Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
New Cathedral Developments
‘St Patrick’s Way’, a new camino style pilgrim walk, which will take in both St Patrick’s Memorial church, Saul, and Down cathedral has been launched in Downpatrick. New pilgrim guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly will in turn lead pilgrims on the journey which includes Inch Abbey, Saul church – the site of Patrick's first church in Ireland, Slieve Patrick and the national monument, Struell Wells, and St Patrick's grave at Down cathedral. The Dean of Down, the Very Revd Henry Hull, said, ‘I hope this will introduce many new people to the Downpatrick area and the depth of spirituality found in the life of our patron saint.’
A second eight mile route with guides and pilgrims in Newcastle on Saturdays has also been launched, and as well, there will also be an Irish language bilingual walk on Sundays starting on 12 July in Downpatrick with Jean O'Neill.
Further details and bookings for all or part of the walk, are available at the St Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, on (048/028) 4461 9000.
St Eunan’s cathedral in Raphoe is one of thirteen projects in Co. Donegal which has benefitted from a government scheme to protect historic structures and buildings. In total, €140,000 is being allocated to projects in the county with the lion’s share of €80,000, going to the restoration of St Eunan’s cathedral. These latest allocations were made from the Historic Structures Fund and Built Heritage Investment Scheme. Among the other buildings being supported is St Baithin’s church, Taughboyne, in St Johnston, which will receive €2,500 towards the replacement of outdated services.
In Derry, St Columb’s cathedral is to get its first female canon in its 400-year history. The Rev Katie McAteer’s appointment to the Chapter of St Columb’s is one of two announced by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Rev Andrew Forster. Ms McAteer is the Pastoral Director of the Christ Church, Culmore, Muff and St Peter’s group of parishes. She will be joined on the Chapter by the Rev Robert Boyd, the Rector of Glendermott and Newbuildings, who is also Diocesan Director of Ordinands for Derry and Raphoe. Mr Boyd and Ms McAteer will fill the positions left vacant following the departure of the Ferry brothers – David, who has retired, and Malcolm, who has become the Rector of Agherton Parish in Portstewart.
Another new appointment is that of the Revd Earl Storey as Part–time Church of Ireland Chaplain to the Defence Forces. Mr Storey was nominated by Archbishop Michael Jackson to the Minister with responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD. He will be based at the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh, and succeeds the Revd Frances Grasham who was appointed to a parochial post in April. Mr Storey was ordained in 1982 and has served as a rector in parishes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Most recently he has been editor of the Church of Ireland Gazette.
The Church of Ireland Gazette, which was available free on-line since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, is back in print in July, and its office is now open again for advertising and editorial enquiries at (048/028) 9267 5473 or at gazette@ireland.anglican.org. Information on subscriptions may be had at https://gazette.ireland.anglican.org/subscribe
The Revd Lorraine Capper, currently part-time stipendiary minister of Donagh (Glaslough), Tyholland and Errigal Truagh in Clogher Diocese, has been appointed incumbent of Galloon (Newtownbutler), Sallaghy and Drummully, also in Clogher Diocese. The institution will take place online on Thursday at 8pm.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times