Sir, – As a consultant editor to The Church of Ireland, An Illustrated History, I feel I must respond to the criticism of it by Dr Robert MacCarthy (Rite & Reason, January 7th). Dr MacCarthy draws attention to some errors and omissions.
This book involved the very ambitious aim of providing information on all the parish churches and cathedrals of the Church of Ireland in one volume. As the numbers involved run to many hundreds of buildings, it is inevitable some mistakes would occur and I am happy to accept corrections. Dr MacCarthy acknowledges the book is “a splendidly designed and illustrated evocation of the Church of Ireland, past and present”. But adds, “It is not a history”. What does this mean? It is correct to say it is not a conventional narrative history. There are already a number of good narrative histories of the Church of Ireland. This volume is something more. The book, which runs to 400 pages, with more than 1,000 illustrations, includes an introductory historical account of the church by Dr Kenneth Milne, followed by essays by experts on subjects such church archives and stained glass. These are followed by chapters on every diocese or united dioceses, with a historical introduction on each, followed by brief entries on the history of every parish church and cathedral. No previous history of the church has ever attempted such an ambitious, countrywide historical survey.
Dr MacCarthy claims the falling number of members of the Church of Ireland indicates the church is “approaching dissolution”. It is true that since disestablishment the number of members of the Church of Ireland has fallen considerably in the South (although not in the North). At the same time, as he acknowledges, recent southern census returns indicate an increase in church numbers. Dr MacCarthy is dismissive of this fact, arguing there has been a rise in non-attendance.
Perhaps Dr MacCarthy should look more closely at what the evidence from this volume reveals. These hundreds of beautiful and well-maintained churches are indicative of the commitment and witness of large numbers of dedicated and faithful parishioners. This book contains evidence of growth and vitality at both diocesan and parish level. The Church of Ireland, like all churches, faces new challenges in the 21st century. The evidence from the church’s history, which involved great challenges in the past, gives one reason for hope. The evidence from the present also gives one assurance and confidence for the future. – Yours, etc,
Prof Emeritus BRIAN M
WALKER,
Ballylesson, Belfast.