Clerics’ fast raises more than €40,000 for charity

A four-day Christmas fast by the administrator of Wexford cathedral and his Church of Ireland counterpart has raised more than €40,000 for local charities in the town.

Fr Jim Fegan carried out his 16th Christmas fast this year, joined by Canon Arthur Minion on his third fast, outside St Iberius Church in Wexford town in the four days up until Christmas Eve.

The two clerics collected funds on Main Street from about 9am to 5.30pm each day, while abstaining from food for four days in what has become a seasonal tradition in the town.

Generosity

“People were marvellous,” Fr Fegan told The Irish Catholic. “That’s what makes it all worthwhile, seeing the generosity of people passing up and down the street and sharing in the banter and camaraderie,” he said.

The funds raised will be divided between the St Vincent de Paul, Ozanam House (homeless shelter for men), Wexford Women’s Refuge, Family Life Services and SERT (South East Radiotherapy Trust), which offers transport for cancer care.