Christian Unity and Dialogue
Bishops recall historic steps towards closer Church of Ireland and Moravian relationship
In March this year, the Church of Ireland and the Moravian Church in Britain and Ireland had the joy and privilege of celebrating a new ecumenical relationship between the two denominations based on the Armagh Agreement.
The celebration took place with a shared service in two historic places of worship – St Patrick’s Church, Ballymena, and Gracehill Moravian Church – followed by tree–planting and a reception for all those attending.
Gracehill, the only original Moravian settlement on the island, also celebrated becoming Northern Ireland’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site in July. The Armagh Agreement was signed in 2021 and it was decided to wait until the Covid pandemic had passed before holding the service, to enable as many guests as possible to attend in this beautiful setting.
In this interview, Bishop Harold Miller and Bishop Sarah Groves, who were involved in some of the early discussions leading up to the Agreement, share their own reflections on what it means to them and look back at the intertwined links between Anglican, Moravian and Methodist Christianity over centuries of European history.
Interview by Peter Cheney with thanks to Stewart Thomson for production.
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