Irish Times Notes11 Sep 21

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

New Issue of the Gazette

One of the conspicuous features of most Church of Ireland churches is the absence of the decorative arts. Following the Reformation the Church of Ireland was distinctly Calvinist in its theology which allowed no space for anything that might be considered a ‘graven image’. Even today, by international Anglican standards, the churchmanship of the Church of Ireland is low and so there is little in the way of vestments, altar frontals, statuary, carvings or religious paintings

One major exception to this is stained glass, which, from the 19th century onwards, became a regular feature of parish churches and cathedrals. Much of this came from English studios, some is, to quote John Betjeman, ‘many coloured Munich glass’, but from the early 20th century onwards Irish artists began to be featured with the work of Harry Clarke, Evie Hone, Wilhelmina Geddes and others illuminating sanctuaries, chapels and naves. Many of these are memorials to prominent local families and to those who were killed in war. The Church’s corpus of stained glass windows has been expertly catalogued by Dr David Lawrence and is available to all on the website www.gloine.ie. But before Dr Lawrence’s work became available three pioneers, David Caron, Nicola Gordon–Bowe and Michael Wynne, produced a Gazetteer of Irish Stained Glass which was published by the Irish Academic Press in 1988. Now the sole survivor of this trio, David Caron, has produced a new edition of the Gazetteer which has again been published by the Irish Academic Press.

In the current issue of the Church of Ireland Gazette Dr Caron, now retired from the National College of Art & Design, provides an introduction to the new edition of the book.

Also in the current Gazette, the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory, the Rt Revd Michael Burrrows, writes about the Anglican Centre in Rome where he is Chairman if its International Board and there is an interview with the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross, Dr Paul Colton, who reflects on centenaries, commemoration and reconciliation. The former First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, reflects on her political career, her faith and her family while Lydia Monds, Education Officer of the Bishops’ Appeal, offer some thoughts on climate change. Learn about the Hiroshima Day Commemoration, Refugee Week in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, a year in review in the Diocese of Armagh, the lives of prisoners and much more. Find out more about these and other stories and how you can subscribe to the Gazette at https://gazette.ireland.anglican.org

The new academic year at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in Braemor Park commences over this weekend with an Induction programme for all incoming and continuing part–time students.  In line with statutory regulations the Institute is delighted to be able to offer appropriate arrangements for a return to in–person teaching.  Timetabled sessions for the weekend will include ‘Beginning Ministerial Training’, ‘Orientation to the MTh’, ‘Safeguarding Trust’, ‘Reconciliation Studies’, ‘Community Living’ and ‘Academic Writing Skills’.  Each day will begin and end in corporate worship and prayer, and it is hoped that a parallel spouses’ programme can be held online.  Nine students have been recommended by the Bishops’ Selection Conference to start training, and they will be joined by a Non–Stipendiary Minister who is transferring to full–time deployment.

Today (Saturday)  the Bishop of Limerick & Killaloe, Dr Kenneth Kearon, will ordain the Revd Dr Leonard Madden to the priesthood in Saint Mary’s cathedral, Limerick.  Dr Madden will serve as curate–assistant in Limerick City Parish.