What happens at the Service of Installation?
This Sunday, 9 February, Bishop David will be installed in Dromore Cathedral and in Down Cathedral on 16 February. So why is this necessary and what will actually happen?
Why?
A bishop is installed in his diocese(s) in the same way a priest or deacon is ordained to a parish. Bishop David was ordained and installed in St Anne’s Cathedral on 25 January and now must be installed in the diocesan cathedrals of Down and Dromore.
What will happen at the service?
As the Bishop enters the diocesan cathedral for the first time following ordination, they are installed in their teaching seat (cathedra) and make solemn declarations to fulfil their episcopal responsibilities.
They enter by the West Door but must request admission by striking it three times with the Pastoral Staff. This is symbolic of the fact that they take up their position with the permission of the people (who open the door to let them in), and so are the servants of the people, not their masters. The Bishop strikes three times to symbolise the Holy Trinity.
The Bishop is welcomed in with a greeting. He is brought to the front and after the mandate is read is taken to his seat.
The Pastoral Staff is laid on the Holy Table and the Diocesan Registrar presents the Mandate from the Archbishop of Armagh.
The Mandate gives the Bishop authority to exercise his episcopal ministry in the diocese and the seat is a sign of that ministry.
The Bishop solemnly declares that he will ‘impartially and faithfully rule and govern in this Bishopric…’ before the Dean installs him in the episcopal seat. The Pastoral Staff is returned to the Bishop and after prayers, the Dean blesses the Bishop who is then greeted with applause by the people.
Installation complete! (To use a familiar term.)
All are welcome in Dromore Cathedral at 3.30pm on Sunday 9 February and/or Down Cathedral at 3.30 pm on Sunday 16 February.
Pictured above: Bishop David is installed in his episcopal seat in St Anne’s Cathedral