Press Releases
COMMENT FROM THE VERY REVD PATRICK TOWERS
A summary of the statement made to the Select Vestry of St Nicholas Collegiate Church, Galway on 3 October 2002 by the Very Revd Patrick Towers.
I wish to make it perfectly clear to all members of the Select Vestry and the people of this parish that in no way was the Avowing Friendship Service which was taken in the side chapel of St. Nicholas intended to counter or be contrary to the teachings of the Church of Ireland and certainly not to be seen in any way as violating the resolutions of the Lambeth Conference, to which I adhere. I regret very much the interpretation which has been put upon a short service which was to answer a particular pastoral need. The service was not, however, authorised by the Bishop. The Bishop has now ordered that such services are not to be used. I am thus ordering that such services shall not take place again. I ask all of you in your conversations to make it very clear that such services will not be repeated in St. Nicholas, that the Rector admits the service was unauthorised and he and the parish adhere to the discipline and order of Bishop Richard.
At other times and in other places and amongst other people the conversation as how best to deal with the issues that this particular event has raised will no doubt be continued.
Commenting on the statement, the Bishop of Tuam said: “As Bishop of Tuam I wish to affirm the courageous pastoral ministry of Very Revd. Patrick Towers and his consistent determination to welcome and make at home in the life of the parish of Galway those of every persuasion, ethnic origin and sexual orientation. I accept the sincerity of his statement and as far as I am concerned the incident is now closed.”
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