Cork’s Bishops Dedicate Globe Candle Stand at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Saturday 7th November, the weekend when All Souls and Remembrance are observed at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, Cork’s two Bishops, Dr Paul Colton and Dr Fintan Gavin conducted a short liturgy of dedication of a new votive candle stand for use in the Cathedral’s memorial prayer space.

Bishop Fintan Gavin and Bishop Paul Colton dedicated a new candle stand at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork and lit candles to remember those who have died of Covid-19. Picture: Gerard McCarthy Photography

Originally commissioned from a manufacturer in Sweden to feature at the heart of a memorial space for the remainder of the current Decade of Centenaries, it was decided to use it at the current time to invite people to remember those who have died of Covid-19.

Bishop Colton explained:

In my journeys in the Nordic and Baltic countries I have often admired the votive candle stands in churches of the Evangelical Lutheran churches there with which the Church of Ireland is in full communion, as a result of the Porvoo Agreement. I have long thought that it would be symbolic to have such a globe-shaped candle stand here and, thanks to my good friend, Dr Johan Dalman, Bishop of Strängnäs, we were put in touch with a manufacturer in Sweden. Lighting candles on a globe is highly symbolic, not least, of our prayers in the context of this global Coronavirus Pandemic, as well as of our Christian hope in Christ, the light of the world.

The Cathedral was open to visitors for private prayer and remembrance throughout the day.

Scott Hornibrook and his grandmother Rosemary Beamish were the first to light candles during the day of private prayer at St Fin Barre’sCathedral Cork in memory of those who have died of Covid-19 Pictures Gerard McCarthy Photography

First, however, the new candle stand was dedicated in a short Service that was broadcast online on the St Fin Barre’s Cathedral webcam.

The short dedication ceremony,. introduced by the Dean fo Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, may be viewed here:

This entry was posted in Bishop, Bishops of Cork, Blessings, Cathedral, Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Dedication, Diocese, Ecumenism, Light, Liturgy, People from Cork, Porvoo Communion, Prayers, Spirituality. Bookmark the permalink.