Cardinal refused chapel for wedding

A YOUNG Dublin couple have been refused permission by Cardinal Desmond Connell to marry in the chapel of their choice for reasons "too numerous to recount". They were assured, however, that those reasons were "sufficiently serious to merit what might seem a rather strict regulation".

Ms Laura Smyth (26), a physiotherapist at a residential centre for people with mental and physical handicap in the city, wrote to the cardinal on November 8th last seeking permission - as is necessary - to be married in the centre's chapel on February 20th next.

She explained this would mean a lot to herself and her fiancΘ, Mr Michael Cooke (30), as it would "allow my clients, who would not often witness a marriage, to be involved in the day". She also said that in making the request she had the full support of the centre's administrator, a member of a religious order. Father Paul Churchill replied on behalf of the cardinal, on November 12th. He said the cardinal, while appreciating Ms Smyth's reasons for making the request, "would be unhappy at this stage to change accepted diocesan policy in regard to marriages in private churches and oratories". The matter had been gone into "very carefully" some years ago by the late Archbishop Ryan, he said.

"The pastoral difficulties and problems that led to this decision are too numerous to recount here, but I can assure you that they were sufficiently serious to merit what might seem a rather strict regulation," the letter then said.

Replying to Cardinal Connell on December 2nd Ms Smyth said the reason given for his refusal was "not a satisfactory explanation". She and her fiancΘ would now "have to explore the alternatives of cohabiting or a civil marriage, neither of which we want but have little choice about at this time" .

A spokesman for the Dublin archdiocese said yesterday that as the matter was subject to appeal it would not be appropriate to comment.