05.10.2015
‘Welcome One Another’ – Annual New Law Term Service Takes Place in St Michan’s Church
The annual New Law Term Service took place in St Michan’s Church, Dublin 7, this morning (Monday October 5). Archbishop Michael Jackson presided with the Archdeacon of Dublin, the Ven David Pierpoint. Also in attendance was the Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Very Revd Victor Stacey and the sermon was preached by the Dean of Armagh, the Very Revd Gregory Dunstan.
The large congregation included Chief Justice Susan Denham and the Northern Irish Chief Justice, the Rt Hon Lord Justice Gillen as well as members of the Irish Judiciary, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the Diplomatic Corps and many from the legal profession. There were also visiting judges from Northern Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales. The choir was from The King’s Hospital School.
In his sermon, Dean Dunstan focused on Romans 15:7: ‘Welcome one another, therefore’. The Dean said that through this passage Paul had provided the grammar with which to address questions which test the identity and cohesion of community. In relation to human sexuality, he said that two positions, founded on the interpretation of Scripture, had reached opposite conclusions but Paul’s ‘welcome one another’ restored to its place the commandment of love and committed us to living together in courtesy and consideration until Christ leads us through.
He suggested that Paul’s words could guide us through relationships with those of differing religious traditions. He said that while the differences between the religious traditions should not be denied, in history judging and despising had led to terrible things. “Yet the theological imperative of the one God and the realities of our interrelationships in the Twenty–First Century compel us to welcome one another if we are not to live in separation but flourish together. If we address with Paul’s reasoning a Europe fearful of Muslim immigration, Christian compassion compels our welcome. But those whom we welcome are also enjoined to ‘welcome’ the societies to which they come – to make their home in them, play their part in them and contribute to them,” he stated.
Dean Dunstan also examined the contemporary European state which he described as secular, culturally diverse and bereft of the unifying influence of any dominant religious tradition. “Can Paul’s ‘welcome one another’ hold even where its theological foundation is eclipsed? It must, because the law, prescribing and proscribing, cannot do it all. We cannot relate by regulation. Nor will we make progress if our key relationships are the subject only of endless arm–wrestling. We will thrive only if we can welcome one another graciously. For again, on this Island, conflicting truths are held with conviction. Terrible things have been done. No easy resolution is available. And there are conflicting interests in the life of any state. But to flourish together, we must learn to welcome one another across the differences that divide. If we do, we may find them not quite so divisive after all,” he concluded.