and with reduced capacity for 350 patrons.
“It will now take place at the Oranmore Lodge Hotel on Monday December 8 at 8pm. Tickets cost €12.50 and are available from the Oranmore Community Development Association on the Main Street [Oranmore] or by telephoning (091 ) 790335.”
Salthill organist Mark Keane says he was prompted to speak out after media reports about the Oranmore parish priest’s reasons for refusing the venue.
“Fr O’Dwyer has offered the following reasons for refusing the concert: the date of the concert falls on a Holy Day of Obligation, charging/collecting monies on the door; hotel would be more suitable; hotel better venue to support local business; and complaints about last year’s performance.
“There is a happy medium to be found on this matter providing both the clergy and organisers are willing to meet half way. Here are possible solutions: The celebration of Mass is paramount on a holy day, perhaps the start time of the concert could be a half hour after the Mass or the Mass time could be moved back a little. There is still time to notify the congregation.
“Most of the tickets could be pre-sold to avoid collecting money in the church porch and a ticket desk could be placed outside the church to sell tickets. The people who are collecting tickets at the door should be advised that anyone may enter the church without a ticket as it is primarily a place of worship.”
He says the hotel recommended by the priest cannot hold the anticipated audience and the concert cannot be a financial success for charity if it has to pay for the venue, lighting, sound, staffing, etc. “Fr O’Dwyer stated ‘I thought with all the talk of recession, there is a function room there that will be suitable for the show… allowing the hotel to make some money out of it too.’ Has Fr O’Dwyer considered that some of his parishioners will need the assistance of St Vincent de Paul [one of the concert beneficiaries] more than paying a hotel from proceeds on the night?
“Complaints from parishioners about last year’s concert are to be dismissed instantly. If you’ve got nothing good to say – say nothing at all!”
He emphasises the Church is not just a building.” More so it is the people in the community that comprise the Church. With severe declining numbers to the priesthood the Church will be relying more and more on its lay community. It is up to the clergy to develop this side of a parish before it’s too late.”
This newspaper was unable to contact Canon John O’Dwyer for a comment at the time of going to press.
