The Church of Ireland has revised and issued an updated version of The Book of Common Prayer.
Following the culmination of twenty two years of work by the liturgical advisory committee of the Church of Ireland the new version of the prayer book has been released. Established by the General Synod the committee undertook a revision of the language used in Thomas Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer which was first published in 1662.
Chair of the committee Archbishop John Armstrong feels that in the main, clergy are happy with the book.
The opposition now will come from laity more than clergy.
The prayerbook is not a replacement for the existing Book of Common Prayer but may be used in as an alternative to it, or in conjunction with it. The Alternative Prayer Book will come into general use at the end of October following its inauguration at a service in Armagh Cathedral.
Dr Armstrong does not think this new publication will replace the original prayerbook, but can see how it will appeal to young people,
It's closer to the language they talk.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 September 1984. The reporter is Kieron Wood.
