RTÉ to Broadcast Sunday Mass Live from Churches across Ireland
Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, is set to embark on a new chapter in its long-standing tradition of broadcasting religious services, beginning with the first live Sunday Mass transmission directly from a parish church tomorrow. This marks a important departure from the previous model,where the broadcasts originated from RTÉ’s studio in Donnybrook,a practice spanning over three decades.
The inaugural live mass will be celebrated from St. mary’s Church in Navan, County Meath, at 11:00 AM. This shift is part of RTÉ’s broader strategic realignment and a commitment to more accessible and authentic religious programming. The production of these broadcasts has been contracted to autonomous production company Scratch Films, following a competitive tender awarded last October for a three-year period.
Previously, RTÉ’s approach to broadcasting Christian worship involved bringing congregations from parishes and schools nationwide to Dublin for studio recordings. This presented logistical challenges and a considerable burden on participating communities, as well as contributing to a substantial carbon footprint. The move to broadcast directly from churches aims to alleviate these concerns and offer a more representative and convenient experience for both participants and viewers.
Archbishop Eamon Martin has warmly welcomed the change, describing it as “an example of public service broadcasting at its best.” He emphasized the particular value this new approach will hold for individuals who are housebound, elderly, or or else unable to attend Mass in person.
“While we are very grateful for past broadcasts of worship from the RTÉ studio, we believe that sharing the festivity of Mass directly from parishes and from our manny beautiful and historic churches will provide a richer and more authentic experience for all concerned,” Archbishop Martin stated.
The decision reflects RTÉ’s commitment to evolving its programming to better serve the needs of its audience and to embrace more sustainable practices. Viewers can expect to see Mass celebrated from various parishes and historic churches across Ireland in the coming months,offering a diverse and engaging reflection of the country’s Catholic faith.
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