New Library opens at St Anne’s
A new library for reference and reflection has opened in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.
The opening on February 21 was attended by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, and Mr John Killen, MA, Librarian at the Linen Hall Library, Belfast.
The library is intended for the use of the clergy and lay people of the dioceses of Down and Dromore and Connor as well as anyone who wishes to access the works of reference that the library holds.
These include a number of volumes that have been in the possession of the Cathedral for a long time as well as the remnants of an old diocesan library. To this core of books have been added donations from clergy and lay members of the two dioceses and from other sources.
The chief areas of subject matter are: The Church of Ireland; general church history, Biblical Studies; spirituality, liturgy, pastoral studies, theology, ethics and biographies of prominent Christian leaders.
Speaking at the opening, the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd John Mann, expressed thanks to Paul Gilmore, who was on placement in the Cathedral for six months and whose efforts had resulted in the establishment of the library.
He also spoke of St Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. “She has been seen as a teacher and one dedicated to the encouragement of the whole person through understanding and compassion,” the Dean said. “This seems to encourage us to further this Cathedral, dedicated to St Anne, as a place of study.”
Pictured above from left: Paul Gilmore, John Killen, Archbishop Richard Clarke, Dean John Mann and Sir Donald Murray (seated).
Photo courtesy of Paul Harron