CHURCH OF IRELAND NOTES
For Saturday 1st June 2002
From: The RCB Library
Email: RCB Library
New Publications by Deans of St. Patrick's
A new book by the former Dean of St Patrick's cathedral, Dublin, Dr
Victor Griffin, has been published recently by the Columba Press
Enough Religion to Make us Hate are some reflections on
religion and politics and are largely informed by two lengthy
ministries: first in Christ Church, Derry, from 1951 to 1968 and
secondly as Dean of St Patrick's from 1968 to 1991.
His central theme is the need for a more pluralist Irish society
which is defined by what people are rather than what they are against, a
society which is inclusive and tolerant. Among the issues upon
which he reflects are the perversion of Christianity by absolutism, the
failure of the institutional churches to confront political expediency,
the ecumenical debate and the issue of abortion.
Dr Griffin take the title of his book from his famous predecessor in
St Patrick's, Jonathan Swift, who wrote that in Ireland we have
"enough religion to make us hate, not enough to make us love".
Many have seen in Dr Griffin those Swiftian traits of independent
thought, forceful public speaking and not a little savage indignation.
A rather different kind of book, from the pen of the present Dean of
St Patrick's, Dr Robert MacCarthy, is How Shall They Hear, which
is published by Four Courts Press. This is a selection of Dr
MacCarthy's sermons and addresses which are representative of the
various phases of his career: Urglin, Oxford, Bracknell, Kilkenny,
Castlecomer, Galway and Dublin.
As the geographical span of the book is broad, so too is the content,
with sections on the liturgical year, saints' days, memorial addresses,
special occasions and the church's ministry.
The style of these sermons is uncomplicated, in line with Dr
MacCarthy's belief in the sermon as a vehicle for presenting the work of
theologians and religious thinkers to a non-academic audience.
Some are also, at least in part, direct, in keeping with his penchant
for confronting the church with unpalatable truths. Yet, as he observed
in a sermon at an ordination service in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast in
1997: "Speaking the truth can be difficult: to do it in love is
more difficult still."
Today the Bishop of Cork will make a pastoral visit to the
installations in Whiddy Island and tomorrow will preside at the
Eucharist in the church of St Brendan the Navigator, Bantry.
Tomorrow the first of this year's ordinations to the diaconate takes
place when, in St Patrick's cathedral, Killala, the Bishop of Tuam will
ordain Mr Neal O'Raw to serve as curate in the Killala union of
parishes.
In New Ross parish church, the Ferns Diocesan Choral Festival Service
will be held.
On Tuesday evening, Peter O'Connor, a recent organ scholar in St
Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin and King's College, London, will give a
recital in St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, while on Wednesday the sixth
of the Willis centenary organ recitals in St Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin, will be given by Andrew Johnstone, assistant organist in Christ
Church cathedral.
On Thursday at 9.15am there will be an inter-faith act of worship in
St Ann's church, Dublin to mark the opening of the new Dáil. The
Archbishop of Dublin together with other church leaders, will take part.
In St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, on Friday, the Priory Singers,
directed by Dr Harry Grindle, and organist Martin White, will give a
concert in aid of the Cathedral Choral Foundation, while in St
Macartan's Cathedral, Enniskillen, there will be a jubilee exhibition
which will illustrate 50 years in the life of the cathedral.
Church of Ireland Notes appear in the Irish
Times whose web site may be found at
http://www.ireland.com/ |
