On Sunday, 14th April 2024, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, invited representatives from all across the Diocese as well as civic representatives to come together for an Easter Celebration of Faith and Life together in the Diocese on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as Bishop.
The celebration took place at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, which was full for the occasion. Before the service, three processions took place where each of the schools, parishes and organisations in the Diocese were represented with banners or items of symbolic importance. Their entry was heralded by the joyful sound of Fanfare in D by Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens.
Civic representatives that attended the service included the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Mick Finn, the Deputy Mayor of Cork County, Cllr John Healy, An Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, TD, the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, TD, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Colm Burke, TD, Deputy Simon Coveney, TD, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eíreann, Senator Jerry Buttimer, Deirdre Clune, MEP and Dr Conor Clune, and Billy Kelleher, MEP. Also present were clergy from across the Diocese, the cathedral chapter, the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, (a former Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross) the Right Rev. Adrian Wilkinson, Canon Robin Bantry White (also a former Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross) along with ecumenical guests, including Monsignor Anthony O’Brien, Vicar General of Cloyne representing Bishop William Crean of Cloyne, Fr Christopher Fitzgerald, Co-PP representing Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross, and the Rev. Andrew Robinson (Methodist Circuit). A special welcome was extended to 25 representatives of the over 3,400 people who were confirmed by Bishop Colton throughout his 25 years as Bishop, one representative for each year.
The Bishop opened the service with a greeting and introduction, followed by the Bidding by the Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, and Thanksgiving for the Resurrection by the Archdeacon, the Ven. Andrew Orr. The Readings were read by Wilfred Baker, former Diocesan Secretary and Lay Reader, and Hilda Connolly, Diocesan Youth Officer. The Act of Remembrance were read by David Bird and Dorothy Verplanke. During the silence a candle of remembrance was lit from the paschal candle by youth leader, Luke Nunan. The Act of Commitment were read by members of the Cork Diocesan Youth Council, Sarah Shannon, Clodagh Moloney and Shanice Kingston. The prayers were read by people who had either been confirmed or ordained by the Bishop: David Wolfe, the Rev. Anne Skuse, Oriel Hosford, the Rev. Martin Steele and the Rev. Jean Carney, and candles were lit for each intercession by a representative of the Bishop’s first confirmation in 1999, Susan Hosford, and a representative of the Bishop’s most recent confirmation, Seb Dunne.
The Bishop curated the music for the service. The Cathedral Choir sang Gloria from the Mass in C, K.317 ‘Coronation Mass’ by W.A. Mozart, the Motet Cantique de Jean Racine op.11 by G. Fauré, and Canticles Magnificat in A major by C.V. Stanford and Nunc Dimittis in F major by G. Dyson, under Director of Music, Peter Stobart and accompanied by Assistant Director of Music Matthew Breen. The anthem For the beauty of the earth by J. Rutter was sung by three schools which participate in the
Diocesan Church Music Scheme: St Luke’s National School (Mahony’s Avenue), St John the Baptist National School (Midleton) and Templebreedy National School (Crosshaven) under the direction of Mr Peter Stobart. The anthem Most glorious Lord of life by William Harris was sung by the choir of Midleton College under the direction of Dr Ian Sexton. The voluntary Fugue in E flat major, BWV 552 ‘St Anne’ by J.S. Bach was played on the organ by Matthew Breen. All choirs and the whole congregation joined together to sing a variety of hymns, including O worship the King, Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, and Lord of all hopefulness, Christ is the King, among others.
The celebration of faith was a joyful representation of the life and work of the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross as well as a fitting and heartfelt tribute to Bishop Paul Colton’s dedication to the Diocese over the past 25 years.
Photos: Eoin Murphy @eoin_artfotoglobal
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