Press Releases20 Feb 13

Bilingual Services Book Launched by Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise

A new Bilingual Services book will allow the Irish and English languages to stand side by side in harmony and enrichment, according to Bishop Michael Burrows. Speaking at the book’s launch in Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, the Bishop, who is patron of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise, said it offered a parallel text which would enable those leading worship to slide from one language into the other and people would realise that they had more Irish than they previously thought.

The book features Irish and English language versions of Holy Communion and other frequently used services. It was compiled by Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise and is aimed at facilitating bilingual worship and opening up the possibilities of new theological insights in the experience of worship. A CD is also available.

The launch was preceded by a seminar in the cathedral which was attended by a delegation from the Church in Wales who talked about measures under consideration to give the Welsh language an enhanced place in the life of the life of the church there. Texts developed by the Church in Wales inspired Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise to produce the book. 

Gordon McCoy and Archdeacon Gary Hastings, rector of Galway, at the launch of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise’s Bilingual Services book in Christ Church Cathedral

The Welsh delegation was led by the Bishop of Bangor, the Rt Revd Andrew John and included Cynog Davis, former MP and AM for Ceredigion; the Revd Canon Idris Thomas of the Diocese of Bangor; and the Revd Gwynn ap Gwilym, Bishops’ Adviser for Church Affairs. The Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, Archdeacon Gary Hastings and Dáithí Ó Maolchoille, chairperson of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise addressed the issues in an Irish context.

Bishop Burrows told the gathering in the Crypt of the cathedral that the Irish language was often seen as inaccessible to many. But he added: “This book offers an new opportunity for the two languages to stand side by side in harmony and enrichment.” He paid tribute to Archdeacon Gary Hastings who he described as “probably the most significant Irish liturgical translator in this generation”. He thanked Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise and its chairman for making sure that the Church was resourced with Biblical materials in Irish. He said that Caroline Nolan, the Cumann’s development officer, had brought confidence back to ordinary people enabling them to say “Is feidir linn”. 

He also paid tribute to Archdeacon Ricky Rountree for his help in making the necessary copyright arrangements. He complimented Columba Press for their continuing production of high quality books for the Church of Ireland. The Bishop reserved special praise for the general public for articulating the need for the book.

Bishop Andrew John congratulated the Cumann on the book and its work and hoped that it would be a source of blessing to the Church of Ireland. He presented Bishop Burrows with some Welsh texts and said: “All of this is a simple expression of how you can change a Liturgical culture.” Bishop Burrows in return presented him with the Church of Ireland’s new bilingual book. 

On behalf of the Liturgical Advisory Committee, Canon Gerald Field, said the new book would be a real asset to the Church of Ireland. He said he had seen similar texts in use in churches in Wales and New Zealand. He commended the book and the work of Caroline Nolan and Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise, on behalf of the LAC.

The formal launch of the new services book was followed by trilingual Evensong in Irish, Welsh and English.

To download an order form for this resource, please click here.