Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
New Interfaith Guidelines
In the light of the intense public conversation about immigration the updated edition of the Church of Ireland’s Guidelines for Interfaith Events and Dialogue is most welcome. It is now available for clergy, and other leaders in dioceses and parishes, to consult when considering how best to approach relationships with people who follow other world religions.
The Guidelines – which were first published in 2007 – have been revised by the Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue (through its Inter Faith Working Group) and the House of Bishops, and are underpinned by five principles emphasising the importance of respecting humanity as being made in the image and likeness of God, creating and developing relationships and understanding, freedom of religious expression as a fundamental human right, dialogue for enhancing peace and justice, and respecting the dignity of creation; and respect for the Christian faith as part of true dialogue and integrity.
The 20–page booklet provides general guidance for occasions when people of other faiths and their leaders are invited to join with members of the Church of Ireland, in churches or at events of local or national importance, before discussing several issues for Christians to consider in inter–faith encounters.
Practical guidance is given in relation to situations presented in the contexts of marriage, Baptism, Holy Communion, funerals, church festivals and special services, the festivals of other faiths, community events, hospital chaplaincy, and dealing with objections.
Writing in his introduction for the Guidelines, Bishop Michael Burrows, Chair of the Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue, noted: “Few of us in ministry today can avoid the challenge, the questions, the opportunities and the joys which inter–faith engagement can offer. Some will approach the matter nervously, others with enthusiasm, and undoubtedly it is an area where our own theological perspectives can be somewhat varied. But upon certain things we can and should agree … and these principles are rooted in sound concepts such as respect, hospitality, graciousness and attentiveness.”
The Guidelines have been published by Church of Ireland Publishing and available to download from the Church of Ireland website.
Summer Music at Sandford continues today (Friday) in Sandford parish church, Ranelagh at 1.10pm with an organ recital by David O’Shea. In St Mark’s church, Portadown, at 7.30pm, organist, Orly Watson, will play ‘English Organ Music on Favourite Hymn Tunes’ – works by Purcell, Stanford, Vaughan Williams, Willcocks, and others – followed by live improvisations on favourite hymns selected by the audience.
On Sunday the Bishop of Cashel, Ossory & Ferns will license the Revd Billy Burke in St Canice’s cathedral at 3pm. He will be the curate in Kilkenny union of parishes and Bishop’s Vicar. In Ardmore, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross will preside at an Epilogue Service at the Church of St Paul.
On Monday at 6pm,in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, there wil be an organ recital by James Short, the cathedral’s Organist and Assistant Director of Music.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times