Today, Friday, 21st November 2014, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Dr Richard Clarke will address a newly elected council in Cork, Cloyne and Ross and will formally inaugurate the Diocesan review and forward planning process Charting A Future with Confidence.

The process is the initiative of the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton supported by the Diocesan Council and Diocesan Synod.

The newly elected Council includes representatives of every parish in the Diocese as well as those involved in chaplaincies and other ministries. It includes both lay and ordained people. The two-year programme of work commences today and tomorrow with a residential conference at the Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, County Cork.

A prayer, for use throughout this process, has been written by the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne:

Almighty God,
you have called us through baptism
to be your Church in this place.
Draw near to us in Cork, Cloyne and Ross
as we seek to renew our witness to your gospel;
enable us to hear your voice,
to know your way,
and to do your will,
so that, charting a future with confidence
under the guidance of your Holy Spirit,
we may truly and faithfully
be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen