The Catholic Church is to become a full member of the Dublin Council of Churches, which gathers the Christian Churches present in Dublin.  This follows a recent consultation with all the Patrons of the Council.  The announcement will be made by the Chairman of the Council, Rev. Godfrey O’Donnell of the Romanian Orthodox Church, at the opening ceremony of Dublin’s celebrations of the 100^th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which takes place this evening (Friday) in Dublin’s Roman Catholic Pro-Cathedral.   The preacher at the service will be the recently installed Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, Archbishop Alan Harper.*

Dublin’s Catholic Archbishop, Dr Diarmuid Martin, who encouraged this new initiative, warmly welcomed the development.  He noted that “At a time in which many claim that ecumenical dialogue has encountered a slowdown, this decision of all the Member Churches of the Dublin Council is a sign of the vitality and the warmth of inter-church relationships at the local level throughout the diocese.  It is a positive visible step that will further common witness among the Churches in Dublin to the message and light of Jesus Christ who forges true unity within humankind”.    Archbishop Martin thanked the leaders if the other Christian Churches for their welcome to the Council and said that he looks forward common witness on a wide range of themes at a time when religious diversity is on the increase.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin has enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the Dublin Council of Churches since its foundation in 1964. Both the Archdiocese and the Dublin Council of Churches have co-operated on events such as the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. “The question of the Archdiocese’s membership of the Council has been explored several times over the years” said Archbishop Martin.  “It is encouraging that on this occurs on 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer the Catholic Church”.