Press Releases
PRIMATE AT CONSECRATION OF NEW CHURCH IN COUNTY KERRY
The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, will preach at the consecration of a new church and social centre for the Church of Ireland in Killorglin, Co. Kerry.
This will be the first Church of Ireland church to be opened in Kerry since the 1860's and the third since partition, the others being Crumlin, Dublin in the 1940's and Luggacurran, Co. Laoise in 1962.
The new church is part of a larger complex including a Social Centre.
For some time the number of Church of Ireland members in County Kerry (Diocese of Limerick) have been increasing, the old church at Castlemaine will remain in use.
Please find following extracts from the Primate's Address.
The Rector of St Michael's Kilorglin is Archdeacon Malcolm Shannon. Tel: (066) 67302.
PRIMATE AT CONSECRATION OF NEW CHURCH IN COUNTY KERRY
Just a few months ago I visited Jerusalem. A city which today symbolises conflict and distrust. A city torn by the ravages of terrorism and international dispute. But a city to which so many faiths still turn for its historical meaning, its vision of the past and dare we pray - its vision for the future. For Jesus that journey was towards a time of testing in which His own mission would be tested to the utmost.
As we meet today I cannot helpfeeling that Ireland is so closely linked with the symbolism contained in those words from St. John. The darkness of division and sectarianism, the darkness of age-old animosities, the darkness of violence all confront the Christian message with a challenge just as signifiiicant as the challenge of our Lord's time. Christianity may not be on trial in Ireland. The lives of Christians most certainly are. This is a crucial moment in our history. So much opportunity offers itself to the people of Ireland. Yet so much in attitudre and reaction claws us back into that darkness. Ireland is being called to go to Jerusalem. Ireland is being called to a time of testing. The Christian Churches of Ireland face a new test. Can we together create the atmosphere-in which people will recognise what must be changed if we are to move forward to the millennium as a place of stability justice and peace? Can the Christian Churches lead the way to a new era of understanding, compassion and charity which all our people so richly deserve?
I believe in my heart that the Church of Ireland community has a vital role to play in the process of healing the wounds of the past and in supporting the way forward for Ireland. Our people are respected and appreciated in Ireland and today's ceremonies are another indication of the integration, leadership and service our Church of Ireland people can offer this country.
If the Church is to fulfil this role for all our people then we must address again the substance of that symbolism. We must find again the inspiration of worship, witness and faith - and we must do so together.
No greater challenge faces the Christian communities of Ireland today in their worship and in their witness than to confront the depth of mistrust which corrodes our society particularly in the north. However real or imagined genuine, hard-working people of both Irish traditions are infected by varyng degrees of mistrust. We must learn to be much more sensitive to each other's genuine feelings. We dare not move towards the millennium with either tradition harbouring resentment, anger or fear of the other. We must face the sobering fact as Christians that our only hope is to create an Ireland founded on diversity and tolerance with its people sharing those ideals which transcend party politics. The ideals which are enshhrined in our worship today of devotion to God, allegiance to the love of Christ and respect for everyone made in His image.
I have dedicated my Primacy to the reconciliation process in Ireland north and south. I believe the Church of Ireland, its clergy and people, in parishes all over this island are committed to that task. Each community has its sins of commission or omiissiion in the history of Ireland. Each must seek the forgiveness of God and its neighbour. But today both communitiies must reach out into the future with a new confidence in themselves and in each other under God.
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH