Members of Cork church damaged in fire appeal for help to find venue to mark Chinese New Year
On Monday, emergency services were called to a blaze at the church on Princes Street which destroyed the building’s interior. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
MEMBERS of a church that was significantly damaged following a fire this week are turning to the public for help as they scramble to find a new venue to celebrate Chinese New Year.
On Monday, emergency services were called to a blaze at the church on Princes Street which destroyed the building’s interior.
Cork-born Buddhist nun Mary O’Connor was among those due to mark the event at the Unitarian Church on Saturday, February 10.
The festival celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.
Practitioners travel from across the globe to celebrate Chinese New Year at the church every year.
The majority of visitors normally comprise of senior teachers or lamas.
Guests preparing for this year’s offering include a group of eight Buddhist monks who have already booked flights to attend the event.
Several UK Buddhist nuns will also travel to Cork for the festival which includes the lighting of 1,000 candles each year.
Mary O'Connor described their predicament.
“The flights are booked so they are coming regardless of whether we find another venue or not,” she said of the Buddhist monks and nuns attending.
“There are long chants so we need people who are very accomplished chanters. They need to have been practising for a very long time. We fly around the world to support each other so having the fire happen just before their visit was devastating. We normally have a service there every Sunday. However, we can't do that now because the fire officer said the building is completely unusable for the moment.”
She described their hopes for Chinese New Year.
“What I'm looking for is another venue where we can light candles. We have been offered the option of using LED lights. However, having LED candles is a bit like asking a priest to have a virtual host. People light candles and make a wish for their loved ones and themselves for the year which is why they are so important. This theme is peace and love because the world is in such a terrible state at the moment.”
The Cork woman reiterated their desperation for help.
“What happened was a disaster but I’m throwing it out into the universe and trusting that the people of Cork will come together to help.”
She emphasised the importance of the event.
“Buddhism is open to everyone. You don’t have to convert to practise. You can be anything from a Catholic Buddhist to a Muslim Buddhist or even an atheist Buddhist. Everyone is welcome because that’s what Buddhism is all about. We have representatives from all the major faith groups coming for the Chinese New Year event.”
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