Members of the DCU Chaplaincy and St Dominic’s Society in DCU visited the Government buildings with Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Donal Roche. Fr Seamus McEntee, President of the St Dominic’s Catholic Society said this visit is important to give students the opportunity to see where the decisions for the Republic are made, and to bridge them to those they voted for.
Fr McEntee said the trip was important as they are over 18 and voting is a citizens’ responsibility. “To vote and who you’re voting for. And also, to be in touch with the social issues of the day, and what elected politicians are advocating for… That’s a great chance for them to stop and chat with people of the faith. TDs, elected members… are people of faith as well.”
This visit was organised by Conor Brennan, treasurer of the Society. Some students were asking him “could they go in for a tour” so the treasurer contacted his local TD Malcolm Byrne who facilitated the visit.
“The tour basically consisted of a tour of Leinster House and a meal, and I invited Bishop Donal along,” Mr Brennan said. “It was lovely to have the bishop as well, because I know one of the things out of the Synod was a recommendation that bishops and priests should be more accessible.”
Fr Seamus said that from Bishop Roche’s point of view “he was inspired by the students he met, and was encouraged by their faith. Because he said, very often, the faith of young people it’s underground. He used that word. It’s hidden, it’s not out there on top. You think sometimes young people are afraid or don’t practise their faith, and the whole point of the Society in DCU is like the charcoal fire. If you leave one piece of charcoal carbon by itself, it will go out.”
