Diocesan News21 Sep 15

New Priest Ordained for Derry and Raphoe Diocese

Left to right: The Archdeacon of Derry, Ven. Robert Miller; Rev Robbie Robinson; Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good; Bishop’s Registrar, Canon David Crooks; Rev Ruth West; Dean of Raphoe, Very Rev Arthur Barrett; Rev Dr Charles ‘Chuck’ Owens (Preacher).

Scores of parishioners from Drumragh with Mountfield in Tyrone crossed the border to Donegal on Sunday afternoon for the ordination of their new curate, Rev Robbie Robinson. Relatives and friends mingled with clergy from throughout the diocese to see Rev Robinson being ordained priest by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ken Good.

Among those who packed St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe were the new curate’s wife Amy, his parents Robert and Heather, and sisters Kathryn and Louise. The organist and choir from Drumragh provided music for the service.

The preacher, Rev Dr Charles ‘Chuck’ Owens, from the Diocese of South Carolina in the United States, told the new curate that he must not let his ordination go to his head: “You have been ordained to serve, not to be served”.

Dr Owens is regarded as one of the foremost congregational development experts in the Anglican Church in the United States. In a thought–provoking, and at times direct sermon, he addressed some of the problems which he felt were facing the Church of Ireland, including issues of leadership, dwindling congregations and declining influence.

The Church of Ireland was just like the rest of the Anglican Communion, he suggested, with disagreement over whether to adopt new forms of ministry. “We’re all caught up in an argument between the past and the future. And unless unity can be found, the Gospel we all love will be unheard by our great grandchildren.”

Dr Owens said, “A bigger vision for the Church of Ireland must include a humble spirit as we interact with each other and others. And modelling this humble spirit, this humility, is the primary role of the clergy.”

Concluding his sermon, Dr Owens prayed that those present would uphold Rev Robinson in his ministry and work tirelessly at his side to serve Christ.