Press Releases22 Jun 09

Ecumenical Partnership in Cork between Church of Ireland and the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

On Friday, 19th June 2009 the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Paul Colton, received the Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church for the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa.

His Grace, Dr Mathews Mar Thimotheos is the Bishop of the new Diocese, and he was welcomed warmly to Cork by Bishop Colton at The Bishop’s Palace, Cork.

The link between the two Churches has arisen from the growing numbers of members of the Indian Orthodox Church in Cork.  Bishop Colton was contacted last year and was asked to provide the hospitality of a church building for worship by the Indian Orthodox Christians in Cork.

The Reverend Adrian Wilkinson and the parishioners of Saint Michael’s Church, Blackrock, Cork were invited by Bishop Colton to welcome the Indian Orthodox Church to use the church there, and this is has been happening ever since.

Bishop Colton said:
‘This ecumenical development is a sign of the very new and emerging religious makeup of Irish society, including here in Cork.  We, in the Church of Ireland in Cork, are pleased to offer this hospitality and to build these links.  I congratulate the rector and parishioners of Saint Michael’s, Blackrock on their warm and enthusiastic response to this opportunity for fostering new relationships.’

His Grace, Dr Mathews Mar Thimotheos (46) is a new Bishop.  He is from Mavelikara, Kerala, India and was ordained Bishop on 19th February 2009.  Bishop Paul Colton (49) recently completed ten years as Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.