The Presbyterian Church in Ireland will be officially represented tomorrow (Sunday) at one of the main State events to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising – the unveiling of a Remembrance Wall in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, that records the names of the men, women and children who lost their lives 100 years ago.
Four-hundred-and-eighty- five people were killed during the Easter Rising and the vast majority of those are buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. The Remembrance Wall lists alphabetically the names of all civilians and members of the British Army, Dublin Metropolitan Police, Irish Citizen Army, Irish Volunteers and Royal Irish Constabulary, without rank or organisation, who were killed as a result of the fighting a century ago.
The Church’s last Moderator from the Republic of Ireland – and Minister Emeritus of Lucan Presbyterian Church in Co Dublin – the Very Rev Dr Trevor Morrow, has been asked to officially represent the Church. Dr Morrow will be taking part in a Christian act of worship during the ceremony.
Speaking in advance of the ceremony, Dr Morrow said: “We recognise the historic importance of what took place in Dublin 100 years ago; a seminal event in the history of the establishment of the Irish Republic and one that has shaped the political landscape and relationships in these islands ever since.
“Having held a major conference on the Easter Rising and Battle of the Somme centenaries earlier this year, given the significance of this centenary, it was agreed in principle that the Church should be represented at an appropriate event organised by the State to mark the occasion.
“Having been formally invited to participate in what we consider to be a measured and reflective event, where we will remember those who lost their lives, it was felt appropriate that we should take part.”
In other Lucan-related news, the Lucan Retreat Centre is truly up and running. As a Presbyterian Retreat Centre under the Dublin and Munster Presbytery, the venue, located just west of Dublin city is offering a 10 per cent discount to Presbyterian groups throughout Ireland, looking to use it during the summer and autumn months. The venue is ideal for any church or youth group weekend away, a community retreat or as a comfortable relaxing base. The Lucan Centre sleeps 40 in comfortable en-suite rooms, and offers a fully equipped conferencing area seating 80. For more information visit lucancentre.ie.
With the Easter celebrations now behind us, it is perhaps easy to mentally consign the truth of the resurrection of Christ to spring 2017. However, the fact is Christians celebrate the Easter Rising every Sunday. Whilst not proof of the resurrection per se, this long standing tradition is testimony to the Christian conviction that Christ rose on the first day of the week, and prompted the early church to gather on that day. In the Bible it is called “the Lord’s Day” and is to be understood as the Christian Sabbath or day of rest.