Dublin, 20 January 2013. The Vice Delegate of Ireland of the Constantinian Order, Professor Richard Conroy, accompanied by delegation dame Maureen Jones attended Choral Evensong at Saint Bartholomew’s Church of Ireland Church on Dublin’s Clyde Road. The service was one of the main events of the 22 other special services held in the Irish capital to mark Christian Unity Week.
The Vice Delegate of Ireland of the Constantinian Order, Professor Richard Conroy, attended Christian Unity Week in Ireland comprised no less than 22 services in Dublin together with other services across the island.
Among other Order’s present were representations of the Papal Orders, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Order of Malta and the Order of St. John. All took part together with representatives from all the major Christian Churches along with those from smaller Christian congregations, including the Indian Orthodox congregation and a large lay attendance.
The Choral Evensong service held on Sunday 20 January 2013 at 6pm at St. Bartholomew’s included the Gospel Canticles of the Song of Mary (Magnificat) and the Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis) and Praise to the Holiest by Cardinal Newman intermingled with sung psalms and spoken readings appropriate for the day.
The Vicar of St. Bartholomew’s, Fr. Andrew McCroskery, referred in his sermon to the new movement towards Christian Unity in Ireland and the developing understanding upon which it was based and made specific mention at the ceremony of the attendance of the Constantinian Order and of all the other Catholic Orders in Ireland.
At the invitation of the Vicar, Professor Conroy led the following intercessions:
“Walking together as friends of God, let us accompany with boldness and courage the marginalised communities all over the world to help them overcome shame and find freedom and dignity. Help us to break down the barriers of division and to build healthy communities of unity and equality.”
And “Walking in celebration, we come to see that the unity we share within our communities is a profound witness to the gospel of faith and hope. As we celebrate that unity, let us also rejoice in our rich diversities that reflect the life of the Trinity.”
And the concluding intercessional prayer:
“We raise these our prayers to God our Father, through our Saviour Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
A reception was held afterwards at the Order of Malta Hall.