The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Rowan Williams, who is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, travelled to Cork on Sunday, 28th February, to preach at Choral Evensong in Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork,  and to give thanks for 70 years of the work of Christian Aid.  Bishop Williams chairs the Board of Christian Aid.

Bishop Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, preaching during the Service of Thanksgiving at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

It was also an opportunity to thank the people of Cork, Cloyne and Ross for their support for Christian Aid, and also the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal, not least, recently through a three year project of building houses in Haiti following the earthquake there.

Choral Evensong and Service of Thanksgiving, marking 70 years of Christian Aid, at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

People from all over the Diocese, as well as many Christian Aid supporters from further afield,  attended the special Service in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.  In his Sermon Bishop Williams spoke about ‘the joy of giving’.  Afterwards, before returning to Cork Airport to depart for home, he remained outside for a long time meeting the members of the large congregation and chatting to them all.

Chatting afterwards with someone from the congregation.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Beforehand, the Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, and Mrs Susan Colton hosted a lunch at the Bishop’s Palace in honour of Bishop Rowan Williams and Christian Aid.  The Lord Mayor of Cork and the Lady Mayoress, Cllr Chris O’Leary and Mrs Angela O’Leary, and the Deputy Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Kevin Conway were present.

Attending a reception before the Thanksgiving Service (l-r), Bishop Paul Colton, Lord Mayor Cllr Chris O’Leary, Bishop Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, at The Palace, Bishop Street, Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Ecumenical guests included, Bishop John Buckley (Bishop of Cork and Ross), the Rev. Bill Mullally (Methodist Church in Ireland). and the Rev. John Faris (Presbyterian Church in Ireland), and Denise Gabuzda (Society of Friends).

Attending a reception before the Thanksgiving Service (l-r) Bishop Paul Colton, Bishop Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Mrs Susan Colton and Bishop John Buckley, at The Palace, Bishop Street, Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Present from Christian Aid were the former Bishop of Limerick, the Right Reverend Trevor Williams (Chairman), Ms Rosamond Bennett, Ms Deborah Doherty, Mrs Sandra Dukelow (Christian Aid Ireland) and Mr Andrew Coleman (Christian Aid Cork).  The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal was represented by the Bishop of Tuam, the Right Reverend Patrick Rooke, and Ms Lydia Monds (Bishops’ Appeal Education Adviser).

Partners in world aid and development work (l-r) the Rev. John Ardis (Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal), Lydia Monds (Education Adviser, Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal), Bishop Patrick Rooke, Chairman, Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal and board member, Christian Aid Ireland), Bishop Rowan WIlliams (Chairman, Board of Christian Aid), the Bishop of Cork (Dr Paul Colton), Rosamond Bennett (Christian Aid), and Andrew Coleman (Christian Aid Cork).

Also present on this special day were Captain Mick Malone, representing the Irish Naval Service, Lt Col Michael O’Connor (Defence Forces) and Inspector Fergal Foley (An Garda Síochána).  The Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Venerable Adrian Wilkinson and Mrs Jacqui Wilkinson, the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne and Mrs Isobel Dunne, Mr Billy Skuse (Diocesan Secretary), Mr John Jermyn (Diocesan Registrar) together with Mrs Mary Jermyn, and Ms Carol Jermyn (Diocesan Solicitor) together with Mr Robert Baker were among those representing the Diocese.

Attending a reception before the Thanksgiving Service (l-r) Sandra Dukelow, Christian Aid Ireland Board, with The Very Rev. Nigel Dunne and his wife Isobel, at The Palace, Bishop Street, Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Attending a reception before the Thanksgiving Service (l-r) Robert Baker, Carol Jermyn, DIocesan Solicitor, and Bishop Trevor Williams (Chairman, Board of CHristian Aid Ireland), at The Palace, Bishop Street, Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.