A Motion dealing with the Church of Ireland’s relationship with the Moravian Church of Great Britain and Ireland has been approved by General Synod.

The motion, in the names of the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory and the Bishop of Clogher called on General Synod to welcome and affirm the conclusions and proposals contained in the report of the recent dialogue between the two Churches.

It also asked Standing Committee to ensure that legislation providing for the interchangeability of ministry between the two Churches was laid before Synod for consideration as soon as practicable and following further examination of the developing relationship between the Moravian Church and the Church of England.

Proposing the motion Bishop Michael Burrows said this was a big moment in our ecumenical life in Ireland and added that the Moravian Church was one with a very rich tradition. He welcomed the Revd Sarah Groves and the Bishop John McOwat.

He said the motion sought to build on an agreement reached in the 1990s. He said that the Church of Ireland was taking the lead in the current negotiations and that the Church of England were significant observers of the process. The current motion, he explained, looked forward towards interchangeability of ministry between the two churches. He proposed the motion with the hope that it was a step along the way.

Bishop John McDowell said the motion was a recognition of what each church had always been and exploration of how they could continue the work of God.

The Revd Sarah Groves of the Moravian Church brought greetings from the Moravian Church. She spoke of the church being relational and said that relationships were at the heart of what we do and say as Christians. She highlighted the importance of the conversations with the Church of Ireland. She said she was deeply grateful to the Church of Ireland for the time it had given to them. She said that the understandings and practices of both churches were similar.

Ms Groves said that traditional churches faced huge challenges and coming closer together would benefit the Moravian Church and hoped it would bless the Church of Ireland and bring together the Body of Christ in all its glorious variety. She prayed that the lead of the Church of Ireland would inspire the sister community in England.

Canon John Clarke (Meath and Kildare) added his support to the motion.

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