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Irish bishop's desperate plea to Mel Gibson to restore gutted St. Mel's Cathedral

By
JAYNE WALSHE,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 7:35 AM
Updated Thursday, January 7, 2010, 11:54 AM

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St. Mels in Longford was gutted by fire on Christmas Day


A desperate plea for actor Mel Gibson to help restore a landmark burned-out Irish cathedral has been made by the local Bishop in Longford, Ireland.

St. Mel's Cathedral was burned to the ground in a mysterious fire on Christmas morning, and it will cost at least $12 million to rebuild. Local bishop Colm O'Reilly has turned to Gibson for help.

Mel Gibson's mother, Anne Reilly, hails from near the town of Longford, and the actor is named after Saint Mel, who came to Ireland with St. Patrick in the Fifth Century.

“It would be nice for him to get involved, it certainly would be appreciated,” the Bishop said.

“We’ve never had any contact with him up until now. His name of course, comes from here.

“Longford people would be positive about such a move. We’re all like a big bereaved family at this stage,” he added.

Gibson was born in upstate New York and lived there until he was 12. Then his family relocated to Australia where he was educated by Irish Christian brothers. He later returned to America to become a Hollywood star.

Gibson himself is a traditionalist Catholic, and one of his most controversial movies was "The Passion of the Christ" about the last days of Jesus Christ, filmed entirely in Hebrew, Latin and Aramaic.

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30 Comments

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2BorNot2B | Jan 14, 2010, 02:17 AM EST
As for this blithering idiot who goes by the name of kickstar... what is there to say about his inane pontifications that is not already self-evident condemnation of his abject ignorance by his own words. It appears that in his desire to opine on every possible subject that affords him the opportunity to slam Catholicism he cares not about showing what a fool he is. -- Consider the following: ".. if you consider how the Roman Church was founded by a Roman Emperor Justinian. and the Popes as they are known today are not of Roman descent at all but are from Byzantium Constantinople. So you had a Roman Emperor usurp the Byzantine Church and make himself the holy Roman Emperor." --Where, oh where did this imbecile get his historical facts? -- The 'Roman Church' founded by Justinian? My heavens... not only does he show his ignorance.. he freaking attempts to flaunt it, assuming, I suppose, no one around here will call his bluff. -- But wait... I believe in some other thread I read another one of the intellectual "pearls of wisdom", with somewhat of a seventh day adventist sort of slant, he offers to the unwary by comparing the Monstrance to 'worship of the sun god' and asserting that worship should be on the 7th day which is Saturday, not Sunday. -- I'm beginning to get the drift of where this guy gets his vitriol. -- Meanwhile mr. kickarse, I think before showing your stupidity to a breathless world (you think?) you should try hitting the books and stop the comic relief.-- Or give us the title of the book where you found that bit or erudition about Justinian, the Roman Church, the 'good time gals' and the Orthodox Church...etc. We might learn something... or at least we may stop laughing.

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2BorNot2B | Jan 14, 2010, 01:43 AM EST
crittel, Gerry57, and ContraryIrish -- Three fine, compassionate, generous people, lacking a judgemental attitude who recognize that the Church is made of all types of people - some good, others plainly evil. That however, neither condemns the entire organization, nor does it guarantee it freedom from cads who dishonor it -- Good on you mates!

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kickstar | Jan 10, 2010, 06:56 AM EST
'avrilxxxx6' What has the fact that it was a respected building got to do with how it looks ?. Let me reiterate This is one Ugly eyesore of a monstrosity of a building IMHO and needs to be Bulldozed. When I see Church's like this it reminds me of the Arrogance and the power of those who had them constructed, And let me tell you it is not because your County is small that the clergy cannot raise funds to repair this Doric ugly edifice it is that people have caught themselves on and no longer wish to support this evil church of devil worshipers

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avrilxxxx6 | Jan 09, 2010, 02:58 PM EST
im from county longford myself bit go to church in a diff parish but i was in cathedral b4 i just wanted to say 1st to kickstar u hav no idea wat ur on bout callin it a ugly lookin building...its was a respected building and tey tink d fire was acciduntal...rite it ad very very old pices in it and records.. and tere only askin mel beause his mother comes from here and because he's named after the church...the people from the town are tryin tere best to rase the money...but its such a small county we just cantt...

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innishowen | Jan 08, 2010, 05:44 PM EST
I have a neice Melanie...we all call her Mel. I wonder if the preists will be calling on her next? Shouldn't they just ask the Pope? I mean c'mon a sum like 12 million is chicken feed for him to sign off on....The catholic business machine owns half the worlds biggest companies.

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kickstar | Jan 08, 2010, 04:22 PM EST
'caissene' I am sure you mean Constructing Churches as opposed to Founding them. But I suppose if you consider how the Roman Church was founded by a Roman Emperor Justinian. and the Popes as they are known today are not of Roman descent at all but are from Byzantium Constantinople. So you had a Roman Emperor usurp the Byzantine Church and make himself the holy Roman Emperor.The Sorry mess that was the Eastern Orthodox Led by men attended by Eunuchs and Roman Emperors surrounded by Good time gals Had not much suggestion of the presence of Jesus Christ in them so it is hardly surprising that they have been exposed for what they are.

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kickstar | Jan 08, 2010, 03:08 PM EST
'sryan26' You are powerful evidence if any were required of the generational systemic brainwashing almost dare I say Genetic manipulative Fostering of thought word and deed.It is or should be classified as a crime against Humanity to do to someones brain what has been done to yours,Jesus Christ never seen heard of or interested himself in the filthy filching rotten corruption that is the Roman catholic church.Perhaps you think Jesus would Endorse the Cover Up of sexual abuse committed against little Babies and Children.The Imprisonment of and abuse too simple young Girls whose only crime was to get pregnant was to lead to a lifetime of slavery and abuse in the now infamous Magdalene Laundries

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caissene | Jan 08, 2010, 07:25 AM EST
Well, in Medieval times, it was a customary habit of well-to-do aristocratic sinners, be their sin drunkenness and violence, or a public scandal involving adultery, or anything else, to seek atonement by founding churches. The less affluent always could erect a small chapel, and the poor would build a simple cross with their own hands. Not a bad idea not for Mel Gibson, who is as good sinner as many others... Maybe for the others as well... The only problem is that no-one wishes to accept that they comitted a sin nowadays.

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Metcalfe | Jan 08, 2010, 12:31 AM EST
Iona, Irish keep the true faith and Jew's roots! Look up the Iona and see what true faith is and not relgion.

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Metcalfe | Jan 08, 2010, 12:23 AM EST
There is only one church, don't divide us(sryan26)organizations fail and people sin,Robert Heidler www.glory- of -zion.org

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eyefo40 | Jan 08, 2010, 12:00 AM EST
Some very interesting comments! What I don't seem to see is the news from the different county newspapers - something I looked forward to reading each week. Are they going to be continued? I certainly hope they will be!

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sryan26 | Jan 07, 2010, 11:03 PM EST
In the end only the Catholic faith will remain as Christ has said "The gates of hell shall not prevail against her"

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sryan26 | Jan 07, 2010, 10:59 PM EST
Actually the catholic church has done more than you can imaging for society and also the most important salvation of souls. Which by the way Jesus Christ started the catholic faith which kind of brings up a question of how those other christian denominations got started. Many through disobedience and wanting to start their own church. The university system, hospitals, genetics, and burying the dead all came from the catholic faith. Wow im sure life would be alot less tolerable without these things. The truth is that its the only God given instrument concerned with other human beings. No other institution has done this much in human history nor been concerned with its fellow man like the church. So when you bash it rjwestcoast know what you are talking about

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rjwestcoast | Jan 07, 2010, 07:27 PM EST
I think the Catholic church is finaly being exposed for what it has done through out history,her blood shed and pedophile priests will need their money for the court cases against them,if this building was important go ask the Pope for some money, I cannot see Christ living in the shamneless luxury as he does. Read the Bible people!

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Catholicmom | Jan 07, 2010, 01:12 PM EST
When I saw the headline for this story, I was hoping the plea was for Mel to repent of his dispicable behavior to his wife and seven children, and to apologize for the sin of scandal in taking up with another woman and having an illegitimate child by her. He is anything but a traditional Catholic at this time in his life! That plea is appropriate and overdue from clergy. But instead of first worrying about the state of Mel's soul, the bishop rather contacts him for money. There's no mystery why the Church is in such a sorry state when its shepherds are so little concerned with personal sin. Our Lord said to put Him and His love first and all else would be provided for us--our priests and bishops need to remember that saving souls is thier first priority. The money for rebuilding would be provided easily through our Lord's help--without appealing to rich and famous scandal-ridden stars.

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