Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
New Books
A new book ‘Marriage and Relationships – An Anglican Exploration: Contraception, Divorce, Human Sexuality’ will be launched tomorrow (Saturday) by the Archbishop of Dublin at 3.30pm in the Music Room of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.
The book has been written by Bishop Kenneth Kearon, a former Bishop of Limerick & Killaloe and a former Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.
He sets out to assess how societal changes in the 20th and 21st centuries have challenged many Christians to rethink approaches to marriage and personal relationships. Three issues have dominated – the use of artificial contraception, the availability of divorce, and more recently the legal recognition given to same–sex relationships in most Western countries.
In the case of contraception and divorce he suggests that Anglican churches have found a consensus as to ways forward which are acceptable to a majority of church members. He looks at how consensus was reached and the implications for our understanding of marriage today.
Social attitudes in the West to same–sex relationships have also changed dramatically in recent decades. Bishop Kearon looks at how Anglicans are responding, and asks if there is a way forward.
This short book introduces the reader to some of the issues involved including what the Bible says about marriage and personal relationships and the centuries of Christian tradition.
The book is published by Hinds Publications and will be available through the bookstore on the Church of Ireland website and from Hinds Publishing: www.hinds.ie
A different sort of book will be launched on Palm Sunday at 4pm in the Church of St John the Evangelist, Sandymount, Dublin 4 by the Rev Robert Marshall, Provincial & Diocesan Registrar of Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough. ‘No Church is an Island: 175 Years of St John the Evangelist, Sandymount, Dublin’ was written as part of the celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of St John’s in 2025. The authors are Alyson Gavin Lysaght and Shabnam Vasisht who are both members of the St John’s congregation.
Back in the city, St Patrick’s Cathedral has produced a new publication on its stained glass windows. Written by Aaron Hoey and Jack Cassidy, ‘A Legacy of Light’ has been edited by Clark Brydon with images shot by Tristan Hutchinson.
A Holy Week Oratorio Concert will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday at Sandford Parish Church, Ranelagh. ‘The Passion According to St Mark’ by Irish composer Charles Wood, will feature Stuart Kinsella (Evangelist), Donncha McDonagh (Jesus) and the Sandford & St Philip’s Choral Union & Scholars, accompanied by organist Peter Barley. Admission is free.
On Maundy Thursday the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross will preside at the Chrism Eucharist in St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery at 12 noon followed by lunch hosted by the Bishop. This will be the Bishop’s final Service in the Diocese of Ross.
The AGM of the Church Education Society will be held on Thursday, 16 April at 3.30pm, via zoom.