19 April 2022
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
At the Palm Sunday Vigil Mass on Saturday, April 9th, the Cathedral Family of Parishes Climate Justice Group celebrated the reception of the Eco Congregation Ireland Award from Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork & Ross. The Climate Justice Group was established by the Parish Assembly to help better understand the many issues and challenges raised by Pope Francis in his letter Laudato Si. The Eco Award was given to the group in recognition of the impressive work done by them over the past four years since they were established in 2018.
Presenting the award, Bishop Fintan congratulated the team in the Cathedral and acknowledged the work done in all areas, environmental, physical, practical, community and global. Sr. Catherine Brennan, Catholic Representative on the ECI Committee, unfortunately, was unable to attend. Bishop Fintan read out a message on her behalf. In the message, she praised the good work of the group and singled out the renewable energy work in the churches as one of the best in the country and a model for all parishes.
The presentation was followed by the planting of a native Irish rowan tree in the grounds of the Cathedral to mark the occasion. Included is Canon John O’Donovan.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
In terms of practical work done in the use of sustainable energy in historic buildings, the Cathedral Family of Parishes is indeed a leader in this country. The Cathedral building itself, which dates from 1808, is the first Cathedral in the country to have so many energy upgrades installed. The work is ongoing since 2016 when the Cathedral Church began installing sustainable energy measures, which include an LED lighting upgrade, photovoltaic panels an air-to-air heat pump, including heaters both front and back of the building, and attic insulation. Two temperature & humidity sensors have been installed. These are placed in the seating area of the Cathedral, and help to make the heating as efficient as possible. Conscious of the need to use energy wisely an energy monitoring system called Wattrics is also installed which monitors the use of electricity in different areas of the Cathedral. There are two Electric Car chargers available for use in the Cathedral car park.
Similarly this system is installed in Blackpool Church, along with the heat pump, LED lighting and attic insulation. Led lighting is also installed in St Oliver’s & St Brendan’s. The Administrator and Parish Priest of the Cathedral Canon John O Donovan has been involved in this work since the start and is also a member of the Climate Justice Group.
The ceremony was attended by Eco Congregation Ireland Chairperson, Rev Andrew Orr, Eileen and Frank Dorr who facilitated the development of the group, Jer O Sullivan and members of St Anne’s Shandon ECI and representatives of the Eco congregation Groups around the city and county.
The presentation was followed by the planting of a native Irish rowan tree in the grounds of the Cathedral to mark the occasion.
Pictured Left to Right: Alisha Hoare, Ann O’Sullivan, Benny McGuckian, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Teresa Manning and Mary Hoare.
At the Palm Sunday Vigil Mass on Saturday, April 9th, the Cathedral Family of Parishes Climate Justice Group celebrated the reception of the Eco Congregation Ireland Award from Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork & Ross.
Pic: Brian Lougheed