Many Church of Ireland people do not have the good fortune to read copies of Church Review, the monthly diocesan magazine of the dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. Most have their own diocesan magazine which satisfies their needs. However, as the diocesan magazine which reflects aspects of church life in the Irish capital, Church Review from time to time raises issues which may have a wider relevance.
In the current issue, the vicar of St Ann's has voiced his concern about the effect on his congregation of the proposal by Dublin Corporation to introduce additional parking restrictions on Sundays.
St Ann's and the other city-centre churches draw much of their congregations, not from the locality, but from the suburbs. Families faithfully travel into the city centre each Sunday and by doing so contribute to the vitality of central Dublin. Some are inevitably elderly and infirm and would find it difficult to walk distances, while for others the regular cost of parking would be a disincentive.
This is not, of course, solely a concern of the Church of Ireland, as other religious denominations are also likely to be affected. However, it is likely to bear down hardest on the Protestant minority, which has worked hard to maintain its city-centre churches.
It is difficult to believe that Dublin Corporation needs the revenue or that the flow of traffic on Sunday mornings requires additional parking restrictions. A derogation from this proposal would be a welcome and generous gesture from the corporation.
Tomorrow, RTE will broadcast morning service from the Church of St John the Baptist, Agherton, Portstewart, where the rector is the Rev Patrick Rooke. The services in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, will be sung by the choir of Olverton Church, Gloucestershire, while in Co Kerry the Bishop of Cork, the Right Rev Paul Colton, will preach at the Rose of Tralee Festival Service. In Farahy Church, near Mitchelstown, the annual Elizabeth Bowen commemoration will be held. The address will be given by Dr Eibhear Walshe, lecturer in English in University College Cork.
Next week, beginning on Monday, the choir of Oriel College, Oxford, will sing evensong in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, except on Wednesday, when at 6.30 p.m., the choir will give a concert in the cathedral entitled "A celebration of English choral music from the 20th century".
The Bishop of Cork has announced the appointment of Ms Sybil Fuller as diocesan communications officer for Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Ms Fuller, who is the daughter of the Ven J.A. Ennis, a former Archdeacon of Kilmore, has recently retired from teaching in Bandon Grammar School.
Applications are invited for the Archbishop of Dublin's course on theology, a two-year study programme leading to a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. The course is divided into six units of six weeks, one night a week, and includes assessment. Details may be had from Dublin clergy, and applications should reach the Dublin Diocesan Office no later than September 22nd.