Diocesan News15 Apr 13

Local Church leaders presentation to Mayor of Derry / Londonderry

Derry / Londonderry’s Mayor has been presented with a specially inscribed copy of Luke’s Gospel. The presentation to Mayor Kevin Campbell was made today (15th April 2013) by local church leaders at the city’s Guildhall.

Today’s presentation will be one of the last official public duties that Monsignor Eamon Martin will perform with other church leaders here before his move to Armagh. He will shortly take up his position as Coadjutor (assistant) Archbishop to the Archdiocese of Armagh. Monsignor Martin currently leads the Diocese of Derry, in his caretaker role as diocesan administrator.

The presentation to the Mayor marks the first copy to be given as part of A Free Gift For All – an initiative to give out 40,000 free commemorative copies of St Luke’s Gospel across the city.

A spokesperson for the project organisers said, “A Free Gift For All brings together so many strands of good news for out city. We are delighted to present the Mayor with a free gift of the Gospel of Luke. This is the first step in the distribution to all 40,000 households in our city”. He continued, “It is a unique coming together of the church community in our city to give a gift to our fellow citizens, as a celebration of our designation as the UK City in 2013”.

The four church leaders who made the presentation to the Mayor were Monsignor Eamon Martin (Diocese of Derry), Bishop Ken Good (Bishop of Derry & Raphoe), Rev Peter Murray (Superintendant of Methodist City Mission) and Rev Dr Robert Buick (Clerk of Presbytery).

A Free Gift for All is an initiative by churches from across the city community. Specially illustrated copies of Luke’s Gospel will be hand–delivered to every home in the city. Improving weather and brighter evenings will allow distribution to begin shortly.