As the coronavirus continues to take victims, governments all over the world limit the movement of their citizens so they can stop the spreading of this disease. One Irish priest has his own measures for fighting the virus, and that is by spreading his Holy Thursday Blessing abroad a vintage popemobile.
According to Reuters, Father Malachy Conlon rode around a rural peninsula greeting locals who lined the streets from behind partially lowered protective shields in the white, open-roofed vehicle that is usually the centerpiece of papal motorcades when the head of the Roman Catholic Church travels the world.
The ‘popemobile’ driven by Father Malachy Conlon was used by Pope John Paul the 2nd as he traveled to Britain and South Africa in the 1980s. Conlon also told Reuters that the vehicle was later purchased by a local parishioner, whose widow keeps it in storage nearby.
The government of Ireland issued an order towards its citizens on March 27 to stay at home in order to slow the spreading of the deadly disease. Father Conlon asked the believers not to gather for Easter but to receive the blessings from the side of the road.
After his six-hour drive, Conlon said:
“The pastoral council talked about reaching out to people at this difficult time and as we talked, this idea evolved. It was all quite spontaneous.’’
“There were huge crowds, it was a moving turnout. I’ve never received such a torrent of messages as I have this evening, people deeply appreciative and feeling connected to one another, despite all of the distancing,’’ concluded Conlon.
Be the first to comment