Bishop of Yei Visits Dublin; Carlow restoration; New Cathedral library; Top charity role; Media review
Bishop of Yei in South Sudan Visits Dublin and Glendalough
Bishop Hilary Adeba of Yei Diocese in South Sudan is visiting the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough this week. He is here courtesy of CMS Ireland and Connor Diocese and aims to strengthen the links between his diocese and its partners.
He arrived in Dublin on Saturday (February 23) and has spent two days in Delgany parish before moving on to Kill o’ the Grange. He visited Delgany National School where he spoke and answered questions from the pupils in assembly. He then toured the school and took more questions on everything from the schools the Diocese of Yei is building to snakes.
He last visited the dioceses six years ago and since then there have been many developments in Yei not least the establishment of South Sudan as a nation a year and a half ago.
“This visit is to strengthen partnerships and interact with people who have helped us and thank them for their help. The partnership continues to be strong and we continue to pray for each other. I have explained the new priorities of Yei and the main focus which is on the construction of new schools,” Bishop Adeba said.
He explained that formal education was a relatively new initiative and that while people are attending new schools in their new country, they are being educated to be the leaders of the future.
After he leaves Kill o’ the Grange tomorrow the Bishop will travel to Northern Ireland where, among other engagements, he will be the main speaker at a South Sudan Focus Event which will be held in CMS Ireland’s Belfast offices on Tuesday February 26. He will leave on Monday March 4 to travel to Winchester and Salisbury Dioceses.
Carlow restoration
On Friday evening there will be a Service of Thanksgiving for the restoration of St Mary’s church, Carlow, where the rector is the Revd Olivia Williams.
The official re–opening and the lighting of the spire will be conducted by the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory and the preacher will be the Dean of Leighlin, the Very Revd Tom Gordon.
New Cathedral library
Archbishop Richard Clarke last week opened a new library in St Anne’s cathedral, Belfast.
Dr Clarke was joined by the Dean of St Anne’s the Rev John Mann and John Killen, librarian at the Linen Hall Library, Belfast.
The library will be for the use of the clergy and lay people of the dioceses of Down and Dromore and Connor, as well as anyone who wishes to access the works of reference that the library holds.
These include a number of volumes that have been in the possession of the Cathedral for a long time as well as the remnants of an old diocesan library. To this core of books have been added donations from clergy and lay members of the two dioceses and from other sources.
The chief areas of subject matter are: The Church of Ireland; general church history, Biblical Studies; spirituality, liturgy, pastoral studies, theology, ethics and biographies of prominent Christian leaders.
The Cathedral Library is intended to be for reference and for a quiet space. It will be accessible during the opening hours of the cathedral from Monday to Friday.
Special quiet days of retreat and days for individual study are to be arranged for clergy and lay church workers on one day each month.
Top charity role
Concern Worldwide has appointed a new chief executive – Dominic MacSorley, from Belfast – who will succeed Tom Arnold at the start of next month, the Irish humanitarian relief agency said.
Mr MacSorley has worked with Concern since 1982, latterly as director of operations for the organisation’s American arm, Concern Worldwide USA.
“Poverty is on the rise as the challenging economic, environment and political conditions affect the poorest most. More than 850 million people went to bed hungry last night,” he said.
“This is why Concern exists: it is people reaching out to people. We value hugely the confidence our supporters show in Concern to work with those who need our help the most. Without this trust, our work would not be possible. I am delighted to accept this position.”
Mr Arnold recently announced his decision to step down as chief executive after 11 years to chair the Constitutional Convention.
Mr MacSorley has also been part of Concern’s rapid deployment unit, a team of experienced and specialist staff available at short notice to respond to emergency situations.
His record of service includes Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Darfur, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Haiti.
He has also represented Concern and Interaction, the representative body for US non-governmental organisations (NGOs), at the United Nations.
MEDIA REVIEW
New child protection inspections to bring Ireland in line with international standards
The inspections will see the State’s children and families services subject to independent inspection and monitoring for the first time.
http://www.thejournal.ie/hiqa-child-protection-809344-Feb2013/
Department of Education has no record of teachers’ convictions
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/department-has-no-record-of-teachers-convictions-1-4819400
Parades body outlines flag row role
The Northern Ireland Parades Commission says it has no role to play in the vast majority of union flag protests, despite calls for it to get involved in the issue.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21581901
Dementia in care homes ‘more common’
Eight out of 10 residents in care homes are now thought to have dementia or severe memory problems, new data shows.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21579394