In its report to the Church of Ireland General Synod, the Covenant Council continued to encourage Church of Ireland congregations to celebrate the covenant relationship with neighbouring Methodist congregations.

A motion was submitted by the Council to the General Synod to promote events on or around 26th September to mark the signing of the Covenant on that date in 2002. Proposed by the Revd Canon Prof. Adrian Empey (Dublin), the motion also called on the Church to deal urgently with the issue of producing ecumenical canons. Such canon laws would provide for closer cooperation between the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church on a range of issues.

“The absence of such canons highlighted some quite practical problems when we tried to sort out guidelines for local partnerships within parishes.  Basically this means that we need to make sure that ecumenical engagements are put in place to facilitate such contacts not only with Methodists, but with other churches as well” Canon Empey explained.

Seconding the report and the motion, the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Revd Harold Miller, said “the work of the Council is at an exciting, but critical point, especially in relation to interchangeability of ministries.  My own role has come from a passion in my own being for the unity of our two churches.  My prayer is that as we work nationally, internationally and locally more closely together, we may find a deep oneness in Christ which is enriched by both of our traditions.”

The motion was passed by the unanimous agreement of the members of the General Synod.