Press Releases
Bishop of Tuam commissioned as All-Ireland Chaplain of the Mothers' Union
The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, has today (Sunday 15 January 2006) commissioned the Rt Revd Dr Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, to be the Mothers’ Union Chaplain for All-Ireland at a special evensong service in St Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam, Co. Galway.
In his address Archbishop Eames spoke of the need for Ireland to recover confidence in proclaiming the values of family life and of the importance of the work organisations like the Mothers‘ Union do:
“It is surely no coincidence that erosion of traditional family security coincides with a period of changing moral values. The pressure on the sanctity of Christian family life is both obvious and at the same time subtle … The foundation for a stable family lies in the home. When that stability is threatened it is little surprise that stability elsewhere in society suffers … The Church has to translate the values of the happy, satisfying and efficient Christian marriage bond in terms which are generally attractive to a new generation … It is when societies such as the Mothers’ Union speak of these values in attractive and exciting ways that society will listen.�
Responding to his appointment Bishop Henderson said, “I do feel greatly honoured to have been asked to become All-Ireland chaplain to the Mothers’ Union and I am humbled and touched by the many personal messages of goodwill that have accompanied the appointment.
“Our task, through our Christian faith, is to encourage and support families in everyday life, wherever or however they may be. And more I think than ever before, the Mothers’ Union has a very significant role in earthing the much disputed political, social and moral issues of the modern world - firmly in the cherished soil of family life.�
During the service an especially embroidered stole was presented to Bishop Henderson in memory of the Rt Revd James Moore, Bishop of Connor, who was the previous MU All-Ireland Chaplain.
Further information from:
Aean Ferguson,
Diocese of Tuam Communications Officer
Mobile: +353 (0)87 8121020
Sarah Williams,
Press Officer,
Tel: +44(0)2890 232909 or +44 (0)7787 881582
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Notes to Editors:
Extracts from Archbishop Robin Eames’ address:
Ireland needs to recover confidence in proclaiming the values of family life. It is surely no coincidence that erosion of traditional family security coincides with a period of changing moral values. The pressure on the sanctity of Christian family life is both obvious and at the same time subtle. Breakdown in marriages, increasing economic pressure producing poverty for many, revolutionary changes in work patters leading to unsettled family existence with working parents away from home and children becoming more and more requiring the care of outsiders, may be among the obvious pressures. But there are also the challenges of new attitudes to the sanctity of Christian marriage itself. Why do an increasing number of couples view the Christian marriage bond, sacred before God as they pledge their vows in a church, less desirable than a ceremony in some purely secular location? The competition to arrange a more glamorous event than anyone else anywhere but in a church building poses serious questions for the Church.
The foundation for a stable family lies in the home. When that stability is threatened it is little surprise that stability elsewhere in society suffers.
The Church has to translate the values of the happy, satisfying and efficient Christian marriage bond in terms which are generally attractive to a new generation.
It is when societies such as the Mothers’ Union speak of these values in attractive and exciting ways that society will listen. But society needs to take heed of the consequences for family life caused by much of what is regarded as social progress …
Quote from Bishop Richard Henderson on his appointment:
I do feel greatly honoured to have been asked to become All-Ireland chaplain to the Mother’s Union and I am humbled and touched by the many personal messages of goodwill that have accompanied the appointment. All Diocese have MU chaplains and, together with the All-Ireland chaplaincy, this underscores the utter centrality of the Christian faith in all our activities. The challenge behind all aspects of our work is this: How should Christian truths and values be received, understood and expressed in different places and changing times?
Well over three million MU members work worldwide within parishes and Christian communities. Our task, through our Christian faith, is to encourage and support families in everyday life, wherever or however they may be. Since its foundation, the MU has expressed this mission through incredibly wide and varied activities that give material and spiritual resource to parents and children in areas such as marriage, family, parenting, education and spirituality … and it has a wonderful record of visiting the elderly and housebound. On the Wider scene, the MU has been actively involved in overseas development, drugs awareness, campaigning and lobbying on behalf of care for families, and the care of children.
The Mothers’ Union deserves to be well supported. More I think than ever before, it has a very significant role in earthing the much disputed political, social and moral issues of the modern world - firmly in the cherished soil of family life.
Archbishop Eames placing the stole on Bishop Richard Henderson
Bishop Ken Good, Archbishop Robin Eames, Mrs Paddy Wallace, All-Ireland President of the Mothers' Union, Bishop Richard Henderson, Archbishop Michael Neary, Bishop Ken Clarke.