The Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper has expressed his delight at the forthcoming visit of Queen Elizabeth.
“I rejoice that relationships
between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom have so changed
as to make the visit of her Majesty possible,” said Archbishop Harper.
“I
salute the tireless efforts of President McAleese and Dr Martin
McAleese in seeking to break down barriers and heal divisions in both
parts of Ireland,” he continued, during his presidential address to the
opening session of the Church of Ireland general synod in Armagh
yesterday
In his address he criticised the lack of passion at general synods over many years.
In
his opinion, “meetings of the general synod, whether or not they gain
the notoriety which will influence the wider world, should aim to
inform, reform and stimulate the Church of Ireland . . . I see little
evidence that this is the case.”