Social Affairs

Silent protest to be staged at Listowel church following controversial sermons

Event intended by organisers as expression of ‘solidarity with the rainbow community in Kerry and throughout Ireland’

Screengrab of Fr Sean Sheehy at St Mary’s Church Listowel

Anne Lucey
Sat Nov 5 2022 - 15:44

Flowers are to be laid on Sunday at the front of St Mary’s Church Listowel, the scene of controversial sermons last weekend which described gay sex as a mortal sin, and also condemned transgenderism, abortion and contraception for teenagers.

The event is being as an expression of support for the LGBTQ+ community and will take place during the main Sunday mass.

Members of the Green party in Kerry are among those supporting the gathering.

Flowers will be gathered and laid near the church to highlight that Kerry has a LGBTQ+ community and that they also belong to God, according to a statement.

READ MORE

“This event is in response to a sermon on October 30th made by Father Sean Sheehy. It will be a silent event that wishes to provide an opportunity to those who empathise with those mentioned in the sermon and wish to act in solidarity with the rainbow community in Kerry and throughout Ireland,” according to a statement issued by Killarney Green Party representative Diarmaid Griffin.

As part of a silent protest, flowers were laid and protestors danced outside St Mary’s Church Listowel, Co Kerry, the scene of a controversial sermon recently.

“It brings great sadness to my heart that someone ‘so holy’ can think that he can decide who are the children of God, and who is not,” said Dzana Raszewska, one of the organisers of the protest.

“So this Sunday, as a support to LGBTQ+, bit also true Christians who never wanted to be part of this, we are bringing flowers in front of the church” said Ms Raszewska.

“Everyone is welcome, but please note that no hate speech, anger or pointing fingers is allowed. No hate is ever healed by giving the hate back”, she said.

The event will take place at 11:35am and the public are urged to bring flowers and peaceful messages.

LATEST STORIES