ltbscork

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FOCUS ON CORK

County Cork, located on the south west corner, is the largest of the 32 counties in the island of Ireland with a total land mass of 7457 km2 . It has a population of nearly half a million people and includes the city of Cork which is the second largest city in the Irish Republic. County Cork is an area noted both for its scenery and also its rich farming ground. Its history, mirroring that of Ireland as a whole, is certainly exciting.

A purer form of Christianity than is presently being experienced could be found at a lovely scenic spot called Gougan Barra. Here wooded mountains surrounding a most placid lake witnessed the life and work of a sixth century monk called Finbarr. Despite evidence of the trappings of Romanism, Finnbar lived just after the period of Patrick and Columba etc., when Ireland was known as the land of saints and scholars.

Unfortunately, the reasonably pure Celtic Church was later to submit to the authority of the corrupt Roman Catholic Church and this helped extinguish any light which had shone. The gifting of Ireland to the English by Pope Adrian IV in 1155 was also unpopular, not least in Cork. Cork is still known as the "Rebel county" - a phrase which was coined by the Crown in 1499 indicating that the people were hard to subdue. Certainly when England turned Protestant around the mid 1550's, Ireland was not willing to turn with her. A major battle which cemented English rule in Ireland was fought at Kinsale in County Cork in 1601. Here the Irish clan leaders who had sought Spanish help were faced down and they were soon exiled, hoping to return to drive out the Protestants. King James landed in Kinsale before marching north to meet King William of Orange at the Boyne in 1690. Again the Irish failed to make any headway and the English consolidated their rule.

This was to change in the events around 1916-21. The Black and Tans, sent by the British again to subdue, were pretty active around Cork county and city. Cork City Hall was burned to the ground and was later rebuilt free of charge by the British. Michael Collins, a leader in the fight for independence, was an impressive Cork man. The Irish Civil War, which followed the signing of the treaty with English, was particularly vicious around Cork and Michael Collins was assassinated in his own county. It is still debatable as to what imput Michael Collins might have had to the political life of the whole island if he had not been murdered. It was a particularly hard time for Protestants in West Cork. Many were butchered by the IRA in events such as the Dunmanway massacre in April 1922 when over a dozen, including some helpless and elderly people, were systematically wiped out. Many Protestants fled the Irish Free State and although West Cork still has a comparatively large Protestant population, it is only a shadow of its former self. It must be said that the anti British feeling that once dominated in Cork county and city seems to be fading away with the passing of time.

Bearing witness to the Reformed faith in Cork was difficult at any time. Protestantism was simply perceived to be the Englishman's religion. Unfortunately a largely Anglican presence did little to bring the light to the Irish people. Notable exceptions, however, include the famous Bishop Ussher (who gave us the 4004BC date for creation) and also an Irish based Englishman called William Bedele who actually translated the whole Bible into the Gaelic language. The Irish Church Missions was an evangelical Anglican agency which reached into many homes and preached at county fairs., often at great personal risk. The best known of the ICM personnel was T.C. Hammond who enlarged and popularised the "100Texts" - a brilliant exposure of the errors of Rome. He was born in Cork City in 1877 and, when converted to Christ, would often join the few hardy souls who engaged in street evangelism.

Other Christian denominations all played their part in evangelising the lost. The Presbyterians were also represented in Cork and known as the "Scots Church." The Methodist witness in Cork was started in Cork by Charles Wesley, and later his brother John would preach often in the county. John Wesley's journals are usually terse accounted : "Preached in (town) on (text) …people listened well…rode on to (another place)." However, such were the hardships of the Methodist witness, that he actually devotes 7-8 pages of his journal to the statements of no less than 18 Methodists concerning their trials. However they conquered all opposition and the last few mentions of Cork in his journals make for cheerier reading, with over 400 in communion. The oldest Baptist congregation in Ireland is still based in Cork City. It was founded by some refugee Huguenots. The main shopping area in Cork is known as the Huguenot Quarter and includes a "French Church Street." The Plymouth brethren also arrived in the county and have contributed to the witness of the gospel through the various recognised means.

Around the mid 1970's through the much imperfect Charismatic movement, many Roman Catholics began to read the Bible for themselves. Not a few were saved and many house church groups sprang up. These are of mixed value with some remaining open to every wind of doctrine while others have stabilised enough to be the only useful enough witness in their home town. Unfortunately, the Ecumenical Movement has enveloped all of the main denominations and some of the others, who should know better, are also succumbing to her call.

The Free Presbyterian witness, present in Cork since around 1981 in Cork is still small numerically, but active in spreading the gospel, both in the city and county and further afield. Most of those who attend are converted Roman Catholics. It has also taken a strong stand on the church scene against the ecumenical movement. The possibility has also arisen of access to Christian Radio in the city and this could prove helpful to the Lord's work in these parts. There is still the need for much prayer.

THE END