Dear Editor, With the relations between the two main Christian Churches in Ireland so much improved over the last century, may I make a suggestion as to how this happy situation might be commemorated in a practical way in this centenary year?
I suggest that those two greatest historic Dublin monuments, Christ Church and St Patrick’s Cathedrals be shared in use and in ownership equally by Catholics and Anglicans. Of course while they were originally built by Catholics in communion with Rome and used by them for centuries, later the Church of Ireland has used and cherished them for centuries. As they are such important historic monuments I suggest that the State could take on the responsibility for the maintenance of both cathedrals.
While Catholics and Anglicans would need to celebrate their Eucharist at different times perhaps they might agree to hold ecumenical evening services based perhaps on Vespers and Evensong. From a practical point of view, in both cathedrals, Catholics would need to be provided with a side chapel in which to reserve the Blessed Sacrament and where, maybe, Stations of the Cross might also be located.
Yours etc.,
Francis Bailey,
Kilkenny,
Co. Dublin.