Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from 'The Irish Times'
Saturday 25 September 2010
New Book on Anglican Theology
Next Tuesday evening in the Long Room of Trinity College Library the Archbishop of Dublin will launch a new book on Anglican theology. Scripture, tradition and reason. A selective view of Anglican theology through the centuries, which has been published by Columba Press, has been written by the Revd Dr W.J. Marshall. Now retired from the stipendary ministry, Billy Marshall has taught in Bishop Hubback Theological College, India, has been a chaplain in TCD and was Rector of Rathmichael in Co. Dublin. His final post was as Vice-Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College where, among other things he taught the course on Anglicanism and it is in that teaching that the origins of this book lie.
The table of contents clearly indicates the scope of the study. It begins with a question, ‘Is there such a thing as Anglican theology?’ and concludes with a discussion of features of Anglican theology. In between the thinking of some of the great Anglican theologians is examined – Cranmer, Jewel, Hooker, Ussher, Jeremy Taylor, FD Maurice, Temple and, of course, Michael Ramsey.
This is a timely publication. As the author observes, ‘Problems in the lives of churches and individual Christians can only be faced satisfactorily by going back to basic principles’. Current divisions in Anglicanism are reflected inevitably in the Church of Ireland and those who profess to be members of the Church of Ireland would do well to read this book.
This evening (Saturday) in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, at 5pm there will be an Experimental Evensong. As part of the ABSOLUT Fringe Festival composer Tom Lane and the Cathedral Choir will present ‘A Feast for St Michael and All Angels’ as a radical re-interpretation of Evensong.
Tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon in St Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare, the Harvest Celebrations will also include the installation of two new canons and a new chancellor and the launch of a CD celebrating thirty years of the choir which is currently directed by Derek Verso. The preacher at the service will be the Ven. Leslie Stevenson and the CD will be launched by the Bishop of Meath & Kildare. In the evening in St Laserian’s Cathedral, Old Leighlin, the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory will institute the Revd Tom Gordon as incumbent of the cathedral group of parishes, install him as Dean of Leighlin and commission him as Cashel & Ossory Diocesan Adult Education Officer.
On Tuesday evening in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, the Bishop of Clogher will institute the Revd Kenneth Hall as incumbent of the cathedral parish. The Archbishop of Armagh will be the preacher. Mr Hall will be installed as Dean of Clogher next month.
The Archbishop of Dublin will preside at the Mothers’ Union Festival Service in Castleknock on Wednesday evening while in St Mary’s Cathedral the Bishop of Limerick will ordain the Revd Vicki Lynch to he priesthood.
On Thursday the Clogher Diocesan Synod will be held in St Macartin’s Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen
The Archbishop of Armagh will be in Carlow on Friday where he will bless the new Church of Ireland Community House at St Mary’s Church and then preach at the Harvest Festival in Urglin parish church. In St Michael’s Church, Ballina, the Bishop of Tuam will institute the Revd Wendy Callan as Rector of the Kilmoremoy union of parishes.
Notice is given of the AGM of the Church Education Society to be held on 13 October at 7pm in the Church of Ireland College of Education .