A Catholic layman from Co. Kildare has taken it upon himself to create a Catholic drive towards inviting Pope Benedict to visit Ireland in time for the International Eucharistic Congress.
Liam Prendergast has written to every parish in Ireland requesting that parish priests and other volunteers gather signatures of Catholics over the age of 16 who wish to see Pope Benedict attend the event in June.
‘I am acting as an individual with no connections to any organisation, either political or religious,’ Liam writes of his proposal, which has so far received 2,000 responses. ‘My decision to use the parish structure is that it provides a small well-knit manageable structure in which to conduct the poll.’
Towards speeding the process, Liam has also set up a website, www.papalin vitation.com, where supporters can read his original letter and sign an online petition to invite the Pontiff.
Liam requests that all signatures reach him by February 29.
Signatures can also be posted to Liam at: Connell Ford House, Walshestown Cross, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Email: weprendergast @eircom.net
