Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland notes from the Irish Times
Bishops' Appeal Focuses on Africa
As the late Bishop of Kilmore, Dr Gilbert Wilson, was fond of saying, "The strong must help the weak", and if this is true within the Church of Ireland how much more must the principle be applicable in our dealings with the wider world? Through the medium of the Bishops' Appeal, the Church of Ireland seeks to make a contribution to the needs of weaker societies, not just at Christmas, which we are constantly told is "The Season for Giving", but throughout the year.
The latest allocation of funds by the Bishops' Appeal has focused on Africa. Through the agency of CMS Ireland, funds have been made available to assist with the provision of food for 350 families in the Urban Development Programme of All Saints' Cathedral in Nairobi, and for youth training in the Diocese of Gahini in Rwanda. CMSI is also the conduit for the relief of poverty in the Diocese of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo which has been afflicted by war and political instability.
The work of the human rights agency, ITEKA, which is a partner agency of Christian Aid in Burundi, has been supported, as has the work of the Asra Hawarait School in Ethiopia which provides not only education but an orphanage, child and family aid programmes, a kindergarten and a feeding centre.
One grant has been made to a project outside Africa. The Leonel Valdiva Cooperative in Nicaragua has suffered considerable setbacks due to Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and flooding in 1999 and assistance has been provided for its work in developing cattle farming.
Today (Saturday) the Bishop of Tuam, Dr Richard Henderson, will lead a Connemara Quiet Day in Christ Church, Clifden, beginning at 10.30 am. In Dublin this evening, at 8.00 pm, the final address in the "Hopes for the New Millennium" series in St Patrick's Cathedral, will be delivered by Dr Mary Robinson, UN Commissioner for Human Rights and all are welcome.
Tomorrow (Sunday) RTE will broadcast a service of Morning Prayer from Kilcummin Church, Oughterard, where the rector is the Provost of Tuam, the Very Revd Patrick Towers. In St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, the annual Dr Webster Sermon will be preached by the Revd Patrick Comerford, Foreign Desk Editor of The Irish Times. The sermon commemorates Dr George Webster, Rector of St Nicholas Church, Cove Street, 1858-1890. Webster was a prominent figure in Cork and much of his considerable energy was focused on St Nicholas' Church where he re-ordered the interior, erected a new spire, and installed a peal of bells. Fittingly he was buried beneath St Nicholas' Church. He also had a close association with St Fin Barre's where he was, initially, a preacher, and subsequently chancellor.
There will be a festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, for which tickets are not required, in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, at 3.15 pm while at 7.00 pm in St Bartholomew's Church, Ballsbridge, there will be a Concert of Carols and Festive Readings featuring the St Bartholomew's Choir and the actor and director, Alan Stanford.
On Monday evening there will be a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, which will be recorded for Lyric FM. Part of the cathedral is reserved for ticket holders but almost 200 seats are available on the night. The Cathedral's annual charity carol service will take place on Thursday at lunchtime and the proceeds will be given to Focus Ireland. In Cork, St Fin Barres' Cathedral's Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held on Friday evening and again on Christmas Eve.