TUESDAY'S NEWS

New Book of Common Prayer presented to Synod

Members of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland witnessed the historic presentation of The Book of Common Prayer (2004) to the Church at its one hundred and thirty fourth session, which opened in the Armagh City Hotel this morning.

Shortly after 11 o’clock the President of the Synod, the Most Reverend Robin Eames, took the Chair. The Right Reverend Peter Barrett, Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, led Synod members in the reading of Holy Scripture and prayer, following which a ceremonial presentation of the new Book of Common Prayer was introduced by the Rev Canon Ricky Rountree, Central Liturgical Officer of the Church of Ireland and honorary secretary of the Liturgical Advisory Committee.

Mr Sean O'Boyle of The Columba Press, publishers of the new prayer book, presented the Archbishop of Armagh with a specially bound copy which will be laid on the table at subsequent General Synods. Mr David Johnston, head of the Braille Unit at HM Prison Maghaberry, presented a copy of the Braille edition of the book to Mrs Margaret Mann and Mrs Enid Maxwell representing the Braille users of the Church of Ireland. The Irish language version of the book was also presented by Cumann Gaelach Na Heaglaise (The Irish Guild of the Church) to the Right Reverend Donald Caird representing Irish language users of the BCP. Presentations were also made of a further number of specially prepared editions.

A commemoration copy of the Book of Common Prayer was presented to each member of the General Synod on arrival this morning, courtesy of the Archbishop and Diocesan Council of Armagh. The General Synod has devoted a substantial amount of its time over the past five years to the consideration of the content of the book.

The Book of Common Prayer is available in pew, desk, large print and Braille editions. The print versions can be obtained from the Religious Education Resource Centre, Rathmines, Dublin (01-4972821), The Good Book Shop, Belfast (028-9024 4825) and other outlets. The Braille edition can be obtained from The Braille Unit, HM Prison Maghaberry (tel 028-9261 1888, fax 028-9261 4893, dial code 048 from Republic of Ireland). The Irish language version of the book will be available from the Resource Centre in Dublin and the Good Book Shop in Belfast from September and an electronic version of the BCP will be produced in autumn 2004.

Mr David Johnston, head of the Braille unit at Maghaberry Prison presents the BCP in Braille to Mrs Margaret Mann and Mrs Enid Maxwell, proof readers

Daithi O'Maolchoille presents an Irish language edition of BCP 2004 to Bishop Donald Caird, former Archbishop of Dublin & Glendalough

Archbishop Robin Eames lays the new Book of Common Prayer on the table

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