Jesuit Provincial Fr Patrick Magro said in a statement last night that it was ironic that the Jesuits were not invited to a meeting by the developers of the proposed shooting ranges near Mt St Joseph even though the primary purpose of the meeting was reported to be that of 'reassuring the Jesuits and other detractors that the noise will not be an issue’.
"While we appreciate U Group’s condemnation of the threat we received a few days ago, we find it ironic that a meeting was called by the group and three associations representing shooters and collectors, publicly stating that ‘the meeting’s primary objective was to reassure the Jesuits and other detractors that the noise will not be an issue’ and yet we were not invited to be there."
Fr Magro said that although Ms Anastasia Budykho, Executive Director of U Group, had invited the Jesuits to get in touch, their attempts to find who U Group actually were had failed.
"Regrettably the announcement by Ms Budykho did nothing to put our mind at rest. On the contrary, it confirmed what has been our concern all along that the noise generated by the firearms cannot be fully contained within the six shooting ranges proposed. This is cause for serious concern for us since people come to a Retreat House to find silence and not hear firearm noise," Fr Magro said
"Ms Budykho brushes aside concerns of noise, safety, ecology and traffic. This is understandable coming from the developer who has manifest commercial interests.
"We operate Mount Saint Joseph at a loss and we do not mind subsidizing this place because our interest is the interest and wellbeing of the thousands who visit our retreat house. We appeal to U Group to work with the Government to find an alternative location that does not disturb neighbouring residents whilst also respecting the natural environment.”
He said he was baffled by Ms Budykho’s claim that U Group has been socially conscious when seeking a site for its shooting range complex - this when it opted for a site next door to a long-established institution that has offered care and support through its silent atmosphere to countless thousands, thus putting the very reason for its existence under threat.