Bishop Speaks at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin

20 Sep 2012

Text courtesy of Anglican Communion News Service

Christchurch New Zealand and Christ Church Cathedral Dublin may be at opposite corners of the globe but when 5 major earthquakes and over 10,000 aftershocks struck Christchurch New Zealand between September 2010 and December 2011, the people of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin responded with love and generosity. Preaching at the Cathedral in Dublin while attending the meeting of the Inter Anglican Standing Commission on Unity Faith and Order (IASCUFO), Bishop Victoria Matthews thanked the cathedral community:

"Because you have been Jesus' hands and heart for us, we have been able to continue in faith and in turn reach out to those who have lost homes and businesses."

Reflecting on the demands of the Gospel, Bishop Matthews observed that for the people of Christchurch New Zealand the experience had led to a deepened sense of Communion.

"With every step our relationship and communion with one another has deepened and we realised that we are members of the Body of Christ." Bishop Matthews explained.

A major focus of IASCUFO's work is on promoting the deepening of Communion not only among the Churches of the Anglican Communion but also in seeking the visible unity of God's Church. Not only is this an important part of the Christian vocation but there is a particular Anglican contribution to be made.

A commitment to getting involved and to seeking a deeper communion between members of the Body of Christ is not always an easy thing. But as Bishop Matthews pointed out, it is an essential part of the Christian vocation:

"It is our calling in Christ and it is meant to be costly."

IASCUFO continued its meeting in Dublin until 19th September.