Senators calling for a prayer room in a newly-refurbished Seanad could take inspiration from the success of the dedicated chapel for Catholics in Britain’s Houses of Parliament, the duty priest there has said. Appointed in 2009 following a request from Catholic MPs to the Diocese of Westminster, Fr Pat Browne – a native of Rathoath in Co. Meath – has since witnessed a surge in faith-based activities.
In addition to ministering to parliamentarians in both Houses, and to staff, Fr Browne told The Irish Catholic this week that he sees at least 35 people at weekly Mass in the chapel of St Mary Undercroft, who “welcome the period away from the ‘madness’ in the oasis afforded by the chapel”. St Mary’s also regularly hosts weddings and baptisms. Fr Browne added that many Catholics have become members of Bible study groups established in Parliament since his arrival.
The Seanad’s committee on procedure and privileges has made a formal submission to the Oireachtas to develop a quiet prayer space in Leinster as the Seanad undergoes its restructuring work.
