An ecumenical innovator

An ecumenical innovator

Áine Ryan

PRIESTS from around the Diocese of Tuam have warmly welcomed the historic appointment of renowned moral theologian and Mayo man, Canon Enda McDonagh, as an ecumenical canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. The special ceremony, the first of its kind in the cathedral’s Chapter since the Reformation in the 16th century, was held at evensong on Thursday last, July 5.
Church of Ireland primate, Archbishop Alan Harper, at a related ceremony earlier last week, described Canon McDonagh as ‘a distinguished representative of another church, the Roman Catholic Church, a theologian of immense stature and one generous in his engagement in and commitment to dialogue with Christians of other traditions’.
These sentiments were re-echoed throughout the Tuam diocese this week by priests contacted by The Mayo News. “On behalf of the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Tuam, I would like to congratulate Enda on his appointment. He has always pursued the path of dialogue and he continues to be a bridge-builder,” said the Administrator of Tuam’s cathedral, Fr Stephen Farragher.
“This enlightened appointment by the Church of Ireland marks a significant and imaginative step forward on the path to unity of Christians of different denominations on our island,” he continued.
Meanwhile, another former pupil of Canon McDonagh’s, at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, recalled his ‘kindness’ to all of the clerics from the Tuam diocese.
“I knew him best as a student back in the 1970s. Even then, we were very proud that he was a Tuam [diocese] man. Of course, we mightn’t always have been in tune with his intelligence and huge intellect or with everything he was teaching us,” said Fr Pat Donnellan.
“I think, though, that we were always aware that he could think outside the box and this latest honour is wonderful. He was always ahead of his time, and committed to unity among all Christians and all religions. It is the way forward for the Church,” continued Fr Donnellan. “Of course, we’re also delighted he hasn’t fully converted to the other side,” he added, laughing.  
For Ballintubber Abbey’s curate, Fr Frank Fahey, the appointment was personally very poignant. His mother taught Canon McDonagh during his first years at  Bekan National School.
“I’m so delighted this step has been taken forward. Here at the abbey we have Archdeacon Gary Hastings [the Anglican rector of Westport] on our Trust and he has been a tremendous member,” said Fr Fahey.
“Such ecumenical associations are happening all over the country. For them to be made formal and institutionalised is as a result of this ground-level movement. This is where the Church is going,” continued Fr Fahey.   
While The Mayo News was unable to contact Canon McDonagh, he reportedly embraced his new role with typical humility and positivity. He said he was ‘grateful for the honour’ and hoped his new role would help with bridge-building and his understanding of ‘this particular Anglican strand’.
St Patrick’s Cathedral attracts about 300,000 visitors annually. Its choir sings two services every day during school terms, the only cathedral in Ireland or Britain to do so. The Chapter, to which Canon McDonagh has now been admitted, is made up of canons from all parts of the country with each canon spending some time of every year in residence. This stipulation means that Canon McDonagh will now live uniquely between the two traditional bastions of Christian faith in Ireland: his city residence St Patrick’s Cathedral and his country abode, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth!