The Revd Canon Nancy Gillespie of the Chapter of St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny
On Sunday 26th November the Revd Nancy Gillespie was installed as a canon of the Chapter of St. Canice’s Cathedral during the course of a special Evensong Service.
The Service was led by the Dean of Ossory the Very Revd Norman N. Lynas and the Blessing was given by the Bishop of Cashel and Ossory the Rt. Revd Michael Burrows. The Lessons were read by the Bishop’s Vicar the Revd Elaine Murray and the Cathedral Choir was led by Mr. Mark Bowyer.
The proceedings opened with the installation and the Registrar and Chancellor, the Very Revd Gordon Wynne, Dean of Leighlin reading the mandate from the Bishop requesting the installation of the Revd Nancy Gillian Gillespie as Prebend of Blackrath. The Dean of Ossory invited the Revd Nancy to be installed presenting her with her stole of office and then led her to the choir stalls and the seat of Blackrath.
Those present also included members of the Chapter: the Treasurer the Revd Canon Mervyn McCullagh, the Archdeacon the Ven. John Murray, and Prebendaries the Dean of Waterford the Very Revd Trevor Lester (Clonamery), the Dean of Cashel the Very Revd Dr. Philip Knowles (Mayne), the Revd Canon Barbara Fryday (Tascoffin), the Revd Canon Denis Sandes (Killamery), the Revd Canon Patrick Harvey (Kilmanagh), the Revd Canon Tom Sherlock (Aghour) and the Liturgical Officer the Revd Roy Byrne.
In his address Dean Lynas spoke of the historical significance of the office of canon and the cathedral chapter stemming from Norman times when it was though prudent not be behind closed doors and rather to be out “keeping the faith” and that role of the Chapter was to ensure that the Christian code was to be correctly kept by the people and that the members of the Chapter acted as instructors.
Thus the Revd Nancy was following in a very long line of canons over the centuries going back to before the present building was finished. ~Her Prebendary of Blackrath was originally the fort that was situated where St. Canice’s Library now stands. The role of the chapter also oversaw the life of the cathedral and changes or developments that have take place. The 93rd Dean pointed out that this life is on-going looking at the restricted access in the cathedral with the restoration of the organ and improvement in the lighting which is currently in progress. All this as well as keeping the “Rule of Faith”.
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