Press Releases
Commemoration of the Life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Church of Ireland’s responses in the United Kingdom’s time of national mourning following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, 8th September 2022.
Statements of Tribute
Dean Kenneth Hall & Monsignor Peter O’Reilly
Thought for the Day & Morning Service
On BBC Radio Ulster, Archbishop John McDowell provided a Thought for the Day on Friday, 9th September 2022, and preached for a Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday, 11th September 2022, from St Columba’s, Knock, East Belfast.
The text of the Primate’s Thought for the Day is available at this link.
Service of Reflection at Belfast Cathedral (Tuesday, 13th September 2022)
Led by Bishop George Davison
Sermon by Archbishop John McDowell
Report on service (Diocese of Connor)
Full coverage of the visit provided by the Reuters news agency:
Coverage of the service begins at 4:07:10 in the above video.
Cathedral Services
Armagh – Thursday, 15th September
Down & Dromore – Thursday, 15th September
Kilmore – Sunday, 18th September
Clogher – Sunday, 18th September
Derry & Raphoe – Thursday, 29th September
St Patrick’s, Dublin – Sunday, 9th October
State Funeral
The Primate, alongside representatives of other Churches, attended the State Funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday, 19th September 2022.
Commentary on BBC Radio Ulster was provided by Canon Simon Doogan, for the State Funeral, and the Revd Adrian Dorrian for the Committal Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor
Coverage of the State Funeral procession from Reuters cane be viewed below:
Reflective series from the archives of the Church of Ireland Gazette
Opinion and the monarchy during the Queen’s reign
Liturgical Resources
The Liturgical Advisory Committee of the Church of Ireland published a set of liturgical resources for use in parishes marking the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Accession of King Charles III.
Commemorative booklet
A special illustrated booklet to commemorate this time in our history, Some Reflections on the Life of Queen Elizabeth 1926–2022 was produced in the weeks following her passing and is available on sale in the Belfast Cathedral gift shop and at Armagh Robinson Library.
The booklet is introduced by Archbishop John McDowell and contains his written and spoken words from the time of national mourning and the address preached by Canon Dr Heather Morris, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Ireland, in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.
Photo gallery
A selection of photos from the time of national mourning and also remembering Her Majesty’s various connections with the Church of Ireland and our perspectives on her life, reign and faith in Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Please click on the link above from our online photo gallery to explore.
Please note that some radio content from the time of the national mourning may no longer be available due to copyright policies for broadcasters. If you would like to request a recording of a radio programme, please contact the BBC through its online enquiry form.