The Bishop of Raphoe, Dr.Philip Boyce, has stepped-in to resolve a row between a choir singer and a local priest.
Singer Sara
Donegal Daily revealed how there was an unholy row after a priest in Lettermacaward became involved in a heated debate with local church singer Sara Laughlin.
Fr Shane Gallagher reprimanded teacher Sara after a mix-up over the singing of a popular hymn.
Fr Gallagher mistakenly thought the song was Voice of an Angel by pop singer Sarah McLochlan and ordered Sara not to sing it again.
Sara, who sang the song at her grandmother and uncle’s anniversary mass at St.Bridget’s Church last Saturday, explained it was a different song of the same name by Fr Liam Lawton.
A row ensued in which Sara claims she was shouted at by Fr Gallagher.
Bishop Boyce has apologised
Now Bishop Boyce has contacted Sara to apologise over the matter.
He has promised the teacher and director of the Donegal Youth Choir that the matter will be fully resolved.
However Sara told Donegal Daily that she has not received any contact from Fr Gallagher.
And she says that herself and her family will remain away from St Bridget’s Church while he is the priest there.
“Personally I just could not go back as long as Fr Gallagher is there. I am still frightened of him after what happened.
“People don’t realise what happened on Saturday night and what I went through.
“I appreciate that Bishop Boyce apologised over the incident and I am very grateful to him for going out of his way to do that.
St Bridget’s Church in Lettermacaward
“I have received no contact from Fr Gallagher and it is too late now. I simply could not go back to the church while he is there,” she said.
Our previous article is here:
https://www.donegaldaily.com/2013/10/06/donegal-priest-and-choir-singer-in-unholy-row-over-song/
