Irish Times Notes01 Feb 20

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Retirement of the Archbishop of Armagh

Tomorrow (Sunday) evening, following the Candlemas Service in St Patrick’s cathedral, Armagh, the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Richard Clarke, will retire from the stipendiary ministry.

Ordained in 1975 for the curacy of Holywood in the Diocese of Down, Richard Clarke returned to Dublin for a second curacy in St Bartholomew’s which was followed by a period as Dean of Residence in Trinity College where he had been an undergraduate. In 1984 he was appointed Rector of the Bandon union of parishes, one of the largest parishes in the Republic of Ireland, and in 1993 succeeded Maurice Carey as Dean of Cork.

His interest in the cultural life of the Church was apparent early in his career with a stint as reviews editor of Search and  a ten year spell an active and innovative honorary secretary of the General Synod’s Literature Committee, beginning in 1985, while as Central Director of Ordinands from 1982 until 1997, he was closely involved with the development of ministry.

With such a pedigree, Dr Clarke’s election of Bishop of Meath & Kildare in 1996 was scarcely a surprise and his translation to Armagh in 2012 was a fitting climax to a life of extraordinary service to the Church of Ireland.

The author of several short but thoughtful books and of an important doctoral thesis on the disestablishment revision of the Irish Book of Common Prayer, Richard Clarke has been a distinctive voice in the Church of Ireland finding ways to air difficult subjects and to encourage the Church to face sometimes unpalatable realities. This he has done with erudition, style and much good humour.

In  Dublin today (Saturday) a new series of Spring Concerts begins in St Philip’s church, Milltown, at 12 noon (until 12.45 pm). The opening concert will be given by Padraig O’Rourke (baritone) and Michael Grant (piano) with music by Beethoven and Schubert

The life of Heather Hewson, who died on 1 February 1995, will be celebrated tomorrow (Sunday) morning at the sung Eucharist at Trinity College Chapel at 10.45am. The music at the service will include compositions by Heather and her father George. Dr Simon Trezise, head of the music department at Trinity, will give a short reflection on Heather’s career at Trinity during the service. After a distinguished career at Guinness Brewery, Heather took early retirement to pursue the great passion of her life – music. She had been active in the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society for many decades and took numerous leading roles in their productions. When she left Guinness, Heather read for a music degree at Trinity where her father, George Hewson, had been Professor of Music from 1935 to 1962. George Hewson was also organist of St Patrick’s cathedral from 1920 until 1960 and later Heather became the first lady to be appointed to the cathedral board. Light refreshments will be served after the service and  all who knew Heather in any capacity are most welcome.

Tomorrow (Sunday) the conclusion of the season of Christmas will be celebrated in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, with the Candlemas Procession at 5pm.

On Monday the Dublin & Glendalough Clergy Conference begins in Galway and continues until Wednesday.

In Temple Carrig School, Co. Wicklow, on Thursday the archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, will dedicate ‘The Upper Room’ Chapel/Spiritual Space.

On Friday the Bishop of Cork, Dr Pau; Volton, will attend, as a guest of the President of   the Chamber, the annual dinner of the Cork Chamber of Commerce in City Hall, Cork.