By Sarah Mac Donald - 04 March, 2016
The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin along with senior clergy from the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough have said they are “very happy” with the outcome of negotiations over Easter ceremonies in Dublin’s cathedrals.
In a statement on Thursday, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Venerable David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin, Venerable Ricky Rountree, Archdeacon of Glendalough and Precentor Neil NcEndoo, Acting Dean of Christ Church Cathedral said that following their consultation with Government officials and the Gardaí, Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral will remain open for Easter services.
“We are pleased to report that Christ Church Cathedral will open for worship on Easter Day. The Eucharist will be celebrated at a said service in the cathedral at 10am. Clergy, staff and congregation will be facilitated in such a way as to allow them through the outer security cordon and park in a designated area near the cathedral. A shuttle bus will bring them from there to the cathedral where they will gain access through the West Door.”
In addition, at mid-day, the cathedral will use the special bilingual liturgy provided by the Liturgical Advisory Committee of the Church of Ireland on behalf of the Historical Centenaries Working Group to commemorate the 1916 Rising.
During this service, as the parade is passing the cathedral, the congregation will pray for the country and its leaders and remember those who died during the Rising.
The cathedral will then close for a short period and re-open its doors when the parade finishes and the crowds disperse, allowing pilgrims and tourists to visit.
“We in the Church of Ireland are very happy with the outcome of the negotiations with Government and An Garda Síochána to ensure that worshippers have the option to attend Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral for Easter celebrations,” the Archbishop and senior clergy stated.
They added that they continue to feel that it is not practical to have every Church of Ireland church in the city open on Easter Day given that the majority of the parishioners do not live in the vicinity of these churches.
“The expectation remains that there will be a very large volume of people to watch the parade. Consequently the decision of the affected clergy to provide alternative places to worship remains as previously stated.”
The Liturgical Advisory Committee of the Church of Ireland has put together a Service of the Word for a Commemoration of the Easter Rising. It is available on the Worship Section of the Church of Ireland website here: http://ireland.anglican.org/worship/70
Easter Day arrangements for city centre churches:
Arrangements for an alternative service for Christ Church Cathedral in Sandford Parish Church to which members of the cathedral congregation are invited remain in place. This service will take place at 10am.
St Ann’s and St Stephen’s – There will be an Easter Vigil at 6pm on Easter Eve in St Ann’s. There will be no services in St Ann’s or St Stephen’s on Easter Day. Parishioners have been invited to St Philip’s, Milltown.
Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes – St Werburgh’s and St Michan’s will close on Easter Sunday morning. There will be a service in All Saints’ Grangegorman at 10am on Easter Sunday for parishioners, many of whom are local and walk to church. Those who travel to church from outside the security cordon have been advised of these arrangements and encouraged to worship in their local church that day.
St Catherine’s Church, Thomas Street – Easter Morning Services as usual. Those driving in have been advised to avoid the parade route.
St George’s and St Thomas’s Church, Cathal Brugha Street – There will be no service on Easter Day. A service will take place on Easter Eve at 4pm.
St Audeon’s Church on Cornmarket – There will be no service on Easter Sunday but a service will take place in the Church of St Catherine and St James on Donore Avenue.
