Christians find themselves divided on the issue of any forthcoming conflict in Iraq. That division of opinions reflects conflicting views on the actualities of Iraq. But it also indicates again the dilemma people of faith face on the whole issue of war.
Last Saturday, 25 January 2003, there was an historical gathering of Bishops in Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral as one of the most representative groups of ordaining bishops ever took part in an Irish Episcopal Consecration.
What should a new bishop be given? I expect that many of you here have found answers to that question in terms of what you can afford or what you think appropriate. But if you ask that question more widely, you might come across some strange answers. As someone with a large proportion of Danish blood in my veins, I could, for example, look back to my Viking forebears, and think of the equipment they brought here to Dublin those centuries ago, when we decided to share our culture with you, so to speak; and on that score, poor Peter would be given a helmet and a long-boat! - though I have to say how good it is to be in a holy place founded nearly a thousand years ago by that Christian Norseman, King Sitriuc - 'Silkbeard'. But today's culture would probably want to provide something along the following lines - a computerized diary, to symbolize what a perfect manager we were to expect; a thick skin, to absorb any amount of tension around; and a magic wand, to solve everyone's problems.
There is deep public concern in Ireland, North and South, and at all levels of the Church over the seemingly inevitable prospect of armed conflict in Iraq.
One of the most representative groups of ordaining bishops ever to take part in an Irish Episcopal Consecration will arrive in Dublin next Saturday.
The Rt Rev KR Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe
The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd John Neill, his predecessor, Dr Empey, and the Dublin & Glendalough Diocesan Chancellor, the Hon. Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, are among a number of notable people who will be conferred with honorary degrees by the National University of Ireland during 2003.
The Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Robin Eames, has expressed his concerns about the human cost of a possible conflict in Iraq.
On Saturday 18 January 2003 at 8.55 pm a one-hour documentary on Protestants and the Irish language will be shown on TG4. The programme, entitled No Rootless Colonists - Na Gael-Phrotastunaigh, is the work of the well known film maker, Louis Marcus, and has been made in association with the Irish Film Board and Foras na Gaeilge. While much of the programme will be in Irish there will be sub-titles in English for those whose Irish is a bit rusty.
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18 to 25 January) millions of Christians throughout the world will be offering prayers for the unity of the Church and the unity of all people who are made in God's image. In praying for the unity of the Church, Christians are reminded of their duty to pray for the unity of all people who are made in God's image. This year prayers will be centred around a text from 2 Corinthians chosen by Christians in Argentina who assert that 'the 'treasure in clay jars' - the glory of Christ- is a gift from God to strengthen all who are suffering or sad. They firmly believe that Christians have a responsibility to share the light of Christ and welcome strangers into their midst.