Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from 'The Irish Times'
Saturday 23 December 2006
Christmas Reading
One of the more welcome manifestations of the new Ireland is the protracted Christmas break which, for those who are so inclined, provides an opportunity to catch up on some reading. 2006 was a good year for books published by and about the Church of Ireland and there is a fine choice of titles in theology, history, and heritage.
Two members of the House of Bishops had books published by Columba Press. The jealousy of Jonah was the product of a sabbatical by the Bishop of Tuam, Dr Richard Henderson, while, more controversially, A whisper of God, by the Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Dr Richard Clarke, urged the Church to regard itself in the way those outside see it. A space for belief, also published by Columba, is the first in a trilogy by the Dean of Killaloe, Dr Stephen White, which will explore the function of theology.
Church of Ireland Publishing produced another two titles during the year, The authority of scripture is a report of the Bishops? Advisory Commission on Doctrine while Local partnerships. A theological and pastoral reflection was produced by the Social Justice and Theology Group (R.I.) of the Church in Society Committee. As always the 2007 edition of the Church of Ireland Directory has just appeared and may be had from the Resource Centre Bookshop, Holy Trinity Church, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6
The publication of conservation plans for three Dublin church buildings, St Audeon?s, St Luke?s and St Patrick?s Cathedral, is a welcome development and suggests the possibility of fruitful cooperation between the Church of Ireland, City Council, Heritage Council and the Department of the Environment.
As always there has been much published in the field of history. Church of Ireland records (Four Courts Press) by Raymond Refaussé provides an introduction to sources while Gerald Bray?s edition of the Records of Convocation. Ireland, 1101-1869 (Boydell Press) is an invaluable new resource. The clergy of Clogher, edited by David Crooks and Thomas Moore, contains much valuable biographical detail while clergy are again the focus of The clergy of the Church of Ireland, 1000-2000, a book of essays edited by Toby Barnard and W.G. Neely and published by Four Courts. A wider perspective is provided in Two thousand years of Christianity and Ireland (Columba), edited by John Bartlett and Stuart Kinsella, which is based on lunchtime lectures given in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.
There is much about the Church of Ireland in Nigel Yates The religious condition of Ireland 1770-1850 (OUP) and in Daithi O Corrain?s Rendering to God and Caesar (Manchester UP) which is a study of church and state in Ireland, 1949-73. Margaret ) O hOartaigh?s biography of Dr Kathleen Lynn (Irish Academic Press) and Rachel Pollard?s study of the Claremont Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, The Avenue, (Denzille Press) also contain much Church of Ireland material.
This afternoon (Saturday) the annual Community Carol Service, organized by the local churches, will be held in the courtyard of Marlay House, Rathfarnham. Tomorrow (Sunday) the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held in St Patrick?s Cathedral, Dublin at 4 pm. Admission is by ticket only but the service will be broadcast live by RTE.
On Christmas Day, by tradition, the bishops will preach in their diocesan cathedrals. This will be the last such occasion for the Archbishop of Armagh who will retire at the end of December and the first for the new Bishop of Cashel & Ossory who will be in Cashel Cathedral.