New Book Offering Fresh Theory of Origin for St Patrick Launched; Press comment – All at see; The Creation at St Patrick’s; Fauré’s Requiem at Christ Church; A gift for your church
New Book Offering Fresh Theory of Origin for St Patrick Launched
A challenge to the traditionally held view that St Patrick came from Britain has been presented in the shape of a new book written by the Revd Marcus Losack.
A four year search by the Wicklow based Church of Ireland cleric has led him to the conclusion that Ireland’s patron saint was from Brittany in France. He has produced his findings in a new book, Rediscovering Saint Patrick: A New Theory of Origins, which was launched last night (Thursday October 24) by Archbishop Michael Jackson in the Deanery of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Marcus Losack addresses the complex questions surrounding the geographical origins of Patrick and in particular focuses on Bannavem Tiburniae, which is mentioned in Saint Patrick’s ‘Confession’. In his ‘Confession’, which is written in Latin, he refers to places that have never been clearly identified. However, Mr Losack has discovered a local tradition at Chateau de Bonaban, near St Malo in Brittany claiming that the first building on the site dated back to the late Roman period and belonged to Patrick’s father, Calpurnius.
Irish pirates landed nearby at Cancale, crept through a forest called Quokelunde, then attacked the estate and burned it to the ground. Tradition has it that the youngest son, Patrice, was the only member of his family to survive and that he was abducted and brought to Ireland. At the time the area was called Bonavenna de Tiberio. Mr Losack says this name bears an uncanny resemblance to Bannavem Tiburniae which appears in St Patrick’s Confession as the location of his father’s house.
Launching the book, Archbishop Jackson said it was both scholarly and suggestive. “Rediscovering Saint Patrick is a painstaking examination of manuscripts, of geographies, of families leading to a range of conclusions which add freshness and vitality to the well–worked subject of St Patrick. It leads to a most exciting conclusion to the effect that older history serves the needs of newer history and, in finding fresh prominence, gives itself a new purpose,” he stated.
Dr Jackson added that the book held to the theme that Brittany is the place to look for the origin and early life of Patrick. It clearly set out the doctrinal and the ecclesiastical politics which frame the life of Patrick along with his tragedies and his betrayal by those whom he had expected to be able to trust, he said.
Marcus Losack pointed out that Patrick is an iconic figure whose life and story are inextricably intertwined with the lives and stories of Irish people. “He has shaped our understanding of ourselves,” he said. However, he argued that the half truth “told relentlessly” by scholars – that we know little about the life of St Patrick but one thing we can say for certain is that he was from Britain – was a lie.
He welcomed two people from the village where the Chateau de Bonaban is located, Patrick and Isabelle Loisel. He said a committee had been formed there and it was hoped that an archaeological dig could be carried out to search for Roman remains.
Mr Losack thanked everyone for coming to the launch and Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Very Revd Victor Stacey, for allowing the launch to take place in his home. He also thanked Columba Press for publishing the book.
Rediscovering Saint Patrick – A New Theory of Origins by Marcus Losack is published by Columba Press in Ireland and is now available as a paperback or ebook, directly from the publishers www.columba.ie, online through Amazon.com , or from all good bookstores.
Press comment – All at see
Dr Michael Jackson’s Synod address continues to elicit comment in the press. The Irish Times carried the following this week –
The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, has ruffled more than a few feathers throughout his diocese, among both clergy and laity. Last week he told them that “through much bitter experience” in his diocese he has come to the conclusion “that exclusionary attitudes, and indeed sectarianism itself, is alive … in the Church of Ireland community,” and he said he experiences this as “a deep and shattering sadness.”
Many of the synod members must have felt like schoolchildren being scolded by a housemaster as they were told to “listen and learn” and to be “a lot less arrogant.” By the end of last week their hurt was given voice by two former archbishops of Dublin, who were “deeply shocked” by his comments. It is unprecedented in the Church of Ireland for former archbishops to criticise openly the views of their successor as “absolute nonsense.” But Archbishops Walton Empey and John Neill have expressed the deep hurt among clergy and laity.
This week, as he sought to clarify his remarks, Dr Jackson piled further hurt onto rectors and parishioners who believe the ethos of their schools, colleges, hospitals and other institutions is under threat. He now seeks to define his use of the word sectarianism in his own terms, without grasping the hurt felt by the people he had warned against a “lazy liberalism” that “cuts no ice”.
Dr Jackson’s style of delivery is densely packed and difficult to unpackage. In an address that lasted over an hour, he used categories that many later admitted they were at a loss to understand as he spoke of “the diversity of who we are” and a “diversity of similarity” in an address of almost 6,500 words. By failing to identify this week where he heard the term “polyester Protestant”, the archbishop has cast a dark shadow over each and every school, college and hospital in south Dublin that has a link with the Church of Ireland.
On the surface, Dr Jackson appears brave and outspoken. Yet, this is the same archbishop who Bishop Harold Miller supported resolutions at the General Synod in Dublin cialis perscription online last year that have closed the door on a tolerant and listening Church of Ireland when diversity and tolerance in sexuality is being discussed.
The Creation at St Patrick’s
The Seafield Singers and the East Cork Choral Society will perform Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation” Come on Saturday November 2 at 7.30 pm.
All proceeds go towards the continuing restoration of the cathedral. Tickets cost €15 and can be purchased through the Cathedral office on 01–4539472 or in the Cathedral shop (Monday and Friday 10.00–16.00).
The cathedral’s Lady Chapel is located at the east end of the Cathedral. This historic and beautiful space is over 700 years old and in October 2012 a restoration of the space began to ensure its survival well into the future. Today the lady Chapel is open to visitors but work continues behind the scenes to complete the project. As the cathedral does not receive any state funding and all the funds
Fauré’s Requiem at Christ Church
Christ Church Cathedral Choir and Chamber Orchestra present Fauré’s Requiem at Christ Church Cathedral on Thursday November 7 at 8.00 pm.
Under the direction of Ian Keatley, Director of Music at Christ Church and one of Ireland’s finest Choral Directors, the choir will be accompanied by organist David Bremner and the Christ Church Chamber Orchestra.
Fauré’s Requiem is arguably the most beautiful of all requiems and perfectly demonstrates
Fauré’s gift for superb choral writing, achieving great popularity even during the composer’s lifetime.
Unlike previous composers, Fauré shied away from the grief and torment elements and instead concentrated on the eternal reward and everlasting peace and so the overall mood is one of gentle serenity and peace. From the sublime In Paradisum to the stunningly lyrical Pie Jesu, join us for a perfect evening of some of the most beautiful music you will ever here in the magnificent setting of Christ Church Cathedral.
Tickets cost €18 (€16 conc) and can be purchased from
http://entertainment.ie/venue-information/Christ-Church-Cathedral-Dublin/30362.htm or by calling 01 677 8099. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Proceeds go towards the Christ Church Cathedral Music Fund. Doors open at 7.30pm and the concert will begin at 8pm sharp.
For further information please contact Nuala Kavanagh, Director of Operations, at Christ Church Cathedral on 01 677 8099 or 086 7978809 or email nuala.kavanagh@cccdub.ie
A gift for your church
The Bible Societies in Ireland have been producing a Daily Bible Reading Guide for some years now.
This has proved a popular and helpful tool for churches, groups and individuals alike.
John Doherty, General Secretary, says, “Once again, we are offering copies free to churches who are able to make use of them to encourage people in their congregation (or beyond) to read God’s Word for themselves. Please do take a moment to think if you would be able to make use of these helpful little leaflets.
“It is our desire to see people engaging with God’s Word, that they might discover the richness of a relationship with Jesus and know the power and strength found in His promises. While we strive to make God’s Word available throughout the world, we also desire to see people using Scripture here!”
If your church can use copies, please contact John Doherty, BSNI, 7 Howard Street, Belfast, BT1 6NB.
Tel: 9032 6577 or email: GSec@bsni.co.uk