Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from The Irish Times
Saturday 10 December 2005
The Church and Europe
The General Synod?s Church in Society ?Working Group in Europe? is assiduous in monitoring developments in Europe and ensuring that the Church of Ireland has a place at the associated discussions. The chairman of the Working Group, Dr Kenneth Milne, attended the meeting of the European Cultural Parliament last week.
The Gulbenkiun Foundation in Lisbon, with its concert hall, museum, art gallery and conference centre, provided the venue for the fourth session of the European Cultural Parliament which was opened by the President of Portugal. Given the setting, and the fact that the arts provide an international language that can be more expressive than words, it was not surprising that the theme of the gathering was the role of culture in promoting European cohesion.
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barossa, took part in the session. At a juncture that is generally regarded as a critical time in the life of the European Union, and in the presence of members from over thirty European countries. President Barrosa made a convincing presentation of his view that Europe is as much about sharing cultural (not least historical) experience as it is about the pooling of national sovereignty. He was convinced that debate on the future direction for Europe needed the input of artists and intellectuals if the pressures from bureaucratic control, political populism and narrow nationalism were to be resisted. It was clear from the lively discussion, in which President Barrosa fully and candidly participated, that it is the cultural programmes of the EU that are most at risk. The oft-repeated dictum of one of his predecessors, Jacques Delors, about 'giving a soul to Europe', was heard again and again. The people of the continent, according to some speakers, were viewed increasingly in many quarters as neither citizens nor subjects, but as objects, and it was vital that artists and other thinkers should engage fully in the debate.
From the discussion that took place in the parliament on the prospect of Turkey becoming in due course a member of the EU it was clear that cultural considerations weigh heavily with some opponents of Turkish accession, not simply political ones.
This afternoon (Saturday) the Bishop of Down and Dromore will open the new church of St Saviour, Dollingstown, having laid the foundation stone of the building on the corresponding Saturday in 2004. Belfast Cathedral?s Christmas Concert, ?Peace on Earth?, will be held at 8 pm and at the same time in Christ Church, Dun Laoghaire, the choir of St Patrick?s Cathedral will give a Carol Concert in aid of the RNLI and the Choir Tour Fund.
Tomorrow (Sunday) RTE will broadcast and Ecumenical Advent Liturgy from St John?s Church, Coolbanagher, led by the Rector, the Revd Olive Donohoe, and choirs from Mountmellick and Emo parishes. After Evensong in St Patrick?s Cathedral, Dublin, the Assistant Organist, David Leigh, will play Messiaen?s La Nativite du Seigneur. At 4 pm there will be a service of Carols and readings by Candleight in the medieval parish church of St Doulagh?s, Malahide Road, Balgriffin, while at 7 pm there will be a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols in the Chapel of the Mageough Home.
On Monday the Archbishop of Dublin will attend Charter Day at the King?s Hospital and on Tuesday will be in Christ Church Cathedral for the Annual Charity Carol service. This year the service will be in aid of Peata Therapy Dogs.
The Representative Church Body will meet in Dublin on Wednesday followed by a meeting of the House of Bishops.
::rcblibrary::