Hip-hop monks spread the word at Red Cow Inn

THE MONKS of Moyross brought “Jesus rap” from the Bronx to about 100 young people at Dublin’s Red Cow Inn last night in a “Catholic underground” event.

The movement began in the basement of a New York church about six years ago using a mixture of prayer, Catholic testimony and hip-hop, to reach disillusioned and cynical youth, said the underground’s Br Sylvester.

“People get into crime and drugs because of a lack of hope because they are looking for salvation in something other than Christ,” he said.

Last night’s mix of dance, guitar, song and rap, was lead by a former drug-using punk rocker who turned to God.

Monks from New York religious order Franciscan Friars of the Renewal set up a friary in Limerick’s troubled Moyross housing estate last year. Br Sylvester said he hoped to set up other friaries around the State soon.