Drive safely this bank holiday implores Bishop

Motorists throughout Ireland have been urged to slow down and drive safely this bank holiday weekend by the Bishop of Clogher.

In a statement issued on Friday, as the bank holiday rush was getting underway, Bishop Liam MacDaid called on all road users: motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, to take special care of themselves and their loved ones.  He also recommended that they take time to say a dedicated prayer for motorists.

“Up to the May 31, the recorded 2012 road fatality figures stood at 69 for the Republic and 16 for the North”, the Bishop explained in his statement.

“This loss of human life is heart breaking for the loved ones of the deceased and a tragedy for our society as a whole.” 

In view of the June bank holiday, he said he is, "asking all road users to exercise particular vigilance in terms of safety and to be responsible on the roads over the next three days.”

The Bishop of Clogher added, “Care for one another in our community is a basic human value which travels across different faiths and cultures.  This duty of care also applies to our road use and it is fundamental to the common good of all in society.”  He concluded his statement by saying, “As individuals we have an obligation to exercise a duty of care to other road users by improving our driver behaviour."

“At a public policy level, this improved behaviour needs to be matched by effective strategic planning and greater resourcing.”

Bishop MacDaid has recommended that motorists take the time to say the following prayer before driving:

Prayer for motorists before driving

Before I take my place behind the wheel

I pray, O Sacred Heart – Guide me on my way.

Virgin Mary, Morning Star, from every danger guide this car.

Thou dear Lord who gave it to enjoy,

Grant that its purpose be to save and not destroy.

Amen

Last September, the Archdiocese of Tuam lent support to a new road safety campaign run by Mayo County Council in which hundreds of high-visibility vests were distributed to over 100 churches across the county.

Tuam spokesperson Fr Fintan Monaghan said the Catholic Church is, “fully behind the campaign.  We all need to play our part to make our roads safer.”

The Diocese of Clogher is a cross-border diocese.  It includes the counties of Monaghan, Fermanagh and portions of Tyrone, Donegal, Louth and Cavan.  The Diocese of Clogher has 86,047 Catholics, 73 priests, 37 parishes and 85 churches.  The Cathedral of Saint Macartan is located in Monaghan town.

By Sarah Mac Donald