Fri. 20 Feb. 2026 – Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse
Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse (Click link for NSBCCCI Resources)
In Ireland, a Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse is marked each year on the Friday immediately following Ash Wednesday. This year it will be marked across Ireland on Friday 20th February 2026.
This day is not only for victims and survivors who have been so severely injured inside our Church, but also for the families and communities affected by the pain and grief of their loved ones.
Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ will celebrate Mass in St Peter’s Cathedral on
Friday 20th February 2026 at 6:00pm.
All are invited to attend the Mass in St Peter’s Cathedral, particularly Chairs and members of Parish – Family of Parishes Safeguarding Committees, and join with Bishop Alan in praying for all those who have been affected by abuse.
“It is essential that we, as a Church, be able to acknowledge and condemn, with sorrow and shame, the atrocities perpetrated by consecrated persons, clerics, and all those entrusted with the mission of watching over and caring for those most vulnerable. Let us beg forgiveness for our own sins and the sins of others. An awareness of sin helps us to acknowledge the errors, the crimes and the wounds caused in the past and allows us, in the present, to be more open and committed along a journey of renewed conversion”[1].
Abuse happened within the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Abuse happened in our Diocese of Down and Connor.
[1] Extract from the Safeguarding Resource package prepared for the Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse 20th February 2026
