As the church grapples with how it should celebrate Saint Brigid's Day as a public holiday, the oratory at her shrine in Faughart, Co. Louth is to host a County Council event with speakers from various secular backgrounds.
The programme has been criticised by soke Catholic groups, who object to the conflation between Saint Brigid the historical nun and Brigid the pagan goddess.
The Irish Society for Christian Civilisation have released the following statement about Sunday's event:
‘On Sunday, 29th January, pagan/occultists are planning to blaspheme the Oratory of St Brigid's Shrine in Faughart, Co. Louth. In previous years, these people gained access to the oratory, standing in front of God's tabernacle and singing a Hindu chant to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. They also adored St. Brigid as a goddess’.
They have appealed for people to join them at the oratory to pray the Rosary this coming Sunday from 5pm to 7pm in order to honour Saint Brigid.