Diocesan News
Canon Horace McKinley Installed as Dignitary of St Patrick’s Cathedral
Canon Horace McKinley was installed as Canon Treasurer of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, by Dean William Morton on Sunday February 12. Canon McKinley, who is Rector of Whitechurch Parish in Dublin, has been a member of the Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral for over 26 years having been elected Dublin & Glendalough’s representative Canon, the Prebendary of Dunlavin.
Preaching during the service, Canon McKinley said that he had been surprised by his original election to the Chapter. However, he said that was “the start of a really happy, fulfilled and unbroken friendship with the cathedral, both as a Chapter member and as an elected clerical member of the Cathedral Board. I have never failed to under–estimate the extent of very real privilege that this particular association has always entailed”. Throughout that time, he said, the cathedral had never ceased to fill him with wonder and awe for all involved in its on–going life and witness.
Canon McKinley reflected on the basic aims of St Patrick’s Cathedral. He suggested that the ultimate function of the cathedral was the unceasing worship of God. He added that another basic aim of the cathedral was to be a sacred space and place where seekers and searchers can feel comfortably at home and are encouraged to explore.
“Visitor numbers here are close to half a million annually, but that excludes the number of worshippers or concert attenders. Visitors and the Cathedral form a wholesome working partnership, each marked by both giving and receiving. I’m always partial to St. John’s Gospel account of the call of the first disciples. Jesus’s invitation to them is just three words: ‘Come, and see’. I like to think that those three words constitute this Cathedral’s mission statement – ‘Come, and see. All are welcomed, in an open, grace–filled and non–judgmental spirit,” he stated.
Jonathan Swift was Prebendary of Dunlavin from 1700 until 1713 when he was appointed Dean. Dublin & Glendalough will elect a new diocesan representative in March.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Dublin & Glendalough
087 235 6472
Mrs Lynn Glanville
dcodublin@gmail.com