‘The Church is Pushing Many Away from the Love of God’ ~ says Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Bishop Paul Colton

Bishop Paul Colton

In a Christmas Day Sermon preached in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, the Right Reverend Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, said that, in his experience, as the Church as an institution is becoming increasingly all-consumed in an inward-looking, self-obsessed way with its own great matters, its proclamation of the love of Christ is being damaged and sadly the Church is pushing many away from the love of God.

Speaking about divisions and brokenness within the Church as it wrestles with issues which concern it, Bishop Colton said:

I have a great concern about one of the principal dangers of this brokenness.  As we within the institution are increasingly all-consumed in an inward-looking, self-obsessed way with our own great matters, our proclamation of the love of Christ is being damaged. Many ‘out there’ inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, are getting on with being as ‘Christ-like’ as they can, but without the Church.

By its failure to love and include and embrace and to welcome and to love as Christ loved, the Church – or more pointedly, by our failure to love and include and embrace and to welcome and to love as Christ loved, we – we are driving many away from the baby in the manger, away from Jesus, into the arms of secularism and unbelief at worst, and into the fold of non-institutional, residual, post-Christian spirituality at best.  It is my experience, fear and shame, that the Church is pushing many away from the love of God.

Yet, at the same time, the ministry of a broken Church should not alarm or dismay us – paradoxically, it should encourage us that the Church in its life and ministry has always manifested brokenness.  Foolish as we are, with all our human weaknesses and vulnerabilities, all our own brokenness, God chooses all of us who are baptised and calls us to journey with him and to serve his people.

More important, has it not always been the vulnerability and suffering of the grown up Jesus at the time of his torture, suffering and execution that has given many inspiration and strength?

The full text of the Bishop’s sermon is available here on: http://www.churchofirelandcork.com

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Joint Christmas Message from the two Bishops of Cork

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Paul Colton, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Cork, the Most Reverend John Buckley, have issued their joint Christmas message for 2012.  This is the thirteenth year in which the Bishops have issued a joint Christmas message.  The practice started in the year of Christ’s Millennium; 2000.

Here is the Bishops’ message for Christmas 2012:

This remains a time of extraordinary need in our country and in our local communities. Economic uncertainty, commercial vulnerability and people strained to their financial limit continue to be a major concern to us all.  Christmas, with the message that ‘God is with us’ brings hope where there may be hopelessness, and light in darkness.

The meaning of Christmas, which is both comforting and challenging, can all too easily be lost in a seasonal world of pantomime, party, decorations and festivity.  All of those do, of course, have their traditional place at this time of year.  Within the Churches, Christians too, over the centuries, have dressed Christmas up in all sorts of ways, such as manger scenes far removed from reality, Victorian carols, and much else that risk concealing the life-changing and radical good news – the Gospel  – that, in Jesus, God came among us and shared our human experience.

The birth of the baby at Christmas – the Incarnation of the Word of God – altered the course of human history and has been a force for change in society, as well as in the lives of people, in every age and place.

In our message this year, as again we personally witness as local bishops to our shared journey of Christian faith, we invite all people of faith to mark out this Christmas as a time of personal faithfulness and witness to the heart of the Christmas message.

We can do this by reaching out with friendship and practical support to our neighbours of all religious outlooks; by taking time to reflect again on the Gospel account of the birth of Jesus Christ; by putting worship at the centre of our Christmas celebrations; through acts of generosity and kindness; in the hospitality and service we offer to those in need, whether ourselves or through organisations and charities that we support.

In the words of one traditional seasonal blessing, therefore, we wish you and yours the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men,  the obedience of Mary and Joseph, and most especially, the peace of the Christ-child for this Christmas 2012 and for the New Year, 2013.

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Bishop will Bless a New Icon and Aumbry of Healing at Cork Hospital

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross
The Chapel of Christ the Healer, Cork University Hospital

The Chapel of Christ the Healer, Cork University Hospital’

The Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Paul Colton, will visit Cork University Hospital on Thursday, 6th December –  the Feast of St Nicholas – to rededicate the Chapel of Christ the Healer.  The Church of Ireland, working with colleagues from sister churches, has provided continuous ministry at Cork University Hospital since its establishment in 1978.  The Chapel of Christ the Healer, consecrated in May 1980 has been an oasis of prayer, healing and sanctuary for thousands of patients, families, staff and visitors since then.  Over recent times the Chapel was generously refurbished to meet modern needs.

The icon - ' Jesus, healing Lord of all'

The icon – ‘ Jesus, healing Lord of all’

Bishop Colton will bless a new icon at the start of the Service.  The icon called ‘Jesus, healing Lord of all’ was written by Romanian Orthodox artist Calatin Balut.

Included in the icon are: the blessing of the children; the healing of ten afflicted with leprosy; the healing of a paralysed man; the healing of two men troubled in spirit; the healing of a blind man; and the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead.

The Aumbry of Healing by Cork glass artist, Eoin Turner

The Aumbry of Healing by Cork glass artist, Eoin Turner

Before celebrating the Eucharist, the Bishop will consecrate a new altar designed to reflect a core value of open welcome and accessibility where both priest and people remain seated for the Eucharist.  The Hospital Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel Nuzum explains, ‘This bold action breaks down barriers of ability. At this table all are equal.’

Finally the Bishop will bless a new Aumbry of Healing for the sacrament and the oils of healing.  The aumbry was designed by Cork glass artist Eoin Turner.  Again Daniel Nuzum explains: ‘The glass reflects the liturgical colours of the year and speaks as a womb of new life and light that God brings through the sacraments, Christ’s healing touch and the power of the Holy Spirit.’

The Service will be broadcast live on CUH102FM at 10.30 a.m.

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Bishop Paul Colton welcomes appointment of new Roman Catholic Bishop of Cloyne

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Right Reverend Paul Colton, Church of Ireland Bishop of Cloyne has issued this statement on this Feast Day of Saint Colman of Cloyne:

As Church of Ireland Bishop of Cloyne, I am delighted, on this Feast of Saint Colman, Patron Saint of the Diocese, to hear the news of the appointment, by Pope Benedict XVI, of Canon William Crean, Parish Priest of Cahirciveen, County Kerry, as the new Roman Catholic Bishop of Cloyne.

On behalf of all the Church of Ireland parishes and people throughout County Cork, in our United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, I send warm greetings in Christ to Canon Crean as well as to the clergy and people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cloyne.

I look forward to meeting the new Bishop when he begins his ministry here and I assure both him, and also all the people of his Diocese, of our prayers and our ecumenical partnership in the days and years ahead.

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Bishop dedicates refurbished Sports Hall at Church of Ireland School

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Wednesday, 7th November, the Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Paul Colton, dedicated the refurbished sports hall at Ashton Comprehensive School, Cork. Photographed l-r with the Bishop (centre) are: Eddie Kirwan Head of P.E., Katie Sheehan, Head Girl, Christine Dring First Year, Ali O’Regan P.E. teacher, Gary Wilkinson Head Boy, Adrian Landen Principal, and Alastair Swanton First Year.

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