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22nd Aug 2018

Hozier to perform at solidarity march for clerical abuse victims during Papal visit

Kate Demolder

Hozier

The event kicks off at 2.30pm on Sunday 26 August at the Garden of Remembrance.

Following weeks of divisive opinion with regards to the upcoming Papal visit, a ‘Stand4Truth’ rally has been organised to gather in solidarity with victims of abuse at the hands of the Catholic Church.

The event – which is set to take place on the same day that the Pope will say mass in Phoenix Park – aims to stand with survivors of clerical abuse and institutionalisation as well boycott the Papal mass itself.

According to their press release, Stand4Truth is “timed to coincide with Pope Francis’s visit to Ireland and is for everyone who has been harmed or abused by the institutional Roman Catholic Church, or who wishes to stand in solidarity with those harmed by its actions.”

Joining those on the day are artists including Hozier, Róisín O from Thanks Brother and Liam Ó’Maonlaí who will perform on stage. The gathered crowd will then walk silently to Sean McDermott Street to the last remaining Magdalene Laundry in the possession of the people.

They will be able to leave messages of support there, the focus of which will be a commissioned art piece by artist Will St. Leger.

The gathering will take place from 3pm – 4pm, with spoken word performances by theatre maker, Grace Dyas, poet Sarah Clancy and activist Colm O’Gorman.

O’Gorman – the Executive Director of Amnesty International who rose to prominence some 20 years ago when he sued the Pope for allegedly covering up instances of clerical abuse – organised the event two weeks ago, urging “those who have been abused” to join him in solidarity.

“This event will be a moment to assert and respect the dignity of those who have been abused, and to stand in solidarity with them,” the 52-year-old – who himself is also a victim of clerical abuse – wrote in a tweet.

Several weeks ago, a controversial Facebook event entitled Say Nope To The Pope was created in an attempt to protest the Pontiff’s planned visit and encourage people who object to the Catholic Church to book tickets in their dozens and not turn up to the events in both Phoenix Park and Knock.

Those who joined the group referred to themselves as “peaceful protesters”, attempting to acquire a huge amount of tickets for the Papal visit, and not use them, to ensure a low turnout at events.

“It’s the most peaceful way it could be done,” one member said.

The Pope will visit Ireland on 25 and 26 August. The full itinerary for his visit can be seen here.

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