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- Anger
in Achill as House of Prayer
closes
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- by Padraig Burns
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- AFTER weeks of speculation surrounding its future the
House of Prayer on Achill
Island closed on Sunday last. The decision to close the
House was taken on Friday last by its founder, Christina
Gallagher.
- Mrs. Gallagher made her announcement on local radio.
She said that new arrangements imposed by the Archbishop
made it impossible for her to continue. "I am not able,
physically or mentally to take anymore. I haven't got the
strength of mind or body to go on," she said.
- Ever since the report of a Church commission into
alleged 'healings' and other miraculous happenings at the
house was published last year the Archdiocese of Tuam has
tightened its control on the centre. Sunday Masses were
discontinued and confessions were withdrawn.
- In a statement issued at the weekend, Archbishop
Michael Neary said he had never called for the closure of
the house. "I wish to state clearl and emphatically that
at no time have I ever instructed Mrs. Gallagher, either
verbally or in writing, to take this step. On the
contrary, I have repeatedly stated that it is not my
intention to close the House of Prayer," he said.
- Hundreds of people from all over Ireland gathered at
the House of Prayer on Sunday last for the final day of
ceremonies. Mrs. Gallagher walked through the crowd with
her spiritual advisor, Fr. McGinnity and said the
Rosary.
- Local businessman, Martin McGreal, said it was a very
emotional occasion and one that touched everyone. "There
were reporters there from all over the world and they
found it very difficult to describe the atmosphere. It
was very special," he said.
- Mr. McGreal went on to describe the economic
difficulties that the islanders will face in the
aftermath of the closure. "The fifth anniversary of the
House of Prayer was due to be celebrated later this month
and we were expecting in the region of two-thousand
people for it. That has had to be cancelled.
- "One hotelier has told me that he has put eight girls
on notice. That's the way it's going to be. Christina
Gallagher brought fifteen thousand people here every
year. They're not tourists, they're pilgrims and they
won't come back to Achill. The House of Prayer was their
reason for coming.
- "It's a huge blow for Achill and one that will take a
long time to recover from. People had committed so much
to it. I spoke to one woman today and she told me she had
borrowed £150,000 to build a bed and breakfast
house. She's devestated.
- "You know, there was nothing wrong with what
Christina Gallagher was doing. People were coming here to
pray and what was the problem with that. People down here
cannot believe it. It's hard to know what we'll do
now.
- "We have no idea where Christina Gallagher will go
now. It's hard to see the Bishop changing his mind but
one thing is sure, he has changed a lot of people's
minds."
- *See Archbishop's statement, p 5.
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