General Synod 2003: News

This is a thumbnail image of the Archbishop of Armagh speaking at General Synod

This is a thumbnail image of the Archbishops, Bishops, Honorary Secretaries and Members at General Synod

This is a thumbnail image of Members voting at General Synod

This is a thumbnail image of the Archbishops' table at General Synod

CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House, 61 - 67 Donegall Street, Belfast BT 2QH
Tel Belfast: (028) 90 232 909
Press Officer Brian Parker (M): 07775 927 807

PRESS RELEASE

14 May 2003

‘WE CAN’T LIVE IN A COCOON’ – BISHOP JACKSON

The Church of Ireland cannot address the concerns of society from a denominational cocoon, said the Rt Rev Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher and chairman of the Church in Society Committee.

Speaking today at the church’s General Synod in Dublin, Bishop Jackson urged members to become ‘useful players in the world’.

the Rt Rev Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher
The Rt Rev Michael Jackson,
Bishop of Clogher

He said: ‘The Church of Ireland cannot pretend that the concerns of society are outside our focus or beyond our view. For us to assess the two societies of our country – developing at very different paces as they are – from the security of a religious, moral or denominational cocoon is ultimately to banish ourselves to irrelevance.

‘We become frustrated spectators of a life which ought to challenge us. We need to become useful Players in the world of which we are a part.’

The Bishop said the Church in Society Committee was addressing a broad spread of issues.

He said: “Resources is a constant challenge as we try to respond to issues in a well-informed and representative. The world is knocking at out window seeking opinions, commitments and action. In both jurisdictions governmental and public bodies are very keen to seek the reactions of churches, among many others, to developing policies and enactments of policy.”

Bishop Jackson added: ‘The Committee is concerned where possible to bring issues to the attention of members of the Church of Ireland as a contribution to the coherence of the Church of Ireland which is our integrity at its best.’

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