Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Autumn Issue of Search
The autumn issue of the Church of Ireland journal, Search, edited by Canon Ginnie Kennerley, will reach contributors shortly.
The conflicting socio–political perceptions that are part of this island’s make–up have been emphasised in this major centenary year to the extent that we cannot even agree on how to name it as the controversy around the Armagh service (‘marking the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland’) emphasises while given the debacle caused by Brexit and the protocol, socio–political discord lies very close to the surface.
The major articles in this issue reflect increased concerns in this area as we face into the next hundred years beginning with thoughts from Corrymeela, that beacon of reconciliation and hope founded in 1965. Its current leader, Alex Wimberly, shares his thoughts about the way forward. A more formal community dedicated to peace–building, the Irish School of Ecumenics, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Former ISE director and current TCD Professor of Ecumenics, Linda Hogan, outlines the impressive international and local track record of the School since its foundation.
Looking at the Decade of Centenaries as a whole, historian and former TD, Dr Martin Mansergh, leads readers through the full complement of events, starting with the 3rd Home Rule Bill of 1912 and looking forward to the foundation of the state next year. The aim of our memorialising? ‘To broaden sympathies without having to abandon loyalties … ensuring, as far as possible, that commemoration does not re–ignite old tensions’.
The most challenging article of this issue focuses on the struggle to achieve education for Irish children that is communally inclusive, conditioning them to welcome diversity of background in their peers. Despite strong demand from parents north and south over the past 50 years, our achievement in this area remains pitiable, with less than 7% of schoolchildren on the island attending such schools. The leaders of the movement north and south, Roisin Marshall, CEO of the Council for Integrated Education, Northern Ireland, and Emer Nowlan, CEO of Educate Together, set out the history, the principles and the challenges, in pursuit of a harmonious future.
Finally, in response to recent anxiety in the Church of England about a decline of the parish system in favour of church plants, Canon Paul Hoey, Parish Development Advisor for the Diocese of Derry, outlines church–planting practice in the province of Armagh, while Peter Pavlovic of Conference of European Churches considers the mindset of European Union bureaucracy as the Conference on the Future of Europe meets. The issue concludes with Liturgica piece on renewing baptismal vows by Dr Bridget Nichols, Lecturer in Anglicanism & Liturgy in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.
Those who wish to subscribe to Search or order single copies should contact the Hon. Treasurer, Michael Denton, at subscriptions@searchjournal.ireland.anglican.org
Tomorrow (Sunday) the annual Huguenot Commemoration will take place at Evensong in St Patrick’s cathedral, Dublin, at 3.15pm. The preacher will be the Dean of St Patrick’s, Dr William Morton.
As another sign of the gradual return to normality in church life the first confirmation in the Diocese of Dublin & Glendalough since easing restrictions has been held, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, was delighted to be able to conduct a Service of Confirmation for fifteen young people in St Brigid’s church, Castleknock, for Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla parishes prior to the retirement of the Rector, Canon Paul Houston. The service was conducted with strict adherence to the guidelines currently in place.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times