The Church Of Ireland
News Briefing

Hand of God Visible in Bible

The activity of God is the great binding cord which runs through the bible, according to the former Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Bishop Roy Warke's new book, In Search of the Living God, has just been published by The Columba Press, priced £7.99. Royalties from the sale of the book go to the 'St Fin Barre's Beyond 2000' project in Cork.

According to Bishop Warke, notable figures come and go, nations rise and fall, situations are highlighted and fade, but through all the changing scenes 'the eye of faith discerns the hand of God'. In his book, the bishop attempts to tease out the contemporary implications of God's activity in a variety of circumstances depicted in the bible. The story of the bible is 'not the prerogative of any one Christian tradition,' he says, 'but is a common meeting ground for all those who seek to interpret the will of God, not only for their own lives, but for the life of church and society.'

This series of biblical reflections is arranged in the order of the books of the bible. Drawn from forty-five years experience in parochial ministry, these thoughts were first preached in a variety of settings throughout the Church of Ireland, in particular during sixteen years as Rector of Zion Parish, Dublin and more recently as Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

Born in Belfast, Roy Warke lived in Mountmellick, Co Laois until 1947. After his ordination, he served curacies in Newtownards, Co Down; St Catherines and Rathfarnham in Dublin. He was also rector of Dunlavin and Hollywood Union in the Diocese of Glendalough, and rector of Drumcondra and North Strand, and Zion parishes in Dublin. Archdeacon of Dublin from 1980 to 1988, he was Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross from 1988 until 1998. Married to Eileen, a native of Newtownards, Co Down, they have two daughters, Jane and Ruth.

'St Fin Barre's Beyond 2000' is a project of development, community outreach and restoration currently under way in St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork. It aims to restore the work of the nineteenth century architect, William Burges, to the highest standards of conservation. It aims also to build the St Fin Barre's Centre to tell the story of the development of the city in relation to the site, under the general title 'Cork begins here!'

Bishop Warke has been associated with the project since its launch in November 1998. The Chairman of 'Beyond 2000', Dean Michael Jackson, said that they were 'delighted' with Bishop Warke's decision to donate his royalties to the project.

'In Search of the Living God - Biblical Reflections' will be launched in St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork by Dean Michael Jackson on Wednesday, 14 June at 7.00 p.m.