THE ARCHDIOCESE of Tuam has emphatically dissociated itself from the House of Prayer on Achill Island, Co Mayo, stating that its activities are "entirely of a private nature and carries no ecclesiastical approval whatsoever".
Diocesan authorities, in a posting on their website, say they regret that their attempts to integrate the work of the House of Prayer, which is run by a "visionary", Christina Gallagher, have "met with a disappointing lack of success".
"The Archbishop [Dr Michael Neary] would call on all persons of goodwill involved in the situation to reflect on what is best for the church at large and to exercise the greatest responsibility and charity."
The website statement, which is to be followed up by a letter containing similar sentiments to every parish priest in the country, follows damaging claims in a Sunday newspaper that Ms Gallagher is profiting materially from her religious activities. The claims are strongly denied by Ms Gallagher.
Ms Gallagher, from Knockmore, Ballina, founded the House of Prayer in 1988. Tens of thousands have flocked to Achill over the years and the flow of pilgrims has continued despite the decision of the archdiocese in the 1990s to ban Sunday Masses there.
Initially, the archdiocese advised the US hierarchy that they did not regard her or the House of Prayer as credible and requested that they not support her. That warning has been extended to Ireland. Christina Gallagher was unavailable for comment yesterday.