Two new books from Four Courts Press, Dublin, are likely to be of interest to Irish Anglicans.
Christ in Eternity and Time: Modern Anglican Perspectives by the Rev Dr Niall Coll, a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Raphoe, was launched recently by the Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Dr Richard Clarke. It examines the doctrine of Christ's pre-existence in the writings of four Anglican, theologians, Lionel Thornton, Eric Mascall, John Robinson and John MacQuarrie. Dr MacQuarrie welcomes the book, not only as a significant piece of theological reflection, but also as a new voice in the current dialogue between Roman Catholics and Anglicans.
Protestant Women's Narratives of the Irish Rebellion of 1798 has been edited by John Beatty who is the Bibliographer of the Historical Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It reproduces and introduces narratives from eleven women, mostly members of the Church of Ireland, who described their experiences in Co Wexford. As women, these observers were relegated to the peripheries and so their views of the events of 1798 are less polemical and partisan but reveal much of their times, fears and beliefs. Among the observers are Lady Anne Roden, Maria Edgeworth, and James Adams who was both the wife and sister of a Church of Ireland rector.
Today at 9 a.m. there will be an organ marathon in Christ Church Cathedral Dublin, to raise funds for the 2002 Dublin International Organ and Choral Festival. Evensong will be at 5 p.m., followed by a recital by Peter Sweeney and Friends.
Tomorrow, which is Remembrance Sunday, there will be a Requiem Eucharist in Christ Church Cathedral, to a setting by Tomas Luis de Victoria, while in the Chapel of Trinity College the Vice Provost, Prof Jane Grimson, will lay a wreath on behalf of the College during the Sung Eucharist in the College Chapel. At Evensong in St Patrick's Cathedral, which will be attended by President McAleese, the preacher will be the Rev C. J. Comyns, formerly chaplain to the forces, and the lessons will be read by President of the Burma Star Association and the Australian Ambassador.
In Belfast, Bishop Samuel Poyntz will preach at the Remembrance Day service in St Thomas's Church while in St Martin's Church, the Dean of Cashel, Dr Philip Knowles, will be the preacher at the St Martin's Day celebrations.
On Tuesday, the Mothers' Union in Taney parish, Dublin, will celebrate the centenary of its foundation with a service and dinner. The third talk in the "And is it True?" series in the Centre for Christian Studies in St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, will be given on Wednesday evening. The speaker will be the Rev Bernard Treacy, OP, editor of the periodical Doctrine and Life.
On Friday evenings, at 8 p.m., the Capella Mixed Voice Choir will give a concert in St Patrick's Cathedral, Greystones, in aid of nursing care for terminally sick children and parish funds.
Christ Church, Leeson Park, Dublin has revived its choral scholarship scheme. The scholarships are open to sopranos and mezzo sopranos who will be expected to sing at the 10 a.m. Sunday service and the Friday rehearsal. Details from David Bedlow at 01-6321932 (daytimes) or 01-2829204 (evenings).