September 11th is a date which changed the way we live forever, the Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Bishop Raymond Field told a commemoration mass today. "It is one of history¿s turning points," he told a congregation at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral.
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"No grievance, no religion, no matter what its claim, can legitimate what happened on September 11th last year," "It is itself [terrorism] a true crime against humanity," he added.
The eucharistic gifts were brought to the alter by family members of Martin Coughlan, who died in the attacks. Mr Coughlan, formerly from Co Tipperary, was working on the 97th floor of the World Trade Centre when the attack happened. He was a married man with four daughters and had been living in the Queens district of New York for 14 years.
Bishop Field also honoured "the selflessness of the firefighters, members of the police force, chaplains and other brave individuals who sacrificed their lives in the service of others. They are the true heroes."
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He offered prayers for the 3,047 people who died and asked members of the congregation to remember the 3,251 children who lost their parents in the attack.
The mass was attended by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, members of the Government and opposition, the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, the American Charge D'Affaires Ms Jean Benton Fort, members of the Diplomatic Corps and members of the Dublin Fire Brigade.
The September 11th attacks on the US will be remembered across Ireland today, with a call for a minute's silence to be observed at 1.46 p.m.
