16.04.2015
New Book on Deans of St Patrick’s Cathedral Launched
A new book detailing the 74 deans of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, has been launched recently. Decani: The Deans of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, has been researched and written by historian, cathedral board member and volunteer guide, Albert Fenton. His latest book was launched in the Deanery by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Decani introduces readers to the personalities who have occupied the role of dean from the very first incumbent, William Fitzguido in 1220. Through his research, Albert Fenton shows that many of these people were very powerful and influential but others are barely known. While the ‘colossus of English literature’, Jonathan Swift, is to the forefront, there are others who deserve attention and the new book aims to remind readers of those who held the office and fill a gap in the history of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Launching the book the Archbishop paid tribute to Albert Fenton for undertaking the work. Through this and previous books he has contributed to the understanding of Irish life, he stated.
He suggested that the cathedral was shaped by the personality of its deans. “The tapestry of a place which changes little to the naked eye and yet is changing all the time organically is driven and sustained by its personalities and its characters and, in the case of our own cathedral this evening, is shaped by the personality of individual and successive deans. This diversity has gained a different resonance since Disestablishment and since both Partition and The Troubles. The Cathedral Chapter now seeks always and assiduously to be fair to the dioceses, priests and people of the four corners of Ireland and also to the specific contributions which Dublin–based clergy can and do make to the cathedral’s life,” he stated.
Archbishop Jackson highlighted characteristics which he said shaped the contributions of successive deans to the life of the cathedral. These included being expressive, responsive, provocative and liturgical.
Concern for the visitor and the tourist was a particular focus of cathedrals today in a time when it is recognised internationally that cathedrals are a point of contact with God for people who know nothing of conventional church. “There is an expectation that is fed here by those who visit St Patrick’s. It is an expectation longing for fulfilment that God is present and that, in the movement of history, people have through the ages reacted and responded to this presence. The dean captures this mood by an unassuming wandering in the cathedral on a daily basis, by a passing ‘Good morning’ and by being waylaid for good reason. The dean sets the tone of response to un–programmed spirituality. The dean prepares the place for the stranger at the heart of God,” he commented.
Decani: The Deans of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin is available from the cathedral shop and other outlets.
Photo caption: Archbishop Michael Jackson (right) speaking at the launch of Decani: The Deans of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin in the cathedral’s Deanery. Also pictured is the author, Albert Fenton and Dean Victor Stacey.