Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio to Ireland, to Preach at two Church of Ireland Cathedrals during Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will run from the 18 to the 25 January. Among the various services and events taking place to mark the week this year, Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio to Ireland, will be preaching at special services in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast at 7.00pm on Tuesday 21 January and at St Patrick’s (Church of Ireland) Cathedral, Armagh at 7.30pm on Wednesday 22 January.
The service at St Anne’s Cathedral will be led by the Dean, The Very Revd John Mann with Fr Hugh Kennedy, Administrator of St Peter’s Cathedral, and attended by the Bishop of Connor, The Rt Revd Alan Abernethy; the Bishop of Down and Dromore, The Rt Revd Harold Miller and Bishop Noel Treanor; Bishop Donal McKeown; Bishop Anthony Farquhar; The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, The Revd Dr Rob Craig; The Methodist President will be represented by The Revd Dr Donald Ker. The choral music at the service will be led by the choirs of both St Anne’s Cathedral and St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast.
The service at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, will be led by the Dean, The Very Revd Gregory Dunstan, and will be attended by the Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke; Cardinal Sean Brady; Archbishop Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, and other clergy. The music in Armagh will be led by the choirs of both cathedrals in the city.
The order of service will be on the theme of ‘Is Christ Divided?’ as set out by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. This year the Liturgy has been prepared by the Churches in Canada.
In advance of the service in St Anne’s Cathedral, Dean John Mann said, ‘I very much welcome Archbishop Charles Brown and all the church leaders to St Anne’s for what is an important annual occasion for our two cathedrals in Belfast, marking not only the on–going partnership between St Peter’s and St Anne’s but more importantly a coming together of Christians from across the city to share our gifts in mutual love. May this service and that in Armagh, the following day, be a springboard for future endeavours; weaving together the threads of the past whilst stepping forward in unity and faith.’