Christian Unity and Dialogue
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2017
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will take place between 18th–25th January – the octave of St Peter and St Paul. This year’s theme – Crossing Barriers – is based on 2 Corinthians 5:14–20 and originated in Germany, drawing on its experience of reconciliation and integration.
The service between the cathedrals in Belfast will take place on the eve of the week, at 7pm on Tuesday, 17th January, in St Peter’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. The service will be repeated in St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Armagh, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 18th January. The services are rotated annually between the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Church cathedrals, with a Church of Ireland representative preaching in a Roman Catholic cathedral and vice versa. The Rt Revd John McDowell, Bishop of Clogher and President of the Irish Council of Churches, will be the preacher at this year’s services, and will speak on ‘Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us’.
All are welcome to both services. The joint choirs of both cathedrals will lead the singing at the Belfast service and provide two anthems. The service will be attended by The Rt Revd Harold Miller (Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Dromore), The Revd Dr John Dunlop (representing the Presbyterian Church in Ireland), The Most Revd Anthony Farquhar (Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Down and Connor), and The Revd Bill Mullally (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland). The Dean of Belfast, The Very Revd John Mann, and the Administrator of St Peter’s Cathedral, Fr Martin Graham, will also participate.
Resources for parishes taking part in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are available from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) at: https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2017