Press Releases11 May 04

Synod welcomes new Book of Common Prayer

SYNOD WELCOMES NEW BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

Tuesday 11th May 2004

At the opening session of the General Synod in Armagh today some 600 members each received a copy of the new Book of Common Prayer 2004 heralding a new era in the worship and witness of the Church of Ireland. These presentation pew editions, with a special inscription, are the gift of Archbishop Robin Eames and the Armagh Diocesan Council.

Representatives of the Church of Ireland Youth Department, the Mothers' Union, the Church of Ireland Men's Society , the Girls' Friendly Society, Church Lads Brigade and the Clergy, assisted Canon Ricky Rountree, the Church of Ireland Liturgical Officer, in organising a series of further presentations of hand bound in leather desk editions.

The new book will be used for all devotions during the three-day Synod from 11 May to 13 May as well as at the Synod Service in St Patrick?s Cathedral tonight (11 May) at 6.30pm.

Said Canon Rountree: ?This is the third revision of the Book of Common Prayer in the Church of Ireland since Disestablishment in 1870.It is a thorough-going revision of the prayer book and includes for the first time the main liturgical services of the Church in both traditional language and contemporary language.?

Mr Sean O?Boyle, representing the publishers, Columba Press, presented Archbishop Robin Eames with the copy to be laid upon the table of the General Synod at the beginning of its annual business.

Mr David Johnston, Head of the Braille Unit at Maghaberry, presented a Braille edition to Mrs Margaret Mann and Mrs Enid Maxwell, Braille proofreaders.

Mr Daithi O?Maolchoille, treasurer of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise, presented a copy of the Irish Language Book of Common Prayer to Bishop Donald Caird, former Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough.

Canon Rountree added: ?We are greatly indebted to Columba Press who have made a magnificent job of this production. The Church of Ireland is also very appreciative of the work of the Braille Unit at Maghaberry Prison for their willingness to make the services of the Book of Common Prayer available to Braille users in the Church. We thank Governor Andrew Jeanes for joining us for this presentation.?

Canon Rountree also paid tribute to Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise for their contribution in making the Book of Common Prayer available to the Irish speaking population of the Church of Ireland and the wider Church.

He said: ?Special mention must be made of the enormous contribution Canon Gary Hastings has made in making the Leabhair na hUrnai Coitinne 2004 a reality by his work of translation and to the large group of eminent theological and Irish scholars who have assisted in its production.?

Presentations of specially prepared desk editions were made to the Primates of both provinces of the Church of Ireland, Archbishop Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan, and Archbishop John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough, Primate of Ireland and Metropolitan.

Further copies were presented to those who have been very involved in the preparation of the new book: Rt Rev Harold Miller, Chairman of the Liturgical Advisory Committee; Dean Michael Burrows, Vice-Chairman of the Liturgical Advisory Committee; Canon Brian Mayne, Editor of BCP 2004 and a former Hon Secretary of the Liturgical Advisory Committee and Canon Ricky Rountree, Central Liturgical Officer of the Church of Ireland and Hon. Secretary of the Liturgical Advisory Committee.

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