The Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures lodged with the Honorary Secretaries for the consideration of the General Synod in May 2016 a Bill to alter provincial and diocesan boundaries. The Commission announces today that it intends to withdraw this Bill.

In brief, the Bill proposed a union between the dioceses of Tuam and Killala and Limerick and Killaloe, with Achonry joining with Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, and six cures moving from Dublin and Glendalough to Meath and Kildare. No boundary changes were to come into effect until after the General Synod meeting in 2017. If passed, the Bill would have resulted in a church of eleven dioceses rather than twelve, six in the Province of Armagh and five in the Province of Dublin. The Archbishops had indicated their consent to the changes in provincial boundaries.

Along with recommendations on episcopal election procedures in a separate Bill, the proposals in this Bill were the culmination of a long process of prayer, reflection, analysis, study and consultation throughout the church. Members of the Commission had unanimously agreed that they represented the best way forward to equip the Church of Ireland for mission and pastoral oversight in the 21st century and we remain convinced that that is so; the Booklet circulated to General Synod members explains how we came to that conclusion, guided by our statement of vision, principles and guidelines.

The Commission acknowledges that General Synod asked that a final scheme and Bill with those agreed features should be brought in 2016 and we deeply regret that we now feel unable to do so. After much heart–searching and consideration of all the implications, however, it is our judgment that the time, the circumstances and the atmosphere are not right for this to be presented and discussed as we envisaged. It is not in the best interests of the church to have divisive and acrimonious debate and it has never been our wish to engage in confrontational argument, attacking and defending, “winners” on one side and “losers” on the other. We are all seeking diocesan arrangements that further the mission of the church, and we must support each other in our common calling, give thanks for all our blessings and share our resources with generosity and grace. That is what the church expects of us all and we believe we can reach those aims, if not through this Bill then in other ways.

With that confidence, as we withdraw this Bill, we hope instead to put forward a Motion encouraging those most likely to be directly involved to work together in considering how these proposals could be taken forward by agreement in their respective dioceses for their mutual benefit and to meet the needs of the wider church. A committee along the lines of the Implementation Committee proposed in the Bill could assist and support them. We suggest that the outcome of those deliberations should be reported to the General Synod in 2017.

This was a very difficult decision for us, following four years’ work. We know that our disappointment at withdrawal of the Bill will also be felt by those bishops, clergy and lay people who have responded positively to our work, showing they are willing to face uncomfortable realities and make sacrifices and changes in the interests of the wider church. We thank everyone for their expressions of support and their prayers during our term of office and especially over the past few weeks. We trust that a way forward will be found that enables the Church of Ireland to provide episcopal ministry and structures adequate for its needs, compatible with its resources and fit for its mission.

Ethne Harkness, Chairman,
on behalf of the members of the Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures
5 May 2016

The members of the Commission are:
Mrs Ethne Harkness (Chairman)
Mr Wilfred Baker
Mrs Brigid Barrett
Rt Rev Michael Burrows
Mrs June Butler
Ven Andrew Forster
Revd Winston Graham (Methodist Church in Ireland)
Mr Edward Hardy
Mr Sam Harper
Ven Gary Hastings
Mrs Hilary McClay
Rt Rev Harold Miller
Most Rev Donal Murray (RC Church in Ireland)
Rt Rev Patrick Rooke
Very Revd Victor Stacey
Mr Roy Totten
Revd Gillian Wharton

Consultants to the Commission:
Revd Stephen Farrell (Episcopal Elections)
Ven Robin Bantry White (Constitution)