Knock shrine apologises for upsetting teen over dress code

Knock Shrine apologises for upsetting teenager over dress code


Anton McNulty

Management at Knock Shrine have apologised to a 13-year-old girl who was approached by a security guard who informed her that her shorts were in breach of a new dress code.
Lauren Moran from Drumshanbo in Co Leitrim was visiting the holy shrine along with her mother, Melanie and family for the annual novena. When her mother went into confessions, a security guard approached Lauren who informed her that the shorts she was wearing were in breach of a new dress code being enforced.
Lauren’s mother, Melanie said her daughter was very upset after being approached by the security guard and wanted to leave the shrine.
“She had been approached by the security guard and told. ‘have you seen the dress code’. Now he was quite nice about it; he said ‘I have to stop wearing my shorts’… but she was upset about it,” she told i102-104fm.
Melanie said that Lauren’s shorts were a normal pair of shorts and she did not feel that she was inappropriately dressed. She said they go to Knock for the novena every year and added that Lauren is a very active member of the community in Drumshanbo who reads at Mass and sings in the choir.
The new dress code at Knock shrine was introduced prior to the annual novena which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The guidelines were introduced to bring the shrine into line with the practices at Lourdes, the Vatican, and other pilgrimage sites.
Pat Lavelle, shrine manager at Knock apologised for the incident involving Lauren and said it should not have happened. He said there was no question of enforcement. as such, where the guidelines were concerned but hopes pilgrims would comply as they do at other shrines. He said at other pilgrimage destinations, such dress codes are enforced strictly.
Mr Lavelle added that in over 20 years at Knock one of the most frequent criticisms which arise surrounds the issue of the dress of other pilgrims.
“One of the most frequent criticisms by pilgrims has been the lack of respect they felt was being shown by the dress of other pilgrims.… particularly young women,” he said.