WEDNESDAY'S NEWS

Standing Committee Report - Debate

Sectarianism Education Project

The topic which generated most debate was the Sectarianism Education Project.

Rev Dr Eric Culbertson (Armagh) pleaded for sensitivity in the way the Scoping Study was conducted.  In many parishes in Northern Ireland, the majority of the male members of the Church of Ireland were often members of the Orange Order - and were often the keenest Christians.  He pointed out that in terms of sharing the doctrine of Jesus Christ and in supporting Christian outreach, the Orange Order and the Church of Ireland espoused the same ideals.  He urged that nothing should be done that creates division and controversy where none should exist.

Rev Philip Patterson (Down & Dromore) said that sectarianism is a pernicious cancer and that the Church must exorcise every manifestation of it.  He went on to say that the General Synod may have its own inbuilt sectarianism with a minority dominating and belittling a majority.

Rev Canon Horace McKinley asked that sectarianism might include the issues of asylum seekers, refugees and travellers as these are important issues for the Church.

Dean David Chillingworth (Dromore) said that the outcome of the process was to help us deal creatively with difference. He agreed that it included issues confronting asylum seekers and other groups who were subject to sectarianism as defined by the Scoping Study.

He added that sectarianism is a systemic thing. It can involve people who are not in themselves sectarian. The consequences of building strength in a parish or a community can be that another group suffers from sectarianism as a result. 

He emphasised that it is in no-one's interest to lose touch with or alienate our own community. But equally we must face issues and deal openly with them. He drew a direct link between our ability to deal with sectarianism and becoming open to spiritual renewal as a Church.

The Right Reverend Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam concluded with an address that focused on the spiritual dimension in the project.  He said it must be Biblical, it required explicit prayer for its success and it should be communal, insofar as ultimately it would require an ecumenical approach.

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Bishops Appeal

There was universal praise and support for the work of Bishop's Appeal.  General Synod was told of a number of grants that aided work in Afghanistan, Sudan and Palestine.  The Right Reverend Michael Mayes, Bishop of Limerick promoted tax effective giving and paid tribute to those who have worked for Bishop's Appeal. The Right Reverend Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore spoke of the obscenity of poverty and praised other Irish individuals, such as Bono, who have used their influence to bring issues affecting global poverty to the attention of decision makers in politics and industry. "One decision in a boardroom can affect thousands of lives," declared the Bishop.

Broadcasting Committee

Mr David Hannon of Down and Dromore queried the role of Shine FM, an 'ecumenical' station that has been awarded a licence to broadcast under ACCESS radio.  The Broadcasting Committee is in the process of making contact with this organisation to explore the nature of programming they intend to develop.

A query regarding the curtailment of Geographic Coverage in the Republic of Ireland in terms of Sunday morning services was answered with the information that new forms of broadcast service are to be developed and the current form is not intended to be permanent. There has been positive feedback on the Sunday morning services broadcast at present from the Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, as well as some adverse comment.

Christian Stewardship

Canon J Clarke (Dublin) asked if the Truscott report had directly recommended the closure of the Christian Stewardship Operation. Rev Dr M Elliott responded that it had not and that he had not used this phrase in his address. The Truscott report had said that Christian Stewardship was no longer effective.

Church in Society

Issues raised with regard to Church in Society were:

1. Will it make a submission to the Human Rights Commission (NI)?

2. It needs a researcher-secretary.

Rev Dr M Elliott responded that the submission to the HR Commission had been put to General Synod last year.

The Bishop of Clogher, the new Chairman of the Church in Society Committee told Synod that the Committee would be supported by the CCB in its work and would cover the following areas.

1. Medical Ethics, Science and Technology

2. (a) Legislation (NI)
   (b) Legislation (ROI)

3. (a) Social Justice and Theology (NI)
   (b) Social Justice and Theology (ROI)

4. Ecological and environmental issues 

5. European Affairs

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Church of Ireland Youth Department

Rev Clive Atkinson reminded Synod that Summer Madness takes place 28 June - 2 July at Balmoral Hall Complex in Belfast.

The Right Reverend Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam told Synod that an appointment has been made to the CIYD and he hoped to be in a position to announce it before the end of Synod.

Funding of Ordinands

Mr Robert Simpson of Connor drew to the Synod's attention the inadequacy of the grant of £3000 to married ordinands in terms of supporting families who had to move to Dublin during the period of training. He also said accommodation was inadequate and urged Synod to give training the funding it required.

Holy Communion before Synod

Canon Hilliard, Dean of Cloyne urged Synod to return to the practice of celebrating Holy Communion on the Tuesday morning before Synod starts.

Royalties Fund

The Very Rev John Bond, Dean of Lisburn Cathedral asked why the Calendar and Collects had not been circulated to retired clergy. He received the response that the book had been offered at reduced rates to each diocese. Some had purchased it and circulated it to retired clergy and others. Some dioceses had only distributed it to serving clergy.

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