19.02.2016
Easter Day Services: Statement by the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin and Senior Clergy of the United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough
The Church of Ireland is appreciative of the Government’s willingness to consult regarding the facilitation of the Church of Ireland’s provision of worship in the city centre churches on Easter Day during the Commemoration of 1916. The Government has pledged the full support of the state to ensure the facilitation of the fullest possible availability of worship on this most important festival of the Christian calendar. While the archbishop of Dublin is very grateful for this, he recognises that most city centre churches are used by congregations who travel in, for the most part, from areas of the city outside the security cordon. For health and safety reasons and so that those who wish to worship on Easter morning can do so with greater ease, the provision of alternative places of worship remains in place. Senior church clergy will shortly meet with the Government and An Garda Síochána in an attempt to facilitate ease of access to Christ Church Cathedral in order that the cathedral may open for worship on Easter Sunday morning. The church acknowledges the efforts being made by the state in this regard and also the importance being placed by this gesture upon the main emphasis of Easter Day.
The archbishop of Dublin will preside at the Easter Vigil in Christ Church Cathedral on Easter Eve and will attend the Easter morning Festival Eucharist in Sandford Parish Church, following which he plans to be in attendance at the 1916 commemoration on Easter Day.
+Michael Dublin and Glendalough
The Venerable David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin
The Venerable Ricky Rountree, Archdeacon of Glendalough
Precentor Neil McEndoo, Acting Dean of Christ Church Cathedral