|
By
Patrick Comerford
Standing
Committee Report prompts debates on sectarianism and ecumenism
The debate on the Standing committee's report produced
strong debates on ecumenical agreements and programmes to
combat sectarianism. Some speakers raised the question of
international debt, and during the discussion of the report,
synod also heard plans to change the way Priorities Fund
allocated grants.
The Ven Ken Good, Archdeacon of Dromore, proposing the
report of the Standing Committee, highlighted six areas of
work:communicating with a changing world; working towards
Christian Unity; reducing international debt; streamlining
General Synod; building community trust; and funding the
Church's priorities.
Looking at the work of the Central Communications Board,
Archdeacon Good paid tribute to Liz Gibson Harries who retired
as Press officer after 14 years and praised 'her valuable
expertise and wise advice at times of any local emergency,
incident of terrorism, or any other tragedy or crisis'.
A small review group set up by the Communications Board is
involved in the appointment of a Director of Communications
and a Media Officer.
The Internet Committee assisted by the Revd Michael Graham,
'does a valiant job in encouraging and supporting parishes and
clergy in the use of the internet, e-mail and web sites.
Currently 40 parishes have websites and during 1999, 21,500
people from all over the world visited the Church of Ireland
website'.
Archdeacon Good described the Reuilly Declaration between
the eight British and Irish Anglican Churches and French
Lutheran and Reformed Churches as 'another sign of our
awareness that the Church of Christ must stretch our hands of
fellowship across denominational and international
boundaries'.
The commitments include taking steps towards closer
fellowship and continued theological discussions, encouraging
twining and exchanges, 'but they fall short of the full
inter-changeability of ministers'.
Archdeacon Good reported a substantial increase in
donations and allocations by the Bishops' Appeal. He also
reported significant progress in the millennium debt campaign
'which is infinitely more significant than all the other
millennium projects combined, be they domes or big wheels,
firework displays or statues. This is the really big
millennium project with a rich biblical basis of the jubilee
concept'. He called for 'even more decisive steps towards
dealing radically with this problem of perpetual indebtedness
of the world's poorest nations'.
The Archdeacon commended the report on streamlining the
General Synod and synodical structures and said the working
group had 'grasped some nettles and deserve credit for having
done so'.
Referring to the report's discussion of community trust and
sectarianism, Archdeacon Good said one of the big issues was
the vexed question of sectarianism - 'a real issue north and
south, in its various manifestations - which includes
non-national immigrants, asylum seekers and ethnic minority
communities - as well as its other more traditional and
commonly observed expressions'. ' By sectarianism we are not
referring to a reasonable expression of Christian conviction
or identity but rather a distorted or destructive
manifestation of these, which may lead to negatively
reinforcing boundaries between communities, or resulting in
belittling or demonising others,' he said.
'Sectarianism thrives where there is lack of trust, and a
lack of trust grows where there is separation, segregation and
avoidance of meaningful communication. One of the noticeable
aspects of the current political process is the reality that
those who have traditionally mistrusted each other deeply,
have eventually engaged in real, face-to-face communication,
taken the trouble and the risk of looking each other in the
eye, of and listening to each other speak. What is significant
is that it is among those who have persevered in doing this
that the seeds of trust have shown some small signs of
growth,' he told the synod.
Speaking of the need for 'courageous risk-takers in honest
communication,' he said: 'As Christians, we seek to follow the
most courageous risk-taker of all in communication, whose
incarnational commitment led him to cross boundaries, enduring
misunderstanding and rejection'.
Seconding the Standing Committee report, Mrs Joan Bruton,
Meath and Kildare, pointed out that the Priorities Fund had
allocated almost £6 million in grants since 1980. The late Mr
Michael Coote was the first organiser of the fund. 'It was his
drive and enthusiasm that set the pattern of the fund'. The
late Mr Eldyr Cookman developed the fund further, she said.
She reported that the workings of the Priorities Fund have
been re-examined with many expressing concern 'about some of
the aspects of church life which have been part funded by the
Priorities Fund and which some people have considered should
have been totally funded by the Representative Church Body'.
It has been decided that the RCB will gradually take over
responsibility for funding core activities, and long-term
funding, including salaries. 'This will release Priorities
Fund resources for other purposes, including post-ordination
and in-service training and equipping of laity for ministry'.
The fund is also looking at other ways in which it can best
support the secondary education of Church of Ireland children
in future, particularly taking into account the implications
of the new R.E. curriculum.
To ensure the fund is used to maximum effect for the whole
Church, it will be necessary to impose certain conditions on
grants, she said. Recurrent expenditure will be phased out
gradually, applications for grants for 'seed capital' will be
encouraged, a small number of grants may be allocated, and
commitments will be given for a maximum of 3 years.
The fund will consider grants for buildings under two
criteria: the potential of attracting other funding, and the
connection between the buildings and a particular programme.
In the area of mission, the fund will seek to support
retirement and preparation for retirement, mission and
outreach, development of ministry necessitated by population
movement, youth work, and Sunday schools.
In the second category of community outreach, partnership
and reconciliation, special consideration will be given to
applications covering bridge-building and anti-sectarian
programmes, the church in the community and social, caring and
reconciliation agencies.
In future the committee will ensure that all grants are
acknowledged in publicity, advertising and literature.
'There will be a transition period and changes will be
gradually phased in', she said, 'rather than suddenly cutting
off support in a way which would cause serious problems'.
Canon Brian Mayne (Down) said he looked forward to his role
as editor of the new Prayer Book as 'something of a retirement
job' and promised it would be user-friendly, 'a lovely book
...... a work of printer's art' that it would have 'all the
commas in the right place'.
Revd Dr Ian Ellis (Dromore), referring to the response to
the Virginia Report of the Anglican Consultative Council, said
the Anglican Communion faced 'considerable internal tensions'
on the nature of authority, and emphasised the need for
recognising the values of diversity and divergence 'as we all
seek to grow together in truth and in holiness'.
The Rt Revd Michael Mayes (Kilmore) spoke of the work of
Bishops' Appeal, and said that Church of Ireland had been
'unbelievably generous'. An apparent 'non-stop procession of
disasters' was in danger of over-shadowing on-going work in
the area of development or the jubilee campaign.
Mr Dermot O'Callaghan (Down) spoke of the harmonious work
of the study group that considered the ARCIC report on
authority, but was sorry it was not being brought before
synod.
Referring to the report's comments on Drumcree, Mr John
Richardson, who described himself as an 'extreme moderate'
within the Grand Orange Lodge, said we would not be judged by
how many days we spent on Drumcree Hill, but whether we loved
with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind.
Canon Brian Blacoe (Dromore) questioned the Church of
Ireland membership of the Conference of Churches in Ireland,
and whether this had been entered with indecent haste without
consideration of the doctrinal basis'.
On the other hand, the Revd G A R Milne (Meath and Kildare)
questioned the commitments in Reuilly Common Statement. He
argued that the churches involved, including the Reformed
Church of France, were a 'very different beast' to the
churches involved in the Porvoo agreement. He said there was a
danger of a grave dilution of Catholic faith and apostolic
orders. However, Mr Michael Webb (Dublin) reported on his
visit to churches in Strasbourg, saying they shared ' a lot of
common roots and experiences' with the Church of Ireland.
Mr Fred Rankin (Down) described the annual French service
in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin and Mrs Annette Camier
(Dublin) spoke of the French Huguenot heritage of the Church
of Ireland.
Replying to Mr Milne's concerns, the Bishop of Cashel and
Ossory, the Rt Revd John Neill, said Reuilly and Porvoo
involved different commitments and different relationships:
Porvoo involved full communion, while Reuilly was about moving
into a covenant relationship.
Both Canon Walter Lewis (Connor) and Dean David
Chillingworth (Dromore) spoke of the need for developing the
sectarianism education programme, while the Revd Trevor
Williams (Down) said we did not draw enough on our
cross-border, North-South diversity as a strength in the whole
church. The Revd Dr Jonathan Barry (Down) wondered whether the
programme had come too late and suggested it 'should have
started 25 years ago'.
Other contributors to the debate included Bishop Moore of
Connor, who questioned the figures given for his diocesan
contribution to the Bishops' Appeal; and Mrs Mary White who
spoke of the Mothers' Union 'journey, pilgrimage, or walk' as
an important millennium celebration.
A number of speakers also thanked the Priorities' Fund for
grants, including the Revd David Brown (Down), and the Dean of
Cloyne, the Very Revd George Hilliard but Mrs Vivienne Darling
expressed concerns about future funding for PACT's work with
adoption and counselling.
Top
Reform of
the synodical structures
By a 203-150 majority, General Synod welcomed the report of
the Working Group on Synodical Structures, with its
legislative proposals, and asked for legislative proposals and
resolutions on reforming synod to be presented next year.
The report recommended a new General Synod with 375 members
(including 125 clergy) from the year 2002. Introducing the
report Canon Philip Patterson (Down) said the draft bill to
reform the House of Representatives gave synod ample
opportunity to discuss the details. Synod had remained
unchanged in size and representative composition for 130
years. 'It is long overdue that this synod should be adjusted
to reflect the reality of the Church as it is today', he said.
He acknowledged 'it is virtually impossible to be
completely fair' to urban and rural areas, to comparatively
small dioceses geographically that are densely populated, and
to large geographically diverse dioceses that are sparsely
populated. Current representation still reflects the
deployment of clergy in 1870, and is based on 10% of the
clergy and a 2:1 ratio of laity to clergy. A level of 10% of
clergy today would produce an overly small synod, so the group
suggested doubling that proportion to 20%, with an inbuilt
review at least every nine years.
The proposals would allow every parochial group in Tuam to
return a representative to the General Synod, whereas a
diocese such as Connor could only ever have a maximum of 65%
of its parishes returning a representative. The method of
election will change to one of proportional representation so
under-represented groups such as women and young people are
more likely to be returned to synod.
He said synod needed to face the need for radical change
'and not to wait until the structures of the government of our
church collapse around us'. 'Now is the time to act not out of
self-interest but with a concern for the good of the whole
Church to ensure that representation in this synod is fair,
just and equitable. Now is the time to move from the
nineteenth century and face the reality of the twenty-first
century,' Canon Patterson said.
Mr Denzil Auchmuty (Tuam) seconding the report asked: 'Is
the general Synod representative? Do its members fully
participate in and contribute to debates?' Democracy works
best when the level of participation is high and
representative, he said. Over the last three years, 'almost a
third of members didn't attend the Synod'. Although there was
no guarantee that a smaller synod would automatically mean a
better attendance, 'one assumes that the fewer seats available
will be hotly contested in the diocese and membership of this
august body will be keenly sought after and well guarded'.
A small number of members took part in the debates in
synod, he said. 'Why do so few participate? Should we not be
concerned that only 84 out of a possible pool of 648 people
participate in debating the issues raised?'
He suggested the size of the synod is a considerable
deterrent, but a smaller synod 'should encourage more members
to stand up and speak'.
During the debate, Mr David Pyle (Dublin) said the
proposals had gone a bit too far, and asked: 'Why should there
be democracy in the Church of Ireland?' The Revd Dr Ian Ellis
(Dromore) described the proposals as 'unnecessary' and
'draconian'. He questioned whether a vastly smaller synod
would bring about better participation, and pointed out that
participating in synod involved not only speaking, but
listening, thinking, meeting, learning, voting and praying. It
should be a meeting of hearts and minds right across the
board, but the recommendations made participation more
difficult. The church needed comprehensive rather than
piecemeal synodical reforms.
The Revd Kevin Dalton (Dublin) said he had a deep instinct
that the implications of the report involved giving control of
the Church of Ireland to a very small group of people, 'the
professionals', who would become more detached and alienated
from people in the pews. 'We need to remember the Ark was
built by amateurs', he said, 'the Titanic was built by
professionals'.
Mr W T Morrow (Limerick) asked whether the working group
had taken account of retired and non-stipendiary clergy, who
served many parishes in his diocese, when it was calculating
its figures.
The Archdeacon of Dublin, the Ven Gordon Linney, said we
were 'trying to dismantle the Titanic and settle for the Ark'.
Urging synod not to kill off the project, he said there were
real problems in attracting young people starting off in
careers and key active professionals to take part in the synod
with its present structures and timetabling'.
Mr Graham Smyth (Leighlin) regretted the report had not
looked at the length of time for speakers. Clergy are the
worst offenders, he said, 'many of them think they are
preaching sermons'.
The Revd Ted Woods (Dublin) contrasted his experiences in
parishes in Belfast and Kerry. In the south and west, a higher
proportion of people went to church despite smaller
populations, but they could feel isolated and General Synod
provided important opportunities to meet, hear stories and be
encouraged. He suggested a minimum figure of six clergy for
each diocese. There were complaints about the tendency towards
centralisation in the Anglican communion, with calls for
respect for diversity and understanding. 'The same should
apply within the Church of Ireland'.
The Archdeacon of Down, the Ven Gregor McCamley, urged the
synod not to let a North/South divide creep into the debate.
The proposals gave representation to smaller dioceses beyond
their size. The proposed new size would make it easier to hold
General Synod in premises that allowed 'the cut and thrust' of
debate.
Dr Alan Acheson (Connor) was worried that a smaller synod
would be deprived of voices from 'our great cathedral cities'
including Waterford, Kilkenny and Limerick. He was worried
about moving from a democratic model to an oligarchic model.
With a truncated synod, there might be no way back: no
oligarchy had ever surrendered power willingly to a
democracy'.
Dr PHC Trimble (Down) asked where power resides in the
Church of Ireland. The Dean of Ferns, the Very Revd Leslie
Forrest, said the synod needed change, but not the drastic
changes proposed. The Revd Colin Hall-Thompson (Connor) said
the report did not go far enough in outlining how the new,
smaller synod was going to operate. The Bishop of Cork, the Rt
Revd Paul Colton, said the problems of running and organising
the synod were related to its size.
Replying to the debate, Canon Patterson, said the report
was not a move towards centralisation but towards making the
synod more representative.
Top
Debt
problems threaten millions of children with death, says Dr
Empey.
The General Synod overwhelmingly approved a motion in the
name of the Archbishop of Dublin and the Bishop of Kilmore
calling for continued debt cancellation for the world's most
highly indebted poor countries.
The honorary secretaries are to convey the resolutions to
the Japanese ambassadors ahead of the G8 Summit in Okinawa in
July
Archbishop Walton Empey said world debt was a complex issue
with devastating consequences for the world's poorest. In
sub-Saharan Africa, with 590 million people, 250 million did
not have access to clean water, 220 million survive on less
than $1 a day, and 130 million children have 'no schooling
whatsoever, none at all'.
Some progress had been made on the debt issue, but there
was still a very long way to go. Targets set for 2000 had been
reset for 2015, and 'several million children will die as a
result'. There had been no proper discussions about the 'terms
and conditions' applied to rescheduled debts, and debt
repayment was being given priority over human development.
Bishop Michael Mayes spoke of a hideously complex issue and
sheer cynicism involved in manipulating figures. Canon Desmond
McCreery (Down) appealed for simplified details suitable for
parish magazines and sermon material so the message could get
back to the parishes and the work could be by the parishes. Mr
Hilary Morrison (Connor) said debt had taken the place of
apartheid as the new moral issue that could not be questioned.
He charged that the jubilee concept had been taken out of its
Old Testament context, and questioned the morality of asking
western taxpayers to pay up. He said there was no reason to
believe cancelling debt would benefit the poorest rather than
corrupt rulers, who would be 'laughing all the way to their
Swiss bank accounts'.
The Revd Doris Clements (Tuam) said the over-consumption of
the world's resources made us indebted to the developing
world, and she gave the example of the 'enormous deluge of
paper in the church pews', involving the destruction of 'many
rain forests'.
Replying to Mr Morrison, Dr Empey pointed out that the debt
incurred by South Africa to maintain apartheid was now being
borne as a burden by the people who had been victims of
apartheid, and 43 cents in every dollar of debt incurred in
the Philippines was not by the people, but by corrupt leaders.
Top
The Debate on the
RB report
The Revd Kevin Brew (Connor) on behalf of the Christian
Stewardship Committee expressed thanks for the allocation of a
grant of £50,000 - the work of the Christian Stewardship
office can be seen in the vast improvement of parishes
throughout the country. Canon Walter Lewis (Connor) while
welcoming the excellent work the RB has done in the field of
clergy remuneration would like them to look at financial
support for clergy on long-term sick leave. The financial
consequences for parishes where the incumbent is in this
position are tremendous as they not only have to pay the
incumbent but also provide finance for special cover. Dean
George Hilliard (Cork) and Mr J Bateman (Down) both expressed
appreciation of the annual review of ethical investments. The
Revd F Forbes (Ferns) said the Church of Ireland was falling
far behind other churches in providing funds for retiring
clergy - he felt that perhaps some of the money from the sale
of glebes could be used to help provide suitable housing.
Several speakers expressed concern about the proposed
disposal of the Palace in Kilkenny. Mr Michael Webb (Dublin)
pointed out that one of the options which did not appear to
have been looked at was the use of the Palace by the Bishop
and the diocese. He mentioned the vast improvement in the
techniques now available to deal with older buildings and felt
that we should examine ways in which the Church can hold on to
its heritage rather than dispose of it. Mr G Smyth (Leighlin)
was annoyed that the diocese had not been consulted - the RB
and the Heritage Committee seemed to be acting jointly. The
site, he said, was worth a huge amount of money. There was a
lot of concern in the diocese and more time should be taken,
the speaker said, to look carefully at the whole problem. The
Revd Kevin Brew (Connor) was concerned about the image of the
parson as the 'man in the big house'. Canon N Ruddock (Ferns)
was again concerned that the diocese had not been consulted
and accused the RB of going 'behind their backs'. He asked if
the joint diocesan councils had any authority to make
decisions any more since some years ago they had decided they
were in favour of retaining the Palace. Mr J Couchman (Leighlin)
said that as the Palace is part of the only surviving
cathedral close in Ireland surely it was a sign of retreat to
contemplate disposing of it. Bishop Brian Hannon (Clogher)
looked forward to the new See House being built for his
successor in Clogher as the last five bishops had lived in a
temporary residence. With particular reference to the grounds
of Clones Church,. he stressed that church grounds are as
important as buildings.
The Chief Officer, Mr Robert Sherwood, responding to Canon
Ruddock said that the RB did not do anything 'behind backs'.
They heard that the Heritage Council wanted new headquarters
and entered into exploratory talks with them. Mr Plunkett and
he had met the diocesan council and were authorised to set up
an independent survey. An interim report had been received but
they still awaited the final report.
Canon Williams (Cork) wanted a panel of experts to be set
up so that nothing could be disposed of without expert advice.
He had little confidence in local authorities. Referring to
the contracts for part-time stipendiary ministers, Canon Des
Harman (Dublin) was concerned that we seem to be setting up
different levels of ministry. Is the contract more strict than
that applied to the full-time clergy.
Dean Ted Ardis (Tuam) asked with reference to clergy
couples, whether the present apparent regulations required
incumbents to live within the parish.
Mrs A Camier (Dublin) commended the work of the Librarian
and Archives committee for all the work they do for parishes.
Mr Rankin in answer to a number of questions raised during
the debate said they would be referred to the respective
committees of the RB.
The Report was adopted and the various allocations were
approved.
Top
The Debate
on the Pensions Report.
Lady Sheil seconded the report.
Dean Brain Moller (Connor) suggested that the Pensions
Board should not rest on its laurels but go on to improve the
plight of retired clergy. He particularly referred to the fact
that there was no lump sum for clergy on retirement as there
was in the Church of England.
In answer Lady Sheila said that a lump sum was possible if
a clergyman was prepared to commute up to 25% of his/her
pension.
Canon Brian Courtney (Clogher) introucing the Stewardship
report commended the RB grant of £50,000 which reaches
directly down to parish level. For a mere £2 per parish unit,
a stewardship campaign may be obtained. He paid a greatly
deserved tribute to Mr Murray Hunter and his staff in the
Stewardship office.
Canon P Harvey (Leighlin) in seconding the report said
stewardship was looking at what has always been there and
making the best use of it.
Dean Michael Jackson (Cork) said money and planned giving
are essential to the ongoing life of a parish and he drew
attention to the Euro which when it comes will no doubt, have
a detrimental effect on the financial life of a parish.
Top
|
