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Letters to the Editor
Cope and mitre and the sign of the cross
It was with a degree of sadness that I read the letter from Mrs Simpson (Gazette, 11th April, page 7). She wrote that she hoped she would not see again the archbishop in cope and mitre or the Blessing being given with the sign of the cross.
I thought such attitudes no longer existed in the Church. The archbishop was wonderfully attired for the magnificent Maundy Thursday service in the "Robes traditional to his office". The cope and mitre are beautiful works of art and I believe they greatly enriched the service on that day. They were the generous gift of an individual member of the Church and I hope to see them well used by the present archbishop and his successors.
I did not understand Mrs Simpson’s desire not to see the sign of the cross again! Is this not a reminder of how we were signed with the sign of the cross in our baptism?
Furthermore, I fail to see how it denies the ‘empty cross’ any more than a hand raised as though hailing a taxi! There is a greatness in God’s glory and he has given us much beauty - let us use all our gifts and senses to the full in the worship of Almighty God.
John McKegney (Canon)
St Mark’s Rectory
14 Portadown Road
Armagh
BT61 9EE
I agree with Mrs Simpson (Gazette, 11th April, Letters, page 7) that it was marvellous to see St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh hosting the Royal Maundy service. But there are matters which need a response:
• The archbishops and bishops wear "the customary ecclesiastical apparel of their order" (Canon 12.1). In the Anglican Communion, a mitre, a stole and a cope are the customary ecclesiastical apparel of a bishop. It just happens that, in the Church of Ireland over many years, bishops have chosen not to wear them. But there is no reason why they should not and, in fact, many reasons why they should!
•
The Royal Maundy service is, strictly, a service of the Chapel Royal and a liturgy of the Royal Household, not of the Church of Ireland or England. Therefore, the ecclesiastical and liturgical formulae and apparel are at the discretion of the Monarch and the Lord High Almoner, who is the Bishop of Manchester.• As to the matter of the archbishop’s method of blessing, it really beggars belief that the central symbol of our faith would cause any objection whatsoever! In this day and age of secularism, we constantly need reminding of the presence of Christ. There are far too many places in the world where freedom of religious expression is not tolerated and God help us if Northern Ireland should go back to that.
Rather than grumbling, we should rejoice to see the Church of Ireland being proud of its Patrician heritage and its place within the Anglican Communion. Long may it continue!
Freda E. Woods (Mrs)
8 Cranley Road
Bangor
BT19 7HE
I have recently read the 11th April issue of the Church of Ireland Gazette. I am a Roman Catholic and my Protestant friend who gets the Gazette every week showed me an article which I found interesting.
A reader wrote to comment about the Maundy Thursday service which was held in St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh. My friend pointed out to me the following part of the letter, as he said it would be of interest to me as a Roman Catholic: "While I may not have any say in what the Bishop of Manchester chooses to wear, I would hope that in the Church of Ireland we will not be seeing a cope and mitre again."
Please tell me, if you can, if this is true - that bishops in the Church of Ireland do not wear a mitre? I have visited many Church of England parishes, including ones in London, and I have seen bishops wear mitres, just the same as bishops in my Church wear them as a sign of their authority.
I find it interesting - and somewhat strange - that something as simple as a mitre and cope would be the subject of comment by one of your readers.
Throughout my early years, I learnt nothing of your Church, as we Roman Catholics were told to keep to our own community. This, thankfully, has changed and I would like to know more, especially about your traditions and sacraments.
John King
6 Harvey Street
Londonderry
I do find it rather extraordinary that a letter in the Gazette (11th April) on the subject of the Royal Maundy service at Armagh was so negative. It seems to me that the writer has strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel, so to speak! Surely the important point to be made is that this service was an historic and important occasion for two reasons: First, by choosing Armagh as the venue for the service, Her Majesty has recognised the fruits of a great deal of good work, both public and private, which has gone into the peace process.
Her Majesty’s visit marked a watershed in the Northern Ireland story. I recently visited Armagh – my first visit in 10 years – and found a new atmosphere of hope and optimism among those to whom I spoke. Please God that this may continue.
Second, the ecumenical dimension in the service was another sign of reconciliation among the various strands of Christian belief and practice which exist in Ireland. This was another sign of hope for the future. If our faith is to be credible in an ever increasingly secularist age, Christians of differing traditions must work together, and be seen to work together. Many different traditions there may be, but all share the one Gospel.
As to the writer’s negative comments, why on earth shouldn’t the Primate of All Ireland robe in the manner common to most Anglican bishops worldwide? We are exhorted to "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness". Finally, the sign of the cross is a reflection of the symbol of our redemption. Only through Christ’s work on the cross, leading to his resurrection and glorification, is any Trinitarian blessing possible. So why not try to see the broader picture?
P. J. McKee (The Revd)
The Vicarage
Church Street
Ryhall
Rutland
PE9 4HR
While I thoroughly agree with Mrs Simpson (Gazette, 11th April, Letters, page 7) about how wonderful it was to watch the Maundy Thursday service in Armagh - and, indeed, to see one of my fellow-parishioners receive the Royal Maundy from the Queen – I really do disagree with her about the archbishop making the sign of the cross when giving the Blessing.
But for the cross, and an empty cross at that, we would have no Christian Church or faith, so what on earth can be wrong with making the sign of the cross while blessing a congregation? Indeed, Roman Catholics and ‘high’Anglicans, including the Prince of Wales, have been seen to ‘bless’ themselves in public.
Doreen Thompson
19 Barnett’s Road,
Belfast
BT5 7BB
Need to maintain Church of Ireland unity
Following a letter I wrote to the Gazette last year concerning the anonymous website Irish Angle, I was contacted by Sandy Woods of Bangor, Co. Down, who set out why he believed some websites were anonymous.
Whilst I might disagree with Mr Woods, I would be concerned at the suggestion he made to me in a more recent telephone conversation that anonymity was sought by some people because they were afraid of what might happen if they expressed opinions openly.
Covert comment, anonymous attacks and deep division did not used to characterize the Church of Ireland. In times past, there may have been substantial theological differences and robust exchanges of views, but these were open and honest and grounded in mutual respect for one another. I never heard of anyone being afraid to express their views in public for fear of action being taken against them.
I talk to friends in various places who tell of people coming back to church and congregations once more growing after years of decline. Against such a background, it would be sad to miss God-given opportunities because the labourers are arguing amongst themselves. At a time when there is talk about the struggle to maintain Anglican unity, might we also attend to the need to maintain Church of Ireland unity? If there are evangelical clergy who feel intimidated into anonymity, then we have lost the gift we once possessed of holding ourselves together.
I have not been a General Synod member for fifteen years, but might there be some synod member who would propose a resolution affirming the oneness of our Church and our willingness to listen to one another?
Ian Poulton (The Revd)
The Rectory
Killiney Avenue
Killiney
Co. Dublin
I should like to congratulate Alison Rooke on her beautiful contribution ‘Hands’. She has managed to capture the mood of the wonderful day when the Queen came to St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh to distribute the Maundy Money.
Alison, as the Dean’s wife, had plenty to think and worry about, but she has the gift of expressing the great joy that was felt by everyone who was present.
She naturally thought of the hands outstretched to receive the red and white purses with the specially-minted coins; hands full of expectation, waiting to shake the hand of the monarch. But she did not stop there. She remembered the hands of all those who took part, right down to the drivers of the coaches taking us to the cathedral. The organisation seemed faultless – a sign of perfect preparation for the great event.
I doubt whether any service in the cathedral has matched the singing of the congregation and choirs. This was singing for a Queen and the King of Kings. I do like a little of the pomp and circumstance which the Anglican Church can provide on such an occasion, and I was somewhat bemused by the small criticism expressed in a recent letter in the Gazette (11th April, page 7). In fact, the only valid criticism which I have heard since was that the cameras should have focused a little more on the recipients, as all the watchers were so interested in the people chosen.
Marsden FitzSimons
12 Charles Mount
Bangor
Co. Down
It is now a year since the government brought in the law to ban smoking in public places. This is a law with which I am in total agreement.
The law states, I believe, that the official ‘No smoking on these premises’ sign is placed inside any public building, at its entrance, where anyone entering can easily see it. Going about the towns and countryside and visiting churches and especially church halls, my heart sinks when I see these same signs ‘plastered’ just about anywhere and everywhere within.
One sign is required at each point of entry. They are not required on internal doors, windows, walls, cupboards and other places. This, I feel, has a defacing effect on our buildings and greatly takes away from the dignity of the said building.
I appeal to my fellow churchwardens in Northern Ireland parishes to have these items of ‘graffiti’ removed from any place where they are not required.
Brian Moore
6 Glenariff Park
Newtownabbey
Co. Antrim
If I have understood the plans correctly, subject to approval, candidates for ordination are to move straight from the foundation course which is said to be the equivalent of an Honours Bachelor Degree to the new Masters of Ministry course.
I do not know how anyone who has not practised the art or science of a bachelor’s degree in any discipline for at least ten years can possibly be regarded as a master of anything. You just do not know enough; nor have you done enough. Perhaps what should happen is that the old B.Th. should be awarded at the end of the foundation course and then, after ten years, clergy be given a sabbatical to go back to university to obtain a master’s degree.
Gordon Freeman (The Revd)
3 Leyland Meadows
Ballycastle
BT54 6J
Thank you for your report on the distribution of the Royal Maundy in St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh (Gazette, 28th March, pages 1 and 5). One important fact was missing: which hat did Alison wear? I think we should be told.
Gordon Freeman (The Revd)
3 Leyland Meadows
Ballycastle
BT54 6J