Hawkers to be banned in Knock

by David Browne
HAWKERS and unauthorised souvenir sellers are to be banned from the area around Knock shrine for the duration of the Pope's visit under a temporary injunction granted by the Irish High Court. The injunction was granted to the trustees of the shrine Archbishop Joseph Cunnane of loam, Mgr James Horan the parish priest of Knock and Canon Michael Walsh, parish priest of Dunmore, Co Galway against a number of named traders from Lonford and Tuam. In granting the injunction Mr Justice Keane warned that others would be bound by the order and could be committed for contempt of court if they failed to comply. There have been numerous complaints by pilgrims recently that they were being annoyed by hawkers during their visit to the shrine.
Mgr Horan said this week that only invalids would be allowed Into the church at Knock when Pope John Paul makes his visit there next month. He said there would be no room for able-bodied pilgrims inside the church which normally holds 15,000. More than half a million people are expected in the tiny village for the papal visit. The prospect of the Pope's visit to the shrine has overshadowed the special anniversary celebrations which will take place there next Wednesday. The special centenary Mass will now serve as a dress rehearsal for the mommoth gathering at the end of September. In preparation for the Pope's visit to Dublin Archbishop Dermot Ryan has set up a special committee to ensure that the visit will be an occasion for great joy and spiritual renewal. Aer LIngus have announced that 20,000 seats will be provided at special low prices for people who want to travel to Ireland from Britain for the Papal visit. The tickets will cost about 40 per cent less than normal but they will have to be booked one month in advance.
Meanwhile the Vatican confirmed last week that the Pope will visit the Philippines on what is expected to be his fourth papal journey outside Italy. But Fr Romeo Panciroli the Vatican spokesman said that no date had yet been fixed.
Cardinal Jaime Sin of Man& and the Phillippines Government were both reported to have said that the Pope would fly there in November, but sources in Rome said the Pope might not make the journey until early next year.
They also said that there was a possibility the Pope might accept a long-standing invitation to visit Austria after his pilgrimages to Ireland and the United States and before he travels to the Far East.
Rumours of a papal visit to the Holy Land have been circulating in Israel recently but such a visit is thought unlikely while the Palestinian question remains unresolved.