The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan has responded to claims from Waterford Minister John Halligan who says he was prohibited from acting as a sponsor for his godson's confirmation at the weekend, due to his views on abortion.
He says his godson's parents contacted him, saying they had been told by a member of the clergy that he could not stand as sponsor at yesterday's ceremony, by order of the Bishop.
Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said in March he circulated guidelines to all parishes
advising on the role of a Confirmation sponsor which says the person must be a confirmed and practising Catholic.
It said 'Sponsors should give the Confirmation candidate a good example of what it means to be a disciple of Christ
and should take their own spiritual life seriously.
This will be shown by their Sponsor's love of God, their love for the Word of God, for the Mass and the Sacraments, for the teachings of the Church, and by the love they show for others.
