Dublin Airports To Discontinue Traditional Blessing of Planes by Catholic Priests
Dublin: The authorities at Dublin Airport are implementing measures aligned with the government’s policy aimed at fostering inclusivity and diversity, which includes moving away from traditional practices associated with Catholicism. Among these measures is the discontinuation of the longstanding practice of having Catholic priests bless planes, a tradition that has been part of the airport’s customs for 75 years.
Despite Ireland’s characterisation as a predominantly Catholic country, with 69% of the population identifying as Catholic according to the 2022 census, there has been a shift away from religious-centric practices within public institutions. This move towards secularism is exemplified by the cessation of the Christmas Day blessing of planes, previously conducted by Catholic priests at Dublin Airport. Father Desmond ‘Des’ Doyle, the chaplain of Our Lady Queen of Heaven at the Airport Church, had overseen this ritual in recent years.
The decision to discontinue individual blessings, due to logistical challenges posed by overcrowding, has led to the adoption of public blessings from the airfield. Additionally, the airport has introduced a multi-prayer room in Terminal 2, reflecting efforts to accommodate diverse religious beliefs.
The evolving stance of the governing parties, including Fine Gael and Fianna fail, Green, towards secularism underscores a broader societal trend towards inclusivity. The policies pursued by the opposition Labour Party during their tenure, as well as the support from the main opposition Sinn Fein, further signify a collective drive towards creating a more secular Ireland.
Despite these changes, Dublin Airport continues to experience significant growth in passenger traffic, with 30.2 million passengers passing through in 2022—an increase of nearly 250% compared to the previous year. This underscores the need for evolving practices that reflect the changing demographics and values of the Irish society.
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