15.11.2019
Christ Church Launches Campaign to Ensure Legacy of St Laurence Continues in Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral has embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign to ensure the future of one of Dublin’s oldest buildings. The cathedral has been the spiritual heart of the city for almost 1,000 years and the project aims to raise €10 million. The campaign was launched yesterday evening (Thursday November 14) at a Service of Festal Evensong marking the feast day of its founder, St Laurence O’Toole.
The service was attended by Archbishop Michael Jackson and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and the Dean of nearby St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Very Revd William Morton was also present. It was sung by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir and the Girls’ Choir and uilleann piper, Mark Redmond, performed two pieces during the service. Lessons were read by Dublin City Council chief executive, Owen Keegan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
Archbishop Michael Jackson welcomed all who had come to celebrate the sanctity and holiness of Laurence which, he said, continues to be lived out in everyday life in Christ Church Cathedral today.
The sermon was preached by the Dean, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, who noted that Laurence moved from the solitude of his monastic cell in Glendalough to take on the mantle of the archbishopric of Dublin and become the founding father of the modern city. His faith sustained him throughout and continued as he built Christ Church Cathedral.
“Today the cathedral lies at the heart of a bustling capital city. I refer to Christ Church as the Spiritual Heart of Dublin. It is the one structure in Dublin that has survived the testament of time and carries with it the heritage of a city that has roots dating back nearly one thousand years,” Dean Dunne stated.
During his 12 years as Dean of Christ Church, he said he had witnessed many changes in the cultural and religious life of Ireland, and particularly Dublin. “I believe that Christ Church cathedral plays a pivotal role in the life of the city in promoting convergence and celebration of all the cultures of the capital. Traditionally Christ Church has been the crossroads of culture in the life of the city. It continues now, in its new experience to be even more relevant as a crossroads of all religions and cultures while at the same time maintaining its strong heritage as a Christian Church in the heart of Dublin,” he said adding that the cathedral transcended religion and culture to be a place of welcome and peace for all.
Dean Dunne said that Christ Church, like any other ancient building, was in constant need of repair and restoration. “As we celebrate this our foundation day on the Feast of St Laurence we embark on an ambitious project to ensure the future life of the cathedral and its outreach,” he stated. “Much of our funding is dependent on the generosity of so many people and institutions both voluntary and statutory. This is an occasion for the cathedral community to express its gratitude to all who continue to contribute to the life and foundation of this ancient structure. This is also an opportunity to invite you to continue in your valued support as we together preserve not only an ancient building but a living breathing heart that pulsates throughout the life of this city.”