Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Racial Justice Sunday
On Sunday the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev John McDowell, and members of his Reference Group on Ethnic Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Justice will be in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin for Choral Evensong to mark Racial Justice Sunday.
Racial Justice Sunday is an initiative of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, of which the Church of Ireland is a founding member. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday, which was established by the Methodist Church in Britain in 1995 following the tragic racist murder of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence in southeast London in April 1993.
The theme of this year’s Racial Justice Sunday is, ‘Coat of Many Colours’, reflecting the increasing diversity that exists in churches in Ireland.
In 2023 the General Synod, approved a resolution in support of refugees and other migrants. The resolution committed the Church of Ireland to, “counter the language of anti–refugee and migrant hatred at the local level and communicate a strong message of Christian welcome to all”.
By marking Racial Justice Sunday in the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, it is hoped that other parishes and churches throughout the island will draw on the resources produced by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, to address racism in local communities.
The preacher at service, which begins at 3.15pm, will be the Revd Kevin Ronné, Rector of Raheny & Coolock, with Scripture readings and prayers led by members of the Group. Music will be provided by the Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Stuart Nicholson. The service resources have been devised by a range of ecumenical contributors, including Revd Dr Maithrie White–Dundas, a priest of the Church of Ireland based in Belfast.
A new series of lunchtime lectures, ‘No homes to go to: Dublin charities and homelessness, 1790–2025’, continue in Christ Church cathedral, Dy0ublin, on Tuesday at 1.10pm when historian, Eimhin Walsh, will give ‘A Brief History of Dublin’s Mendicity Institution, of which he is a former director. The lectures have been arranged by the Cathedral’s Research Advisor, Dr Stuart Kinsella. Admission is free and all are welcome. The lectures take place above chapter house in the Music Room, which is only accessible by stairs. The Friends of Christ Church Cathedral have generously supported of the lecture series.
The Marriage Council will be holding a Clergy Couples Retreat again this year in the Tullamore Court Hotel from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 March, with guest facilitators Dr Alan and Mrs Pauline Wilson. The event aims to provide a relaxing short break away, and Dr Alan and Mrs Pauline Wilson will facilitate several sessions sharing stories, and providing practical insights into navigating marriage which we hope will help couples who attend.
The cost of the break will be €200 per couple. If you would like to reserve a space, please contact Aisling Sheridan at [email protected]