LAST MONTH’S resignation of an AI supremo, with his announcement that Artificial Intelligence, if not forcefully regulated, could result in the extinction of humanity, makes our leading article by Linda Hogan urgently topical. Stringent control of AI development is needed without delay. Prof. Hogan lists the vital ethical demands needed for its immediate regulation.
Such issues were not on the agenda for ACC-19, the triennial gathering of the Anglican Communion hosted by the Church of Ireland in Belfast in the summer; but mutual respect between Anglicans of different cultural traditions was noticeable, as Archbishop John McDowell’s article illustrates, even though definitive agreement on its key topic did not ensue.
Harmony between Christians of different traditions is a key issue in our day – and Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin is witness to this as it welcomes its new dean, the former rector of “low church” Crinken in South Co Dublin. Dean Tom O’Brien, known as both a devout Christian and a dynamic manager, commits himself in this issue to leading a Christ-centred cathedral in inspiring worship and the service of the community around it. A tribute to Dean Dermot Dunne is then followed by a meditation on walking the cathedral labyrinth by Canon Albert Ogle – recently returned from many years of ministry in the USA.
Ordained Local Ministry, Safeguarding developments and the response of different churches in the USA to Donald Trump’s initiatives, have all been talking points over recent months, and these are helpfully covered in this issue by distinguished clergy Chris Mac Bruithin of CITI, David Bowles of Whitechurch, Dublin, and Kevin J Moroney of New York, who served as chaplain and lecturer in CITC at the turn of the century.
Finally Iva Beranek, known to many in the C of I for her work with the Church’s Ministry of Healing, explores the spiritual and emotional life of C. S. Lewis. Our thanks to Raymond Refaussé for the currently relevant book reviews by respected commentators.
