Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Dublin in Solidarity with Ramallah
The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, has expressed his sorrow and solidarity with the Rector and parishioners of St Andrew’s Anglican church in Ramallah and with the Archbishop of Jerusalem, following damage caused to the church. The church is located in the Diocese of Jerusalem with which the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough has had a partnership link since 2016.
The Diocese of Jerusalem reported that St Andrew’s church was damaged when Israeli forces occupied the church complex. In a statement the diocese said that Israeli forces made an “unannounced and unwarranted raid” on the St Andrew’s complex which included the church, parish hall, church offices, rectory and the Arab Episcopal Medical Center. The diocese stated that, while there was no justification for the incursion into church premises, the Israeli forces later said that the raid was on Al–Haq, a West Bank human rights group, to whom St Andrew’s rents and office which is accessed via a separate entrance.
Dr Jackson, commenting on the incident, said “For a significant number of years, we in the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough have had a partnership relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem. This relationship enriches our understanding of life as lived by Christians in the Land of the Holy One and inspires us in our own daily witness to God and neighbour through knowing of their selflessness and service.”
Archbishop Jackson added: “It is, therefore, with intense sadness and alarm that we learn of the attack on St Andrew’s Church, Ramallah. St Andrew’s is a church which I have visited and in which I have worshipped. It is also a church where we have assisted in the installation of a medical centre which is open to all the residents of Ramallah irrespective of culture or religion. St Andrew’s is a place of grace and of healing.”
He concluded: “Sacred buildings and sacred sites are not only historical places, they are also living places where communities are formed and from which communities of faith serve their neighbours as well as their members. We share the international sense of condemnation and outrage at what has been done to St Andrew’s Church, its structure and its contents. We stand in sorrow with the rector and parishioners. We hold the whole community of Ramallah in our prayers. We pray for peace with justice and respect. We assure the parishioners of St Andrew’s of our love in these dark and dangerous days and express our solidarity to Archbishop Hosam Naoum, a dear friend of our diocese.”
Tomorrow (Sunday) the Past Choristers will return to Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, to sing both services. Rehearsals will begin at 9.45am for 11.00am morning Eucharist, with time for lunch in a local restaurant, and rehearsals beginning at 2.30pm for 3.30pm Evensong.
In St Ann’s church, Dawson Street, Dublin on Thursday there will be a lunchtime recital when Eamon Sweeney, Roisin O’Grady, Anita Vedres, and Malachy Robinson will perform works by women composers of the Baroque Era. The Recital starts at 1:20pm and there will be a 10 euro entrance charge.
Eco–Congregation Ireland’s Summer 2022 newsletter is now available, highlighting examples of environmental projects undertaken by churches across the island of Ireland.
This includes a report from the Carrigaline union of parishes in the Diocese of Cork on replacing the Oasis flower arranging product with eco–friendly alternatives such as Bio–foam, and a clean–up in Galway parish’s churchyard.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times