Statement from Rev Dr Donald Watts, co–chair of the Irish Inter Church Meeting and President of the Irish Council of Churches, on the retirement of Cardinal Sean Brady and the Appointment of Archbishop Eamon Martin as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

I wish to express the good wishes of the Irish Council of Churches and the Irish Inter Church Meeting to Cardinal Sean Brady on his retirement and wish him every blessing as he begins the next phase of his Ministry. We have worked together for many years, through his role as co–chair of the Irish Inter Church Meeting and in a variety of other ways. I have always appreciated his patient thoughtfulness, his deep spirituality and gift of friendship. I would also wish to acknowledge his enormous contribution to inter church relations in Ireland. He chaired meetings with a gentle humilty that has enabled rich dialogue and built understanding. As he retires we enjoy unprecendented positive relationships between our member churches.

Together with the member churches of the Irish Council of Churches I wish to congratulate Archbishop Eamon on his new ministry as Archbishop of Armagh and Prmate of All Ireland and look forward to working with him over the coming years. The Irish Council of Churches first worked with him though his time as Executive Secretary to the Irish Bishops’ Conference and are delighted that we can now build on that relationship in his new role. I note with enthusiasm that he has expressed the desire to share the friendship and passion for the Gospel of Christ with the other Christian traditions in Ireland and to encourage one another. We look forward to realising this within the inter–church structures.

I pray that you may both continue to know the peace, mind and heart of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirt as we continue to work for the glory of God’s Kingdom through the Churches in Ireland

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1

The Irish Council of Churches was founded in 1923 in the aftermath of the Civil War and is the formal national body through which member Churches engage, dialogue and act on a wide variety of issues. Together with the Irish Inter–Church Meeting, which incorporates the Catholic Church, our membership reflects the contemporary landscape of Irish Christianity across Protestant, Orthodox, Reformed, Catholic, Independent and Migrant–led Churches and encompass the vast majority of Christians within Ireland (see list of members below). 
It is formed by “Christian Communions in Ireland willing to join in united efforts to promote the spiritual, physical, moral and social welfare of the people and the extension of the rule of Christ among all nations and over every region of life”. An Executive Committee is responsible for the oversight of the work of the Council.

2 The current office holders are:

President: Rev Dr Donald Watts, former Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, 
Vice–president Rt Rev John McDowell, Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher
Past–president Rev Fr Godfrey O’Donnell, chair of the Orthodox Network of Churches, 

Irish Inter Church Meeting co chairs: Cardinal Seán Brady, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and the Council President.

3 Churches currently represented are:

Antiochian Orthodox Church
Church of Ireland
Cherubim and Seraphim
Greek Orthodox Church
Lutheran Church in Ireland
Methodist Church in Ireland
Moravian Church (Irish District)
Non–Subscribing Presbyterian Church
Romanian Orthodox Church
Presbyterian Church
Religious Society of Friends
Redeemed Christian Church of God
Roman Catholic Church in Ireland
Russian Orthodox Church
Salvation Army (Ireland Division)