Despite its historical significance and role as a focal point in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, the Very Reverend Stephen Forde, Dean of Belfast, emphasised that “the future of our great cathedral is not guaranteed” and described the celebration as “an opportunity to plan for the future”. Dean Forde, said: “This very special service is an opportunity for our current generation of clergy and people to celebrate 120 years of ministry and Christian witness at the heart of these three dioceses, and for the city and province which St Anne’s was built to serve. “The world of 2024 is entirely changed from that for which St Anne’s was built in 1904.
Then, the Christian Church was self-confident and church attendance assured across the population. “The world which we face today, and tomorrow is radically different. The place of Christianity can no longer be assured.
“The future of our great Cathedral is not guaranteed. We can no longer depend on wealthy industrialists to finance our upkeep. “Instead, we must ensure that the population of our city takes this Cathedral to their hearts, because our Christianity is relevant, creative and visionary.
” The Cathedral has identified plans to establish a ‘BC120 campaign’ which will seek new sources of funding and new partners to offer their expertise and their commitment to Belfast Cathedral, helping to sustain its daily operation and to fund the new projects and developments. The first service provided an opportunit.
