Your Grace, member of Synod,

In the Church of Ireland from time to time there are clergy who for whatever reason make life intolerable for their parishioners and there are parishes which for whatever reason make life intolerable for their clergy. Sometimes these situations are temporary and a way forward of living together is found but there are some situations which become protracted and bitter and are beyond resolution locally despite every effort being made at parish and diocesan level, this lack of resolution is because (1) the nature of the Church of Ireland or (2) because the parties involved in trying to find a resolution are too close to the situation and there is a difficulty for a bishop being in a managerial situation as well as being pastor pastorum, or (3) because there are parties involved who perceive themselves to be totally in the right and the wrong is all on the other side.

This Bill which proposes the setting up of Provincial Mediation Panels has been well announced by the Commission on Ministry in both a Green Paper and a White Paper contained in the reports of the Commission for the last two years. The Commission on Ministry has already determined that although ‘freehold’ as a concept for the clergy of the Church of Ireland does not exist and although there is no contract of employment for most clergy of the Church of Ireland there does exist instead a covenant relationship with those whom they serve as bishop, rector or curate assistant. This covenant relationship is a two way process and the parishes have an obligation to support their clergy in their ministry not just financially but giving other forms of support. Sometimes in parish life the important covenant relationship between pastor and people breaks down and the consequences may be devastating for all concerned leading to a situation where there is a withdrawal of support for the ministry and a lack of understanding develops between parish and pastor. Despite all effort. at Diocesan level some of these problems become intractable and seemingly beyond resolution. In the Church of Ireland we have no mechanism for dealing with such issues, which arise from time to time.

In an era of transparency and openness the clergy of the Church of Ireland are not beyond accountability neither are the parishes in which they serve. If no resolution is found to some of these matters which the Commission has called ‘pastoral conflict’ the result is a parish which becomes discouraged and a ministry which lacks fulfillment and becomes disillusioned in the long run the Church, where it matters most and where it has most to give, at a parish level could be destroyed. This Bill will, if passed will enable the Church to establish MEDIATION PANELS in the two provinces of the Church of Ireland one for the Northern Province of Armagh and one for the Southern Province of Dublin. The Bill makes provision for the members of these PANELS to be appointed by the Diocesan Councils, on the nomination of the Bishop, and comprise one ordained priest one lay person from each of Dioceses in the Province and shall receive training in conflict resolution prior to taking up office.

When any matter of pastoral conflict is referred to the MEDIATION PANEL it shall appoint a TEAM of 4 members from the Panel (none of whom shall be from the Diocese concerned) should such that be offered by a bishop where there may be a particular need and to deal with the matter who then will have power to co-opt two further people who may have particular expertise to offer.

In dealing with any particular issue the Team shall have access, in strictest confidence, with the agreement of the parties involved, to all records of previous attempts to deal with the matter. On completion of its work the TEAM shall report its findings to the Chairman of the PANEL for forwarding to the Bishop concerned within twelve months.

The Commission has anticipated that among the recommendations that may be made by the PANEL that one will be that a ministry in the stipendiary ministry has come to an end. that if that stipendiary minister agrees with those findings the Representative Church Body will be informed by the bishop of this fact and they have been asked to consider making regulations regarding the payment of a severance package. It must be pointed out if this recommendation is given and If a severance package is agreed to it will preclude the cleric involved from any stipendiary position within the Church of Ireland from then on but will not preclude ministry of some sort for which some out of pocket expenses may be paid.

The establishment of these Panels does not constitute a witch hunt, a star chamber, or a criminal court but it is a genuine attempt to find a pastoral solution to issues which arise from time to time within the Church of Inland. It could well be that this attempt to deal with the problem will not be adequate and further and more far reaching measures may be necessary but it a genuine endeavour to come up some way forward for bishops, clergy and parishes alike. In the last two years some of the details of this Bill, which have appeared in the Reports of the Commission on Ministry, have been well received by the General Synod and the Commission has understood this, with no other suggestions coming forward, to be a green light to proceed with care to produce this Bill.

This Bill attempts to find a pastoral solution to some pastoral problems and I commend it to the House.