Kilnacrott to be knocked for new €8M faith centre
Work to demolish the Holy Trinity Abbey at Kilnacrott near Ballyjamesduff, which once sheltered one of the most prolific child abusers the church has ever seen, will begin on July 1. Immediately after the near 175-year-old property is knocked, construction will start on a new multi-million-euro, faith-formation centre to replace it.
The 32 acres of land attached to former Norbertine Order’s headquarters still hold the remains of the late Brendan Smyth who, after he died in August 1997, was buried there in secret, with the title ‘Reverend’ later scrubbed from his headstone following a campaign by victims.
A public event planned for June 22, to mark the official ground-breaking for the new faith centre, will involve a brief liturgy and prayers offered for healing abuse survivors.
The faith centre development secured planning permission last April. The applicant Direction For Our Times Ireland CLG is a religious organisation led by a lay apostolate ‘Anne’, real name Kathryn Ann Clarke, an American author best known for her young adult fiction.
She claims to have begun receiving visions after a visit Medjugorje in 2001, which directed her towards establishing a base here in Cavan.
In August 2012, after years of fundraising, Direction For Our Times Ireland (DFOT) completed the purchase of Holy Trinity Abbey and some of the lands for a sum exceeding €600,000.
They first announced plans to build a new €4M ‘Faith Formation Centre’ back in 2019. The graveyard- where Smyth is buried under several tonne of concrete- is to remain.
The property, now called Tearmann Anima or ‘The Soul Sanctuary’, will in future be home to the Church-recognised Catholic association called ‘Apostolate of the Returning King’.
Ten years ago last November the writings of ‘Anne’ received an Imprimatur, and in 2018 DFOT, the civil organisation through which the new faith centre is being built, was granted ecclesiastical status by the now retired Bishop of Kilmore Leo O’Reilly.
DFOT founder Ms Clarke said the organisation looks forward to “providing a home for contemporary Catholic formation” with “heavy doses of human development” along with “accurate Catechism and Scripture”.
“Our contention is that when people are directly connected to God through contemplative prayer, the sacramental life makes more sense and is better understood. That stated, we look forward to welcoming and collaborating with people from all denominations and none who desire to pray contemplatively or simply come to know God better.”
In a statement issued to the Celt, DFOT confirmed that, immediately following demolition the former abbey, construction will start of the planned purpose-built faith formation centre, to incorporate a 1,258 SqM admin building split into north and south blocks, replete with dining areas, offices, studios, an eight child crèche, ancillary toilet and stores.
DOFT note, with respect to Smyth’s grave, that ‘for the moment’ it remains ‘undisturbed’.
The statement reads: ‘[It] will serve as a reminder of the impact of abuse and the historical mishandling of it. Moral and societal obligations to survivors were not met, a source of resounding anger and grief for all. Going forward, prevention becomes our focus.’
“Prevention is an essential response to the issue of abuse. When people, particularly young people, are taught boundaries early they know exactly what is unacceptable,” states Ms Clarke.
“As we all know, abuses can happen anywhere, to anyone, but imbalances of power increase vulnerability and decrease accountability. Prevention through the teaching of boundaries addresses this issue on both fronts - empowering young people and fostering a culture in which power misuses are subject to immediate scrutiny and consequences.”
Ten-year permission
DFOT have been granted a lengthy 10-year permission in which to complete the works, and ultimately the organisation hope to add a 124 SqM caretakers lodge (residency) and modular residential accommodation consisting of four 120 SqM three-bed units and four multi-occupancy eight 367 SqM bed dormitories.
The €8m project has already received a grant of €5.5m from the Papal Foundation based in Philadelphia, and fundraising continues on Phase One of the development.
Planning files submitted outline that Phase One involves the demolition of the existing building to be replaced with the new administration building. The second phase will include the building of ancillary residential elements and sports facilities.
Phases one and two are expected to be completed within the standard five-year period. The third and final phase will see the construction of the proposed 1,163 SqM education and retreat centre, containing a 300 person auditorium and four classrooms, as well as a 180 SqM 60 person capacity oratory.
It is possible that elements of the proposed development could be accelerated if requisite funding comes available.
From the new centre the Apostolate intends to offer training and support to its international membership, to help them present programmes with ‘key cutting-edge topics like protecting and improving one’s mental health and mind, relationships, and prayer life’.