07.10.2026
New Law Term Service Address Looks at Values of European Union
Monday October 5 marked the start of the Michaelmas law term and representatives of those involved in the justice system in Ireland converged on St Michan’s Church, Dublin, to mark the occasion.
Representatives of the judiciary, departments of state, diplomats, lawyers, An Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and the Prison Service gathered in the Parish Church of the Law Courts for the annual service over which Archbishop Michael Jackson presided.
Clergy who took part in the service included the Vicar, Archdeacon David Pierpoint, the Deans of Christ Church and St Patrick’s cathedrals, the Very Revd Tom O’Brien and the Very Revd William Morton, Prison Service Chaplain the Revd Alan Rufli and the King’s Hospital Chaplain Canon Peter Campion along with Diocesan Reader Beatrice Somers.
As is tradition, the choir of the King’s Hospital School, under the direction of Ciaran Kelly, sang at the service, providing the uplifting introit and the anthem, despite their fellow schoolmates having a day off. The parish organist Dr Ronan Conroy accompanied the hymns.
Introducing the service, the Vicar Archdeacon David Pierpoint prayed for all who uphold the law of the land; for all who enter the courts that they may see justice being done; and for wisdom for those who care for the downcast in society. He also prayed that those present be beacons of truth and hope and for the safety of all who keep the peace at home and overseas.
In the context of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the address was given by Rory Montgomery. He was Permanent Representative (Ambassador) of Ireland to the European union from 2009 to 2013 and also Ambassador of Ireland to France (2013–2014) and Second Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach (2014–2016) and Foreign Affairs and Trade (2016–2019).
Mr Montgomery looked at the growth and development of the European Union and examined whether the Judeo–Christian and Graeco–Roman influence on the foundation of the EEC continued to be reflected in its morals and values today.
“The acid test, however, must be whether in its actions Europe acts, however imperfectly, in accordance with its values. I will look briefly at five issues. They demonstrate, I think, that the Union is still guided by its values and seeks to act in accordance with them. But defining what this should mean in practice, and manoeuvring through political, diplomatic and financial challenges, is really difficult and often falls well short of the ideal,” he said.
The areas he explored included an example where broad consensus can be blocked by a small minority; where values underpin an agreed objective but there are differences on how to achieve that objective (for example development aid); where values can conflict with hostile public opinion (for example migration); where values can be pitted against necessity (for example the EU originated as a peace project but is now developing its capacity to defend itself); and finally he asked what if there is a strong feeling that the Union is not upholding its values at a crucial time (for example in relation to Israel and Palestine).
Mr Montgomery concluded: “Remaining rooted in and guided by values and principles is enormously demanding. Political, diplomatic, economic, strategic and social considerations all bear heavily on governments and legislators. Inevitably this can lead to actions which depart from eloquently–expressed values. But it is always necessary to balance the real and the ideal, interests and principles. Indeed different values can need to be weighed against one another. But the answer is surely not to give up and say that our values are worthless and empty formulae which have no practical meaning. I believe that European leaders, parliamentarians, churches, lawyers, civil servants and the public as a whole are deeply attached to them: the challenge is to navigate by these stars while buffeted by the waves and winds.”
You can read Rory Montgomery’s address here.
