‘Steady trickle’ of Church of Ireland priests for ordination in Cork
Bishop Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross, outside St. Anne's Church, Shandon, Cork.
A ‘steady trickle’ rather than a flood is how Cork, Cloyne and Ross Church of Ireland Bishop Paul Colon described the number of priests being ordained in advance of the ordination to the priesthood of St Finn Barre’s Dean's Vicar, the Reverend Martin Steele, on Monday.
Monday is also the feast day of Cork’s patron saint and, as Bishop Colton explained, the ordination will be the culmination of a weekend of events being held to mark the 1400th anniversary of the saint.
“The entire trajectory of the weekend is leading towards the ordination on Monday which, to me, emphasizes the continuity of tradition stretching back to St Finn Barre, who brought Christianity to Cork," he said.
While the Catholic Church is experiencing a dearth of ordinations in Ireland, the experience for the Church of Ireland in Cork is more positive.
“I ordained three priests here last year and there are another four commencing their training to become priests this year.” Bishop Colton said the biggest challenge facing new Church of Ireland priests was the same challenge facing every denomination or in any walk of life. “It’s to believe and to belong, it’s much the same for all in whatever religion or profession.”
Reverend Martin Steele, who hails from Belfast originally, is currently the Dean’s Vicar at St Fin Barre’s and he’s been ‘pursuing’ his call to the priesthood for fifteen years.
“I’ve always had the sense of a calling, not in the sense of a grand vision, but getting hints here and there,” he said.
A graduate of the University of Aberdeen, he spent some time working in the north west, near Derry, and also, after being accepted as a candidate for the priesthood, he spent time in Dublin and Mayo.
“The city is very alive and bustling and there’s a great mix of experiences here.
“I came in as a stranger and I’ve been very warmly welcomed.” He also said that he was a huge football fan and loved getting down to the ‘Cross to watch Cork City play – especially on a Saturday. “I always have a Friday night service,” he said.
Reverend Steele will be ‘priested’ by Bishop Colton at a service in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Monday evening.
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