News from the dioceses and links to media reports including: A welcoming church?; Divorce and re-marriage after 2012 Synod; Inquiry into ‘exploitation’ of orphans
A welcoming church?
Irish Times Comment (May 17) – Over the past few days, the 12 bishops of the Church of Ireland must have thought long and hard about the fallout from the divisive votes in the General Synod last weekend, and the catastrophic effects of a debate that leaves them sorely divided. The voting has shown the Church of Ireland is deeply divided between North and South, between evangelicals and liberals, and even between conservative evangelicals and “open” evangelicals.
The General Synod was given one opportunity after another to show it is a welcoming church. In all there were six votes – four on amendments to a motion on marriage and sexuality, one on the motion itself, and one when the Archbishop of Armagh called on the bishops to stand up and be counted. That final vote must have left the bishops asking themselves how, if they cannot show unity among themselves, they can demand unity from the clergy and the laity.
The final resolution emphasises an understanding of marriage defined by one narrow part of canon law alone, without any reference to the Bible, the 39 Articles, which are foundational for Anglicanism, or the Book of Common Prayer, which contains the marriage services.
The General Synod has opted for a definition of marriage founded on law rather than grace, in legalistic terms rather than theological concepts, leaving doubts now over pastoral attitudes to divorced people who remarry or couples who have civil marriages.
This was never a debate about homosexuality alone. While the catalyst had been the civil partnership of one prominent clergyman, civil partnership is not mentioned anywhere in the final resolution. The synod votes have damaged the openness, acceptance and dialogue the Church of Ireland was moving towards after a conference in Co Cavan just two months ago.
The carefully choreographed niceness of the Ballyconnell conference disappeared in 4½ hours of debate and wrangling. A listening process that had only just begun has been abandoned.
Many gay clergy must now fear making their sexual orientation known. Like a similar resolution passed by the world’s Anglican bishops at the Lambeth Conference in 1998, this resolution may now be used to exclude gay and lesbian members from the life of many parishes and some dioceses. A chill wind may now be blowing through the Church of Ireland for those who want a more welcoming, open and tolerant church.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0517/1224316238077.html
Divorce and re-marriage after 2012 Synod
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2012/0517/1224316238186.html
Archbishop’s statement on Tallaght Hospital report
The President of Tallaght Hospital, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, has welcomed the recommendations contained in the report of the Health Information and Quality Authority on the Quality Safety and Governance of Care provided at the hospital published today. The report contains 76 recommendations of which seven are specific to Tallaght Hospital. The remainder are recommendations for all hospitals (including Tallaght), the Health Service Executive or the Department of Health.
Dr Jackson noted that since the commencement of the Authority’s investigation, very significant changes had taken place at Tallaght Hospital. All of the recommendations contained in the Report relating to Tallaght Hospital have been carried out or are in the process of being carried out. Dr Jackson stressed that at the heart of every hospital is the care and well–being of patients as individuals. He also spoke of the high level of commitment of staff at Tallaght Hospital. He went on to commend the work of the hospital management, the board and staff in implementing these changes.
The Archbishop pointed to the new Board, new management, new governance, new systems and new structures which have all been put in place at Tallaght Hospital in recent months. He also said that the hospital has co–operated throughout with the Minister for Health in implementing such changes and improvements. He accepted that what had happened in the past was deeply regrettable but said that considerable steps had been taken in the intervening time to rectify the situation.
In relation to governance at the hospital the Authority recommended that the charter of Tallaght Hospital be replaced by the necessary legislative means to establish a fit–for purpose Board. It also recommended that the current Interim Board should be dissolved in the coming months and, with a managed transition, a new Board be appointed.
Dr Jackson concluded: ‘HIQA has drawn attention to a broad range of issues which point to challenges for the Irish hospital system. There are specific lessons for Tallaght. In taking them to heart, we wish to express our commitment to the community which we seek to serve locally and further afield for the future.’
Connor Vision Strategy process continues
The third Rural Deanery Meeting in Connor Diocese’s Vision Strategy process took place in Antrim Parish Hall on Monday May 14.
Around 130 people representing Select Vestries and parishioners from Ballynure and Ballyeaston; Connor and St Patrick’s; Drummaul, Duneane and Ballyscullion; Kilbride; Muckamore, Killead and Gartree; Templepatrick and Donegore; and Antrim attended the meeting.
The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, spoke about the background to the Vision Strategy and the reasons for it, in particular the need for churches to adapt to the changing culture and communities in which they minister.
The Rev Alan McCann, a member of the Vision Strategy Group, gave a presentation of the findings of a survey of parishes in the diocese, and Bishop Alan then addressed some of the specifics of changing culture and context, something he had explored in depth in his recent series of Lent seminars
As part of the process, the Vision Strategy group has been identifying examples of good practice in parishes across the diocese, and a Powerpoint on some of the projects and ideas parishes have found successful was presented by the Archdeacon of Connor and Vicar of Antrim, the Ven Dr Stephen McBride.
14th Medieval Dublin Symposium
The Friends of Medieval Dublin symposium will take place in the Robert Emmet Theatre of Trinity College Dublin on Saturday May 19 from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. Areas covered during the day include the Archaeology of the priory of All Hallows and Trinity College Dublin; How Dublin Remembered the Battle of Clontarf; and Battle Wounds, Murder and Death in Early Medieval Swords among other presentations. Admission is free and no advance registration is required. Further information can be obtained by contacting Prof Sean Duffy on sduffy@tcd.ie.
St Patrick’s Cathedral will be keeping the medieval theme going that evening with vespers at 18.15. All are welcome
Peace and Conflict: Colombia, Kurdistan, Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka
A public meeting on “The Geopolitics of Peace and Conflict: Colombia, Kurdistan, Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka” takes place on Thursday May 24 at 7.00 pm in the Edmund Burke Theatre, TCD. The Irish School of Ecumenics is one of the organisers of this event.
The public meeting is followed the next day (Friday May 25) by a day long seminar on conflict – attendance by invitation only – organised by the Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin; Grupo Raíces (Grúpa Fréamhacha); Irish Forum for Peace in Sri Lanka; Kurdish Association of Ireland; Latin American Solidarity Centre; IBIS Institute for British– Irish Studies UCD Dublin.
The speakers will include:
Joe Costello TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Paul Murphy MEP; Carlos Arturo Garcia Marulanda, a member of Marcha Patriótica, the largest peace organisation in Colombia and a human rights campaigner; Alan Shamosson, Foreign Affairs Representative of Democratic Union Party & Kurdistan National Congress Member; Rohitha Bashana Abyewardena, convenor/journalist for Democracy in Sri Lanka; David Landy, Ireland–Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Contact: geopolitics2012@gmail.com www.geopolitics2012.com
Kerry: A bit of Africa?
Kerry is giong to become a bit of Africa this evening. Archdeacon Robert Warren explains:
We are planning an “African Evening” in Teach an tSolais (Parish Centre)
on Friday, 18th May
at 8p.m. in aid of the Diocesan Board of Mission Project in Swaziland. USPG Representatives, Linda Chambers and her husband, Jan, will be with us on the night and will give a presentation on the Project. There will be plenty of African and European finger food on offer and some liquid refreshment as well! There will also be some entertainment from some well known artists – flown in at great expense!
Limerick MU 125th Anniversary Showcase
The special Showcase event has the theme:
Your Gift – Discover and Celebrate. It will be a great chance to discover more about the Mohter’s Union in the diocese and the world.
it takes place in:
St. Kieran’s Hall, Cloughjordan Saturday 19th May 2 – 5:30 p.m. MU Faith and Policy officer Patsy Devoy will be the special speaker
The event will be a fun day for everyone with all sorts of demonstrations and exhibits including:
• Arts and crafts by Jackie Eastwood and Patsy Kearney
• Nutritional Therapist Janette Austin
• Hair by Millie
• Projects
• Branch Profiles
• Delicious Homemade Refreshments
Everyone is welcome so come along and join the fun.
Combined Choirs Choral Evensong
Choral Evensong sung by the combined choirs of St Paul’s Glenageary & Monkstown Parish Church, in St Paul’s, Sunday 20 May @ 7.00pm – See also Music section this site.
Inquiry into ‘exploitation’ of orphans
Irish Times – They were sent back and forth over the Border, sometimes on fundraising trips to perform for church groups. Sydney’s mother was from Northern Ireland. Three of her children were sent to Westbank, one of whom was born in Bethany.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2012/0517/1224316238093.html
Troubles survivors lobby Stormont
BBC – As research highlights a staggering shortfall in services for thousands injured as a result of the Troubles, survivors lobby Stormont.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18099747
A sanctuary in the city – for £700k
Belfast Newsletter – General views of the church. A Belfast church has been put on the market with a price tag of £700000. Northern Ireland’s only First Church of Christ Scientist congregation have vowed they will continue their worship at a different venue.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/a-sanctuary-in-the-city-for-700k-1-3845169
Higgins and Kenny attend State commemoration
Insideireland.ie – The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, is attending the ceremony and for the first time members of the Jewish and Islamic faiths are offering prayers at the graves of the 1916 leaders. In the sermon, the Bishop of Ferns, …
http://insideireland.ie/2012/05/16/higgins-and-kenny-attend-stae-commemoration-70390/