Bishop Colton’s Visit to Bandon following the ‘Storm Desmond’ Floods

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Monday morning 7th December, the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, spent several hours in Bandon, County Cork visiting business people and traders whose properties and livelihoods have been jeopardised by the weekend floods in the town.

A chance meeting on the streets of Bandon during Bishop Colton's visit this morning with (l-r) Councillor James O'Donovan, local businessman Jim Deane, Andrew Coleman and Bishop Paul Colton. (Photo: Denis MacCarthy)

A chance meeting on the streets of Bandon during Bishop Colton’s visit this morning with (l-r) Councillor James O’Donovan, local businessman Jim Deane, Andrew Coleman and Bishop Paul Colton. (Photo: Denis MacCarthy)

The Bishop was accompanied by the Rector of Bandon, the Reverend Denis MacCarthy, and by the Curate, the Reverend David White.  As well as meeting the people directly affected, it was an opportunity to meet with members of the community out shopping in the town, as well as local politicians and representatives who were also out and about in the town.

Bishop Colton said that

it is humbling and encouraging to see the community spirit, the stoic determination of those most affected, as well as the selfless way people are supporting one another.  In particular, I was really thrilled to hear some local business people speaking about how the young people of the town came out in large numbers to assist businesses as the flood waters rose on Saturday evening. It was heart-breaking too, however, to meet a parishioner who had opened a new business only three weeks ago, who had been unable to secure insurance, who has now lost everything.  Obviously, therefore, there is also fearfulness about the future and real anger, and I add my voice to those in Bandon as they press for the strategic flood defences and drainage works, promised in 2009, to be delivered.

Here are more photos out and about in Bandon this morning:

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Bishop Paul Colton Plans to Visit Bandon this Morning in Wake of Flooding of the Town

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Church of Ireland

Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Monday, 7th December, 2015

Pastoral Message to the people of Bandon

and County Cork from the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross – Dr Paul Colton –

in response to the Weekend Flooding

‘I am heading to Bandon this morning to see for myself the aftermath of the weekend flooding.

It is with a very heavy heart that I find myself, yet again, expressing great sorrow, on behalf of us all in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, to the people of our County Cork, and Bandon town in particular,  in the wake of this weekend’s flooding. In the case of Bandon I know personally how the businesses and livelihoods of good friends, as well as our parishioners, and everyone in the business community have been affected.  

The clergy of the parish – the Reverend Denis MacCarthy and the Reverend David White – have kept me informed throughout the weekend. I watched the scenes unfold on social media and through contact with friends.  I pay tribute to everyone in voluntary groups and throughout the community, to our own clergy, their families and parishioners, and to all who were present with helping hands on the spot assisting traders to move stock, and who are now there still alongside them in solidarity at the clean up stage.

It is important, at a time like this, that each of us makes an effort to stand alongside traders and business people in Bandon and other towns which have been badly affected. The town is again open for business It is vital that the flood relief and drainage scheme and strategies promised to Bandon in 2009 are actually delivered, not only in Bandon but in other parts of the county where they were promised also.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is going through this devastation to their livelihoods, not least at this busy and expectant time coming up to Christmas, not only in this County but in other parts of Ireland as well.’

– Ends –

Further information from:

Sam Wynn Diocesan Communications Officer,

Telephone:   +353 (0)86 813 7659

E mail media@corkchurchofireland.com

 

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Presentation of Certificates in Clinical Pastoral Education at St Luke’s Home, Cork

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The most recent course in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) marked a landmark moment in the delivery of CPE training in Ireland.  The course was organised and coordinated jointly by two approved CPE Centres working together, one based at Cork University Hospital where the supervisor is Mary-Jo Corcoran, and the other at St Luke’s Home Education Centre where the supervisor is Bruce Pierce.

At the presentation of CPE Certificates at St Luke's Home, Cork were:(Standing, l-r) David O'Brien (CEO, St Luke's Home), Sr Siobhán Horgan, Fr Brian Conlon, Orla McMahon, Dr Paul Colton (Bishop of Cork and Chairman of the Board of Directors of St Luke's), the Reverend Sarah Marry, the Reverend Stephen McCann, and Niall Caroll, and (seated l-r) John Walsh, William Locke, and Ms Mary OWens (Director of Nursing, Cork University Hospital).

At the presentation of CPE Certificates at St Luke’s Home, Cork were:(Standing, l-r) David O’Brien (CEO, St Luke’s Home), Sr Siobhán Horgan, Fr Brian Conlon, Orla McMahon, Dr Paul Colton (Bishop of Cork and Chairman of the Board of Directors of St Luke’s), the Reverend Sarah Marry, the Reverend Stephen McCann, and Niall Carroll, and (seated l-r) John Walsh, William Locke, and Ms Mary OWens (Director of Nursing, Cork University Hospital).

On Wednesday, 25th November, the eight people who successfully completed CPE modules recently (4 from CUH and 4 from St Luke’s Home Education Centre) were presented with their certificates during a liturgy in St Luke’s Home Chapel, Cork by Ms Mary Owens (representing CUH) and Dr Paul Colton (Chairman of the Board of St Luke’s).  A reception for family and friends was hosted in the conservatory of St Luke’s Home beforehand.  Also present were residents of St Luke’s and Mr Neil Mackay, Director of Nursing at St Luke’s.

Here is the gallery of photos:

 

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Book about Cork Pilgrimage Places, Holy Wells, Graves and Statues Launched in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Wednesday, 25th November a new book – Wells, Graves and Statues – by Dr Louise Nugent and Dr Richard Scriven, both of University College Cork, was launched in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork by the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton.  Wells, Graves and Statues ‘tells the often underappreciated story of pilgrimage in Cork city, from medieval to modern times.’  A welcome was given by the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne who recently commissioned the new labyrinth, itself a form of spiritual pilgrimage, in the Cathedral grounds.  The large attendance at the book launch was a measure of the contemporary interest in pilgrimage and spirituality.

At the launch in St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork by Dr Paul Colton of 'Wells, Graves and Statues' were co-authors Dr Richard Scriven and Dr Louise Nugent.

At the launch in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork by Dr Paul Colton of ‘Wells, Graves and Statues’ were co-authors Dr Richard Scriven and Dr Louise Nugent.

Launching the book Bishop Colton said:

This is a very readable book which draws deeply on our strong sense of place, not least in Cork.  It is a multi-layered, interdisciplinary book which draws on the expertise of these authors – Richard and Louise – in their respective fields of geography and history, and archaeology and Celtic civilisation. More than that, there are impulses of theology, spirituality and folklore.  Above all else, the book touches on that deep-seated nerve of the human spiritual quest on our journey through life.

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Honour for Church of Ireland Family with 200 Year Connection with Most Westerly Village in West Cork

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

At a recent ceremony in the former Methodist Church in Allihies, County Cork –  the most westerly village in the Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, and the Irish village situated at the greatest distance from Dublin, our capital city (394 km away) – the Church of Ireland community in general, and one family in particular, were honoured.  The Hodges family have a 200 year connection with Allihies.  The former church is now a Copper Mine Museum.

At a recent ceremony Tommy Hodges and Canon Paul Willoughby unveiled a plaque at the Copper Mine Museum in Allihies. The plaque reads;

Allihies Parish Co-Operative Society gratefully acknowledges the generosity given by the Church of Ireland and Tommy and Willie Hodges in donating this site and helping to make this museum possible.

Canon Paul Willoughby and Tommy Hodges unveil the plaque.

Canon Paul Willoughby and Tommy Hodges unveil the plaque.

Canon Paul Willoughby said:

This is a great occasion for Tommy and his family. Sadly, his brother Willie died last year and was not here to celebrate with us. The Hodges family have been living here in Allihies for over two hundred years and each generation has played a very significant part in the life of the community. Here, on the edge of the Atlantic, life is all about the local community working together and goes far beyond religious denomination. It is true ecumenism in action. Tommy is held in the highest regard by everyone here and the parishioners and I are thrilled that he should be honoured in this way. There is nobody more deserving.

In March 1993 a group of locals met in Allihies to set up the Parish Cooperative. One of the significant projects they launched was the transformation of the ruins of the old Methodist Church into the mining museum that it is today – a place which would ‘tell the story’  of Allihies, the people of that village, the  copper mine and the local links with Butte, Montana. Many of the miners emigrated to Montana to find work when the mine closed in the 1880s. Given the state of repair of the church this was a huge undertaking by such a small community. Through local fundraising initiatives and a grant from the ‘Millennium Fund’ the dream became a reality and it was opened in 2007 by the President of Ireland. That ceremony also included a live link-up  to the Civic Centre in Butte Montana. Those gathered there watched the ceremony in Allihies and also listened to a wonderful documentary about the links between Montana and Beara  made by the renowned Joe Kearney of RTE. 

The Methodist Church in Allihies was built in 1845 to provide a place of worship for the miners, many of whom came from Cornwall. At one stage over 1,500 people worked there. It closed in the late 1800s when the mine fell into ruin.  The Parish Co-Operative received a wonderful start to the project when Tommy and Willie Hodges gave them a gift of the ruined church and the surrounding land which they then owned. They also received great encouragement  and assistance from Maud Levis, a lay reader in charge of the parish at that time, as well as the then Diocesan Secretary, Wilfred Baker, and the local Church of Ireland community.

Canon Paul Willoughby and Tommy Hodges pictured with Chrissie O'Sullivan and Tadhg O'Sullivan, members of the Allihies Parish Co-Operative.

Canon Paul Willoughby (left) and Tommy Hodges (second from right) with Chrissie O’Sullivan and Tadhg O’Sullivan, members of the Allihies Parish Co-Operative.

 

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