THE Ferns diocesan director of catechetics, Father Michael Funge, has implicitly confirmed a Sunday newspaper report that parents in several parishes in the diocese have said that they do not want Bishop Brendan Comiskey to confirm their children this year.
In a statement yesterday, Father Funge said he was "very surprised"at the report in the Sunday Independent to the effect that many parents did not want the bishop to confirm their children.
"Many people were concerned and disappointed that the bishop would not be back in time for confirmation. However, they were reassured when they were told that he would be back in time."
"We accept that there are some people who hold a different view. Their view will be listened to with respect by all involved in the preparation for, and celebration of confirmation, in older that confirmation can be a happy family and parish occasion," he said.
Bishop Comiskey is expected to return to Wexford within the next 10 days from the US.
More Wexford people want Dr Comiskey to resign rather than stay in office, according to an opinion poll published today.
The poll was carried out three weeks ago by Lansdowne Market Research at 40 locations through out Co Wexford on behalf of the Wexford People newspaper.
Of those people queried, 47 per cent said they wanted Dr Comiskey to resign 36 per cent wanted him to remain on as bishop and 18 per cent offered no opinion. The poll also showed 55 per cent having no confidence in Dr Comiskey, with 36 per cent expressing confidence in him and nine per cent offering no comment
Also the poll revealed that 72 per cent of respondents felt Dr Comiskey handled allegations of sexual abuse in his diocese badly.