Belfast-based Protestant group 'celebrates' Pope's death at shrine in Co Louth

A member of the Official Protestant Coalition, which is based in Belfast, went to the Calvary at Omeath in Co Louth to "celebrate" the death of Pope Francis on the day he died, Monday, April 21.

"Celebrating the antichrists [sic] death at the grotto in Calvary, Omeath," the post on the 'Officialprotestantcoalition' Facebook page says.

"Took a few photos for our followers," the post continues, followed by laughing emojis as well as emojis of the British flag.

On its page, the group says: "The Protestant coalition was formed back in 2012 and is a British identity and cultural group for Northern Ireland."

The Facebook page, which was created in 2017, has 4.6K likes and 7.6K followers.

The photos in the April 21 post show a card bearing the 'red hand of Ulster' with the phrase "No no pope in Rome" written on it.

Other photos show a card with the British flag, also with the phrase "No no pope in Rome" written on it.

(Officialprotestantcoalition, Facebook)

The Irish News reported on Tuesday that the ‘No Pope of Rome’ reference is thought to have been taken from a loyalist song of a similar name.

The song includes the words “No, no Pope of Rome, no chapels to sadden my eyes, no nuns and no priests, no Rosary beads, every day is the Twelfth of July."

It also includes the lines “oh give me a home where there’s no Pope of Rome, where there’s nothing but Protestants stay, where seldom is heard a discouraging word and flute bands play The Sash every day."

The photos were taken in various locations at the Calvary at Omeath, which has been a place of pilgrimage for many years, especially for people in need of healing.

The Calvary, in Co Louth, includes an oratory, the historic Way of the Cross, the Shrine of St. Jude, the Lourdes Grotto, the image of the Divine Mercy and the Fr. Gentili Crypt, and the Fr Luigi Gentilli Gardens.

A novena is held annually in the Calvary at Omeath.

Responding to the stunt, Sinn Féin Councillor Fiona Mhic Conchoille, who lives in Omeath, said in a social media post on Tuesday: "Sectarianism and bigotry, driven by a small number of individuals, will never find sanctuary on our shared island of Ireland.

"Instead, unity and coexistence is what we all strive for!!"

On Monday, Mhic Conchoille had posted a message saying, "Rest in Peace Pope Francis."

In a longer statement, Mhic Conchoille told the Irish News on Tuesday: “I am appalled to see Calvary Shrine in Omeath being used as a platform for such despicable acts of sectarianism.

“It is deeply troubling to witness individuals mocking the death of a respected religious leader.

“This behaviour is not only offensive but also clearly shows their lack of respect for the values and beliefs of the Catholic Church.

“Such actions are a blatant display of disrespect and have no place in our society, which should be promoting understanding and tolerance instead.”