In recent years the Church of Ireland, like much of Irish society, has begun to take more seriously its place in Europe, while the European churches in general have become more aware of their potential as forces for good in an increasingly complex European community.
Mr Jacques Santer, president of the European Commission, stressed the role that the churches can play in helping to make the EU much more effectively a union of citizens when he addressed the members of the European Ecumenical Commission for Church and Society at their recent assembly near Brussels.
He outlined the objectives of his presidency which include major developments such as the final accomplishment of monetary union, but he also emphasised that the EU has to be seen as more than a free trade area. The current process of enlargement, which could eventually double the size of the community, will require a sense of solidarity between those in western Europe and the applicant states of central and eastern Europe.
Enlargement may call for some unwelcome changes, both administrative and economic, which will be needed for the greater good of the continent. In bringing public opinion to a higher concept of the purpose of the union, the churches can be influential, while at the same time seeking to protect the interests of their own vulnerable members.
Dr Kenneth Milne of the European Working Group of the Role of the Church Committee was one on the Irish representatives at the EECC's general assembly.
This evening in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, there will be a recital by Judy Tarling (violin) and Peter Holman (continuo) which will be followed tomorrow by an all-day workshop on baroque performance technique, details of which may be had from Elaenor Dawson on 01-2803870.
Tomorrow morning, the Dean of Christ Church, the Very Rev John Paterson, will give an address in the Franciscan Church on Merchants' Quay, popularly known as Adam & Eve's, at a special Mass for the feast of St Francis of Assisi when those who have suffered and died in the Troubles will be remembered. In St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, the former Bishop of Connor, Dr Samuel Poyntz, will preach at the harvest festival.
A new series of lunchtime lectures on the theme of "The Vikings and Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin" begins in the cathedral crypt on Tuesday at 1.10 pm. The opening lecture will be given by Dr Marie-Therese Flanagan of the Queen's University, Belfast, who will speak on "From conversion to cathedral: the christianisation of the Vikings of Dublin".
On Wednesday, the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Rev Harold Miller, will introduce the Rev Chris Carson as bishop's curate of Kilmegan.
The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Eames, will host a visit to Northern Ireland, beginning on Thursday, of the Anglican Compass Rose Society which is a group of American Anglicans who support the Anglican Communion's emergency and development funds.
The visit will include meetings with church, political and community leaders and will conclude on Sunday, October 11th, with a celebration of the eucharist in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, where the primate will preach.
On Thursday, the Cork, Cloyne and Ross diocesan synod will meet while in Dublin, the speaker at the lunchtime talk in the "I believe . . ." series in St Thomas' Church, Cathal Brugha Street, will be actor and director Alan Stanford.
As part of the growing links between the dioceses of Cork and Clogher, the Dean of Cork, the Very Rev Dr Michael Jackson, will preach at the harvest festival in Ballybay, Co Monaghan.