Rethinking dioceses and boundaries

The old and the new

Sir, – Good luck to Rev Dr Eugene Duffy in his attempt to have diocesan boundaries rationalised (“Diocesan boundaries set down in 12th century unfit for 21st century”, Rite & Reason, September 26th).

It may not be realised that Church of Ireland boundaries also date from the 12th century – in both jurisdictions the county of Tipperary is split between three dioceses.

In some cases the Church of Ireland is worse: in the 1940s Down was split from Connor. It has meant that the city of Belfast is split between two entirely different bishoprics. – Yours, etc,

ROBERT MacCARTHY,

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(Formerly Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral,

Dublin),

Dublin 8.