Irish Times Notes21 Apr 18

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Climate Change Seminar

There can be little doubt that the churches are now seized of the importance of environmental issues. This has been reflected, in part, in changes to investment portfolios to ensure, as far as might be possible, that churches, for example, do not support the tobacco industry or the extraction of fossil fuels. There has been a marked increase also in the publication of books and pamphlets on environmental issues and the ecology sections of theological college libraries are now much better stocked than decade ago. But much still needs to be done to raise awareness further and to maintain pressure on decision makers. In this the oxygen of publicity is vital.

Next Thursday a ‘Climate Change Awareness Seminar’ will be held in the Science Gallery of Trinity College, Dublin. Hosted by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, and the Archdeacon of Ossory, the Ven Andrew Orr, who is Chairman of Eco–Congregation Ireland, the seminar will begin at 10am and conclude at 1pm.

The speakers will be Dr John Sweeney, Emeritus Professor of Geography in Maynooth University, who will consider on ‘The Science of Climate Change’; Dr Lorna Gold from Trocaire who will speak on ‘Joining the Dots on Climate Justice’; and Dr Cathriona Russell, Assistant Professor of Religions and Theology in TCD, who will examine ‘Theology and Environmental Ethics in a Changing Climate’.

Admission is free but participants should book at seminar@ireland.anglican.org or contact Caoimhe Leppard at 01–4125608. A waiting list for the event has been started as it has reached capacity.

On Monday evening the Bishop of Meath & Kildare will institute the Revd Tim Wright as Rector of the Kildare & Newbridge group of parishes and he will then be installed as Dean of Kildare. The new dean was ordained in the Church of England in 1989 and following a curacy in the Diocese of Southwell was Rector of Glenavy, Crumlin & Tunny in the Diocese of Connor from 1993 until 1998 since when he has been a chaplain in the RAF.

On Wednesday the Bishop of Cork will be a member of an Interfaith Panel at the UCC Colloquium about the film ‘Son of Man,’ while in Limerick, at lunchtime, the recital in St Mary’s cathedral will be given by Eileen Cleary (flute) and Peter Barley (piano) who will play works by J.S. Bach, Boccherini and Doppler. In the evening the Bishop of Derry will preside at the installation of the Revd Paul Hoey, Rector of Faughanvale, as a canon of St Columb’s Cathedral.

At 6.15pm on Friday in St Patrick’s cathedral, Dublin, there will be a concert to launch the Choristers’ latest CD which includes Irish classics, sacred gems and a little jazz. In Kilrea parish church at 8pm the Bishop of Derry will institute the Revd Gary Millar to the of Kiltrea, Tamlaght O’Crilly Upper & Tamlaght O’Crilly Lower. Mr Millar has been Rector of Ahogill in the Diocese of Connor since 2012.

“A Lectionary Revolution: Young Voices speaking Old Words” is the title for the Biblical Association for the Church of Ireland’s Spring Lecture by UCD chaplain Scott Evans on 29 April. The leader of the “RevoLectionary” group, which has been posting young people’s reflections on the Sunday readings online since September 2016, will be accompanied by colleague Emma Rothwell, the Diocesan Youth Officer for Meath and Kildare and chaplain to Wilson’s Hospital School. Their presentation will take place in Christ Church Cathedral’s Chapter Room after 3.30pm Evensong. There will be tea at 4.30pm, courtesy of the Dean and the lecture will begin at 4.45pm. All are welcome.