Press Releases
Funeral of Dean Desmond Harman
Speaking at the funeral of the Very Revd Desmond Harman, who died on Tuesday, the Venerable Edgar Swann, Archdeacon of Glendalough described the late Dean of Christ Church Cathedral as “someone who epitomised the very best in the life and ministry of our church.”
In a very personal address, the Archdeacon, who is the late Dean’s brother in law, recalled their long friendship dating back to their time as students in Trinity College Dublin. He said “we will best honour his memory by carrying on his work with the same integrity which was his hallmark. Sue [Dean Harman’s wife], Mark, Lynne and Karen [their children], we thank you for sharing him with us, and for your personal sacrifices to enable him to be such a shining light in the Church of Ireland.”
Recalling the work by the late Dean in Christ Church Cathedral he added, “In an all too brief period of three and a half years, he has done so much to turn around the finances, to continue the restoration of the fabric and to build up the community here, and it has all been done with that honesty and unwavering integrity and care for people which he applied to everything in his life and ministry.”
Concluding, the Archdeacon said “I can only offer you the faith that Desmond proclaimed, the faith of the Church, and my personal faith, in the words of comfort with which Jesus spoke to Martha. ‘Your brother will rise again. I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me even though they die, will live and everyone who believes in me will never die.’ May our beloved Desmond rest in the peace of the Christ which he served so faithfully and rise in the glory of his resurrection.”
The funeral Eucharist was be celebrated by the Most Revd Dr John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough. Amongst those who attended were the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd Alan Harper. Other Church of Ireland Bishops present included the Rt Revd Robin Eames, former Archbishop of Armagh, the Rt Revd Donald Caird, former Archbishop of Dublin, the Rt Revd Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam Killala and Achonry and the Rt Revd Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. Ecumenical representatives included the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Diarumuid Martin and the Administrator of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, the Very Revd Canon John Flaherty. Leading the civic dignitaries were the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Paddy Bourke. Her Excellency the President of Ireland was represented by her Aide de Camp, Colonel Declan Carberry, the Taoiseach was represented by his Aide de Camp, Captain Michael Treacy. Also present were the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod (of which the late Dean was one), the Revd Canon Ian Ellis, Sam Harper and Lady Brenda Shiel.
Diocesan Communications Officer, Dublin & Glendalough
087 2356472
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Lynn Glanville
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