05.01.2012
Archbishop Jackson Sympathises with St Catherine’s Following Fire
Archbishop of Dublin sends Message of Sympathy to Priests and Parishioners of St Catherine’s Church, Meath Street
The Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough, the Most Revd Michael Jackson, has expressed his shock and sympathy with the priests and parishioners of St Catherine’s Church on Meath Street in Dublin. The Archbishop said he and his Church of Ireland colleagues were ready to do whatever they could to help their Roman Catholic counterparts following the devastating fire at St Catherine’s Church yesterday afternoon, 2 January.
“Like everyone else I am deeply shocked at the devastation caused by fire in St Catherine’s Church, Meath Street, Dublin. The church stands very much at the heart of the community in Dublin 8 and from the time of the resurgence of St Catherine’s (CORE) on Thomas Street, there has been co–operation between the clergy and people of both places. In this real sense members of the Church of Ireland feel the pain and loss of their Roman Catholic sisters and brothers at this time.
“I have had the opportunity to visit the clergy of the parish and to write directly to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, expressing both sorrow and solidarity at this time. I found the clergy in good heart and eager to press forward with the work and witness to the presence of God in the lives of those who worship in faith and hope in St Catherine’s.
“At the same time I am very conscious that a devastating fire like this obliterates treasured human memories of a sacred space which personally means so much to generations of individuals as well as to the community generally.
“I know that my colleague the Reverend Craig Cooney, minister of St Catherine’s (CORE), Thomas Street, has himself visited his counterparts in Meath Street. Together we stand ready to do whatever can help in this tragic situation with a human tragedy at its heart. Our prayers are with the people and priests of St Catherine’s, our sister church,” Archbishop Jackson stated.