Church – State meeting highlights education and Peace process; Centre for Celtic Spirituality moves to Navan Centre; Archbishop Clarke’s prayerful good wishes to new Coadjutor Archbishop; C of I represented at Limerick bishop’s consecration; Applications to Queen’s C of I centre – The Hub; Meath & Kildare Primary schools conference
Church – State meeting highlights education and Peace process
Education, Northern Ireland and rural issues were among the matters raised at a bilateral meeting between representatives of the Church of Ireland and the Irish Government yesterday morning (Friday April 19). The Church of Ireland delegation, led by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, met the Taoiseach, the Minister for Education, the Minister for Children and senior officials from the Departments of Health and Justice in Government Buildings.
One of the key issues raised by the delegation was education. The innovative model of patronage being undertaken with the new secondary school in Greystones, County Wicklow was discussed. The Church of Ireland representatives welcomed the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in schools. They also commended the Minister for Education on his Action Plan on Bullying.
However, the delegation expressed its concern at the Government’s policy on small schools and the forthcoming Value for Money report. The Church representatives impressed upon the Government that if the suggested figure of 86 pupils is used as a baseline to define a small school, 120 (60 percent) of Protestant primary schools will be affected.
The importance of the Protestant Block Grant to secondary school students and their parents was also emphasised. The School Enrolment Bill 2013 and its affect on the role of boards of management and Patrons in determining their own admissions policies was discussed as was the Ethics and Religious Beliefs Curriculum for primary schools.
On the subject of Northern Ireland there were discussions on the Peace Process and the Belfast Agreement. The Church representatives told the Government of initiatives undertaken by clergy working in the area, particularly in the light of the recent flag protests. The delegation thanked the Taoiseach for the interest he has taken in Northern Ireland and in particular for his participation in the special commemoration services in Enniskillen last year which has been appreciated across the community.
The group highlighted the importance of the 1913-1922 centenary commemorations and expressed the view that they should be sensitive to all traditions on the island of Ireland.
The Church of Ireland delegation reiterated the call for an enquiry into the Bethany Home. Issues affecting rural Ireland under discussion included the implications of the proposed changes to the EU Single Farm Payment Scheme and suicide in rural areas. Care for the elderly was also highlighted with concern expressed about the efficiency of the current provision of home help. The impact of the ABC Judgement and hospital chaplaincies were also on the agenda.
Following the meeting, Archbishop Jackson said that the dialogue process had enabled a wide ranging and informative discussion to take place. He stated: ‘We welcomed the opportunity to explore the broad spectrum of issues raised during the bilateral discussions. I felt that both sides benefited from the free flow of information.’
The Church of Ireland delegation drew representatives from North and South of the island and comprised: the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson; the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell; the Dean of Clogher, the Very Revd Kenneth Hall; Canon Eithne Lynch; and Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, the Ven Robin Bantry White, Mr Sam Harper and Mrs Ethne Harkness who also represented The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh; and Dr Ken Fennelly, Secretary to the General Synod Board of Education.
This was the first bilateral meeting to take place between the Church of Ireland and the current Government. The meetings between the Government and the Churches are provided for in the EU Constitution and the Lisbon Treaty which committed the Institutions of the EU to maintain an ‘open, transparent and regular dialogue’ with Churches, religious organisations, philosophical and non-confessional organisations.
Centre for Celtic Spirituality moves to Navan Centre
The Centre for Celtic Spirituality is a combined Church and charitable project based in the City of Armagh, involving Quakers, Anglicans, Methodists, Catholics and Presbyterians.
From May 2013 the Centre’s work will be based at The Navan Centre, three miles from Armagh City on the Killylea Road. Facilities there include a beautiful interpretive centre with an excellent AV theatre, a seminar room, a restaurant and shop and plenty of parking space. In addition the Centre for Celtic Spirituality has established a small Celtic studies library upstairs for the use of anyone interested in studying Celtic Christianity and aspects of Celtic Spirituality.
The launch of this new partnership between the Armagh City and District Council and the Centre for Celtic Spirituality will take place on 10th May 2013 at 11.00a.m. The launch will be addressed by a representative of the Armagh City and District Council and also by the Revd Dr Johnston McMaster, Chair of the combined Church Board of Directors.
The Revd Grace Clunie, Director of the Centre since 2007, commented: ‘The Centre for Celtic Spirituality is grateful to the Armagh City and District Council for its support of our work, which aims to promote understanding, respect and reconciliation focused on shared roots in the identity and practice of the earliest Christians of these islands. We also value the opportunity to develop the work of bringing pilgrims to Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital, and of having the privilege to base our work at this beautiful, sacred and very ancient site – originally known as Emain Macha, so prominent in The Tain, the Ulster cycle of myth and legend, and so prominent a place in the time of St Patrick.’
A programme of events is offered by The Centre for Celtic Spirituality and full details can be viewed on the website at www.celtic-spirituality.net
Archbishop Clarke’s prayerful good wishes to new Coadjutor Archbishop
In a statement issued today in advance of the Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor Eamon Martin as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh due to take place on Sunday 21 April in St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Armagh, The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland said:
‘I very much look forward to representing the Church of Ireland at the Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor Eamon Martin on Sunday and can assure him not only of my prayers at this time, but also of the prayers of many throughout the Church of Ireland as he now begins a new and exciting chapter in the ministry to which God has called him.
‘As a fellow newcomer to the City of Armagh I am looking forward to getting to know Monsignor Martin as a neighbour, and also to working with him in the months and years ahead in a shared proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.’
C of I represented at Limerick bishop’s consecration
On Sunday last the ordination took place in Limerick’s Roman Catholic diocese of Brendan Leahy as its 47th Bishop and the first to be ordained since 1974.
The Mass at Saint John’s Cathedral was attended by more than 1,200 guests. Chief Celebrant was Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Dermot Clifford and his co-consecrators were Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and Fr Tony Mullins, who has served as Limerick Diocese Administrator since December 2009 and who delivered the Homily.
Around 15 Bishops and over 200 priests attended the ordination, along with representatives of parishes across the diocese and friends and family of Bishop Leahy. Pride of place at the celebration was for Fr Brendan’s 91 year-old father Maurice, who taught in Athea, Co. Limerick in the 1940s. Also present were Bishop Leahy’s sisters Máire and Treasa, his brother Tom and sister-in-law Marjorie.
Among the congregation also were were Oireachtas representatives from the Diocese, including cabinet ministers Michael Noonan and Jan O’Sullivan, Mayor of Limerick Gerry McLoughlin, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council Jerome Scanlan and their fellow Limerick councillors. President Michael D. Higgins and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD, were represented by their Aide de Comp Col Brendan McAndrew and Comdt Michael Treacy respectively.
Also present were Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe Trevor Williams and representatives of others Christian Communities, including Church of Ireland Dean of Limerick and Rector of Limerick City Parish , Very Rev. Sandra Pragnel, Superintendent Minister of the Adare and Ballingrane Methodist Circuit Rev. Liz Hewitt and Rev. Vicki Lynch of the United Methodist Presbyterian Congregation.
Bishop Leahy became the first Bishop in Ireland and eighth in the world to be ordained under the papacy of Pope Francis. He succeeds Bishop Donal Murray, who retired as Bishop in December 2009.
Applications to Queen’s C of I centre – The Hub
The student centre at Queen’s is now open for applications for those applying to University for upcoming academic year 2013/14.
“Residency in Chaplaincy is like no other experience…,” says Church of Ireland Chaplain, Barry Forde.
“You will meet friends for life, you will learn to cook for more people than you thought possible, you will go on centre weekends, embarrass yourself at the annual formal, and along the way learn more about life, about faith, about yourself, and (if we as Chaplains have anything to do with it) about Jesus.”
Situated in the heart of Queens University campus there is accommodation for up to 50 residents across the houses owned by the Church of Ireland and Methodist Churches. From mid–September to early June these rooms are occupied by University Students.
We place a high value on the sense of community in living together, sharing meals, social activities, and a wide range of activities centred on exploring the Christian faith together.
Over the years students from the centre have travelled far and wide together on Easter and Summer outreach teams, whilst during each year many of the activities are student led.
Each house has a House Warden whose role it is to try and ensure that everyone gets along, pays the cooking bills, provides food that is edible, and clears up afterwards! The Student Committee is elected by the students in residence to plan social events for students in residence and non–residential students alike.
Many students spend at least two years of their time at University living in the centre, and whilst we are not perfect, for most it is one of the most formative times of their lives.
Follow this link to apply online.
http://www.thehubbelfast.org/about-us/community/
Or email the office at info@thehubbelfast.org for more information.
Meath & Kildare Primary schools conference
A Primary Schools Conference (for all School Board members) will take place at The King’s Hosp School, Palmerstown on Saturday, 27th April at 10a.m. Booking essential.