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Fri 07 Jul 2007Ecumenism in actionThe installation yesterday evening of a Roman Catholic priest, the noted theologian Prof Enda McDonagh, as an ecumenical canon of St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, is an occasion of joy and one that ought to be welcomed by everyone on this island. The ceremony follows that of last Sunday when a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Very Rev Dr Ken Newell OBE, became the first ecumenical canon of the cathedral.As the Most Rev Ian Harper, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, noted at the installation of Dr Newell, for too long relations between Christians on this island have been shaped by the religious wars of the 16th and 17th centuries, perpetuated into the 20th century with horrific consequences. By contrast there now exists a worthy example of Christian fellowship, a generous gesture in keeping with the message of ecumenism enunciated by Dr Harper at the ceremony for Dr Newell.