The General Synod this morning cleared the way for interchangeability of ministry between the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland. The historic Bill providing for the interchangeability of ministry between the two churches was passed this morning and Synod heard that the move, which only affects the Churches in Ireland, has come to worldwide attention.

A resolution on the issue was received by Synod last year and so it was deemed to have passed its first stage then and it passed its second stage on Thursday.

Bishop Paul Colton, in the chair, said that this Bill has had a long history in the legislative process. The Dean of Cork proposed that the Bill be read a third time and passed. It was seconded by the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory.

Speaking to the Bill, the Bishop of Down said this was an important occasion. Quoting Fr Michael Hurley, he said we had been through an ecumenical winter. “What we are doing here is an ecumenical spring,” he said.

He reported that the Inter Anglican Standing Committee had just met and that the report had been warmly welcomed and commended to the whole of the Communion. “We are one of the good news stories in that report and what we are doing today is something quite large in the ecumenical story,” he said. He added that the Anglican Church in New Zealand was also looking at the Bill.

“This is a wonderful moment in the history of our churches and the history of our mission in this land and what we have to offer the world wide church,” he concluded.

George Woodman (Connor) said he enthusiastically supported last year’s resolution but had serious reservations about how this Bill was drafted. “If we are going to be a template we had better ensure that we offer the Anglican Communion the right template,” he said.

Jason Shannon said that the bill meant that the Church of Ireland recognised others as Christians and the Book of Common Prayer supported this.

The Dean of Cork said it was a historic moment in the Church’s journey of faith with our fellow Christians in the Methodist Church and proposed that the bill be read a third time and passed.

The bill required voting by orders and a two thirds majority in each house and was passed.

Following the vote, Archbishop Richard Clarke, said this was a wonderful occasion in the life of the Church of Ireland and Irish Methodism and the life of the Church worldwide.

Speaking to those within the Church of Ireland for whom the passing of the bill will be difficult and who feel that this is a step beyond our catholic heritage he said if he had felt for one moment that his understanding of historic episcopate would be changed he would not have supported the move.

He hoped that those who have felt hurt by the move understood that those who have been in favour of it do not hold them in any less regard. “You will always be loved in the Church of Ireland,” he said.

He thanked all the people in both Churches who had brought the bill to this point over decades. He paid tribute to Irish Methodism for the many ways they tried to help the understanding of episcopacy which is expressed differently.

Looking to the future he said that the Church of Ireland would be represented on June 11 as the Methodist conference begins and a new President is elected. Following the next election of a Bishop to a Church of Ireland dioceses and they hoped that the Methodist President and two past Presidents would join in the Laying on of Hands.

The Primate said the Church of Ireland had a great deal to receive from Irish Methodism stating that Methodism epitomised radical generosity and said it was a day for which he had longed for many years.

President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Dr Heather Morris, said was indeed a great moment and she was thankful to God for the privilege of being here for this moment. She added her words of thanks to those who had brought about this moment and thanked the Church of Ireland for its theological rigour and the grace it had brought to the discussions.

“It is a great moment and it is also a moment that makes great demands on us,” she said. “The Primate’s address on gifts has echoed through this general synod. I want to add my voice to his plea that we be open to giving but also receiving from each other. The gift of receiving could be the biggest challenge,” she said. “The challenge is that we allow our traditions to help each other. I am grateful to those who have had the courage to voice their hesitations. Thank you for your honesty and integrity. I am grateful to God for a depth of relationship that allows us to differ.”

The second demand, she said, was that the Churches make these relationships real on the ground. “Our rhetoric has to be made real in our action. For some the making real of that relationship will be easy for others it will be profoundly difficult but today makes the demand on us to build and enjoy our relationships – to be dissatisfied with splendid isolation. Today demands that we remember each other in our thinking and action.”

Her words received a standing ovation.

::synod14::