First Female African Bishop

Posted on 30. May, 2013 in Church of Ireland

Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya came from Swaziland to celebrate the launch of Us, formerly United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Bishop Ellinah is the first woman bishop of a church of the Anglican Communion in Africa. There is a relationship between the Church of Ireland and the Anglican Diocese of Swaziland, which was celebrated […]

Debate on sexuality

Posted on 23. May, 2013 in Celibacy/Sexuality, Church of Ireland, Church Teachings

The Church of Ireland is embarking on a structured debate throughout the island on human sexuality within the context of Christian belief.  The debate was precipitated by the decision in 2011 by the Very Reverend Tom Gordon, Dean of Leighlin in Carlow, to enter a same-sex civil partnership.  Largely ignored by media in the Republic, […]

Global Christianity

Posted on 21. Mar, 2013 in Church of Ireland, Uncategorized

With the choice of an non-European Pope, we are reminded that Christianity is a global religion. In fact, Prof. Kirsteen Kim, who researches and teaches theology from the perspective of mission and world, points out that the majority of Christians live outside of Europe and that Christ himself was Asian. Drawing on her experience of Christianity in […]

Abortion Amendment

Posted on 28. Feb, 2013 in Church of Ireland

The Very Reverend Victor Griffin does not expect as bitter and divisive a debate on the abortion issue now compared with the 1983 referendum, which signed into law a constitutional ban on abortion. At the time of the Pro-Life Amendment Campaign, he was Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a sponsor of the Anti-Amendment Campaign. […]

Women Clergy

Posted on 31. Jan, 2013 in Church of Ireland, Uncategorized

While the ordaining of women remains a controversal subject within the Catholic Church, it has been around for much longer within the Church of Ireland. Despite that, it is still an area where clerical women are breaking ground.  Ása (pronounced Awsa) Ólafsdőttir, from Iceland, is the first female rector in the parish of Dun Laoghaire. […]

New Rector from Iceland

Posted on 24. Jan, 2013 in Church of Ireland

Ása (pronounced Awsa) Ólafsdőttir from Iceland was recently appointed to the post of Vicar of Christ Church Dun Laoghaire (CCDL) and Diocesan Ministry Development Officer. As well as coming from an unusual background, she is also the first women cleric in the Dun Laoghaire parish. Both she and the diocese are excited about the move. Miriam […]

Ecumenism

Posted on 17. Jan, 2013 in Church of Ireland, Church Teachings, Uncategorized

Christian Unity Week takes place from the 18th to the 25th of January. In this second interview on Ecumenism, Pat Coyle talks with Brian O’Leary, Jesuit coordinator for Ecumenism, about the importance of ecumenism and how Churches can learn from each other.

Ecumenism

Posted on 10. Jan, 2013 in Church of Ireland

Christian Unity Week takes place from the 18th to the 25th of January. Pulpits are exchanged and special ecumenical worship services are arranged. Pat Coyle speaks with Gillian Kingston, lay leader of the Methodist Church in Ireland about her role in Ecumenism and about the importance of Christian Unity.

Towards a Shared Communion

Posted on 13. Dec, 2012 in Church of Ireland, Eucharistic Congress 2012

The 50th International Eucharistic Congress was unique in inviting members of other Christian Churches to play an important role. Archbishop Michael Jackson, along with leaders of other Christian Churches in Ireland, was called to be included in a shared celebation on baptism. Archbishop Jackson was invited to preside at the main liturgy of the first […]

A Public Morality

Posted on 01. Nov, 2012 in Church of Ireland

The Church of Ireland has never sought to project itself as a strong moral authority in the country, according to Patsy McGarry. The Irish Times Religious Affairs Correspondent was talking to a group of mainly Church of Ireland young adults at their Rubicon conference discussing the relevance of faith in modern life. In an interview […]