Diocesan News11 Nov 13

Church of Finland Youth Group Visits the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Recently we were delighted to welcome a Finnish youth group on a visit to Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Eighteen young people (members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland) from Keski–Pori Parish in the Archdiocese of Turku, led by Pastor Tapio Hietalahti and Tiina Jokiperä, deacon and professional youth worker, came to experience the Porvoo communion in real life and to explore ecumenism in an Irish context. To this end they enjoyed a packed programme of trips and events. These included a trip to Gougane Barra and Ballyvourney exploring links to St. Fin Barre and St. Gobnait together with visits to the holy sites of the Rock of Cashel and Holy Cross Abbey, Tipperary and the Honan Chapel, University College Cork.

Pastor Tapio also assisted at a sung Eucharist in St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork and the entire group were particularly interested in the observance of the daily offices in the Cathedral. The Cork, Cloyne and Ross Ecumenical Officer, the Rev’d Daniel Nuzum led a discussion about ecumenism in Ireland.

Many of those who had the pleasure of meeting them were greeted and thanked with songs of Finnish praise, and already many of them are planning a return trip.