Irish Sunday Mass boycott is a flop

Parishioners ignore effort to protest women’s role

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Mass at Abbeyleix Church, County Laois

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An attempt at a boycott of masses in Ireland by parishioners angry over the church’s handling of women’s roles  failed on Sunday. The boycott had been supported by several organizations in the U.S. as well.

Churches reported normal attendance in all areas despite a call by  Jennifer Sleeman (81), from Clonakilty, Co Cork, to  protest at the Church's treatment of women.

 Sleeman had said she wanted the  Irish church tp know "women are tired of being treated as second-class citizens" and called on Catholicto "join your sisters on Sunday, "Whatever change you long for, recognition, ordination, the end of celibacy, which is another means of keeping women out, join with your sisters and let the hierarchy know by your absence that the days of an exclusively male-dominated church are over."

However a survey by the Irish Times of several churches found all reporting normal attendance at mass,a fact borne out by outside observers.
Martin Long, Director of the Catholic Communications Office said the Church encouraged people not to absent themselves from Mass, no matter what their views.

"The celebration of the Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation is essential to the practice of the Catholic faith as the Sunday Eucharist is a pivotal aspect of the spiritual lives of Catholics."

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