Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan has called for urgent action to tackle drug use in Ireland.
In his closing remarks at the funeral service for four members of the English family who died in a house fire in Birchwood last week, he said: “Four beautiful, innocent lives have been taken: two loving, devoted parents who did the best for their children, and their two sons – all innocent victims of a web of evil which is the drugs trade.”
He continued: “As a country we have not really faced up to this problem and it is a fact that in every city, town, village and townland harmful drugs are available. Up and down this dear land people are turning to drugs.
Young lives and the lives of the not-so-young are being destroyed by drugs, and those who work behind the scenes need to see the consequences of their dark trade and atone for their sin. And I encourage anyone with information to convey it confidentially to the authorities.
Pope Francis often said that “everything is connected” and anyone who deals in drugs is contributing to a deadly darkness.
And anyone in Ireland who thinks that there is no harm in taking a line of cocaine on the weekend is utterly mistaken and is also feeding this evil machine.
The use of drugs is a choice and a physical and spiritual problem. The human spirit seeks to be filled by love and meaning. Many people look in the wrong places.
I do not come to judge.
I ask you all to join with me in saying this must stop. We must see what is happening to our country and our communities. If the demand for drugs dries up then the supply disappears.
Please join with me in proclaiming that there is another way to live, a better way to live.
The spiritual vacuum inside can be filled not by drugs but with love and purpose in life, by family and friends, by meaningful work and ultimately by Our Father God Himself, by the One who made us.
His Son died to set us free.
That same Jesus weeps today and He is saying to us all, “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest” … “Trust in me.”
Let us try again to trust Jesus Christ and follow Him, not seeking vengeance. Let us, as a community, learn from this terrible tragedy.
Maybe the deaths of Kim and Phil, Callum and Jayden will bring about a change for good. Maybe we will see we can change the direction which many are taking and find a better way to live with hope and love and faith.
Jesus is real and to Him we offer back the lives of these loved ones today, that He will embrace them in His loving arms eternally.”
Philip, Kim, Jayden and Callum English were laid to rest in Kilbarry cemetery following a funeral service at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly this afternoon.
Gardaí are continuing their investigation into the deaths of the English family.
Two people appeared before Clonmel District Court on Saturday last and were remanded in custody to appear again before Waterford District Court on Tuesday.
