Indignation has returned to St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Not yet savage, nor lacerating, but it is clear that the new Dean of St Patrick's, Robert Brian MacCarthy, is very much at home with the Swiftian tradition of his unique office. It is also clear, to some at least, that his comfort is a source of considerable unease to others.
"Just three bishops?" was a regular observation made on the paucity of episcopal presence at the new dean's installation. There are 12 serving Church of Ireland bishops. In fact four were present, if the retired archbishop of Dublin, Dr Caird, is included.
The new dean was always less than enamoured of episcopal authority and has rarely been slow to say so. He has been something of a pebble in the shoe of the House of Bishops. Now he may have become a stone.
So no one who knew his record was very surprised when Robert MacCarthy took a swipe at the state of the Church of Ireland in his first sermon as Dean.
"Well-nigh swamped in ignorance, shallow popularising: and theological, architectural and liturgical yahooism", he quoted. "True or false?" he asked, suggesting the attendance decide for themselves. Hardly likely to ensure continuing calm in any bishop's palace.
Then there was that other great plank of his sermon, his hint about doing something real for the homeless in Dublin's inner city. Social action has never been a great passion with the Church of Ireland.
But he allowed his long-time affection for "high-church" practices show at the installation service. Robed in splendour, he prompted at least one member of the congregation to exclaim in a loud whisper: "We don't go in for that sort of thing at all."
And throughout it all that heavenly choir of sublime voices hinting at a more vital St Patrick's ahead, where cultural matters are concerned. He has promised as much.
Leaving well enough alone is not in Robert MacCarthy's character. But at the end of what may well be an interesting term, will people say, as Yeats did of Swift: "Imitate him if you dare, world-besotted traveller: he served human liberty"?
