Press Releases31 Aug 11

Dean John Mann installed in Belfast Cathedral

The Very Rev John Mann was installed as Dean of St Anne’s Cathedral and instituted as Vicar of the Cathedral Parish in a beautiful service on Tuesday August 30.

Photo courtesy Arthur Macartney

The Cathedral was filled almost to capacity and in his greeting the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, said the numbers of clergy and guests present spoke volumes of the regard in which Dean Mann is held.

Guests included representatives of community life in the city, visiting Bishops, the Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin, and leaders of the other main denominations in Northern Ireland.

The Dean was presented for institution into the Cathedral Parish by the Archdeacon of Belfast, the Ven Barry Dodds, and the Act of Institution was conducted by the Bishop of Connor. The former rector of St John’s Parish, Malone, was installed as Dean of Belfast by the Cathedral Chancellor, the Archdeacon of Down, the Ven Philip Patterson. He was then presented to the people by the Bishop of Connor, and welcomed by Bishop Noël Treanor, Bishop of Down & Connor, on behalf of all the church leaders.

During the service the new Dean was presented with symbols of the teaching, pastoral and sacramental ministry of an incumbent. These included a Bible (to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ), a container of water (recognising that the Cathedral is a place of Christian baptism), a Book of Common Prayer (demonstrating the primary role of the Dean to lead public worship and encourage a life of personal devotion), bread and wine (the elements of holy communion), oil (symbolic of healing and reconciliation), the key to the Cathedral (as a reminder that the Cathedral is a place to be kept open for all people) and a towel (as a reminder of Christ washing his disciples’ feet and of the ministry of service and support of those in need and in trouble).  

The service began with Evening Prayer, followed by the central section which formally and legally instituted, installed and welcomed Dean Mann, who preached the sermon.  At the request of the new Dean, a period of silence and reflection followed. It included music played on the harp by Mary McKeague, a member of the Focolare Movement, a solo ‘the Grail Prayer’ sung by Katy Nichols from St John’s Malone accompanied by members of the St John’s Instrumental Group, and a period of stillness and silence.  After this the congregation was led in prayer by the Monks of Holy Cross Monastery in Rostrevor, a community committed to unity and reconciliation.

Following the service guests were invited to the nearby Art College for refreshments.

Contact Details

For further information please contact:

Karen Bushby

Connor Diocesan Communications Officer
028 4066 0798
07766103880
[email protected]

www.connor.anglican.org

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