Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland notes from 'The Irish Times'
Saturday 30 August 2008
Retirement of College Principal
Tomorrow (Sunday), being the last day of August, brings the retirement of Canon Adrian Empey from his post as Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College. Dr Empey was appointed in 2001in succession to Canon John Bartlett and the last seven years have witnessed some important developments in the life of the College.
Dr Empey was the first Principal not to live in College and this undoubtedly did much to preserve his sanity. It also provided an opportunity to use his nearby residence for hospitality and respite for the ordinands and in this he was joined enthusiastically by his wife, June. The restructuring of courses both for the full time, and especially for the non-stipendiary ministry, improved the quality of training and the fact that this was, in part, in response to a rigorous independent inspection did much to enhance the reputation of the College.
However, the most distinctive thing which Adrian Empey brought to the College was himself. A warm personality, a rigorous intellect, unimpeachable integrity and a strong sense of inclusion proved to be vital elements in creating a sense of community in a College with so many diverse views and experiences. He was, of course, well prepared for the job - schooled in the north, at university in Dublin, teaching experience in Canada and the background of incumbencies both in rural Ireland and in the inner city. His own clerical career began in St Ann’s, Dublin, as curate to the then Archdeacon of Dublin, the indefatigable Dr Sam Poyntz– who could have had a better training.
In retirement Dr Empey will be working part-time with the Missions to Seafarers, with which he as had a long association, and spending more time than recent years have allowed on his researches into the history of medieval Ireland.
Today (Saturday) is the final day of Heritage Week. In Cashel there will be a series of events which will include visits to Cashel Cathedral and to the Bolton Library. The Dean of Cashel, Dr Philip Knowles, will give a recital on the Samuel Green organ in the cathedral at 2.30pm. In Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, there will be guided tours at 11 am and at 2.30 pm while at 1.25pm Mrs Lesley Whiteside will give a tour of the stained glass for which binoculars are advised.
Tomorrow (Sunday) the Bishop of Meath & Kildare will be the celebrant at the Sung Eucharist in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, where the services will be sung by the Alleyn Singers from London. In St John’s Church, Kilkenny, the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory, will introduce the Revd Elaine Murray as Vicar of the Kilkenny group of parishes in a Service of Affirmation at which the preacher will be the Revd Dr Adrian Empey. On Friday evening Bishop Burrows will institute the Revd Olive Henderson as Rector of the Killeshin group of parishes in succession to the Revd Roy Byrne who is now Rector of Drumcondra.
In Maynooth on Friday evening a study of the diocese of Lismore, 1801-69 by the Dean of St Patrick’s, Dr Robert MacCarthy, will be launched . This volume is one of six in the latest series of Maynooth Studies in Local History, published by Four Courts Press. Dr MacCarthy’s study is based on research carried out with the active support of Bishop de Pauley in the 1960s and is marked by his deep familiarity with the diocese of which he is a native.