Green light for council prayer despite local councillor’s objection

Councillors have agreed to revive the tradition of starting council meetings in Athlone with a prayer, despite an objection from Green Party councillor Louise Heavin.

Meetings of the county council in Mullingar always start with a prayer, and this had also been the practice before meetings in Athlone up until recent years.

Last month, Cllr Tom Farrell called for a moment of prayer to be reinstated before meetings of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, and the wording of the prayer was circulated to councillors for approval at their meeting on Monday.

Cllr Heavin said she knew she was outnumbered on this issue, but she didn't agree with the restoration of "a religious prayer" before meetings.

Cllr Farrell said the wording of the prayer was "very ecumenical" and inclusive. "I propose we go along with that (wording). It's very open, and it covers everybody," he said.

His Fine Gael colleague, John Dolan, agreed. "I'd be of the view that a little bit of prayer never did anyone any harm," said Cllr Dolan.

Athlone Mayor Frankie Keena described the prayer as "all-inclusive" and said, "it's a prayer to give us support with the work we're doing."

"It's not all-inclusive," responded Cllr Heavin. "It's still a Christian prayer. It doesn't cover people of other beliefs or people of no religion."

While no formal vote was taken, Cllr Heavin was the only one of the eight councillors present who indicated an objection to the prayer being restored.

The wording of the prayer, which the local branch of the Green Party shared on social media, was as follows:

"Lord, we invoke your blessing in the work of this council and especially on this meeting. Give us, as a council and individually, wisdom, understanding and right judgement to work for the good of the community we serve.

"Help us to respect the opinions and feelings of our fellow members. Give us a sense of honesty and justice, and the courage and integrity to carry out what we believe to be right.

"We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen."

Recently, Westmeath County Council agreed to retain a prayer at the start of meetings after the issue was raised there by Cllr Heavin.