10.07.2017
Archbishop Joins Commemoration of Irish Men and Women Who Died in Military Service
“As we gather together today to remember all from this land who have laid down their lives in the service of this nation, at home or overseas, recently and throughout our long history, so we ask God’s blessing on all who labour to work for peace throughout the world. We pray for the healing of relationships between nations divided by hostility. We long for a future in which all people know justice, hope, freedom and life in all its fullness.” Prayer led by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Archbishop Michael Jackson was among the Faith leaders officiating at the National Day of Commemoration in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham yesterday (Sunday July 9). The event is held annually to remember all Irish men and women who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.
The commemoration was led by President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and attended by representatives of the Council of State and the Government as well as members of the judiciary, members of the diplomatic corps, TDs and Senators, representatives of ex–servicemen’s organisations and relatives of leaders of the 1916 Rising.
Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa (Islamic Cultural Centre), Archbishop Michael Jackson (Church of Ireland), the Revd Laurence Graham (Methodist Church in Ireland), Fr Rouies (Coptic Orthodox Church), the Rt Revd Dr Nobel McNeely (Presbyterian Church in Ireland), Bishop Raymond Field (Roman Catholic) and Rabbi Zalman Lent (Jewish Community in Ireland) led prayers and readings during the ceremony.
President Higgins laid a laurel wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland and a minute’s silence was broken by a gun salute and the sounding of the Last Post. The commemoration concluded with a fly–past by three Pilatus PC–9 aircraft.
The Army band of the 1st Brigade and pipers provided the music and accompanied soloist Sharon Lyons.
