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Committee for Christian Unity proposes new structure
Proposing the report of the Committee for Christian Unity to the Synod today, the Most Revd Richard Clarke, Bishop of Meath and Kildare, explained the details of the proposal for the restructuring of the Committee, as outlined in Motion No 2. “Nothing planned at this point is anything more than continuing of that vision but with a realisation – shared by many of those who have carried the torch – that we have very suddenly moved into very different times on this island, and that the means through which we head into the future of a shared and united proclamation of Jesus Christ must be looked at afresh,” he said.
The suggested new structure of the Committee follows along the same lines as the Church in Society Committee, with different panels or working groups for (a) relationships within Anglicanism, (b) relationships between the different Christian traditions and (c) relationships between different faiths. It is envisaged that these panels would be free to co-opt members with specific expertise for specific areas, as well as having a chairperson and an honorary secretary taken from the within the Committee itself.
A new title for the Committee has also been proposed – The Church of Ireland Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue – a title which reflects the breath of the issues surrounding ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue and the proactive approach that is called for.
“I would ask for the support of Synod, not simply in the effecting of a re-structuring of the Church’s mission to Christian unity at organisational level, but also in the daily, local and ongoing work of what is surely to be a great adventure for the future of the entire Church’s life and its witness to Jesus Christ,” the Bishop concluded.
Seconding the report, Dr Ken Milne (Dublin) strongly urged the Synod to accept the proposals for reorganisation. “All in all then, the General Synod entrusts to this committee some very urgent responsibilities, perhaps of an ecclesiological nature at first glance, but when considered more closely, of enormous importance for the future well-being of our country and the world. We believe that if the Committee is to measure up to what is demanded of it, then new structures are required.”
The Revd Canon Raymond Fox (Raphoe) offered encouragement to the Committee in all that they are doing. He welcomed Michael Earle, an official visitor at this year’s Synod, celebrating the energy that he has brought to the Irish Council of Churches since his appointment. Canon Fox acknowledged the many visible signs of God’s life in parishes and communities right around the country and spoke of the honour of ecumenism and its contribution to reconciliation.
An amendment to Motion No 2, in the name of the proposer and seconder, was tabled today. It amends section (d) of Motion No 2 to read:
(d) To address, in consultation with the Standing Committee, developments within the Anglican Communion;
The Rt Revd Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore, told Synod that, while he had withdrawn his desire to move an additional amendment that would have removed section (d) in its entirety, he still had concerns with regard to this particular role of the sub-group. There is no area more controversial and potentially divisive than the issues within the Anglican Communion, he told the Synod, and care must be taken if the Church is to be drawn into these issues. He reiterated that anything which is said or addressed with regard to the Anglican Communion doesn’t just come from the Commission but must be dealt with centrally by the Church of Ireland as a whole. However, the Bishop is now content that this sub-group will be a representative group and will not make statements without prior consultation with the Standing Committee.
The Motion, thus amended, was passed.