CATHOLIC PRIMATE Cardinal Seán Brady became the first holder of that office, and the first cardinal in history, to attend a Church of Ireland General Synod Eucharist service yesterday.
This morning, he will be the first Catholic primate and the first cardinal in history to attend a service of thanksgiving and commemoration at Trinity College Dublin.
It suggested that “we live in remarkable times”, he said in the Church of Ireland’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, where yesterday’s service took place.
He recalled: “Last Wednesday, I celebrated Mass in Arbour Hill, Dublin, and blessed the graves of executed 1916 leaders. Tomorrow, I hope to preach at the service of thanksgiving and commemoration in the College Chapel of Trinity College Dublin.
“Today, I am here at this Eucharist to mark the closure of the Church of Ireland Synod. To some people, all of that seems an impossible combination. But what it does suggest, perhaps, is that we live in remarkable times,” he added.
Among those taking part in yesterday’s service, which was attended by General Synod delegates, were the Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Most Rev John Neill, the 10 other Church of Ireland bishops, the president of the Irish Council of Churches Rev Tony Davidson and the president of the Methodist Church in Ireland Rev Aian Ferguson.
Cardinal Brady said that “the last millennium saw great divisions in the unity of the church – the body of Christ. Many now dare to hope, and I am one of them, that this millennium will see the great healing of those wounds. The last millennium also saw great divisions and conflict on this island of Ireland and between Ireland and her nearest neighbours. Again, many dare to hope that those conflicts can now be resolved, once and for all.” He saw “the present moment as a wonderful kairos to play our part in trying to heal, once and for all, the hurts of the past. I salute the efforts of those who have already courageously undertaken this task. But we all have our part to play.”
He recalled the words of Dr David Stevens, leader of the Corrymeela community, that “at their centre, churches have a narrative of forgiveness, reconciliation, new possibilities and new identities which, if it was really believed and acted upon, could be transforming. The challenge now is to believe and act”.
Referring to his invitation to attend the Eucharist service, which had what he described as “its own historic and symbolic significance”, he said: “I want to express my gratitude to Archbishop Alan, to Dean Patrick [the Dean of Armagh Very Rev Patrick Rooke] and to all involved in that generous invitation.
“It is a privilege to be here. It is a joy to be among sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ who are so clearly committed to Him and to His word.”
