Special service at Down Cathedral

Special service at Down Cathedral

29 April 2015

A SERVICE was held last week to mark the completion of major restoration and renovation work at Down Cathedral and the installation of the first ecumenical canons in the cathedral’s history.

Brother Eric Loisel, a Benedictine monk from Holy Cross Monastery in Rostrevor, and a Methodist minister, the Rev. John Alderdice, were installed by Dean Henry Hull at a service of thanksgiving in the cathedral last Thursday evening.

Also installed as a canon was the Rev. Mark Harvey, Church of Ireland rector of St. Mary’s Church, Ballybeen.

The service was also a celebration of the completion of major improvement and renovation work to the cathedral. This included new tourist and visitor facilities and, more recently, a redesigned and enlarged sanctuary at the front of the cathedral.

Bishop Harold Miller presided over holy communion and dedicated the new lectern and holy table.

Canon Harvey said he was delighted to accept Bishop Miller’s invitation to become a canon of  the cathedral. 

“It’s a real privilege to be joining the Chapter at such an exciting time in the history of our diocese in this Year of Mission,” he said.

Canon Alderdice, formerly Methodist chaplain at Queen’s University, is Director of Ministry at Edgehill Theological College, Belfast.

“I regard it as a real privilege and a joy to be installed as an ecumenical canon. I have had many years of working with colleagues and friends in the Church of Ireland and I look forward to many more,” he remarked.

Brother Eric’s appointment represents the cathedral’s historic roots and special relationship with the Benedictine community in Rostrevor.

He also has links with Downpatrick going back to the early 80s when he was part of a House of Prayer in the town.

“After 32 years it’s a bit like coming home,” he said. “I believe that everything that we can do together is better than what we can do separately.”

In his sermon, Canon Jonathan Pierce, who was formerly rector of Kilmore and Inch parishes addressed the new canons. 

“In being asked to become canons, something bigger is taking place tonight,” he said. “You are also being asked to be part of an ongoing wave of witness that has been a part of this place since Patrick’s time.”

“We long to see this place continue to do that in our own day — to draw young and old, men and women into a living faith in Jesus Christ and you are tonight being given a platform in this special place to do exactly that.

“It’s a special privilege and you all bring unique and special things to the worshipping life of this place.”

The cathedral sanctuary has been completely redesigned to make it more versatile for larger services with a new polished limestone floor bringing everything on to one level.

There are new seats for clergy, a holy table and a new lectern, which was a gift from Holy Cross Monastery. A new sound system has also been installed and the cathedral’s interior has been completely repainted. 

The new lay-out was used for the first time on a major scale when the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, visited the cathedral on St. Patrick’s Day.

Dean Hull thanked Consarc Design Group for their work on the fabric and redecoration of the building; the builders, Hugh J O’Boyle; and Brian Quinn, Architect.

Dean Hull also thanked the individuals, companies and churches across the diocese who gave so generously to the project.

He also acknowledged the contributions made by his predecessors, especially Dean John Dinnen.