A priest was forced to cancel Ash Wednesday after parishioners were accidentally scorched by the holy ashes.
The ashes used on mass goers at St Joseph’s Church in Newtownshandrum in Cork caused blisters and rashes to form on their foreheads with the Mirror reporting that one man had to be taken to hospital.
“It was while I was placing the ash on the foreheads of parishioners that people began complaining about a burning sensation on their foreheads” said Fr Eugene Baker.
“I was surprised by it as I was dipping my thumb in the ashes but did not have any sort of reaction to it myself.”
On spotting the problem Fr Baker ceased giving out more ashes and directed parishioners to remove the ashes immediately.
“It was just an unfortunate incident and I immediately apologised to everybody in the church” he said.
“Thankfully the only people given the ashes were all adults.
“I have been assured a reaction like this can happen – it was not some sort of supernatural event.”
