In the hallowed confines of Christ Church Cathedral, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, and Cardinal Desmond Connell stand laughing and chatting over morning coffee and scones. This is their most public appearance together since Dr Desmond Connell was created a Cardinal in February, and the debate over his vexing remarks on intercommunion re-ignited. This rendezvous has members of the crowd assembled for the launch of the RTE Radio 1 Church Music Competition nudging each other in anticipation.
Introduced by RTE presenter, Carrie Crowley, choir group Zefiro gives the audience a taste of liturgical music, and then Dr Empey welcomes us to Christ Church. "Exuberant and majestic" is how the Archbishop describes the music, and RTE Director General Bob Collins hopes the competition will encourage more people to participate in the creation of new forms of musical worship.
This is to be the second Church Music Competition - the first took place in 1996 - and is part of RTE celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Irish radio. Born the same year as Irish radio, Cardinal Connell is just as enthused as his Church of Ireland counterpart, but kicks off on a more reflective note and apologises if people had been hurt by for his earlier remarks on intercommunion. Then he invites us to enjoy the scones and chocolate cake.