Following recent consultation between Government officials, An Garda Síochána, the Archdeacons of Dublin and Glendalough, the Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral and representatives of St Patrick’s Cathedral, we are pleased to report that Christ Church Cathedral will open for worship on Easter Day. The Eucharist will be celebrated at a said service in the cathedral at 10.00am. Clergy, staff and congregation will be facilitated in such a way as to allow them through the outer security cordon and park in a designated area near the cathedral. A shuttle bus will bring them from there to the cathedral where they will gain access through the West Door.
In addition, at mid–day, the cathedral will use the special bilingual liturgy provided by the Liturgical Advisory Committee of the Church of Ireland on behalf of the Historical Centenaries Working Group to commemorate the 1916 Rising. During this service, as the parade is passing the cathedral, the congregation will pray for the country and its leaders and remember those who died during the Rising.
The cathedral will then close for a short period and re–open its doors when the parade finishes and the crowds disperse, allowing pilgrims and tourists to visit.
We in the Church of Ireland are very happy with the outcome of the negotiations with Government and An Garda Síochána to ensure that worshippers have the option to attend Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral for Easter celebrations. The Archbishop and senior clergy continue to feel that it is not practical to have every Church of Ireland church in the city open on Easter Day given that the majority of the parishioners do not live in the vicinity of these churches. The expectation remains that there will be a very large volume of people to watch the parade. Consequently the decision of the affected clergy to provide alternative places to worship remains as previously stated.
The Most Reverend Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin
The Venerable David Pierpoint Archdeacon of Dublin
The Venerable Ricky Rountree Archdeacon of Glendalough
Precentor Neil NcEndoo, Acting Dean of Christ Church Cathedral
