BISHOP of Cork and Ross John Buckley used the Eucharistic Procession in the city today to highlight the need for unity and reconciliation ahead of commemorating the Irish Civil War.

The Procession was one of the few events not cancelled due to heavy wind and rain in Cork.

Speaking at the annual event, Bishop Buckley said we must recall Cork in 1926, the year the first Procession was held.

The previous decade saw the Great War, the War of Independence, Civil War, the burning of Cork and brought poverty, poor housing, emigration and economic recession.

Bishop Buckley explained that in a time of such bitter divisions and social deprivation, something had to be done to unite the community.

A Eucharistic Procession was suggested and the community showed its support for the event.

“In fact, the timber planking for the altar was donated by a Church of Ireland family-owned building firm,” he said.

“This indicated their support for this peace initiative from the Church of Ireland that had suffered considerably, especially in West Cork, during the troubles.

“Hopefully, there will be similar initiatives as we prepare to commemorate in a careful and sensitive way the events of 100 years ago,” added Bishop Buckley.

“It will be a time for reflection not celebration.

“We visit our history not to find what divides us but what unites us."