Madam, - The new Church of Ireland Book of Common Prayer is now on sale throughout Ireland as Patsy McGarry reported in your edition of March 23rd.
It is a very fine production by Columba Press in Dublin - in my view the most beautiful prayer book we have ever seen in the Church of Ireland. The editorial work for this production has been of the highest quality and has been carried out with great care and commitment.
I am therefore very disappointed that on the day this highly significant new book goes on sale, Patsy McGarry chooses to focus on three minor corrections inserted in a small errata slip. In his report Mr McGarry describes these as "significant omissions".
The first correction refers to the Ash Wednesday Service and simply inserts the note: "This service may be adapted to meet local custom".
The second correction inserts the note: "The Psalter contained in the Book of Common Prayer (1926) remains authorised for use in public worship". The third correction inserts part of the charge at the ordination of priests which is said by the bishop alone.
I am grateful that these corrections have been noted now. However, the truth is that no one's regular worship is going to be hampered one iota by these small corrections on the errata slip.
What a pity that Patsy McGarry seems to have ignored the real significance of this wonderful new Book of Common Prayer. It deserves better. - Yours, etc.,
Bishop HAROLD MILLER, Chairman, Church of Ireland Liturgical Advisory Committee, Donegall Street, Belfast 1.