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‘Suicide a tragedy for all’ says bishop

This article is from page 4 of the 2007-06-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG

THE Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, said last night that incidence of suicide within the Traveller com- munity were “not some dark afflic- tion” affecting Travellers but were “part and parcel of humanity”’.

At a special Mass at the Cathedral in Ennis last night in memory of three young travellers that recently took their own lives, Dr Walsh said: “God never visits tragedy on any particular community. We can never understand what leads someone to ending one’s own life.

“Each one of us is different, has

their own story of life. | don’t know your story, you don’t know my story and for that reason, we must never judge or condemn who has chosen to end their own life.”

He said: “Because of the recent tragedies that have occurred in our community, I think all of us are con- fused and even afraid.

“We are confused that we don’t know why these things have hap- pened and we are afraid, certainly some parents are afraid, perhaps ‘could it be my child next?’ …

“Many of you in recent weeks have asked why these terrible things have been happening in our Travelling

community and I suppose the short answer to that is that I don’t know, but in a way I would love if we could have a Mass like this, not just for the Travelling community but for the whole community for both traveller and settled…

“The tragedy of suicide has affect- ed everyone, has affected Traveller and settled, the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the healthy and Wo (O@

“It has affected people of deep faith and of no faith,” said the bishop.

“We just don’t understand what may have driven them to that, so let’s try this evening to ask for calm and

peace among all of us and try to put away the hurts that may cause fric- tion between us and let us not appor- tion blame to anyone.

“Let’s rather talk gently to each other and let those involved in the caring area let us support and co-op- erate with each other.

“We ask Christ to remove our fear and shed light on our confusion and give us the courage and generosity to Support and encourage each other at this time,” concluded Bishop Walsh.

“We ask Jesus to come among us and to help to remove our fear and our confusion and guide us through these sad times,’ he said.

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