Clonmel friary ‘sit-in’ ends after court case struck out

Historic Church Closure Dispute in clonmel Resolved

A legal battle over the closure of a historic Franciscan church in Clonmel, Tipperary, has come to an end after a local prayer group vacated the building. Mr Justice Brian Cregan of the High Court dismissed the case after the Abbey House Prayer Group, which had occupied Friary Church as New Year’s Eve, fulfilled its promise to end its sit-in.

The prayer group had staged the protest against the Franciscan Order’s decision to close the 13th-century church, citing dwindling monastic numbers, the aging membership, and the high cost of maintaining the historic building. The group had initially been allowed temporary access to the church under a May 2023 agreement.

A Devastating Loss

Mathew Jolley BL, representing the SF Trust CLG, which owns the property on behalf of the Franciscans, told the court that the matter could be struck out with no further orders. The Trust had sought an injunction forcing the group to vacate the church. Mr Justice Cregan acknowledged the “devastating loss” to the prayer group, in light of the imminent closure.

Financial Strain Cited

Fr Aidan McGrath, minister provincial of the Franciscan Province of Ireland and a director of the SF Trust, outlined in an affidavit the financial burden of maintaining the historic building. He stated that €160,000 had been spent on renovations since January 2023. The Franciscan Order, after a review last October, concluded that sustaining the church’s upkeep was “simply unrealistic.”

Group’s Position

Patrick O’Gorman, chairman of the Abbey House Prayer Group, told the court that they had agreed to vacate the church by January 23rd. He emphasized that the group was not comprised of “religious zealots” but mainly “retired, elderly people who have been coming to the church for generations”. Mr. O’Gorman highlighted the local community’s distress over the closure, stating that the 24-hour sit-in was a “last resort” taken out of “reasonableness.”

He further expressed that the group felt the Franciscan Province was trying to “bully” them into accepting the closure as inevitable. Despite their protest, the group ultimately accepted the decision and ended their occupation.

Moving Forward

The closure of friary Church is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by religious institutions in modern times. Balancing the preservation of historic buildings with the realities of dwindling resources remains a complex issue for many organizations. The Franciscan order’s decision, while ultimately leading to the closure of a cherished community space, highlights the importance of clarity and dialogue in navigating difficult decisions.

How does the Franciscan Order plan to involve the community in finding a lasting future for the Friary Church?

Interview: Fr. Aidan McGrath – Franciscan Order’s Outlook on Clonmel Church Closure

Archyde News Editor: Good day, Fr. Aidan. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us regarding the recent closure of the historic Friary Church in clonmel.

Archive News Editor (ANE): To start, could you walk us through the process that lead to the Franciscan Order’s decision to close the 13th-century church?

Fr. Aidan McGrath (FA): Thank you for having me. The decision was not taken lightly. The franciscan Province has been grappling with the sustainability of maintaining this historic building for some time now.We have a responsibility to ensure the safety adn preservation of this architectural gem, but our resources are stretched thin due to dwindling monastic numbers and an aging membership.

ANE: The Abbey House Prayer Group occupied the church in protest. What was the Franciscan Order’s perspective on this action?

FA: While we understand and sympathize with the group’s sentiment, the occupation caused significant financial strain on top of what we were already facing. Maintenance costs were escalating, and we couldn’t afford to divert resources to security and repairs caused by the occupation.

ANE: The group’s chairman, Patrick O’Gorman, alleged that the franciscan Province was trying to “bully” them. How do you respond to these allegations?

FA: We categorically deny any intention to bully the group. Our communications were always aimed at finding a mutually agreeable solution that considered the needs of the community and the realities we face as an Order. The closure decision was not taken without considering all available options.

ANE: Looking back, what do you think could have been done differently to reach a resolution before the occupation?

FA: Open dialog and honesty are key. We could have perhaps been more forthright about the financial pressure we were under earlier on. Greater clarity on both sides might have helped to avoid the dispute escalating to this point.

ANE: What does the future hold for the Friary Church now that the prayer group has vacated it?

FA: We’re currently exploring options for the building’s future.Our dream is to find a way to repurpose it that respects its historic significance while making it sustainable for future generations. We’re open to dialogue with the community and all stakeholders to make this happen.

ANE: Thank you for your time,Fr.Aidan. In closing, what message would you like to convey to the people of Clonmel and the wider Irish community regarding this issue?

FA: We understand the deep attachment to the Friary Church and share in the community’s sorrow. We assure you that we’re committed to finding a solution that honors the church’s historic importance and serves the community.We’re always open to dialogue and collaboration.