Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
AOOIC Appointment for Archbishop of Dublin
The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, has been appointed as the co–Chair of the official international group responsible for ecumenical dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Anglican–Oriental Orthodox International Commission (AOOIC) was formed in 2001 to build unity between the Churches of the two families of Churches.
The Anglican Communion comprises 42 autonomous and independent–yet–interdependent regional, national and pan–national churches. Six Oriental Orthodox Churches are represented in the Dialogue. There are an estimated 140 million Christians in the two Communions. AOOIC brings together church leaders and theologians from both to further the work of Christian unity.
AOOIC has two Co–Chairs. The Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, is the Oriental Orthodox Co–Chair. Dr Jackson now succeeds the Bishop of St Asaph from the Church in Wales, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, as the Anglican Co–Chair.
“I feel honoured to be invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury to serve as Anglican Co–Chair of The Anglican Oriental Orthodox International Commission,” Archbishop Michael said. “The Dialogue is something of which I have been privileged to be part since 2002. Throughout that period, we have addressed a wide range of issues of importance to the various traditions involved in the Dialogue.”
Archbishop Angaelos said: “As Oriental Orthodox members of the Commission, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Bishop Gregory, and look forward to continuing our work with His Grace Archbishop Michael Jackson as Anglican Co–Chair, who has been a valued member of the Commission since its establishment.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, said: “Archbishop Michael has vast ecumenical and Anglican Communion experience and has been a member of AOOIC since its beginning. He now brings this knowledge, and his many other gifts, to the role of Co–Chair of AOOIC. The deepening friendship between Anglicans and Oriental Orthodox brings me great joy, and I pray that this may continue to grow with God’s help, and that the work of AOOIC may be a blessing to us all as we seek to achieve the unity which Christ wills.”
In 2014, AOOIC signed an agreed statement on Christology. This was followed in 2017 by an agreed statement on ‘The Procession and Work of the Holy Spirit’, and a statement on ‘The Inheritance of Ecumenical Councils’ in 2022. AOOIC is currently exploring further questions of Authority in the Church.
Tomorrow (Sunday) at 3pm the Archbishop of Dublin will preside at a service for welcome for the Revd Jenu John as Vicar to Holy Trinity CSI Congregation in St. Catherine’s church, Donore Avenue, and on Wednesday at 7pm he will preside at a service for welcome for Natasha Quinn–Thomas in St. Brigid’s church, Castleknock. On Friday at 7pm the archbishop will institute the Revd Kevin Conroy as incumbent of the grouped parishes of Stillorgan & Blackrock in St. Brigid’s church, Stillorgan, in succession to Canon Ian Gallagher who has retired.
On Monday evening at 6pm the series of organ recitals continues in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin. The recitalist will be Bláithín Cotter from Trinity College, Dublin.
On Wednesday the St. Louis Missouri Children’s Choirs from Missouri will give a lunchtime recital at 1.15 pm in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin
The series of Summer Music at Sandford continues in Sandford parish church, Ranelagh. On Friday, at 1.10pm, Francesca Massey, as part of the 2023 Pipeworks Festival, will play music by Bruhns, Brahms, Alain and others.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times