Respect for church no longer 'a given':
A local priest says respect for institutions like the Catholic Church are "no longer a given" because of its "weakness and fallibility."
Father Colm O'Doherty, who is originally from Creggan but who now serves in the parish of Castlederg, was speaking at the 50th anniversary Mass of St Mary's Church, Creggan at the weekend.
He told Mass-goers that many challenges are faced by the community.
"Our young are under terrible pressure from their peers and other agents to turn away from the path of right towards the paths of immorality, substance abuse and other things that lead them away from fulfilling their potential," he said.
"The ideal of commitment is becoming a less attractive proposition for too many; respect for institutions is no longer a given, with many institutions, especially the Church in Ireland, being shown to be a very fallible and weak institution, at times.
"Difficult times lie ahead and some will opt to walk away from our Church if they do not receive good leadership at all levels.
"We, as priests and Bishops, are only too aware of our human weaknesses and we ask you to pray for us every day."
Proud Creggan man
As a "proud Rinmore Drive and Creggan man", Father O'Doherty told the congregation that the greatest event in the life of Creggan was the opening of the church building 50 years ago.
"The opening of the new church of St Mary's in 1959, the first new church since 1934, marked a new chapter in the story of Catholic revival in Derry in the post-war years," he said.
"The numbers of Catholic families had grown rapidly and ,effectively, meant that the churches on this side of the river, namely St. Eugene's Cathedral, St.Columba's, Long Tower, and St.Patrick's, Pennyburn, were no longer adequate to serve the liturgical, sacramental and pastoral needs of the people."
Father O'Doherty also acknowledged the work of the early parishioners of St Mary's.
"As each street was completed, it took on its own identity and the young families that filled the houses changed those buildings from houses into homes, places where you felt welcome and safe.
High unemployment
"It was not easy for the parents in an era of high unemployment and lack of amenities to bring up families and, yet, they did it so well.
"And generations of families down to today continue that great work of community building which Creggan has always been known for and long may that continue to be the case."
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny spells
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