Friends of Killala Cathedral Mission Statement
The Friends of Killala Cathedral aim to re-establish a pivotal role for St Patrick’s Cathedral, Killala in both the spiritual and the temporal by:
Ensuring the Cathedral Church is structurally and functionally sound and continually available as a place of prayer, worship and beauty to bear gracious and appropriate witness to the power of Christ’s message, brought by Patrick to Ireland;
Promoting the cathedral church as a Patrician foundation within the Christian heritage of Ireland and subsequently the Irish Diaspora and the world.
We understand peace and reconciliation to be central to Patrick’s legacy and to this end we will pursue cross-border cooperation with the St Patrick Centre at Down in establishing a Patrician heritage trail that will link the north-east with the west, taking in the various other Patrician sites in Mayo such as the Foclut (Foghill) Woods near Killala, St Patrick’s well, and of course Croagh Patrick. In the longer term this will involve the provision of a major addition to the secular and religious tourist resource of the West of Ireland - an interpretive centre to be located near the Cathedral in Killala, which in itself will also reflect the dynamic and creative glory of God.
To promote Saint Patrick’s legacy of peace, reconciliation and inclusivity within the Christian heritage of Ireland and the world and St. Patrick’s Cathedral of Killala in the County of Mayo as a focal point of this legacy.
To support and enable St. Patrick’s Cathedral of Killala in the County of Mayo to fulfil its pivotal role as a Patrician foundation as a place of prayer, worship and beauty and of spiritual and cultural renewal within the wider local community and elsewhere through the continuing provision of religious services and cultural, musical and other events.
To promote interest in the historical and religious significance of Saint Patrick in the North Mayo area, throughout the wider region of the Dioceses of Killala, Achonry and Tuam, and in the entirety of the Island of Ireland; to identify places having a direct or indirect connection with Saint Patrick and link these locations into a Patrician Heritage Trail to be known as St. Patrick’s Trail, with St. Patrick’s Cathedral of Killala in the County of Mayo as a central point of pilgrimage.
With the assistance of Fáilte Ireland and all appropriate State and other Agencies to encourage visitors to Ireland to travel St. Patrick’s Trail for spiritual, recreational and educational purposes as well as physical wellbeing.
To encourage and participate in the development of locations having a link or connection with Saint Patrick.
To raise funds for all the above objects, including the restoration and ongoing maintenance of St. Patrick’s Cathedral of Killala in the County of Mayo, in order to enable it to fulfil its role as a centre for spiritual and cultural renewal.
