Bishop Paul Colton presents his 2024 Episcopal Visitation to the Diocese and to the RCB Library

Posted on November 13, 2025 by mediaccr

During the course of 2024, Bishop Paul Colton carried out his episcopal visitations across the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, culminating in the production of a bound report book of the findings and reflections of that visitation. On completion, one copy was handed to Dr Susan Hood (librarian of the Representative Church Body library) and a second copy was presented to the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross during the 2025 Diocesan Synod, accepted on its behalf by Honorary Secretary Dorothy Verplancke.

What is an episcopal visitation and what goes into its report?

Canon law and historical practice make clear that a bishop’s visitation is a key part of his governance of a diocese: the bishop visits persons, places and “things” (institutions, buildings, records, finances) to review and support both the spiritual and temporal life of the diocese. Typically such a visitation report will include the following elements:

  • A summary of the visitations undertaken
  • A review of the spiritual life of the diocese
  • A review of the temporal or administrative life
  • A review of pastoral care and canonical obligations
  • Identified strengths and areas for growth or concern
  • Recommendations, directives or encouragements

According to canon law, such a visitation report should be preserved in the diocesan archives as part of the official record of the bishop’s governance. The fact that Bishop Colton has compiled his 2024, 2016, 2011 and 2006 visitations into a formally bound books emphasises the seriousness of the exercise: it becomes a tangible record of diocesan health and mission, a reference for future leadership, and a gift of accountability to the community. By presenting one copy to the RCB library (Dr Susan Hood), the book will be catalogued and accessible as part of the institutional memory of the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. By presenting another to the Diocese (via Dorothy Verplancke), the report becomes part of the communal life of the diocese, not simply a private file but a shared resource.

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Lyndon MacCann SC honoured after 25 years as Diocesan Chancellor

Posted on November 12, 2025 by mediaccr

After twenty‐five years of faithful and dedicated service as Chancellor of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Lyndon MacCann SC has been recognised by Bishop Paul Colton with the presentation of a diocesan plaque in honour of this milestone. As Bishop Colton prepares to retire, Mr MacCann has indicated that he will step back from his role as Diocesan Chancellor.

The role of a Diocesan Chancellor is a vital one in the life of the Church: broadly speaking, the Chancellor acts as the chief legal and administrative officer of the diocese, ensuring that the governance of the diocese is conducted in accordance with canon law and good practice. Lyndon MacCann’s decades of service have meant that he has been the trusted adviser to the Bishop and the person behind the scenes who ensures that the statutory work of the diocese is maintained, reviewed and handed on in good order.

At the Diocesan Synod 2025 Bishop Colton expressed his deep gratitude for Mr MacCann’s steadfastness, his legal expertise and his generous help over the years. In return, Lyndon MacCann gifted Bishop Colton an icon from the island of Patmos, symbolic of the pilgrimage of faith, the vision of Revelation, and the journey that a bishop and his diocese share together.

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New Youth Initiative launched by the Cork Diocesan Youth Council for all parishes across the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on November 7, 2025 by mediaccr

The Cork Diocesan Youth Council has launched a Youth Initiative with the aim to assist parishes in developing events for teenagers.

Each parish, or group of parishes, is encouraged to apply to Cork Diocesan Youth Council, for a grant of up to €1,000 to enable the parish to run three youth events during the year 2026. These events must be focused on the age group 12-18 (i.e. secondary school age) and include, if possible, young leaders.

The aim is that these events will encourage on-going parish youth work and help the parishes in running their own events, hence the Youth Council will not be running the events and the parishes are encouraged to enable and provide young leaders to do so. CDYC will run training events to support parishes in enabling young leaders and will provide suggestions as to the type of event to run.

Application forms for project funding are available now and must be submitted by the 15th of November 2025.

Please contact Hilda Connolly at dyo@corkchurchofireland.com to receive your application form and information pack. 

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Come and Sing 2025 at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Posted on October 13, 2025 by mediaccr

There was a Diocesan Come and Sing Choral Evensong on Saturday, 11th October in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. Around forty people took part, travelling from across the Diocese as well as some coming across the border from Limerick. The event was led by Cathedral Director of Music, Peter Stobart with Matthew Breen, Assistant Director of Music, at the organ. The Rev. Martin Steele took the service.

The psalm and readings were for the Feast of St Philip the Deacon, and the music included Harwood’s anthem O how glorious is the kingdom and the canticles were Brewer in D. Matthew Breen played Bach’s Fugue in D major BWV 532 after the service which received some well deserved applause.

Peter Stobart said:

Once again we had a very enthusiastic group of singers this year, and there was representation from most of the parish choirs across the diocese, including Bandon, Douglas, and Templebreedy. People enjoy the opportunity to sing with the cathedral organ in a larger building than they might normally be used to. I think part of the attraction is also that the singers make new friends on the day and a cup of tea between the rehearsal and service helps this along! 

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Follow Me – Video Resources for Religious Education Programme launched in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on October 6, 2025 by mediaccr

Last Friday, 26th September 2025, an exciting new video resource for the Follow Me Religious Education programme was launched at St Fin Barre’s National School, Cork. Follow Me is a Religious Education Programme for National Schools under the patronage of the Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It is published by the Church of Ireland General Synod Board of Education and you can visit their website here. The programme consists of eight books supported by online materials.

Introducing the new video, which introduces the pipe organ in a child friendly way, Dr Jacqui Wilkinson, editor and author of Follow Me and Assistant Professor in Religious Education at Dublin City University, recalled her first conversation with Peter Stobart (Director of Music in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral) about her idea for a video to introduce children to the instrument. She said:

Many school children only see organs on church visits or hear them played at carol services or other big events. This interactive video titled ‘Pulling Out all the Stops’ introduces primary school children to the different parts of the organ and showcases the many skills of the organist. I want to thank Peter Stobart for taking my seed on an idea and bringing it to life in the wonderful video resource we have today.

The video was directed and produced by Fuchsia Fishbourne from MAINFRAME TV and features Peter Stobart (Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral), Matthew Breen (Assistant Director of Music, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral) and children from St Fin Barre’s National School.

Those visiting the school for the launch were Dr Jacqui Wilkinson, who is coordinating the Follow Me redevelopment, Ms Carolyn Good (Follow Me Committee), Dr Ken Fennelly and Mrs Susan Ellis (General Synod Board of Education). They joined members of the school community: Ms Susan Durcan (acting principal), members of the school council and some of the children who featured in the video, Dean Nigel Dunne, Mr Peter Stobart and Mr Matthew Breen.

The video will be freely available to schools on the Follow Me website and has an accompanying lesson pack compiled by Mr Ian Packham (Kildare Place School) and Dr Jacqui Wilkinson.

You can view the video here.

Earlier in the day, everyone had visited St Luke’s National School, Montenotte to thank Karen Allsopp, SNA in the school, who was commissioned by the General Synod Board of Education to create a set of images for the new 2nd class slide decks in the Follow Me programme. As it was the day after SNA Appreciation Day, it was an appropriate time to thank Karen for sharing her talents. The pupils and staff viewed some of Karen’s artwork during assembly and Karen, Mr Eddie Pepper (school principal) and Ms Shilling were each presented with a framed print of one of Karen’s pictures.

The vibrant and engaging artwork will be featured in specific lessons about God and Easter and will also be available for schools to print as images for display in classrooms or corridors.

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