A way must be found to guarantee the proposed development of the Cork School of Music, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, the Right Rev Paul Colton said yesterday.
Speaking at the annual ecumenical civic service for St Patrick's Day at St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, Bishop Colton said music and the arts had a role in fulfilling the well-being of society.
"Music is spiritual. Music in a whole variety of forms and expressions enriches and gives meaning to our living. In the arts and in beauty we see nothing less than a reflection of God himself who is beauty, and the source of creativity and imagination."
Bishop Colton warned of the dangers of neglecting music and the arts at a time of economic downturn.
"There is a great danger that we may become so utilitarian and pragmatic that we make convenient choices in the expedient short-term and lose sight of our responsibility to cater for the whole of the God-given human person, body, mind and spirit. So we impoverish the soul of our society," he said.
He said it was not just the great and famous musicians who had benefited from its tutelage;equally, if not more significant, was the patient nurturing of music-making and musical appreciation that had begun and had born fruit in thousands of children and adults. "A way must surely be found to guarantee the proposed development of this crucial facility in our life as a nation."